Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Black and White Wednesday-Holy Stairway


The Holy Stairway in Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, Italy.

29 steps you ascend on your knees, with pure heart saying short prayer or meditating.
No matter your religion it is quite a sight, it's not easy to do. There were a lot of elderly men and women doing this. I tried a few stairs and it really hurt. See the lady standing on the right....big no,no there. Here is the picture in color, I like them both.



Visit Lisa over at The long road to China and see more Black and White Wednesdays.

44 comments:

kks said...

very interesting....
xo

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Very cool shot!! I would love to visit there someday:)

xo,

Lisa

Two Kayaks said...

Wow. What a humbling experience it must to be so ascend on your knees. Great perspective!

Denise said...

I like them both, but think that I prefer the B and W~

Love Letters To China said...

Beautiful photo. I've never had the opportunity to visit this church while in Rome. Thanks for sharing.

preppyplayer said...

so did any of you do it? Beautiful image, especially in the B&W.
Let me know when the package comes.
becky got hers :)

Chasing Dreams Photography said...

This is a beautiful shot!!! I really love it in B&W!!! : )

honeypiehorse said...

Oh, no the BW one is way cooler!

Lisa said...

With this shot you have taken us all along on a collective journey....thank you!

Its really stunning!

Lisa

Cathee said...

This picture in b&w makes it look very different. Love how the detail of the stairs pops out.

Robin said...

I was there and you are right ... it doesn't matter what religion you practice it's incredible moving just to be there.

Deidra said...

This takes my breath away. The photo. The kneeling. The praying. The ascending. Wow!

Anonymous said...

I want to be in that stair way. it has a nice feel to it... best wishes

Menopausal New Mom said...

That is so unusual, amazing what some people with endure in the name of religion. Great photo!

Kristina P. said...

Wow, I have never heard of this. Fascinating!

Somer Love said...

I have been on that stair way!!! and walked through the Holy doors too! they only open them every 20 years or something... supposedly when you walk thru them you are sin free... that didn't last long ;)

Sonya said...

I just love this picture in blacj and white! wow thats awesome. I decided to give it a go aswell..you join the neatest stuff!

Wanda said...

Wow, very interesting. I love the black in the blk&wh.

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

Beautiful photo. The black and white photo draws your eye upward and the color photo allows you to get lost in looking at the people...both photos are wonderful though...just very different in my eyes.

Interesting...I would love to go there some day.

Gail said...

Beautiful black and white...I would love to go there, very inspiring.

Nancy C said...

I like the black and white, because it captures the starkness of the activity. Very cool shot.

CM said...

I've never heard of this. I can imagine by the top, you've really had to meditate to not think about the pain! Both pics look intriguing.

Lacie said...

Cool pic! You are living in Europe...lucky you!

Shelly and Family said...

WOW - what an amazing photo...and changing it to B&W truly made one strong statement! Someday ~ I too will make it to Italy {someday...sigh}!

freckletree said...

it mos def has a more powerful energy in b&w!

RennyBA's Terella said...

What a great contribution to the theme!

Even if I'm not that religious, I would have liked to try.

Sarah Andrews said...

Such an incredible shot and tradition. Love the B&W!

fleur de lis cottage said...

Way cool! Love this picture!

Crystal @ Plush Palate said...

Gorgeous! I used to live right by this church when I worked in Italy. Oh now I'm all nostalgic for it's beauty ... :)

xo,
Crystal

Anonymous said...

Love your B&W pictures, especially the winter path with the doggie.
Cristee

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

Great shot!
I miss Rome, certainly one of my fave cities to visit~

Christine @ 12,450miles said...

Wow... very cool!

Kim said...

Cool picture in both b&w in color! Thanks for stopping by today.

Leciawp said...

Wow so interesting! I too love the black & white.

Unknown said...

I love this picture. I have never seen anything like it. I would LOVE to visit there. What a fabulous place. So much to learn!

Killara girl said...

interesting...there's nothing more humbling than being on your knees...

debi9kids said...

What a fabulous photo! Very interesting too.

Maude Lynn said...

This is very cool. I love the perspective.

Debra said...

I love the black and white! Shame on that lady... on your knees!!!

Kwana said...

Wow. That's all I can say.

Ann said...

Very cool looking photo - did you do something to enhance it or is it just great light? And sounds like a great experience!

Unknown said...

ooh i love the contrast!

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Joanna Jenkins said...

Wow. I learned something new. Thanks.

xo

Ashia said...

great shot! i love great photos like this that are lasting memories of a special trip!