2016
/ Da Vinci’s 16th century Double Helix staircase / Château de Chambord, Loire Valley France, February /
You will never touch when you climb the stairs, and a friend descends simultaneously. While that’s a curiosity, the greater glory is how you feel elevated in this spiral…outside any life experience you’ve ever had.
/ Ile de la Cite, Paris, France /
The Sainte-Chapelle is the finest royal chapel to be built in France and features a truly exceptional collection of stainedglass windows. It was built in the mid 13th century by Louis IX, at the heart of the royal residence, the Palais de la Cité, to house the relics of the Passion of Christ. Adorned with a unique collection of fifteen glass panels and a rose window forming a veritable wall of light, the Sainte-Chapelle gem of Rayonnant Gothic architecture.
/ Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, Germany /
Completed in 1248, the Cologne Cathedral was once considered the tallest building in the world. Right beside the central train station, you are immediately overwhelmed by the presence of this structure. Nearby is a museum housing one of the finest ancient glass collections.
/ Soulful light show / La Saint Chapelle, Paris /
Vibrant, evocative, transformative light enchants in stained glass—a melange of blue, red, green, purple, and yellow, expressing Old and New Testament stories. This 13th-century space feels fresh and exhilarating to anyone pausing for a brief moment, breathing in a meaningful experience.
/ Pyrenees, France /
The Pyrenees have an ancient quarry that yields striations of rose in the marble. Time sometimes adds a softer patina.
/ Skyscraper with a twist by Spaniard / Calatrava, Malmo, Sweden /
As you journey from Copenhagen to Malmo in minutes on board a train or driving across the Orresund bridge, your eyes quickly land on the Turning Torso skyscraper. Does this fit Southern Sweden? Initially, it turned heads from the locals and often from visitors seeing it for the first time. The setting beside the intense blue of the Baltic Sea and a harbor of colorful boats makes it photo worthy for sure.