Sunday, January 24, 2010

Sagrato

Statue of Pope John Paul II by Antonio Vinciguerra, parvis of the Sanctuary of Montenero, LivornoIn “Piazza di Montenero” few steps divide the secular part of the square from the “sagrato”, which is the consecrated space in front of a church. On a facade we can see a statue of Pope John Paul II by Antonio Vinciguerra, placed as a memento of the pastoral visit to Livorno and the Sanctuary in 1982.Sign, parvis of the Sanctuary of Montenero, LivornoThe old sign says:
In this centuries-old hall
the faith and the pity of the people
do not allow
disgraceful behaviors
disturbances, games
unnecessary noises

Parvis of the Sanctuary of Montenero, LivornoOnce the now covered well of the Sanctuary was located here.

See also: Montenero - Sanctuary of Montenero - Villa Azzurra - Funicolare - Famedio - Piazza del Santuario
External links: Pope John Paul II (Wikipedia)

22 comments:

Gunn said...

You really have an eye for beautiful and interesting details.

stromsjo said...

Canals are being dug up again so why not an old well... Well?

Unknown said...

I I LOVE the well cover. Are they common in Livorno?

Hilda said...

Of course it's the photo of the well cover that I love best — such wonderful textures! And I'm surprised it was only sealed in 1989?

Now you've made me want to photograph one of our church signs. Depending on the parish, usually they're not just about behavior but also acceptable clothes.

Lowell said...

I find all of this very interesting...how can a "space" be "sacred"?

And what, exactly doth that mean?

And the "warning" is a little disconcerting...I wouldn't be able to be sure I was not engaged in "disgraceful behaviors" or any of the rest.

Is a cough an "unnecessary" noise?

:-)

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

I love the sun and the shadows on the image of the Pope.

Luis Gomez said...

Excellent set of images. Love the details.

VP said...

@ Hilda - I don't think so, 1989 is the date of the restoration works of the pavement. I have seen old postcards were the place is almost the same a century ago, without any visible well.

joo said...

Interesting post as usually. I like the well very much, but my favourite are the symmetrical windows.

cieldequimper said...

I am always amazed that people need to be reminded to behave.

Cezar and Léia said...

Very nice angles and colours and pictures overall. And peaceful...
God bless you!
Cezar

crocrodyl said...

Very nice. The statue of the pope looks very unusual. No doubt - place worth to visit!:)
Regards,
m_m

Rob Siemann said...

Love the well cover!

Unknown said...

The first shot is so cool! At first it seems to be a trompe-l'oeil! :-)

Dina said...

Love the sign. I really want to learn that language of yours.

Interesting to see such a recent pope now as a statue.

Kaori said...

Beautiful photos! It looks like the pope is looking out from the veranda :)

Ilse said...

Very interesting & informative. And very touching to raise a monument to the Poe's visit. The colors & the light are just beautiful.

Wolynski said...

Love the top photo - very striking.

Tash said...

That's very unusual... a definite add on. I like it very much though. Well spotted & photographed.

Dina said...

Thanks for your detective work. Please return to get a link at my Comments.

Unknown said...

Nice way to commemorate the pope's visit. I'm amazed that people need to be reminded to behave decently in spaces that other people find sacred. Even if you're not a believer you should respect the believes of others. I remember seeing this as a tourist in Europe, people who were asked to cover their shoulders and legs while entering the church and doing so only until passing the security guard and entering the church, after which they would drop the covering.

tapirgal said...

I find the sign very funny.