Around the world in ten photos: day six
The church
There is a solidity to this church; it seems rooted in the soil from which it was built. Its thick walls with their jutting buttresses look more like a fortification than a place of worship, and its massive bulk seems completely out of proportion to the small community it was built to serve.
Margaret of From Pyrenees to Pennines and Teresa of My Camera & I have both invited me to join them and other bloggers to post one favourite travel picture a day for ten days without explanation, then each day, nominate someone new to join in on the same terms. I don’t usually post a single photo on my blog; I like to tell a story. But for this challenge I’ll resist that temptation and instead play a guessing game with you all. So, does anyone know where this church is to be found, and what it is called?
And the answer is, the San Francisco de Asis Church in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico. It was built around 1772 and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1970. It has been a source of inspiration for several artists. Georgia O’Keeffe painted it several times, and Ansel Adams photographed it – brilliantly.
I realise not everyone likes to be nominated for this sort of thing so I’m not nominating any more people. But if anyone else would like to join in the fun, please link back to this post as I’d love to see your photos!
15 Comments
SandyL
I do like the lines and shape of this church. It looks solid like a fortress.
Sarah Wilkie
It was designed to be one as well as a church – built to resist unwanted attacks from aggressive tribes such as the local Apaches.
Anna
That looks like from your USA trip… New Mexico.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, it’s in New Mexico 🙂 I’ll ask you what I asked Lesley (below) – can you identify which church it is? It is famous, if that helps! If not, I’ll revel all later today in today’s post 😀
Anna
I wouldn’t have a clue about the name of the church…. but I’ll take a stab where it is…. Santa Fe?
Sarah Wilkie
Sorry no – but answer coming soon!
Anna
Dammit my hot streak is broken! This has been fun trying to guess!
Sarah Wilkie
Well, you got the right US state so don’t beat yourself up too much!
Sarah Wilkie
I just posted today’s challenge and with it the answer to this one. It’s the San Francisco de Asis Church in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico – so you weren’t that far away with Santa Fe!
Teresa
This is such a beautiful architecture. Looks like it could withstand all kinds of harsh weather.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, it was built (around 1772) and designed specifically to resist floods and erosion, as well as partly as a fortress against attack 🙂
margaret21
I was wondering about central America, but I see that’s not quite right. I feel pleased to be vaguely in the right zone though. What an extraordinary building!
Sarah Wilkie
It is quite a building and one I was very keen to photograph 🙂
Lesley
Lovely. New Mexico?
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, quick work Lesley 😀 Care to be more specific?!