The Church of St Bartholomew, Pelhrimov

By Ricky, on October 22nd, 2013

Sgraffiti decoration on the exterior walls of the Church of St Bartholomew, Pelhrimov, with the fresco decorated alcoves below. © Ricky Yates

For a number of reasons, I took my day-off this week today, rather than yesterday. Taking advantage of some wonderful Indian summer weather, Sybille and I drove just over one hundred kilometres south-east of Prague and explored the interesting historic town of Pelhrimov. A much longer and more detailed post about the town will follow shortly. But tonight, I just wanted to post about one fascinating discovery that we made today, whilst exploring this delightful town.

At one corner of Masarykovo námestí, the main square in the centre of Pelhrimov, is the Church of St Bartholomew – kostel sv Bartolomej. The Church dates from the late thirteenth/early fourteenth century and much of its exterior walls are decorated with sgraffiti as can be seen . . . → Read More: The Church of St Bartholomew, Pelhrimov

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Cappadocia – Land of Underground Churches

By Ricky, on November 14th, 2009

Old Testament Prophet with scroll © Sybille Yates

Along with Fairy Chimneys, the other unique attraction in Cappadocia is a whole series of Underground Churches, carved into the soft rock. Most have been decorated internally with an amazing variety of wall paintings and frescoes. There are rock carved Churches scattered right across Cappadocia but some of the most interesting and best preserved, lie in the upper part of the Göreme Valley, a few kilometres west of Ürgüp.

Christians settled in this part of Cappadocia in the second and third centuries AD. They carved and built these Churches and associated settlements, seeking to escape Roman persecution of their faith. After the Roman Empire adopted the Christian faith, there was less need to hide away in this remote area. But monastic and teaching communities remained.

From the seventh century AD and onwards, the increasing spread of Islam led more Christians . . . → Read More: Cappadocia – Land of Underground Churches

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