.jpg) Colours in the Market
Even in the very early hours of morning, there is colour and movement everywhere you look in the Goubert Market in Old Pondicherry, India. Any visitor to these pages knows I love markets.
I love the insight they give into the lives of the locals: What foods do they eat? How do they barter or trade? How do they engage with (or not!) the foreigner in their midst? How do they interact with each other? I love the apparent chaos: the cacophony of colours and smells; the crowded aisles and alleys; the constant motion; the noise …
Of course, it is only chaos to the outsider. When I stand back and watch, is is quite apparent that the locals all know what they are doing and where they should be. I am the one at risk of getting in the way.
I always marvel at how welcoming (and patient) stall holders are with this outsider trying to make pictures in the gloom, or under horrible fluorescent lights; I struggle with my heavy old cameras, trying to frame shots in impossible spaces and stay out of the way of shoppers and porters at the same time.
I’m never completely happy with the results, but I always hope to at least catch some of the essence of the experience.
Early one morning in January, I had the opportunity to spend some time in the historic Goubert Market in Heritage Town, Puducherry. I was staying nearby, in a beautiful colonial building in the heart of the French Quarter of what was, until 2006, known as Pondicherry. We had arrived the evening before from neighbouring Tamil Nadu, after stopping to explore the historic stone monuments at Mahabalipuram (see: Stories in Stone).
Originally called the Grand Bazaar, the market was established in 1826 under the French at the edge of the French Quarter. It was renamed for Édouard Goubert, who – in the early 1960s – was the mayor and first chief minister of Pondicherry. Popularly known as Periya Kadai (பெரிய கடை), which is Tamil for ‘big store’, it is one of the oldest markets in the city. Reputedly busy all day, almost everything you can think of is on offer, but it is especially known for its fresh fish from the Bay of Bengal.
We arrived early, and it was already bustling with activity.
.jpg) Pondicherry Market
The sun is not yet up when we arrive before 7am at the already-bustling Goubert Market in Old Pondicherry. .jpg) Butcher
It is dark – very dark – inside. One report I read suggested that crumbling infrastructure was causing problems for the traders and customers alike (The Hindu). These butchers are working in rather questionable conditions.  Onions in the Market
Every space is filled: big bags of fresh produce line the aisles. Shopping in the Market
Shoppers jostle with vendors in the narrow laneways. Splashes of Colour
The saris are as colourful as the fruits and vegetables. Betel Shop
I’m always amazed at how everywhere you look in India, you see men reading the newspaper. The betel leaves for sale here are used to wrap paan or gutkha: a mixture of areca nut, herbs, spices, and often tobacco, for chewing. Fresh Fish
We are on the Bay of Bengal, so the market features a variety of freshly-caught fish. Woman in Green
Historically, it is the men who do the fishing here and the women who take care of the sales. Fish Vendors
Everyone has their posters or shrines to their favourite Gods decorated with fresh flowers. Cutting Fish
That knife is serious business! Peeling Prawns
There is plenty to do, even when there are no immediate customers. Women at the Fish Market More Prawns – More Fish Tea Break
Outside the covered market, a couple of women take a break. Water Truck?
I have no idea what is going on here, but I loved the look of these vehicles. Selling Hats, Etc.
In the streets outside the market, more vendors attempt to make sales. Chai Wallah
Actually, the wallah here is making coffee, not tea, but the process is the same. I love watching how they pour the hot drinks from a height; it is meant to add froth and cool the milky liquid a bit. Selling Oranges
Fresh fruit and vegetables are everywhere in the old streets. Watermelon Truck Textured Buildings
We were meant to be admiring the Franco-Tamil architecture and the UNESCO-endorsed restorations in Vysial Street, but many more of the buildings were in need of a lot of work. I did love the textures and colours, though. Cauliflower for Sale
More fresh vegetables! Notice the QR code on the tree: you can pay by phone! Candy-Coloured Scooters Corner Market
I love how the shops all spill onto the road! More Colour and Activity Fish in Coriander Sauce
After seeing all that fresh food on offer, it was only right that later on, our lunch was tasty fresh fish pieces in a fragrant and colourful coriander sauce. 
Until next time,
Bon appétit!
Pictures: 22January2023
Posted in Every Day Life,India,TravelTags: environmental portrait,environmental portraits,everyday life,fruit and vegetable,India,market,markets,Photo Blog,Puducherry,travel,Travel Blog,Ursula Wall
False Creek
With its numerous waterways, tall waterfront buildings, and a snow-dusted mountain backdrop, Vancouver is beautiful any time of year. But, cherry blossoms and fresh growth make spring special. I was so grateful!
Vancouver is a beautiful city. and it has always had a magical place in my childhood, adolescent, and young-adult memories. For much of my young life I either lived nearby, or visited often.
Last year, I went back for the first time in many many years. And, although it was as special as I remembered, it was wet – even by coastal BC standards – and much of the time I was struggling with sodden shoes and an inside-out umbrella (see: A Wet Spring in Vancouver).
This year, however, the weather was beautiful!
I had jet-lag and a cold, but even so, I got out every day and felt happy as I wandered the nearby streets, taking pleasure in the many outdoor spaces on offer.
On a photographic note: I made the decision not to unpack the cameras until I had a car. Looking back on the photos now, I notice two things in particular: 1) because I generally take iPhone shots with the purpose of uploading onto iNstagram in square format (see: Ursula_in_Aus), I ‘see’ things differently with the phone than I do with the cameras. So, the photos often don’t translate terribly well to the 2×3 format that I prefer for the blog. And 2), as good as iPhone photos look on the device, when I’m processing them later in Lightroom, they don’t have the same depth and richness that DSLR camera photos have.
Still, wandering the streets in the sunshine made me smile – and I hope you do too!
Cambie Street
Even on a nice spring day, there can be a fair bit of cloud obscuring those mountains to the north. Lawn Daisies – Bellis Perennis
As a child, I loved trying to make daisy chains with these tiny flowers. Although I have seen them in other parts of the world, they always say Vancouver to me. Cherry Blossoms
A Vancouver spring means pink blossoms on the 40,000-or-so cherry trees around the city. View over False Creek
Even with a typical low-hanging cloud, the high rises on the other side of False Creek stand out, and you get a sense of the mountains behind them. More Cherry Blossoms Canada Geese and Goslings
What says spring like baby chicks? But a warning: a Canada goose (Branta canadensis) can be extremely aggressive if you get too close! Burrard Street Bridge
Built in the 1030s, this Art Deco style bridge is part of my memory landscape. Capsicum (or Red Pepper)
The Granville Island Public Market is a great place for lunch and coffee, for fresh foods, and for interesting art. New Maple
Winters in Canada – even on the reasonably temperate West Coast – can be long; … New Fir (or Spruce?)
… that is one of the reasons spring is such a joy. Vancouver Harbour and North Vancouver
I made a point of visiting Little Mountain. Even though it sits at only 125 m (410 ft), you get great views over the rest of the city. Queen Elizabeth Park
The gardens on Little Mountain are always a treat. I was especially pleased to recognise this location when I was watching the 1986 movie ‘The Boy Who Could Fly’ with my children in Australia. Love in the Rain (2016)
These quirky metal people by Bruce Voyce are billed as “Vancouver Park Board’s first love lock sculpture.” Entry to the VanDusen Gardens
Even though this botanical garden opened in 1975, it was my first visit to the space. The beautiful wood and glass entry point and Visitor Centre was opened in 2011. Tulips
After a long walk to get there, I enjoyed a coffee, a baguette, and some people-watching before taking on the 22 hectare (55 acre) park. Orange and Yellow Tulips
I love spring bulbs – and these are gorgeous. Fountain
With plenty of water features, the gardens are a delight to explore – especially on such a sunny, blue-sky day. Confidence (2012) by Michael Dennis
The gardens feature a number of sculptures; this beautiful work in red cedar was one of my favourites. Trails run off in all directions. Pacific Dogwood
The blossom of western flowering dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) is the floral emblem of British Columbia – and another sign of spring. Tulips and Trees Red Tulips Wooden Owl
Although this charming owl is frequently photographed, I couldn’t learn anything about its provenance. Gitksan Totem Poles
The Gitksan Totem Poles, on the other hand, have an explanatory sign next to them. These story poles are by Gitxsan Nation master-carvers. The Mosquito People (1986) on the left, is by Earl and Brian Muldoe and tells the origin story of mosquitoes. Al of the Gispudwada (1976)
This story pole by Arthur Sterritt describes, in complex detail, the origin of the Black Bear Crest of the Orca Clan. Waterfall Shaded Spaces
Maidenhair and wood anemone find a shaded spot beneath the trees, … Wooden Bench
… and dappled light plays across a wooden bench. Stream and Garden Red Chairs Bleeding Heart – Dicentra Spectabilis
This is one of those plants that lends itself to flights of imagination! Lions Gate Bridge
Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay in the city forever. Heading north over the Lions Gate always signals that I am leaving Vancouver behind. 
Blue skies (mostly), sunshine, and spring flowers in the beautiful city of Vancouver – it doesn’t get much better, and it certainly had me filled with gratitude …
And Smiling!
Photos: 09-12May2023
Posted in Canada,Garden,TravelTags: architecture,BC,Canada,flora,landscape,nature,Photo Blog,sculpture,Spring,travel,Travel Blog,Ursula Wall,Vancouver
Scaramella Semibastion
The beautiful colours of the Mediterranean Sea belie the long and painful history of Spinalonga in Crete: once a Venetian fortress and later a leper colony. I fell in love with Crete.
Greece’s southernmost district, Crete is the country’s largest and most populous island. Nestled between the Aegean and Libyan Seas, it is home to a magnificent coastline and beautiful beaches (eg: Preveli Beach). Populated since time immemorial, there is evidence of human settlement as early as 130,000 years ago. Buildings and ruins date across civilizations (eg: Rethymnon and Lasithi), and even enter into mythology (see: The Minotaur, Mythology, and an Ancient Palace).
What was even greater for me as a solo-traveler staying a bit off the beaten track without a car was that the guided bus trips around the island were a reasonable price! Of course, it is a big island, and I couldn’t see everything, but I did my best to pack in as much as I could.
My third Orange Travel bus tour took me to Spinalonga, a rocky island off the east coast of Crete’s Lasithi Prefecture.
Originally fortified by the Cretans to protect the city of Olous – now sunken ruins under Elounda Bay – the island became deserted in the 7th century following repeated raids across the Mediterranean by Arab pirates.
The Venetians took charge of Crete in 1204. By the mid-15th century, they began to construct salt-pans in the shallow and salty waters around the area of Elounda. The consequential commercial importance of this eastern region, and the rising threat of Turkish invasion, led the Venetians to hire an engineer – Genese Bressani – in 1578 to plan the fortification of Spinalonga.
It is the remains of these magnificent fortifications that give the barren island its distinctive appearance today.
In 1715, the Ottoman Turks captured Spinalonga, thereby taking over the last remaining Venetian fortress in Crete, and remained on the island until 1903 – long after the Christian Cretan insurgents had regained the rest of Crete. From that time until 1957, Spinalonga was used as a leper colony. When the identification of the mycobacteria causing leprosy finally led to effective treatments, people were no longer isolated in the same way, and the only resident remaining on the island was a Greek Orthodox priest. He stayed there until 1962 to observe the Orthodox rituals of commemorating all buried people at regular periods after their death.
Our guide accompanied us through the old village, giving us detailed explanations of the architecture and usage – most of which I have forgotten – before setting us loose. I used my free time to walk around the battlements along the island perimetre, where I admired the contrasts of the rough building stones and the arid, rocky landscape with the jewelled hues of the surrounding sea.
Join me!
Tourist Boat – Plaka
Tourist boats for Spinalonga leave from the coastal towns of Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and Plaka. Ticket Salesman
We originally got off our bus in Elounda, only to be told the waters on that side were not good and we would meet our boat in Plaka. The boat was not there when we arrived, giving me time to people-watch, … Spinalonga on the Horizon
… to explore the Plaka waterfront, and to try to get a feel for that rocky island not far away. Archangelos Coming In
Finally! Our pretty little boat arrives, … Getting on Archangelos
… and our busload boards. Prow toward Spinalonga
Eventually we set off … Those Colours!
… and the impressive Venetian Fortress on Spinalonga comes closer. Looking Back
Plaka nestles into the hillside behind us. Doors and Windows
Inside the fortress site, doors, windows, and archways lead off in all directions. Lines and Shadows
Parts of the village have been renovated over the years, first by the Ottoman, and later by the leper community. Stairs and Courtyard Prickly Pear
Some drought-hardy plants survive amid the ruins. Ancient Tree Eva
Our guide was a bit of a character! Corridors through Ancient Stones Greenery Takes Hold
Contrasts and textures are everywhere. Old Layers
Light and heat work their way into the old roofless rooms. Lines and Shadows and Beams Historic Venetian Tiles Inside the Ruins
The honeycomb of stairways and half-ruined walls seems to be endless. Mason
The work to keep the ruins upstanding … Workman at Rest
… is relentless and tiring. Outside the Fortress Walls Old Homes Tools of the Trade Our Guide at Rest Watch Tower
Spinalonga is a seaward bastion-type fortress. The fortified walls, which once housed 35 cannons, were so well built that today it is considered one of the best-preserved fortresses in the Mediterranean Sea. Colourful Rocks
The landscape is indeed rugged, and the buildings here on the east side of the island blend in. At the top of one hill, the round Mezzaluna Barbariga keeps watch; further down, the plain-looking, later-built, Church of St Georgios keeps the faith. Waters off the Battlement
In the other direction, the fortress walls stand against the Mediterranean. Church of St Georgios
As I walk back up the hill, the plain design of the Greek Orthodox church, built around 1661, is more evident. The inside is equally simple. Leper Cemetery on Donato Bastion
Spinalonga was one of the last active leper colonies in Europe. Near the church, a leper cemetery was constructed on the old Venetian Donato Bastion. Boats Waiting
As I rounded the last bend, I could see tour boats below: I had just enough time for a coffee and a comfort stop … Counting Passengers
… before being counted back onto the Archangelos for the journey back. Boat Returning to Plaka
Ours is not the only tour boat heading to the main island. Spinalonga from the Water
I appreciate that marvelous Venetian fortress so much more now, after exploring some of its nooks and crannies. In 1970 the island was declared as a protected archaeological site, and in 2014 it was submitted (so far, without success) for World Heritage Listing.
With its magnificent landscape, architecture, and unique history, the island is definitely worthy of attention and protection.
Here’s hoping none of us have to go through what those with leprosy endured!
Photos: 06September2022
Posted in Architecture,Greece,History,TravelTags: architecture,blog,Crete,Greece,history,landscape,Photo Blog,ruins,travel,Travel Blog,Ursula Wall,walk
Australian Pelican (Pelecanus Conspicillatus)
Animals are SO improbable! “A funny old bird is a pelican.
“His beak can hold more than his belican.
Food for a week
“He can hold in his beak,
“But I don’t know how the helican.”
– Dixon Lanier Merritt
I do love a good zoo!
I especially love zoos where the enclosures are respectful of the animals, their habitats, and of the visitors who come to see them and learn about them. Unlike some of the zoos of the past, modern organisations put a lot of energy into research and animal welfare, as well as education and conservation. They design enclosures that connect people with nature while allowing the animals to be sufficiently stimulated and comfortable with being on public view.
I enjoy visiting zoos in different places: they offer the opportunity for a lovely walk in a semi-natural space. I always marvel at how different localities have approached the design problems of managing limited room and turning it into suitable climate zones for their animal populations. Balancing aesthetics, safety, animal comfort, and visitor engagement is a constantly evolving field.
Naturally, I usually take my cameras wherever I visit. It amazes me how bizarre and different various animals are, and I’m always on the lookout for their defining colours, textures, and patterns (see: Teeth, Claws, and Colourful Patterns or A Tale of Two Tarongas).
Many years ago, my husband and I spent some time in Adelaide, South Australia, and used the occasion to visit the Adelaide Zoo, ‘one of Adelaide’s most iconic attractions … [and] home to more than 2,500 animals and 250 species. Over the years I’ve returned to the photo-set many times – so many times that Lightroom has had frequent upgrades in the interim – but have never quite pulled it all together.
Until now.
Join me in marvelling at some weird and wonderful natural decorations.
Almost Abstract : The City Reflected
Patterns seemed to be the theme of this particular Adelaide visit: even on our morning walks, it was the geometric shapes and urban abstracts that caught my eye. (iPhone4S) Prehistoric Trees Overhead
Critically-endangered and legally protected Wollemi pine trees (Wollemia nobilis) are members of the 200-million-year-old Araucariaceae family. Described as a living fossil, prior to their rediscovery in 1994, the trees were only known through fossil records that date about two million years old. Nature’s Artwork : Magnificent Bark
All the trees around us have a style of their own. I think this eucalyptus is a spotted gum (Corymbia maculata). Pale Water Lily – Nymphaea sp
Our first stop was in the Lily House; … In the Lily House
… I’ve always loved delicate-looking but hardy water lilies. Capybara – Hydrochoerus Hydrochaeris
I first saw greater capybara in their native South America. Just from the posture of this giant rodent, you can get a sense of their enormous size: they grow up to 1.3 metres (4.3 feet) long and can weigh up to 79 kg (174 pounds). Panda Dreaming
Adelaide is the only place in the southern hemisphere to house – in specially built enclosures – giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Inside – Outside : Panda Reflected
The Chinese government loaned Wang Wang and Fu Ni to Adelaide Zoo in 2009 as part of a global giant panda breeding program. So far, there has been no luck in producing babies. Emu – Dromaius Novaehollandiae
Emus are fascinating-looking creatures. Their fluffy feathers feature a unique double plume: emu and their cousins the cassowary are the only birds in the world that have two feathers of the same length originating from the one quill. Tasmanian Devil – Sarcophilus Harrisii
It is hard to photograph these feisty little endangered balls of furry energy: they are rarely still for long. Although they only grow to five to 14 kilograms (11 to 30 pounds), with their sharp, shearing teeth and powerful jaws, they are the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial. Bush Thick Knee – Burhinus Grallarius
Also called bush stone-curlews, these distinctive long-legged shorebirds are endemic to Australia. Pelican Pond
We arrived at the pelican pond just before feeding time; … Pelican Portrait
… that gave me the chance for a closer look at the textures in that extraordinary beak with its hook, and the bird’s feathers. Pelicans Feeding
The birds were too fast for me to catch the flying fish thrown by the keepers … Those Bills!
… but I did get to marvel at those amazing beaks! Little Wattlebird – Anthochaera Chrysoptera
Zoos always attract local, non-captive visitors. Little Penguins – Eudyptula Minor
It may well be anthropomorphising, but there is something about the antics of the native-Australian fairy penguins that always makes me smile! Those Eyes! Those Lashes!!
Domesticated thousands of years ago for their wonderful wool, the faces of South American alpaca (Lama pacos) have to be part of their appeal. African Wild Dog – Lycaon Pictus
That is the shade of perspex between us and the painted dogs; today they roam wild(er) in the affiliated Monarto Safari Park. Malayan Tapir- Tapirus Indicus
Endangered in the wild, Asian tapirs are the only tapir species outside of the Americas – and with their three back toes and long proboscis definitely qualify as odd-looking and unique! Frog with a Reptile Keeper
We made a point of arriving at the reptile house in time for the keeper presentation. I didn’t take notes, but I think this is a magnificent tree frog (Ranoidea splendida). Blue-Tongued Skink
Every Australian is familiar with the friendly blue tongue lizard (Tiliqua scincoides). Yellow Corn Snake – Pantherophis Guttatus
These colourful beauties, on the other hand, are dangerous invaders, and are illegal to import or own domestically. Magpie-Lark – Grallina Cyanoleuca
As we are leaving, we come across another pretty little uncaged native bird. It was a most enjoyable way of spending a few hours.
 Until next time,
Happy Wandering!
Pictures: 08February2014
Posted in Animals,Australia,TravelTags: Adelaide Zoo,animals,Australia,blog,Photo Blog,travel,Travel Blog,Ursula Wall,zoo
Across the Jordan River Valley
From Mount Nebo in Jordan’s Abarim mountains, one has extensive views over the dry and rugged landscape that is the backdrop to some ancient bible stories. It is a truly biblical landscape.
Referenced in the Old Testament, it was on this rocky desert terrain that the Hebrew prophet, teacher, and leader Moses walked, gave sermons, and ultimately died.
Moses is considered the most important prophet in Judaism and one of the most important personages in Christianity, Islam, and other Abrahamic religions. He reputedly led his people out of slavery. He is credited with writing the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) and is said to have received the Ten Commandments from God at Mt. Sinai. Here at Mount Nebo, God putatively granted Moses a view of the Promised Land before his death.
And what a view it is!
On a clear day, you can see across the Jordan River Valley and the Dead Sea to the Palestinian city of Hebron, and to Herodium, which is now an archaeological site named for the palace of King Herod. You can see Bethlehem and Jerusalem and Jericho; familiar names to anyone raised in the Judeo-Christian traditions. You can see Lake Tiberias, perhaps better known as the Sea of Galilee, where much of the ministry of Jesus took place. Later, the Crusaders conquered cities and built castles here (see: Shobak Montreal Castle)
You don’t have to look as far, or as far back as that, to appreciate the magnificent mosaics found here. Housed on Mount Nebo in the archaeological remains of the Byzantine Basilica Memorial Church of Moses, mosaics dating from around 530 CE feature patterns, religious symbols, plants, and animals. In the nearby town of Madaba, the Greek Orthodox Saint George’s Church contains an extraordinary mosaic map depicting Jerusalem and the Holy Lands that was crafted between 542 and 570 CE.
Even when looking across the almost barren, almost boundless land, it is hard to fathom the layers of time and the momentous events that have taken place here, and grown into such legends, told and retold.
Memorial of Moses
The Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land has owned this site since 1932, so it is technically Vatican property. Over the years, extensive excavations, surveys, and preservation programs have been undertaken by archaeologists affiliated with Franciscan study institutes (see: The Memorial Church of Moses). Mosaic from Khirbet al-Mukhayyat (the City of Nebo)
Dated to 565 CE, this is one of the extensive mosaics found in the nearby the Church of St. George, and moved here to the Mount Nebo Memorial access area. This peacock in a grapevine medallion is one of many animals depicted, alongside portraits of the benefactors: that is John, son of Ammonius, in the top right corner. Protecting the Excavated Church Remains
The original church here was built in the second half of the 4th century. Modern exploration of the site began in 1863. When the Franciscans took over, they built a shelter over the archaeological remains to protect them. This one was renovated between 2016 and 2019 CE. Rolling Stone – the Fortified Door
In the forecourt, a rolling stone found nearby at Faysaliyah (Kufer Abu Badd) has been mounted. Tourists and pilgrims are everywhere: Mount Nebo was designated a Millennium 2000 pilgrimage site by the Vatican. Across the Jordan River Valley The Brazen Serpent
This stunning sculpture by Italian artist Giovanni Fantoni represents the serpent mentioned in the book of Numbers, entwined with the cross upon which Jesus was crucified. Patterned Mosaic
In the northern hall of the basilica, this patterned mosaic was covering (and protecting) an earlier one, which was found about a meter below. Central Mosaic
Tiled circa 530, the incredible Byzantine mosaic floor in the Diakonikon-Baptistery covered an area of 9 x 3 m. This central section, framed by a chain-style ornamental border, depicts hunting and pastoral scenes. Stained Glass
There are three stained glass windows in the apse of Modern Church of Moses; the middle one shows Moses standing under the Brazen Serpent with his siblings, Aaron and Miriam. Mosaic Sample in the Theotokos Chapel Those Names!
A sign shows the direction to various locations in the Holy Land: Bethlehem is only 50 km (31 m) away. Bits and Columns
Excavations and restorations continue. The Abu Badd – The Rolling Stone
We seem to have outlasted other visitors to the site, and as we make our way back out, I get a chance to photograph that extraordinary Byzantine monastery door without people all over it! Sculpture by Vincenzo Bianchi
Back at the site entry, I have time for a better look at the monolithic sculpture inscribed “Unus Deus, Pater Omnium, Super Omnes” (One God, The Father Of All, Above all). ‘Book of Love Among Nations’
The monument by Vincenzo Bianchi was erected in honor of the visit of Pope John-Paul II in March, 2000. The back is inscribed with author’s names. City Street
It’s a short drive down the hill to Madaba; we get a glimpse of the shops along the way. The Church of Saint George
Our next stop is at the Greek Orthodox Saint George’s Church in Madaba. Saint George’s Church
Built between 1894 and 1897, it has simple lines. Mosaic Map
The church’s simple structure is not its principal drawcard: St George is also called the Church Of The Map. This mosaic map, found in 1894 when the church was being reconstructed, was made between 542 and 570. It the largest mosaic map in the world and the oldest map of Palestine on record. About a quarter of the original two million pieces of coloured stone survive in place. The Mosaic Map Explained
Although the map is detailed and very accurate, it can be hard for us to interpret. It was not designed as a practical road map for pilgrims, instead, it is a complex work of Christian art with layers of embodied meaning. The Apse inside St George “Virgin and Child” “Mary As A Well Of Life” and “St Nicholas”
I’m guessing the mosaics and paintings of icons and saints that adorn the inside of the church are much more recent than the map floor – but I could find no information on most of them. Rugs for Sale
After a morning of biblical history, it was nice to come back to the present, and admire the local craftsmanship. Ceramics for Sale
Naturally, tourists are targeted, … Nuts and Seeds for Sale
… but everyday items are available as well. Shopkeeper
I’m happy to settle for a local smile. The exquisite craftsmanship that went into making those intricate mosaics of the past continues now: Madaba is the hub of mosaic-making in Jordan today and is known as “The City of Mosaics”.
But, it was the history that blew me away.
Happy Travels!
Pictures: 18October2019
Posted in Architecture,History,Religion,TravelTags: history,Jordan,landscape,Photo Blog,religion,travel,Travel Blog,Ursula Wall
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