Visit the Basilica from late 5th century, known as the red Church next to Plovdiv

 

Hidden in the middle of sunflower fields, mountains and few industry chimneys the Red Church next to Perushtitsa expect nowadays visitors more proudly than ever. The rests of this late Roman Christian basilica (originally built in the 5th/6th century) has been beautifully restored and opened to public in April 2013. The Red Church is a rare example of solid brick construction in a church from Late Antiquity in Bulgaria, and it was the red colour of the bricks that gave the church its name.

The floor of the church was covered with mosaics and the interior was decorated with frescoes. Currently few frescoes under the arches (one old from the original church and few from the later stage in 11th century) are amazing the visitors. They are for sure the wow-part of the discovery of this old temple. This magic place is actually just 15 min drive from Plovdiv and 1 km before the town of Perushtitsa. Definitely worth the stop. There is only one sign and a path of around 10 min walk will bring you to this treasure!

Churches and temples in Reunion island

 

The religious places in Reunion depict in a very nice way the big melting pot the island is: French, Indian, Africans, Chinese are the "locals" here. Islanders use their ethnic origins to define themselves as "Cafres " (African ancestry) "Z'oreilles " (born in mainland France), "malabars or Tamouls " (from Tamil Nadu southern India), " Z'arabes " (from Gujarat in northern India), "Chinois" (from China), "Malgaches" (from Madagascar), " Comores "(from Comores), "Petits blancs" (poor rural whites living in the highlands), or "Creoles blancs " (white landowners).

I would start with the really vivid colours of the Indian temple in St Andre (which is one of the most famous, although they are some spread over the whole island). Enjoy the mind-blowing colours (some part were just freshly painted) and rich decoration. I was really impressed when I arrived in front of it.

 

Then I would like to take you to the church "Notre Dame de la Lave" located in St Rose. It is called that way as during several eruptions the lava stopped at its door steps. It is really nice to see how good different religions may co-habitit...

Church " St.St. Konstantin and Elena", Mirkowo, Bulgaria/ Параклис Свети Константи и Елена, Мирково

 

One may see from few kilometers the golden cupola of the cute little church "St. St. Konstantin and Elena" on a hill before the village Mirkowo. Mirkowo is located in the "Podbalkana", around 80 km away from Sofia. My great-grandmother Nevena was born there, few kilomers further in the town Pirdop my grandfather, the father of my mother, was born....

 

The cute little church has opened its doors in the spring of 2007 and offers a great view to the surrounding fields and mountains. The interior colourful paintings show very well the typical decoration for Bulgarian Orthodox religious places. There is a small drinking water post and a stone cross in front of the church too...

.
Below I am also attaching a picture of my great-grand parents (in the middle, standing: baba Nevena and djado Spiridon) and my grand parents (on the left, standing: my grandma Vera and grandpa Alexi) from 1955. On the right site, standing, is the brother of my grandpa: djado Gosho and his wife, Milka. Sitting in front are the parents of my great-grandmother from Mirkowo: her father was a priest. I really love this picture!

Santorini and its churches...

There is something about white-blue-colours churches in Santorini...There are just everywhere!!! Small, big, hidden, majestic - you can see one at every corner or just in the middle of the nowhere while driving on the island. I started to wonder, why so many. One travel guide was saying that each fisherman who has escaped a big storm made one as a Thank you to his protector...

 I also asked our Greek friend Klearchos who lives there the same question. His answer was a bit different. As Santorni is an active volcano, people do build a lot of churches in the hope that they will help them avoid a big eruption.

In any case those little gems do make the island even more beautiful. The most impressive church I had visited was the one to the small and cozy church Agios Nikolaos (Saint Nicholas-the 3 last shots). It is literally carved in the cliffs next to the sea and the village Megalochori. As a local said once, "Its even more beautiful than Notre-Dame de Paris"... I completely agree with him:-) and say a big thanks to Klearhos for showing it to us...Amazing sunset images from this church made by Klearchos can be admired on his blog.