A Closer Look..
Firstly some facts...for two centuries there has been a strong Russian presence on the Cote d'Azur, composed mostly of the nobility and other influential people who followed the example of the Dowager Czarina, Alexandra Feodorovna when she moved to Nice for health reasons in the 1850s. To sustain their faith an orthodox church was built in Rue Longchamp but as the community grew it was considered necessary to build something bigger and more in keeping with the importance of the community.
To this end Czar Nicholas II gave the land which was his property and the first stone was laid in 1903 and the project finished in 1912.
The facts, of course, do little to explain the sight of all this Russian magnificence framed by fairly ordinary french apartment blocks and the Cathedral with the sun shining off its enamelled roofs tiles is enough to take your breath away. I can't believe that I've lived here so long and never seen it before but I'm so pleased I have done now.
I'm sorry that I will not be able to show you the interior. No photos are allowed and though I've searched can't find any on internet but I will try again..
13 comments:
such lovely details! It really is amazing to see something so beautiful in your own backyard so to speak, especially when it has been there all the while!
Breathtaking indeed!
Your photo is extraordinary.
I can't believe you'd never seen that beauty before. I guess it's like Parisians never walking past the Louvre if it isn't near home...
Your peaceful sea and harbour scene of a few days ago comes as a striking contrast to your story about the messy demonstration against the bombing of Gaza...
Hi Angela!
I didn't know you have a Cathedral like that in Nice! what a surprise! no snow around it but a blue and beautiful sky!
Have a nice day :)
How interesting! I didn't realize this. Thanks for a great photo.
Angela, have you seen the other Orthodox Cathedral of San Remo (Italy)?
The first time, I visited the Nice one, I've bought a booklet that explained the construction of this Cathedral.
This building is a treasure of this city.
I like this shot even better than the one yesterday! The angle and the closeup really grab my attention. I wouldn't have thought of an Orthodox cathedral in Nice; I learned something new today, thanks Angela.
This is such a beautiful church. I love the colors.
The colour, and angle really do make this one a fabulous image. I'm not surprised no inside photography. Always interesting to learn and this is something I had only seen, not read about.
that really deserved a closer look! the church is truly a breathtaking site. My mom is Serbian Orthodox & I've gone to "liturgy" in LA churches with her a lot. I'm always surprised when I come across Orthodox Churches at unexpected locations - there is a beautiful white one in Geneva CH, and also a nice one in Tuzla, Bosnia and in San Francisco.
PS - isn't it just great to discover things like this - another benefit from blogging.
indeed very beautiful!!
Truly stunning. It's really a beautiful construction, and needless to say, a beautiful photograph by you.
I too feel sorry that photography is not allowed inside. I am sure it's beautiful from inside also. Did you go in?
My god, that is amazing & wonderful.
Claps !!!
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