frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Yesterday morning the superior asked if I could go to the Cistercian monastery in Sticna (little hat over the c) to help with a retreat. Sure. When? Five o'clock. Today? Uh huh. Fortunately was free. We drove down, about thirty minutes, and I took the train back this evening, about an hour. The monastery was built in the early 12th century and is one of the most significant religious sites in Slovenia. Renown for illuminated manuscripts in the 14th century. The Cistercians were founded in 1092. This abbey was a rather early foundation. In the 16th century the Cistercian order was split into the O.Cist. (old or common observance) and OCSO (strict observance, also known as Trappists). Only a little remains of the original monastery, mostly outer walls. The abbey church was redone during the Baroque. The abbey was inactive by order of the emperor for 114 years but was reactivated. It is not huge nor is it situated on a vast tract of land. Fascinating place.

Because I was facing a significant walk back from the train with backpack stuffed with laptop etc. I took only one lens, a Leica f 1.4 25 mm (50 mm equivalent on Olympus). It finds light where there is none even when hand held.

The tower of the monastic church taken from the cloister garth.

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Another entry with a pieta in the shrine. The abbey also serves as a parish church.

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Cloister garden.

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Gothic cloister with unusual coloring. It was added much later after the foundation.

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Close-up. It looks as if the color was rubbed into roughly finished stone. If anyone knows what this is called let me know.

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The nave is 63 meters long. The altar is baroque. The choir stalls for the monks are in the background.

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Close up of the monk's choir and altar. The tabernacle is in the center of the choir.

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The pulpit is obviously of baroque vintage.

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Renovated AD 1808

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A modern stained glass addition from 1907.

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rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

If there were churches that looked like this near my location, I'd probably still be attending. I hope this church also has an organ.
--Bob

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Beautiful photo's of an amazing place that I doubt I will ever get to see in person. I love touring the old Missions here in Montana - but they were built in the early to late 1800's...so they are new compared to this place.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

It does.

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frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Europeans frequently laugh when an American describes a building as old. What 200 years? I generally preface a statement with "It is old for the U.S." Thanks for commenting.

Lance Pearson Loc: Viriginia

Nicely done on the photographs

CathyAnn Loc: Apache Junction, AZ

Father Jack, the coloration on those arches in the cloister looks like fresco to me (I'm guessing). These shots sure give us a good idea of the beauty of this place. As usual, they're outstanding!

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Beautiful...I love looking at your photos from Slovenia...your architectural and street scene subjects have a unique "old world" charm that is missing in the U.S. Thanks for sharing.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Thanks you for commenting.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Thanks. Could be fresco. Generally when I hear the word I think figurative.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Slovenia is very much old world, particularly in the old small village and central LJ. Old in the US is razed to put in "open concept living and granite countertops." Thanks for commenting.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Beautiful set frjack.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Thank you. Beautiful place to be with a camera.

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

You are so right, frjack. Beautiful set.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Thank you. No necessarily looking forward to returning to U.S. in the summer. Returning for another year is up for consideration. Even the simple train ride on a somewhat rickety old train had moments when I wanted to hit the emergency cord to take a quick shot. Probably not a good idea in practice.