Passing through the northern province of Asturias, we pulled into the town of Oviedo, Spain, to visit the San Miguel de Lillo. Consecrated in the early year of 848, this Roman Catholic church had early aspirations of being a basilica. Unfortunately, the larger original structure collapsed sometime in the 12th or 13th century and the project was never completed. One feature of this church that remains intact is the magnificent lattice work above each window. If you look closely, you will observe that the lattice work is sculpted from a single piece of stone. The lattice above the window on the southern wall is the most stunning.
Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..
2016 - San Miguel de Lillo, Oviedo, Spain
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2016 - San Miguel de Lillo, Oviedo, Spain
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2016 - San Miguel de Lillo, Oviedo, Spain
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2016 - San Miguel de Lillo, Oviedo, Spain
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2016 - San Miguel de Lillo, Oviedo, Spain
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2016 - San Miguel de Lillo, Oviedo, Spain
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2016 - San Miguel de Lillo, Oviedo, Spain
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2016 - San Miguel de Lillo, Oviedo, Spain
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2016 - San Miguel de Lillo, Oviedo, Spain
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2016 - San Miguel de Lillo, Oviedo, Spain
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2016 - San Miguel de Lillo, Oviedo, Spain
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2016 - San Miguel de Lillo, Oviedo, Spain
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2016 - San Miguel de Lillo, Oviedo, Spain
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2016 - San Miguel de Lillo, Oviedo, Spain
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2016 - San Miguel de Lillo, Oviedo, Spain
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During our visit to Toledo, Spain, we had the pleasure of visiting the Cathedral of St. Mary. The 13th century Roman Catholic cathedral is of style High Gothic and is a magnificent structure. Not only is the architecture of the cathedral amazing, but it is also home to many famous works of art by many world renowned artists, including El Greco and the unbelievable fresco by Luca Giordano on the high ceiling of the sacristy.
Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..
2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of St. Mary, Toledo, Spain
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You are probably catching on to the theme at this point in our Spanish adventure that ancient Roman Catholic cathedrals are what we love to visit. There is no place within the United States where you can capture the essence of the history and the architecture like you can in Europe. To wander beneath the arches and buttresses, knowing those from the middle ages many centuries past walked these very stones, is a feeling like no other.
The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia is actually one of the newer cathedrals of Spain. Consecrated in 1448, the Gothic style cathedral took 150 years to construct and is actually built over the top of the foundations from at least two prior churches.
Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..
2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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2016 - Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain
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During our stay in Valencia, Spain, it goes without saying that the historic cathedral was on the top of our list of must-see destinations. The cathedral, formally known as the Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady of Valencia, is primarily Valencian Gothic in style. But since its consecration in 1238, this awesome example of historic architecture has taken other styles over the centuries during additions, remodels and restorations such as Romanesque, French Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and even Neo-Classical. The cathedral is home to a chalice claimed to be the actual Holy Grail. Unfortunately, the chalice is not open for public view.
During our tour of the cathedral, we were lucky enough to climb to the top of the Micalet, the octagonal shaped belfy. Atop the 51 meter (167 feet) high tower, a panoramic view of the entire city can be found including the mountains to the west and the sea to the east.
Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..
2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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2016 - Valencia Cathedral, Valencia, Spain
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While visiting the greater Detroit, MI area, we stopped in to tour the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Located in Detroit's Boston-Edison historic district, the Roman Catholic cathedral is an oasis of remarkable beauty among the blight and worn torn neighborhoods of greater Detroit.
Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..
2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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2014 - Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit, MI
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On a recent road cruise to the northwestern corner of Minnesota, I stumbled upon this beauty while geocaching around downtown Crookston, MN. Built in 1912, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception has triple Gothic spires. The original architect built two other churches just like it, one in Duluth, MN and the other in nearby Terrebonne, MN. This particular building was abandoned in 1990 after the parish moved it's church to a newly built box style structure. It's a shame that this beauty is in such disrepair. Just standing next to this building one gets the feeling that in its day, being within the walls of this cathedral was a grand experience.
The story of the demise of this cathedral is quite sad. Read more about it here..
Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..
2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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2013 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN
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Passing through Savannah, GA, would not have been complete without a visit to St. John the Baptist Cathedral. While the outside of the cathedral was undergoing renovations, inside the gorgeous structure was alive and well.
Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..
2013 - St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Savannah, GA
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2013 - St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Savannah, GA
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2013 - St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Savannah, GA
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2013 - St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Savannah, GA
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2013 - St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Savannah, GA
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2013 - St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Savannah, GA
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2013 - St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Savannah, GA
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2013 - St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Savannah, GA
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2013 - St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Savannah, GA
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2013 - St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Savannah, GA
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2013 - St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Savannah, GA
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2013 - St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Savannah, GA
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2013 - St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Savannah, GA
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2013 - St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Savannah, GA
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2013 - St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Savannah, GA
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The notion of geocaching, the finding of hidden stuff, sounds pretty boring to most people. But I use the hobby as a way to discover things that you wouldn't otherwise see on your normal travels. On a recent pass through southern Georgia, we managed to find The Smallest Church in America. It is located just off of I-95 near the town of South Newport, GA. If you blink you will miss it.
I don't believe this cute little chapel is the smallest that I've ever discovered. But what makes it stand against the others is that it has stained glass windows and outside, it has its own little belfry tower. We signed the guestbook, dropped a little donation, and said a little prayer before heading up the highway.
Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..
2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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2013 - Smallest Church in America, South Newport, GA
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On our route north out of Florida, we stopped to explore the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. Located in St. Augustine, FL, the cathedral is the oldest established Roman Catholic Church within the United States. Another unbelievable example of architecture of it's time, the cathedral was completed in 1797. While the cathedral has suffered from fire and other disasters over time, the look of the cathedral today is not unlike it's original look from the past.
Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..
2013 - Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, FL
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2013 - Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, FL
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2013 - Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, FL
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2013 - Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, FL
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2013 - Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, FL
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2013 - Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, FL
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2013 - Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, FL
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2013 - Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, FL
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2013 - Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, FL
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2013 - Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, FL
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2013 - Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, FL
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2013 - Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, FL
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On weekend trip to Sioux Falls, SD, Laura and I decided to explore the Cathedral of St. Joseph. The Cathedral is an unbelievable example of architecture and I am in awe at what was accomplished at the turn of the 20th century. Built in 1919, this Roman Catholic marvel is the center of the Diocese of Sioux Falls. I regret that we were not able to attend Sunday mass to hear the sweet Kilgen pipe organ.
Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..
2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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2013 - Cathedral of St. Joseph, Sioux Falls, SD
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