Weekly Photo Challenge: Pompeii Forum

This week’s photo challenge is all about time, and there’s nothing that captures it quite like the city of Pompeii. It was famously destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius (seen looming in the background) in 79 AD. It was completely wiped off the map, and it wasn’t until 1599 that traces of it were unearthed. It wasn’t properly rediscovered until 1748, and it’s been a major archaeological site ever since. Its preserved remnants – victims and their culture, forever frozen in time – are both beautiful and tragic. A larger version is viewable here.

Bernini Fountain At St. Peter’s Square

One of the two fountains at St. Peter’s Square, which is part of Vatican City. Also one of the highlights of my trip! Amazing how much history is contained in one small space. A larger version is viewable here.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Symmetry, Or: St. Benedict’s Painted Church

This week’s photo challenge calls for symmetry. I’ve already posted nearly all of my symmetrical photos, so I was at a loss as to which to use. Then I remember this shot I took of the beautiful interior of St. Benedict’s Painted Church in Captain Cook, Hawaii. Large version available here.