риле манастири

 The square brick building on the left in the background stands the oldest building of the complex 1334-1335. A small church, which is just a few years younger 1343 stands next to the tower. The church in the fore ground is the church of "the Nativity of the Virgin" built in 1844.  The monastery was founded by a hermit, John of Rila in the 10th century, he lived in a cave about half and hour walk from the present day monastery.

The residential buildings, which form a closed irregular quadrangle were started in the 1816.  There are 300 rooms for monks and donors.

Pictures were not allowed inside the church, but thanks to the internet here is a glance at the altar.   Although it is not that bright inside the church.  The churches and monasteries are dark inside. 

The wall paintings, finished in 1846, were made by many artists, but it was only the famous Zahari Zograf  who signed his name below his work.

It would take you days to really look at all the art work in and outside with church, WOW!

 The walls both inside the church and on the outside of the church are painted, every wall and ceiling space is occupied with a painting. This is suppose to be the nicest monastery in Bulgaria.

 I love being a tourist and Michael is always looking for the nearest restaurant. Of course he found one behind the monastery.

Road to Rila Monastery

We were driving up the canyon to Rila Monastery as we came around a bend there was a herd of cattle with the watchmen herding them down the road. 

Around the next bend were a herd of horses just walking down the road. No one was with them  they were just strolling up   the road stopping once in a while to grab some grass? And yes they were tame, I got out and gave them a love. 

I so need to live in this village! Yep, just around the next bend.

   Of course I left my nice camera at home. We thought we missed the leafs changing, but we didn't and they were beautiful.

It was like hiking at Zions, around the next bend was just as spatular as the first!

WOW!

Tallinn Estonia

Tallinn Estonia

In September we were in Tallinn Estonia for a conference. It is a city with rich history, fascination tales and fantastic medieval architecture.  Old town is one of the most intact medieval cities in Europe.
Although we were only able to get a quick glance at the city, it was wonderful. One day I would love to come go back and be a tourist.
There are a pair of ivy-covered towers at the beginning of Viru Street, on of the main pedestrian arteries into Old Town. It was the first glimpse we saw of historic Tallinn.                              
                                         






The Hellemann Tower dates back to the 14th century and at different times was used as a prison and a weapons store    

 

 

Old Town is one of the few cities that was not  destroyed in world war ll.A view of Town Hall from a side street angle, to the right.

St. Catherine's passage below, connects Vene and Muuurivahe street

Some random people in a cool arch way.

This is the historic home of the Brotherhood of Black Heads, a Medieval guild made up of young and single merchants and foreigners. The first Christmas tree ever put on display in Europe was by the Brotherhood of Black Heads Guild in 1441

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral 19th century Russian Orthodox church. It was almost demolished in 1924 by some who reguarded it as a symbol of oppression

Another view of Town Hall, the centre of civic rule for the Middle Ages to the early 20th century. Old Thomas, the weather vane who symbolises Tallinn, has been keeping watch since 1530.  There really is a weather vane on top of the steeple.                              

The Helsinki Finland Temple is built on a beautiful rocky hill side. What a great blessing to attend the temple, it is a beautiful temple in a beautiful country.  

Mission Presidents conference

Ephesus

Ephesus is amazing!!! The Roman's however, had to have had some major confidence issues, they all had to have temples or monuments in their names.  Like that was going to make them immortal. On the other hand I guess their names are still well today. The temple of Hadrian, the Roman temple was constructed in 118 A.D. and reconstructed the the 5th century.

Temple of Artemis, in ancient times it was one of the seven wonders of the world Ephesus was famed for the Temple (completed around 550 BC)  The temple was destroyed in 401 A.D. by a mob. Today  the Temple of Artemis  is a single column standing in a swamp.

 This will have to be edited, I can't remember which apostle is supposedly buried here, I think it was John

 Isabey Mosque, was built in 1375 at the direction of the Emir of Aydin. It incorporates columns and stones recycled from the ruins of Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis. In the back ground was the fortress built to protect from invasions.

 St. Lukes Grave, there is debate whether or not this is Lukes Grave site. The ox and cross are very clear.

 The Bouleuterion was used for meetings of the Boulea or the Senate. It's second function was the Odeum, a concert hall. It was built in the 2nd century A.D. Elder Hunter was preforming in the  theater for us.

Who knew my cat's heritage came from Turkey!!!!

Can't remember what this was. Someone really liked themselves and built a temple or a monument.

The brazen serpent,  this symbol literally has been around forever.

 This was the first structure in Ephesus known to be dedicated to the emperor Domitian. When the unpopular emperor was killed by his servant, the public quickly took vengeance and erased his name from many inscriptions and re-dedicated the temple to Vespasian, the father of Domitian.

At first we thought this was the Nike Swoosh, but then we realize it was the Greek goddess of Victory

There were six columns at the entrance to Heracles Gate. 

                  Close up view of Curetes Street, the street is marble, caution, slippery when wet.

 Curetes Street once lines with shops, workshops and inns, Curetes Street was a main city street  and an important processional route in the cult of Artemis

Celsus Library,  the facade of the library of Celsus is one of the most spectacular sights in Ephesus. Built by a Roman in memory of his father. It faces east so the reading rooms received the morning light. Paul was thought to have taught on the stairs of the library. The Jewish  synagogue was to the left of the temple. He would have also taught there.

This was a hugh city. Only 35% of the city has been uncovered.   Here we are just tourist for the day.

The Hunter's were wonderful tour guides. They wanted us to get the real favor of the country so instead of taking a taxi to Ephesus we took the bus to another bus, to the metro, to another bus and then to a taxi. We have a new appreciation for what they do every day.

Gate of Augustus, the gate way to the city.

The Great Theater is the probable place where Paul preached to the pagans in Acts.  The tree-tiered theater, built into the slope of a hill, once seated 25,000 people.

Ephesus was an ancient Greek city and later a major Roman city, on the west coast of Asia Minor.  It was one of the twelve cities of the lonian League during the Classical Greek era. In Roma period, Ephesus had a population of more than 250,000 in the 1st century BC, which also made it one of the largest cities in the Mediterranean world.  As prophesied by Paul the city would be destroyed if the people didn't repent.  They mocked him, it was a magnificent city nothing could destroy it.  The city was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 A.D. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River and the prophesy was fulfilled.

 This is my favorite! The public toilets of Ephesus built in the first century A.D. The toilets were side by side with no partition between them. In the middle was a square pool, like you would have gotten in that pool!  The floor was paved with mosaics.  The upper class that had servants would send their servants to sit on the toilet before they arrived to warm the seat.