The Jesuit Church - II

The extravagance of this baroque styled church is endless and wall-to-wall. Everywhere you look is something more amazing that the last place.

The side chapels could surpass the main altar in spendor in most other churches.

The wood used of the pews is heavily inlaid and figued. It must have taken years to simply make the seats.

In the organ loft over the entry is a large clock. I always find it interesting that while the visitors have no clock near the altar to watch, presumably because time if not a consideration while worshiping God, the priest can watch the clock to be sure that things are done in a timely fashion. Perhaps he has an appointment later that he can't miss. Perhaps there are worldly things more important that the worship they are leading?

Here is more detail from the pews. No doubt you have seen extensively inlaid pieces of furniture with heavily carved pediments. However, this design and carving is repeated on every row of seats in the place! Imagine the effort required to not do it once but dozens of times...each time just like the first.

Yet, in this large space of great ornamentation, there are locations that invite a kind of intimacy not always found in any church.

But a small movement of the head quickly breaks the spell and immerses you back in this expansive, formal structure.