Tag: world war ii

Postcard from Palermo, Sicily: Putti play while Jesuits pray

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Above: Putti sculpted of marble in Chiesa del Gesu

Known as soldiers of God, Jesuits travel throughout the world to educate and evangelize the masses. They take a vow of poverty when they enter the order, which makes the extravagant beauty found in their churches particularly surprising.

The website of Chiesa del Gesu explains their evangelization efforts through art with words of Saint John of Damascus (676-749):

If a pagan comes and says, “Show me your faith!” take him to church and show him the decoration with which it is adorned and explain to him the series of sacred pictures.

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Postcard from Siracusa, Sicily: From the Baroque to a modern landmark

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Above: Chiesa del Carmine

Offering a quick glimpse of a few more churches in Siracusa.

There is a fairly consistent pattern in the history of the majority of these churches. They were built centuries ago; suffered substantial damage in the 1493 earthquake; and were rebuilt in Baroque style.

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Postcard from Frankfurt, Germany: Impressions prior to following in Goethe’s path

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Above: Detail on Rathaus, City Hall, on Romerberg Plaza

Pristine. Perfect condition. How could ancient medieval buildings in the the historic center of Frankfurt am Main possibly look this good? Their appearance is particularly amazing in the midst of so many mid-century structures.

The answer lies in the tenacity of the people in this region. Below is how the plaza appeared following the arrival of Allied troops as World War II drew to its costly close.

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