Unused by Chipka
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Description
It is a quiet place, tucked along the curve of the River Vltava. I remember that much. I remember that it's not far from Dušna street... not far from a place to shelter when the spring rains arrive with their characteristic (though short-lived) fervor. The spring rains come on a daily basis. You can set your watch by them.
I know this place because I'd gotten caught in the rain. I can't remember what time it was.
We walked—a friend and I—originally looking for a new watering hole. We'd grown tired of our usual run of cellar bars and were in the mood for something else. There were areas beyond old town, beyond Josefov, beyond the river itself that I had not yet explored. I'd been drawn to the giant red metronome at the crest of a hill, and I'd wanted to photograph it. (Little did I know that such a chance would not come until a year later!)
The Metronome stands in the place of what had once been the world's largest statue of Stalin. That monument was explosively demolished, and in its place, a spindly, red, and largely unimpressive timepiece clocks the city's heartbeat.
On the day that we'd gone to see the Metronome, it wasn't working.
—So, we walked elsewhere instead.
The sky was clear as we followed the river's curve, clear as we picked our way along the uneven cobbles of a narrow, meandering street. Horse Chestnut trees whispered in the breeze.
I don't know how long the church stood empty.
I don't know what it looks like inside, though I hope to enter—one day—or at least peek through a window or half-open door.
I can't remember what time it was, when the rain started falling, but I know that it rained at close to the same time every day, that week. And as we walked around this church, trying to find ways over/around/through its surrounding fence, the first drops of rain began to fall. I took what shots I could, then scurried to catch up with the friend who'd walked ahead. He'd found a bar—a place to wait out the shower.
I'd found something of a small mystery.
I've been fascinated by that church since first seeing it.
But in all this time, I've never learned its name.
***
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting. I have a lot of catching up to do, as things have been strangely hectic around here, but I hope to catch up during the upcoming week.
Comments (29)
beachzz
What a sweet, wonderful description of this church. You take such a simple observation and give it life, color and charm--beautiful!!
auntietk
You know, my friend, many people would have said, "I don't know the name of this church, and it was raining when I took the picture," and left it at that. They would not have woven a tale, fashioned a mood, drawn the seemingly casual reader's soul out into the rain to walk half aimlessly through a Czech town looking for beer and modern political art. I'm sure you can tell which I prefer.
photostar
The red tiled roof really adds so much life to this now unused church structure. And your narrative adds even more to the photo.
SGopi
nice colour!good shot!!
jeroni
Wonderful and very creative work
Rainbowgirl
A beautiful shot of a beautiful quiet place and as usual your story adds so much to it. I apologise for not following your uploads for quite some time now. I'll make amends ;-)
Heathcroft
You are going native, Chip. You know more about your locale than the locals do.And its showing more and more. Another excellent post.
durleybeachbum
Superb pic and words.
romanceworks
Something about the rain that brings out the emotion and beauty of things. Enjoyed going on this walk with you. CC
NekhbetSun
I agree with Tara....it's amazing how you can take something simple and it turns poetic...love it Chip ! Hugs ~
MrsRatbag
Yes, Tara encapsulated it perfectly; it's your descriptions that weave the magic into your images. In another time you would have been a master bard. I do so look forward to your uploads!
hipps13
I really like this wonderful work warm hug, Linda
Markintosh
What a terrific image. The red tile against the grey stones is striking.
ladyraven23452
nice work
texboy
A great commentary, full of symbolism about Soviet-style Communism, Comrade Stalin, time, and the heart of Man....good stuff, Chip!
Janiss
A brilliant shot and postwork Chip!
diomedes66
Beautiful and quite fine image! Best regards, Paul http://www.diomedes.org/
MrsLubner
Unused? I find that interesting. Perhaps, it only looks unused to some... perhaps God still uses it but no one comes? Perhaps, it is well used by mice or spiders...and notice - you used it well in this shot. :-)
Lunastar
Fantastic image and words.
trishabadblood
The texture and color ..wonderful capture....
Kaartijer
Excellent shot, great composition!
anahata.c
wow, great comments here. Tara, Marilyn, Mina, etc—ditto ditto ditto. And you are a bard, you just don't drink mead and fight Goths. (!) I can see that you've taken a break from your imaginative journeys and dug into your rich memory in your last few uploads. It's wonderful how you lead us one place and then discover another, not apologizing for leaving the first journey aside because that is how life is...and then delving into a place whose name you don't know and whose mystery you ponder...you leave mystery intact, and do it with gentleness and caress. And the photo...this is fine work Chip. It's as if the beginning of rain purified the hues and made every color of the walls stand out. They shimmer & speak worlds, and there is much old age & music in them (and clarity in the stone walkway, and that big bold red-tile roof!) Terrific shot, wonderful memory-journey, and another fav. Boy what a joy it is to stop here; and to think I still have most of your gallery to catch up on...(and they call clocks 'metronomes'? That's great! I'm a pianist, and to me a metronome is that sniveling little monster that sat on your piano during lessons, and 'ticked' until you wanted to throw it out the window! I'd love to see the metronome you're talking about...)
Geoaskier
Love the colors and textures....I would be fasinated by this church too....wonder why it was abandoned?....
KatesFriend
Legend has it that the oldest of vampires will take up residence in such disused holy places. Perhaps they've grown so strong that they hallowed forces of the church are too weak to repel them. Perhaps the vampire no longer cares about living amongst the symbols and spirits of those who seek to counter them. Perhaps they just seek out the quiet and stillness of such places. Or perhaps they have come at last to make their peace with God.
kasalin
A wonderful description of this church, dear Chip !!! Excellent shot and a great composition too !!! 5* Hugs:)
pixelmeister
Very nice shot!
tennesseecowgirl
You sure have a lovely way of describing this journey, and what a great photo.
netlauv
It's a very nice comp and i love a lot the color and lighting. Very well done :0)
three_grrr
I don't know which I enjoy more, reading your comments, or getting lost in your photos. I think each enhances the other. And then the comments that are left here are marvelous to read too. Everyone has pretty much said what I've thought .. so I'll just it's beautiful capture.