Set Right – Haiku 2022 #ThursdayDoors

Posted bySuzette BenjaminPosted inPoetry
Santa Maria Novella Basilica, Florence Italy Main Doors. Image credit: ⓒHulyaOzkok | Alamy

charting faith’s heavens

a blank canvas and a dream

time sets things right

****

Sequestered in the land that was once vineyards stands the first main basilica in Florence, Italy in the 13th century — Santa Maria Novella. Consecrated in 1429, this basilica has been the home of The Dominican Friars for over 800 years.

At the time of its consecration, the Santa Maria Novella facade was devoid of ornamentation —a theme that can still be noted today in the simplicity of its main doors.

However, the builder’s original vision/dream was to transform the facade’s blank canvas into a marble-embellished monument in its own right. Centuries of effort later, the work was finally completed in 1920.

Santa Maria Novella Basilica Main Doors’ close-ups are featured below:

Main Doors closeup – top section = Image Credit: Txllxt TxllxT | Wikimedia CC 3.0
Main Doors- top and middle, Santa Maria Novella. Image credit: Txllxt TxllxT | Wikimedia CC
Bottom of the main doors, Santa Maria Novella. Image Credit: Txllxt TxllxT | Wikimedia CC 3.0

Trivia: In 1574 two devices were installed on Santa Maria Novella Basilica’s facade: a marble astronomical dial, and a bronze celestial sphere (see below).

These two devices along with the bronze meridian line installed in the floor inside the Basilica’s nave, permitted Ignatio Danti, a famous astronomer and cartographer of the day to discover, to church authorities’ dismay, that Florence’s observance of the Julian calendar’s March equinox/Easter had been off by six days each year, for quite some time. The matter was promptly rectified.

Astronomical sphere – Santa Maria Novella facade’s left side – Image credit: I. Sailko | Wikimedia CC 3.0
Astronomical dial – Santa Maria Novella’s facade right side. Image credit: I. Sailko | Wikimedia CC 3.0

Wider angle Santa Maria Novella, Basilica below:

Santa Maria Novella Basilica, Florence – Image credit: Suicasmo | Wikimedia CC4.0

*****

For #ThursdayDoors – hosted by Dan Antion – NoFacilities

Published by Suzette Benjamin

Positive thinker, inspirational, writer, faith

50 thoughts on “Set Right – Haiku 2022 #ThursdayDoors”

  4. I love the way your poetry hints at the words and images we’re about to see. This is a beautiful church, and an important scientific reference point. Thanks for bringing this all to us to enjoy.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Dan for nothing the haiku’s purpose/premis! Much appreciated.
      You thoughts summarize well, these doors story and significance. Well said.
      Thank you Dan, for all you do. I know you have a busy schedule; and yet, you host ThursdayDoors with great aplomb. Blessings.🙏

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Beautiful doors
      Just plain like this
      Devoid of engravings
      Also the sleek look of the Astronomical sphere
      Compliment the plain doors

      🪶Ignatio Danti, a famous astronomer and cartographer of the day to discover, to church authorities’ dismay, that Florence’s observance of the Julian calendar’s March equinox/Easter had been off by six days each year, for quite some time. The matter was promptly rectified.🪶

      “time sets things right”
      Perfect.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I agree! I like your point that the “sleek” lines of the two devices add to doors a certain reference beyond the here and now.. Taking the viewer’s gaze even higher than these very tall doors.

        Yes, time does indeed.

        Happy Thursday. Peace to you. 😊

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Yes, thank you Poet.
        The entires building and its fixtures gives the impression of a place for deep meditation and study.
        The Astronomical dial also gives me that Leonardo Da Vinci feeling.
        Scientific study also requires a peaceful setting. The complimenting colours speak of serenity.

        Peace and Happy Thursday to you too. Thanks🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, Liz well spotted. A grand building and yet delicately ornate… a feature which boggles my mind considering the copious amounts of marble used to achieve this effect.

      Happy Thursday Liz. Blessings😊

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Glad you found the haiku of value, Cindy. My pleasure!

      Oh, this must have been amazing to witness in person, Cindy..
      I am always happy to hear that these beautiful places have been experienced live. It is why they are there weathering the tests of time, I think anyways.

      May peace guide your steps, and compassion, your counsel
      Happy Thursday💗

      Like

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