Photographs of Beautiful Prague 2019
copyright Francis Barker 2019
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photography
Beautiful Prague – The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saints Vitus, Wenceslaus and Adalbert
copyright Francis Barker 2019
Prague Churches, Some of the Best I’ve Seen Anywhere
These pictures are just a selection of some I took on a recent trip to Prague. Nothing could have prepared me for the sheer quality of the churches throughout the city. I can’t remember the names, I was simply blown away by the visual and spiritual feast.
copyright Francis Barker 2019
Pictures of Wenceslas Square, Prague, Czech Republic
Known as Vaclav in Czech, Wenceslas (actually a Duke, according to some) was martyred by his brother, Boleslaus in the 10th century.
Wenceslas Square is a major focus for national events in Prague and some compare it to the Champs Elysees in Paris.
There are some examples of progressive sculpture and art in the square today.
copyright Francis Barker 2019
Haiku: Elevation
Truth seen from on high
Elevation affords light
Organic city
copyright Francis Barker 2019
England’s Heritage: The Collegiate Church of Holy Trinity, Tattershall, Lincolnshire
The incredibly beautiful 15th century Collegiate Church of Holy Trinity in the village of Tattershall in central Lincolnshire.
To my mind it is one of the best examples of English Perpendicular architecture anywhere.
At various times in history, the church has fallen into disrepair but has been restored, even preserving a colony of three species of bats within its structure!
The major advantage of the massive Perpendicular windows is the great amount of light let in.
words and photographs copyright Francis Barker 2019
Poem: The Empty Naves
The voice and song remind me
of why I don’t come.
The words and the platitudes wash over me,
echo and reverberate around this sacred space,
crying for heaven
though never finding any home.
The bats are nearer but unaware
of their advantage,
leaving me staring high into this perpendicular sky.
Is this all that is left?
Listening to Betjeman and Vaughan Williams
to stir us up,
to remind us of what once was.
This is me and you coming here,
cultural appreciators
though never spiritual partakers
in a creed we can’t believe.
Give me the fire and brimstone,
a faith which disturbs me
into knowing I’m not already saved.
It is better than this – looking up in awe
into a world that is lost.
words and photographs copyright Francis Barker 2019
