Twins – Haiku 2023 #ThursdayDoors

Posted bySuzette BenjaminPosted inPoetry
Twin Churches: Basilica Santa Maria in Montesanto (Left) Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Popolo, Rome. Image credit: © Marcorubino | Dreamstime

faith— twin sentinels

guarding greater kingdom gates

than Earths empires

~~~~

Because Rome’s three roads north of its most crucial main gate (Porta del Popolo) in medieval times could not be moved, two churches were constructed on the wedge-shaped piece of property between the three roads.

Construction of the twin churches of Basilica Santa Maria in Montesanto and Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli began in 1662. Both churches, although not exactly the same in either shape or form, sport Baroque and Romanesque architectural elements. They were completed in 1678.

The featured wood doors shown below (circa 1675 A.D.) of both buildings were designed to echo the look of Rome’s Pantheon facade, replete with Corinthian columns.

Entrance Basilica Santa Maria in Montesanto, Twin Church (left) Popolo, Rome. Image credit: © Sanseven | Dreamstime
Main Entrance Closeup Basilica Santa Maria in Montesanto, Popolo Rome. Image credit: © Angelo Cordeschi | Dreamstime
View from the porch of Church Santa Maria dei Miracoli looking onto Basilica Santa Maria Montesanto, Popolo Rome. Image credit: © Daniele Orsi | Dreamstime

Trivia #1. The famous obelisk (The Flamian Obelisk) visible between the twin churches (wider angle image below) originally built in and for Heliopolis in Egypt was brought to Rome and installed as the arena icon at the legendary Circus Maximus, the ancient mass entertainment center (for chariot racing) in Rome. The obelisk was later moved to its location here in 1589.

Twin Churches: Basilica Santa Maria in Montesanto (Left) Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Popolo Rome. Image credit: © Antonio Sena | Dreamstime

Trivia #2: Fredric Handel (of Handel’s Messiah fame) composed “Vespers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel” for the communities visiting these two churches.

**Bonus door: The ancient gate through which the two churches can be seen is the Porta del Popolo, a gate of the Aurelian Walls circa 271 A.D which was rebuilt in 1475 A.D.

 Porta del Popolo, a gate of the Aurelian Walls. Image credit: © Anton Aleksenko | Dreamstime

~~~

For more  #ThursdayDoors visit Dan Antion – No Facilities

Teresa, My camera and I

Published by Suzette Benjamin

Positive thinker, inspirational, writer, faith

53 thoughts on “Twins – Haiku 2023 #ThursdayDoors”

  2. 💒Because Rome’s three roads north of its most crucial main gate (Porta del Popolo) in medieval times could not be moved, two churches were constructed on the wedge-shaped piece of property between the three roads.💒

    I am in awe of their thinking
    Always sitting down and mapping out plans for an alternative
    Where there is a will, there most certainly is a way.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Oh absolutely Poet
        This is what comes up all the time when reading though the Thursday Cathedrals which is the pioneering spirit of the community.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. 💒Entrance Basilica Santa Maria in Montesanto, Twin Church (left) Popolo, Rome. Image credit: © Sanseven | Dreamstime💒

    This is such a beautiful view. I in particular admire the domes. Exquisite work.

    💒The ancient gate through which the two churches can be seen is the Porta del Popolo, a gate of the Aurelian Walls circa 271 A.D which was rebuilt in 1475 A.D.💒

    Here too, the ancient gate beckons. They feel friendly and accommodating

    💒”Vespers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel”

    Just breathing into that wonderful word “Vespers”.

    The porch at Santa Maria dei Miracoli feels somewhat dilapidated, but it could be the image creating this impression.

    💒than Earths Empires💒

    Beautifully said.
    Amen.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The domes are quite distinct, adding much character to both. Though they are not exact, they invite the viewer to take pause to consider their similarities.

      Good point about the shadows in the view from the porch. It does seem to age the look and feel of the other porch. I think it is just the photo I selected.

      Yes, there is a greater empire. And may vespers contemplate the same.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. True, so much thought and prayer went into the design and construction of these buildings.
        Where in this world today do we find architects and town planners praying about their work.

        Amen.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. It seems to me that the architects of this time were much more creative than many buildings of today. And how did they accomplish building so many beautiful churches and other places without today’s modern equipment? It’s amazing, really.

    Liked by 2 people

  7. I love the haiku, Suzette, and the history and facts. I’m getting used to the idea that artisans and craftsmen could built churches like these (how, I don’t know) but why they would build two makes me imagine all sorts of scenarios. I am completely baffled by how they moved the obelisk, not just once from Egypt, but the again within Rome. That’s amazing. I think rigging companies would struggle with that task today.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I am not certain of their reasons either. The great crowds back in the day that traveled these roads perhaps could not fit in one church, I’m guessing.
      A remarkable feat of logistics to move the obelisk. And, just imagine, too, when the obelisk was first discovered in Egypt, it had to be dug out from centuries of sand. The moves the positioning etc…all of it, I agree…mindboggling engineering skills
      Thank you, Dan, for hosting ThursdayDoors.
      Have a great day.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks Suzette. I don’t know about the obelisk, but the churches always seem to me to be the work of inspired artisans. I think everyone working on those projects were inspired.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. What an interesting concept, Suzette! One church for each eye. 🙂 I wonder whether they conduct services at the same time or if one pastor/priest goes from one church to the other.

    janet

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Awesome, yes one for each eye. How profound.
      I believe that each church has its own priest/pastor.
      Current (as far as I can tell) Mass times for the church on the right Miracoli) – Weekdays: 7.30 am, 12.00 (noon) and 7.00 pm; Holidays: 10.30 am – 11.30 am – 12.30 pm – 7.00 pm;

      For the church on the left (Monsanto) Services are: Monday to Friday at 7.00 pm and on Sunday at 12.15 pm

      Liked by 1 person

  14. I like everything about that gate. Buildings are no longer designed with the context of the surrounding architecture in mind. It’s really wonderful the way the views here were planned to work together to produce an interesting interaction of elements. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, Kerfe, I agree. The effect of architectural forms on its surrounding milieu was well thought out. The view of the churches inside the gate and the oblelisk at dead center is genius! Glad you enjoyed the photo.

      Liked by 1 person

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