Sarcophagus in Pedralbes Monastery

Although part of the tomb of Queen Elisenda de Montcada which you can see in the Pedralbes Monastery Museum site, this one is a small sarcophagus where the Queen is represented as an abbess and not wearing the crown as the sculpture on the main tomb.

Holy Scene: Prayer

To follow with my holy scenes series I will let you alone with this intimate moment of reflection and prayers.

No matter what your religion is or even in case you don't have any, I think it is easy to admire revolutionary men like this, call him with whatever name you choose, that someday, somewhere in time, decided to sacrifice for the sake of his fellowmen.

Check other post here: Holy Scene at Pedralbes Monastery Exhibition

Priest Sculpture in Pedralbes Monastery

To complete the scene here is the other religious icon located to the right of the sculpture in my previous post: Religious Sculpture in Pedralbes Monastery

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Religious Sculpture in Pedralbes Monastery

This small figure is located in a small crypt located upon entering Pedralbes Monastery cloister, following the right wing corridor. I can't tell you who this is, shame on me, I know. To highlight the mystery and solemnity of the icon I have burnt the borders of the image and rendered a lightning effect on the face with photoshop.

One thing I am sure of, the figure is related to Queen Elisenda de Montcada who secluded herself in the Monastery of Poor Clares in Pedralbes as a nun after the death of her husband, King James II of Aragon, also known as James II of Barcelona, called The Just.

She died there on June 19, 1364 and the tomb can be visited.

Fountain in Pedralbes Monastery, Barcelona, Spain

This is the Pedralbes Monastery cloister fountain in the light of the morning sun. I like two things about the scene, first, the light on the water and second, the face of that small girl almost hidden behind the fountain.
Suggestion: I created a list with voting system where you can add your city daily photoblog. Other lists created in the past have worked for my ranking in search engines but of course this is completely optional and it is meant to promote the group.

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My Christmas Picture of a Holy Scene in Barcelona, Spain

This could be my Christmas picture of the season, although some similar ones appeared in Barcelona Photoblog recently. Holy scenes captured in Pedralbes monastery that look more beautiful perhaps than the traditional miniature representations of Jesus in Bethlem that you can find on the streets these days. I mean, they look more solemn and inspiring but of course you may have your own opinion about this musing of mine.

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Holy Scene 2 at Pedralbes Monastery

This is my second holy scene taken inside the Pedralbes Monastery.

As you can see it is another miniature representation of a religious passage. The light was dim, but the set as I pointed out in the first holy scene, was spectacular.

I want to remind you and the bots that this blog is not about religion. I prefer to stick to photography which is much more fun as a hobby. Christmas is around the corner so I think this topic is more than suitable and besides, art manifests in many forms that enrich our knowledge in many ways.

Stained Glass Window. Pedralbes Monastery. Barcelona, Spain

While in Pedralbes Monastery I noticed this beautiful stained glass window. Everytime I see these religious figures pierced by the incoming light I wonder what effect would the colors and scenes have upon the extremely faithful and fearful medieval souls. Then I can't help thinking on how many people have prayed gazing towards the infinite nothingness asking for divine favors through these stained glass panes. All those years of solitude and whispering slowly come and soothe my soul like a monotonous litany. I am not a religious man and I can't really explain what it is. Maybe is just because my father took me to churches just for the sake of art, literally, or so he said. This art with a purpose, the Gothic purpose of impressing parishioners always works, even for me.

Pedralbes Gothic Monastery in Barcelona, Spain

Built in the fourteenth century, the Pedralbes single-nave gothic monastery is located right under the mountains that mark the upper limits of Barcelona city. The impressive religious building was founded in 1326 by Queen Elisenda de Montcada the third wife of James II. In the image above you see the cloister garden under the morning sun full of medicinal plants. A must see besides the Pedralbes Monastery Museum (Bajada del Monasterio, 9, Tel.: 93 203 92 82) is the Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Collection that includes a valuable religious art exhibition from XV and XVII. You can get to Pedralbes Monastery on the sightseeing buses as this is part of the Romanesque and Gothic Route. Check this one in particular: Bus Turistic The Northern Route

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