
This trip, also, because I’d already seen all the major tourist sights (thanks to Eszter’s very vigorous tour-guiding back in October!), I was able to take an afternoon just to stroll, and see what I might find. I hadn’t seen the Basilica previously, and as many times as I’ve now gone into these old European churches and said “Wow!” this was another such moment. Difficult to photograph, because it’s mostly very dark, the interior was truly gorgeous, and the dome was breathtaking. The plaza in front of this church is very wide, and somewhat bare, but there are many charming streets in the vicinity.

I also liked the little dressed up Madonna and child (reminiscent of some similar statues I’d seen or read about in Germany, Poland, and Latin America.) Small but shining in her satin dress, this is an accessible statue – in spite of being encased in glass – her size is sort of cuddly, not intimidating at all, and friendly. I would want to trust her with my prayers.
