Saint Nicolas Church and the Bikers

Fontvieille's beautiful St. Nicolas' church as you won't often see it - surrounded by bikers and their beautiful Harley-Davidson bikes - see yesterday's post.  Happily the sun came out in time for their barbecue.

Father Julien and the Monaco Harley-Davidson Club

Father Julien, the priest of Saint Nicolas' church in Fontvieille, Monaco is a biker - a member of the Monaco Harley-Davidson Club.  Each year he gives a service in the church for the bikers of the region - Monaco, France and Italy - and after the service there is a massive barbecue held outside the church. In this photo you see Father Julien third from left.

Who knew there was a Harley-Davidson club in Monaco? Who knew Monaco has a biker priest? I love it! 

Come back tomorrow - of course you want to see the bikes! And more bikers.

Art Monaco will return in a few days.

Upside-down steeple

The steeple of St. Nicolas' church in Fontvieille, reflected in a puddle.

Cathedral by night

Monaco's cathedral at night.  This is where HSH Prince Rainier III and HSH Princess Grace are buried.

Sharing his Cloak

We are in the beautiful neo-classical church of Notre Dame de l’Assomption in Eze village.  The church was reconstructed between 1764 and 1778 after the original fell into ruin. It was classified as a National Monument of France in 1984.

Here, under an archway, is this golden portrait of Saint Martin sharing his cloak.

Eze Village - Notre Dame de l'Assomption 2

The interior of the beautiful Eglise Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption in Eze Village.

Eze Village - Notre Dame de l'Assomption

 

A corner of the beautiful neo-classical church of Notre Dame de l’Assomption which was reconstructed between 1764 and 1778 after the original fell into ruin. It was classified as a National Monument of France in 1984.

Chapel de la Miséricorde - the Painter

We are back outside the Chapel de la Miséricorde where the walls outside are still being painted. Remember this man and his shadow? I love watching artisans work - the concentration and attention to detail is evident in the expression on his face.

Chapel de la Miséricorde - the Lamps

Our last day inside the beautiful Chapel de la Miséricorde on le rocher.  Here are some beautiful lamps tucked away behind the altar.

Happy Sunday everyone! Pouring with rain here and probably snowing higher up in the hills ...

Chapel de la Miséricorde - Simplicity

As you see, no pews in the Chapel de la Miséricorde - just simple wooden chairs and a sculpture of Christ in a silk-lined glass case.

Chapel de la Miséricorde - the Crosses

A similar shot to yesterday except this shows off the row of simple crosses to be found at the back of the altar. These would be used during the procession of the penitents.

Chapel de la Miséricorde - the Painting

Walk behind the altar in the Chapel de la Miséricorde and this is what you find.

Chapel de la Miséricorde - Beauty

Another beautiful sculpture in the Chapel de la Miséricorde.  I wish I knew the story of this sculpture - perhaps someone does?

Chapel de la Miséricorde - the Golden Lady

This gold sculpture is one of many objets d'art in the Chapel de la Miséricorde.

Chapel de la Miséricorde - the Beauty Inside

The Chapel de la Miséricorde on le rocher was completed in 1646.  25% of the population had died of the plague in 1631 with the last death on the 21st November which is the day of the Feast of Our Lady.  In recognition of this, Prince Honoré II  decreed that on the eve of Good Friday each year a procession of penitents, made up of local residents, should set off from the chapel.

These photos were taken with a 50mm lens but I'll  go back one day with a wide-angle. It's a truly beautiful chapel.

More tomorrow ...

Chapel de la Miséricorde - the Painter's Shadow

This man, along with his shadow,  is painting the outside of a chapel on the rocher.

Come to think of it,  I can feel a little series coming on. So we'll start with the outside before going in.  This is the Chapel de la Miséricorde on Rue Ptincess Marie de Lorraine. It's one of the oldest buildings in the Principality and was completed in 1646.

More tomorrow ...

Reflecting on St. Nicolas

The steeple of St. Nicolas' church in Fontvieille reflected in a puddle.

Kermesse - the Soft Toys

This is the 43rd year of the Kermesse (which translates as church or charity bazaar).

From small beginnings by the British community at Saint Paul's, Monaco's Anglican Church, it is now a massive event raising an enormous amount of money for charity. It involves many churches and charities, hundreds of volunteers, thousands of visitors and takes place in the circus tent in Fontvieille.

This young girl is working at the stall that sells nothing but soft toys.

Father Walter, Chaplain of Saint Paul's Anglican Church

Meet Father Walter Raymond, Chaplain of Saint Paul's Anglican Church in Monaco.  And of course, meet his little dog Sparky. This was taken at the recent vernissage of Blake's 'Angels' exhibition.

Click on the link to read about Father Walter, who is very much part of life in the ex-pat community of Monaco and is loved and appreciated by everyone. 

The Cathedral and La Tête de Chien

This is a view of the cathedral I'd not seen before.

The promontory called La Tête de Chien (The Dog's Head) is at an altitude of 550 metres and overhangs Monaco.

The photo was taken from the open door at the far end of the Whale Room in the Oceanographic Museum (see smaller photo).