As my move from Asheville draws nearer, I’ve been trying to make the most out of my last handful of days. My days off are spent visiting breweries, going to concerts and sight-seeing in my beloved city with my favorite people. When I was visiting AVL months and months ago, I made an Asheville bucket list, but as time went on I forgot about this list little by little. The next thing I knew I had less then a month here, and I started to realize there are so many things that I want to do! So, I asked Liz, who had spent 40 days in this beautiful cathedral last spring, if she wanted to come with me to show me around.
The Basilica of Saint Lawrence was designed by Rafael Guastavino and built in 1905. This church contains many beautiful works of stained glass that can be called nothing short of amazing works of art. The dome of this church is the largest freestanding elliptical dome in the United States.
The day that we went was one of those days that the light filled the Basilica with the most beautiful glow. The stained glass was illuminated and allowed the jewel-tones to shine through. All I could think of the words ‘Lover of the Light’ from the Mumford & Sons song. The chorus of that song played over and over in my head.
“But love the one you hold. And I’ll be your gold. To have and to hold. A lover of the light.”
A very kind, older gentleman noticed me taking pictures, and he came over to me, and turned on the light near this door I was photographing. Then, he came over and opened that door to show me the crypt of Rafael Guastavino, and he gave me a brief history of the Basilica. He was so generous with his time and I’m so thankful that he took the time to come over and show me this important piece of history of this Basilica.
This is the chapel of our lady which was drenched in twinkle lights. I have never seen anything like this in a cathedral before and it warmed my heart as I though, this is how Asheville does a chapel.
These were my two favorite examples of stained glass in the Basilica.
This is the center and a view of some of the brick that makes up the dome of the Basilica.
I think it’s so much fun to see the beauty in your own city. I cannot believe that after three visits to AVL, living only about a mile from this beauty for almost 7 months, and hearing her bells everyday, that it took me so long to visit. But it was meant to be so I could have this beautiful experience and be a Lover of the Light.
To keep up with my travels in real-time and read more posts and travel articles I find interesting ‘like’ the For the Love of Wanderlust page on Facebook. Simply click HERE.
No Comments