AmericanPapist Comments
You say that the Conopaeum is not pictured. However the striped umbrella is very visible on the right in the picture of the sanctuary of the Basilica.
Yes, that's right. I didn't take a picture of it individually.
p.s. I've updated the post so people can find the picture you mention.
Thanks Thomas...that was a very enjoyable and interesting post! Great job! I think your photos are even getting better. Blessed Seelos said that he thought Baltimore was one of America's most beautiful cities.
Rev. Father Visitor sure is the patron namesake of a lot of High Schools.
I see his name on every scoreboard in town.
only 40 miles?
that's a short commute anywhere in the Dallas/Fort Worth area...
I found this an interesting piece of information. The upper church avoids any need for pillars through an inventive "reverse arch" system that is visable in the crypt below the church:
This is a good example of why you should not trust anything you hear on a tour like this. I did a preservation critique of the Basilica's restoration/rehabilitation.
We do not really know why the arches are that way. The arches do not really make structural sense.
One of the most prominent theories is that the brick mason read the plans wrong and built them upside-down. This seems ridiculous, but there are records of legal action between the two.
As far as the basilica's structure goes, having the arches like they are do really not allow the structure to span any greater distance. However, there may be some advantage as footings. If the ground wasn't sufficient to take the point loads from the pillars, the arches might distribute the load the concentration of the load of the building on fewer columns and piers and thereby allowing larger spans.
Even if they don't work this way - or in any way at all - if it was on purpose, Latrobe may have had some structural theory that he was exploring. Latrobe did not leave any records (that I could find) and there are no other examples of this technique.
(This is why I am such a buzzkill on tours. I annoy the crap out of my friends and family with my "he made that up"s and "that's not true"s. ;) )
While all on the net may not agree...
"An old literary and military tradition has it that Poe was expelled from West Point in 1831 for 'gross neglect of duty' because he appeared naked at a public parade. Parade dress instructions called for 'white belts and gloves, under arms.' Poe took this literally and appeared with rifle over his bare shoulder, wearing belt and gloves and nothing else )Bartlett's Book of Anecdotes by Clifton Fadiman)."
I was told this at West Point, and it is a documented and has long been known among military folk.
Cool.
I didn't know Poe attended West Point...he must not have been there for very long, if he pulled something like that! EWWW....
BTW, nice pictures, Thomas. When I visited Baltimore in 1986, I visited St. Alphonsus and the Basilica-they were just a few blocks apart. The Basilica was rather dark and dreary-looking. I'm glad it was 'brightened up". I loved St. Alphonsus-went there a couple of times for the noontime Mass.
I'm so glad I found out about the "add &fmt=18 to the URL" feature on YouTube that let's you see the video in higher resolution, or more accurately, the original upload quality.
Are Irish priests noted for speed or lack of reverence.
Vicent, yes to the former, no to the latter (but people tend to think that a quick Mass must be irreverent).
Hi Thomas,
It was great seeing you. Let us know when you're next in town. There's an abundance of beer and crabs in this city, and it isn't going to consume itself.
Hurdy-gurdy: Thanks for that YouTube tip. I'll be using it from now on.
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