'Round the World with an Italian Supermodel

Chartres was the first structure I studied in art history during college. When I saw a sign for it it wasn't difficult decision to follow the arrows. Who doesn't want to see some of the most significant flying buttresses ever erected???/

A good 10 miles out I came up over a ridge and have to admit a little bit of awe. It was simply HUGE!



Way back when of course, the size of a cathedral was critical for packing pilgrims in (they had to find it if they were to visit). And of course, it's interesting to note that the highest buildings in cities used to be churches, but now it's office buildings. You want to know who runs any city or town....simply find out what the highest building in it is.) The particular attraction for pilgrims coming to Chartres is the Sancta Camisa, or the shroud Mary supposedly wore when Jesus was born. Given the Catholic Church's rather checkered past, I have difficulty believing the truth of it, not that it really matters because the cathedral had a meaning to me that had nothing to do with religion.

Chartres was a fascinating, otherworldy place that I could only dream of visiting when I was 20. I had no money--and could never imagine having enough to indulge myself in an expensive trip to Europe. So arriving here was a rather monumental accomplishment for me. Especially considering the circumstances of my trip. (Hint: not on a tour bus!!!)

Chartres is surrounded by barriers and I was denied access, so I couldn't get close enough to get pics of my bike. Parked about a km away and hoofed it through the charming streets.







Funny....it looks so much bigger from afar because from a distance is the only way to see the entirety of it. Had to tweak the angles just to get an entire section of the cathedral in the shot.















It's so large inside that I had to take a panorama shot just to get all this in:

I know it's not the same but i had the same feeling rounding a turn and seeing neuschweinstien castle when i was stationed overseas. I now have to go to this place. In the pics it feels like i be stricken down by god upon entering.

Loved Chatres amazing, Michael and I love the architecture of Cathedrals and churches.
You must visit the medieval village of Conque outstanding especially approaching from a single track road with a cart rut on the bridge, I put the multis wheel in it and had my feet up in the walls of the road, nothing but a bike or pedestrian can approach from there

Beautiful pics bro, keep them coming and be safe out there.

I love the photography and all the thought provoking insights. Everytime I see a new post, it has more pictures that I want to use as wallpaper and more pearls of wisdom to ponder. It is now snowing in north Texas, so enjoy the weather before it gets cold!

Other worldly, thanks for sharing these amazing shots

Thanks for sharing the great pics as always.....

I wandered around the backside of the Cathedral, which to me was far more captivating (and far less crowded) than the oppressive interior.









PHOTOBOMB!








Without Chartres there'd be no Escher.

Love the pics again dude. This is my soap opera. Is he going to get pulled over. Is he going to share an amazing story about something weird or just post amazing pics. Keep them coming and continue to enjoy your journey.

What's up with the red door?

Really sticks out. Wonder if it's a trap for tourists? No way I could not open it, and see why it's red, in a sea of gray stone.

Buliwyf said:

What's up with the red door?

Really sticks out. Wonder if it's a trap for tourists? No way I could not open it, and see why it's red, in a sea of gray stone.

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My guess is it's a trap for unsuspecting altar boys.

Not sure what this cathedral was called....nor am I sure of what city (village) it was in. But I did have it all to myself. Or so it first appeared.



I'd parked my bike up on church grounds and not one person driving by on the narrow one way street missed the opportunity to give me the evil eye. Clearly they felt this was THEIR church and he who rideth the devil was a heretic worthy of stoning. Good people do good things; bad people do bad things. It's always been that way and always will. But to get good people to do bad things requires religion.

Then some dude in a small work van rode by and gave me the thumbs up. At least there's one local Athiest!





Turned around and caught this cat trying to escape. Didn't notice it at the time, but the Panigale looks ready to attack. Souls of innocent animals account for at least 10% of the 1199s HP.

I noticed your reference to being an Atheist. Not judging or anything, but do you ever notice in your pics you seem to be drawn to churches and holy places in your travels? You take or at least post more pics of these types than others. Anyways I love em keep em coming dude and have you hit the east coast of the US yet>?????

Speaking of priests....I rolled my bike up here, snapped the shot, turned around and--instead of another sneaky cat--a sneaky priest appeared out of nowhere. Like the congregational flock who'd been doing evil-eye drive-by's, he was less than pleased. I responded to his resolution of animosity with a genuine smile and, in broken French, kind words. Wish I could say it neutralized the acidity of his temperament. Suspecting the ill will lavished on visitors to this holy place might become contagious, I left.

It looks so good against old European buildings. It looks like its always been there. 1st pic it looks like its standing guard

OR he saw your California tag and thought you might try and snatch an altar boy or two



NOLA

NOLA said:

OR he saw your California tag and thought you might try and snatch an altar boy or two



NOLA

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lmao. I died

b9009b said:

I noticed your reference to being an Atheist. Not judging or anything, but do you ever notice in your pics you seem to be drawn to churches and holy places in your travels? You take or at least post more pics of these types than others. Anyways I love em keep em coming dude and have you hit the east coast of the US yet>?????

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One doesn't have to believe in God to appreciate the architecture of cathedrals any more than you need to believe in Zeus to appreciate the Coliseum.

I'd be happy to visit all of the Pagan, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, or Athiest-built structures in Europe, but during the Dark (and Middle) Ages, the church kind of had a strict policy of maiming, torturing and killing the people who would have built them (torture methods and devices during the middle ages make ISIS look humane).

I hit up the East Coast on my Coast to Coast trip (in my sig below). Hoping to make another pass when I finish here, though.

AntiHero said:

One doesn't have to believe in God to appreciate the architecture of cathedrals any more than you need to believe in Zeus to appreciate the Coliseum.

I'd be happy to visit all of the Pagan, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, or Athiest-built structures in Europe, but during the Dark (and Middle) Ages, the church kind of had a strict policy of maiming, torturing and killing the people who would have built them (torture methods and devices during the middle ages make ISIS look humane).

I hit up the East Coast on my Coast to Coast trip (in my sig below). Hoping to make another pass when I finish here, though.

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Your are awesome dude. I hope you write a book after you are done. Its amazing that with all the single and dead minded people on this earth you can open past your belief.

If you hit Philly, hit me up I owe you a beer and dinner

b9009b said:

Your are awesome dude. I hope you write a book after you are done. Its amazing that with all the single and dead minded people on this earth you can open past your belief.

If you hit Philly, hit me up I owe you a beer and dinner

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You're on! And the book is in progress.