Swallows – Haiku 2023 #ThursdayDoors

Posted bySuzette BenjaminPosted inPoetry
Main doors, Basilica Saint Sernin, Toulouse, France. Image credit: © Ronald Bouman | Dreamstime

making do with half

building a nest for swallows

singing to organs

~~~~

Four incomplete building “attempts” spanning most of the 12th century A.D. resulted in the smooshing together of the halves of two different church buildings under construction on the same piece of land to produce: Basilica Saint Sernin, Toulouse, France (Toulouse Cathedral).

Experts are to this day still attempting to piece together this cathedral’s spotted historical provenance since scarce little of its builds had been documented.

The featured doors are the main entrance doors on the Cathedral’s West side.

The Cathedral is famous for its organs, particularly its grand tribune organ. Toulouse Cathedral‘s grand tribune organ (circa 1888 AD) weighs in at thirteen tons (28,000 lbs), is twelve meters (39 feet) high, and is ensconced on a ledge called “a swallow’s nest” perched 17 meters above the Cathedral’s floor (image below)

Toulouse Cathedral, tribute organ. Image credit: © Louise Rivard | Dreamstime

Trivia: The city of Toulouse is affectionately called “The Pink City,” (La Ville Rose) because of the pink bricks used in building construction since the middle ages.

The cathedral’s facade and the surrounding buildings reflect this feature. See the aerial image below.

Aerial view: Toulouse Cathedral, France. Image credit: © saiko3p | istockphoto

Related fun fact: The properties of the clay used to form the “pink” bricks are affected by the position and amount of the Sun’s reflection. If you can imagine the spectacle – these very unique bricks turn pink in the morning, then change to red at high noon, and then turn purple in the evening light.

Wider angle photos below show Toulouse Cathedral’s mix of architectural styles: Romanesque, Baroque, and High Gothic.

Toulouse Cathedral, France. Image credit: © Sergey Dzyuba | Dreamstime

Toulouse Cathedral, France. Image credit: © Boris Breytman | Dreamstime

For more #ThursdayDoors visit host Dan Antion at No Facilities

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Teresa: My camera and I

Published by Suzette Benjamin

Positive thinker, inspirational, writer, faith

52 thoughts on “Swallows – Haiku 2023 #ThursdayDoors”

  2. Somewhere else I’ve been 😆😆😆
    Can you see me jumping up and down? The first time I visited Toulouse was for a friend’s wedding, but not here.

    Thank you for bringing back such happy memories, Suzette

    Have a great Thursday xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, so true. A lot of creativity must have gone into piecing together styles to arrive at a grand building after many years and challenges.
      Thank you, Dan, for your work on ThursdayDoors, and also this month on the TDWC writing challenge! A hectic blogging schedule, no doubt for you. Much appreciated. Your labors are not in vain.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Oh this is so astoundingly wonderful.
    Just earlier in the day I was reflecting on the Poets’ fondness for the animal kingdom in their creative processes and here you write about one of the tiniest birds the swallow
    I love the connection to the church as the words of the hymn “his eyes are upon the sparrow” hums through my mind.

    The tribute organs are a masterpiece alone, perched like a swallows nest, such a noteful description. Forget not the beautiful cathedral, smooshed together….oh just like that, then featuring different styles with the fascinating pink bricks, transforming their colour at any given time of the day.

    Sound of the Swallow, amazing story.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Thank you for your beautiful reflection Abi! I am amazed at this cathedral’s look and finish especially when they built it only by faith not even knowing what the final “smooshed” product would look like hundreds of years later…a miracle!
      Putting the critical elements and so much weight up that high in the organ in the “swallows nest’ is architectural genius…and bravery.
      Glad you enjoyed the share!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. So beautiful how you wrapped up the history in your gracious haiku
        The Toulouse Cathedral with its swallow nest is a magnificent piece of wonder. A great choice for this Thursday; thank you for your gracious words Poet 🙏🏼
        Have a blessed evening

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Wonderful structure and the related facts are also interesting. Your haiku captures it well in just a few words. Love it. Do you know thare is a pink city in India too? It’s Jaipur.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome, Suzette! I’m glad you are familiar with Jaipur. Thanks so much for sharing your haiku, excellent one!

        Liked by 1 person

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