Queretaro Church we almost missed
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 9:16 pm
On our last day in Queretaro we went into the old area again and came across this church. There was a parking place right in front so we had to stop and go in.
It is Santa Rosa de Viterbo - a Catholic church - the presend day building was begun 1727 work was finished in 1752 - imagine building this then.
This view is from across the street - the fountains change shapes to music A lot of families were in the plaza just enjoying the day
The flying buttresses
Just one of the outside walls
In one of the rooms inside there are life sized figures of Jesus and his twelve apostles - the lighting was bad so the pictures aren't that good, but enough to give you an idea -
another view
The altarpieces are carved wood covered with gold leaf. All the figures in the altar pieces are life sized. What looks like cloth is actually painted wood - just a few pictures.
A close up of one of the carvings
Just one area - The paintings are from the 1770s
Just amazing - every where I looked something different
Can see in this one how thick the walls are
When we went back outside the sun was just setting and shining on the buttresses
What looks like block work is actually paint - it is faux painting at its best
One of the guide books I picked up said "the nave of this church might be described as an opera carved in wood and covered in gold."
It just takes your breath away - especially thinking about when it was done.
After leaving the church we went to the main plaza and watched Folkloric dancing then went to an outdoor cafe and had dinner while listening to a singer. After we just walked around and watched the families in the plazas. From tiny babies to very old grandparents. Then back to the main plaza where there was ball room dancing going on. Again young to old couples dancing. Never saw any problems or anyone with an alcholic drink. (except in the restaurants.) Everyone was dressed up. No shorts or tank tops.
The whole historic downtown area is wonderful on Saturday and Sunday nights. Besides the restaurants there were food carts set up everywhere. Hot dogs, tacos, pastries, candied apples, a deep fried dough with fruit in it and powdered sugar on top and cotton candy in all colors. Every time you turned around there was some one with some kind of musical instrument playing.
I will miss that. More to come about Queretaro when I get a chance.
Looking forward to seeing Beth, Sparkle, Karen and Carol tomorrow.......
It is Santa Rosa de Viterbo - a Catholic church - the presend day building was begun 1727 work was finished in 1752 - imagine building this then.
This view is from across the street - the fountains change shapes to music A lot of families were in the plaza just enjoying the day
The flying buttresses
Just one of the outside walls
In one of the rooms inside there are life sized figures of Jesus and his twelve apostles - the lighting was bad so the pictures aren't that good, but enough to give you an idea -
another view
The altarpieces are carved wood covered with gold leaf. All the figures in the altar pieces are life sized. What looks like cloth is actually painted wood - just a few pictures.
A close up of one of the carvings
Just one area - The paintings are from the 1770s
Just amazing - every where I looked something different
Can see in this one how thick the walls are
When we went back outside the sun was just setting and shining on the buttresses
What looks like block work is actually paint - it is faux painting at its best
One of the guide books I picked up said "the nave of this church might be described as an opera carved in wood and covered in gold."
It just takes your breath away - especially thinking about when it was done.
After leaving the church we went to the main plaza and watched Folkloric dancing then went to an outdoor cafe and had dinner while listening to a singer. After we just walked around and watched the families in the plazas. From tiny babies to very old grandparents. Then back to the main plaza where there was ball room dancing going on. Again young to old couples dancing. Never saw any problems or anyone with an alcholic drink. (except in the restaurants.) Everyone was dressed up. No shorts or tank tops.
The whole historic downtown area is wonderful on Saturday and Sunday nights. Besides the restaurants there were food carts set up everywhere. Hot dogs, tacos, pastries, candied apples, a deep fried dough with fruit in it and powdered sugar on top and cotton candy in all colors. Every time you turned around there was some one with some kind of musical instrument playing.
I will miss that. More to come about Queretaro when I get a chance.
Looking forward to seeing Beth, Sparkle, Karen and Carol tomorrow.......