Wandering Around NYC: The Cathedral Church of St John the Divine

During my early days in New York, I was on a bus when it went by a huge cathedral that was absolutely stunning in its darkly solemn grandeur.

I told myself then that I have to return there one day to see it, which of course, I did.

One of the entrances into the cathedral

The heavy metal doors were roughly twice the height of an average Caucasian man. 

The cathedral was extremely big. (o_o) 

As I was admiring it, I overhead a walking tour guide telling some people that this is the largest gothic church in the world.

I don't know how true this is but it was undeniably breathtaking to see looming above.

I am used to seeing Chinese, Hindu and Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, mosques,and modern churches. And I think I can say with confidence that I have already visited nearly 100 temples and shrines, if not more.

Though I have to admit that I never thought of going to churches since they don't seem to have as much architectural interest as temples and shrines.

But the beautifully intricate and expressive sculptural designs of this large cathedral won me over.

I'm a Renaissance art lover, particularly that of the sculptural aesthestics of Michelangelo and the perspectival realism of Lorenzo Ghiberti (Check out his stunningly impressive bronze relief panels: Gates of Paradise).

I truly think that nothing can beat the vision, the technique, the artistry and the experimental spirit of the Renaissance period.

So you can imagine how happy I was to see such amazing works of art here that brought back fond memories of my art studies.

Ah, those were the wonderful days of staying back in school with my cohort till late at night twiddling with all kinds of tools and machinery....

....... and being forced to climb over the school gate to get home because it was locked once night falls, LOL~

  

Don't you just love how individualistically expressive each sculptural piece is? (^ ^)

It was spellbounding to see the atmosphere change when varying shades of sunlight fall on them in different angles. There's an ethereal, almost eerie feel to them.

This is a very atmospheric place to go to when the sun is setting. Hmm... would people stone me if I recommend this as a nice dating place? Highly recommend to those couples who are looking for otherwordly romantic places to hang out ;-)