Supplication

Silhouetted against the sky, this statue atop the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid seems to be calling to the heavens. The climb to to the dome of the... more

by Joan Carroll

Buy the Original Photograph

Price

Not Specified

Dimensions

18.000 x 12.000 inches

Title

Supplication

Artist

Joan Carroll

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photograph

Description

Silhouetted against the sky, this statue atop the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid seems to be calling to the heavens. The climb to to the dome of the cathedral affords wonderful views of the city, of the Royal Palace across the square, and of the huge statues atop the cathedral. Inside you also get a marvelous view of the interior of the dome. The site on which Almudena Cathedral now stands was originally occupied by Madrid's first mosque, then by a church dedicated to one of Madrid's patron saints, Santa Mar�a de la Almudena. Plans for a grand new church began in the 16th century after King Philip II made Madrid the capital of Spain. But construction was constantly postponed due to various political issues and opposition from the powerful archdiocese of Toledo. Finally, in 1868, Madrid received permission from Toledo to construct a new church dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena. Construction began in 1883 based on a Neo-Gothic design. In 1884, Pope Leo XIII created the Diocese of Madrid, giving Madrid a bishop and raising the status of the new Almudena church to a cathedral. Construction on the cathedral progressed slowly and came to a complete halt during the civil war of the 1930s. The process began again in 1944, when the new architect introduced a Neoclassical style that would match the Royal Palace next door. Almudena Cathedral was completed in 1993 and consecrated in person by Pope John Paul II that same year.

FEATURED PHOTO, Seasons of Beauty group, 2/5/13

FEATURED PHOTO, Self Taught Artists group, 1/31/13

FEATURED PHOTO, Beauty of this World LIMIT 1 group, 1/30/13

FEATURED PHOTO, Silhouettes group 1/29/13

Uploaded

January 29th, 2013