Saturday, October 25, 2008

The Painted Monasteries















While in Romania, at the end of a long and emotionally draining week, we would get the opportunity to take weekend excursions to various touristy areas. On the second to last weekend there, we went to the Moldavia area and visited some of the Painted Monasteries. They were absolutely incredible. It was a truly spiritual experience being able to walk on the grounds and see these vivid paintings depicting the life and teachings of Christ. How wonderful it is to be able to have a few common facts among different religions.

There was one particular monastery, the Varonet Monastery, that moved me. It was commisioned in 1488 and finished in 1547. It is a masterpiece. The western wall is completely covered in a fresco depicting the Last Judgment. They use a very rare blue stone for the blue paint. At the same time this fresco was being done at this monastery, the Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel was being completed my Michelangelo. He also used the same rare stone crushed for his blue paint. These works of art are unbelievable! Words and even pictures do not do them justice.

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