I probably could do an entire photo album on churches! But, today, for the challenge, I will feature two, that are right next door to each other. They are called the Black and White Churches. I found these unusual churches in Monterosso Al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italy.

The White Church: The Church of St John the Baptist, that is located in the old town, is called the White and Black Church. Construction began on this church in 1282 and was completed in 1307. It is made with white marble from Carrara ( the famous Leonardo Di Vinci Carrara marble) and dark green marble, which looks black, from Punte Mesco, above the village.  There is a lacy, stone rose window above the entrance to the church. The church, although small and unassuming, is beautiful and immaculate inside.

Inside, it features more marble in a combination of white and black and looks very ornate and pristine …….

The Black Church: There is also another church right across the way from St John the Baptist, and it is the most outstanding and different church I have ever been in. It is called the Oratory of the Dead. It is done in the Black and White motif, but the chapel is much smaller and very unique.

During the Counter-Reformation, the Catholic Church created brotherhoods of good works, called confraternities, to compete with the rising influence of Martin Luther. This church building is the oratory of the group of men, (who were priests, but did not take vows) who dressed in black robes, and whose mission was to arrange funerals, and take care of widows and orphans of lost sailors. The confraternity dates from the 17th century and membership is passed from father to son.  It has a beautiful black and white haunted house decor with skeletons and crossbones, a black hand-carved paneled choir stall adorned in skeletons and there are also skeletons among the cherub angels.

I hope you have enjoyed our little tour of these two churches….

Won’t you join Dr B and The Buddha Walks Into a Wine Bar for the latest challenge? He writes………..

Photography is one of those activities we can all have fun with and blog about, at home, in the garden, walking the streets, in the countryside, in a museum or gallery ….. the opportunities are endless. You can be a wizard or a novice with a camera or a smartphone, or a crafty manipulator with Photoshop, or Lightroom or Snapseed. It really doesn’t matter how you create your image because in the end it is a work of art, a creation, a memory, and possibly a source of inspiration to others. Blogging your images is easy too, few words needed, let the picture tell the story. And, very importantly in these strange times, it can give us a distraction, a positive focus, connect us with others, and build a community via our blogs. So why not join in, start snapping and sharing with me.

Each week Dr B is selecting a single theme to point his camera at or display a few photos from his collection as a way to brighten up the week as we enter a new year, which we all hope will be brighter than the last. If you would like to join him in #challengeyourcamera then here’s what to do:

1. Follow him to discover the weekly theme he has chosen.
2. Select a few photos related to the week’s theme
3. Post your own photos that week, any day you like.
4. Include a caption with each photo so we know what/where it is
5. Include a ping back/link to his blog in your post so that he is notified, can follow you back and can appreciate and comment on your choices.
6. Include the tag #challengeyourcamera

1. He will follow you back
2. He will encourage other posters to follow you
3. He will list each blogger in my weekly post

Theme #4 Churches, Mosques and Temples

Today, is the challenge theme, #4 Churches, Mosques and Temples. So give it a go, challenge your camera with different angles, lighting, time of day etc etc.

This is another photo challenge that is going to be fun! Won’t you join in? CHALLENGE YOUR CAMERA