Art Nouveau in Ortygia

 

Syracuse (Siracusa), Sicily, Italy ~ April 27, 2004

Island of Ortygia

I am always taken with Art Nouveau's graceful plant-like curves, and this discovery among the Baroque and Classical arches and columns of Ortygia was unexpected. Doesn't it look like just the place to settle in and write your own Alexandria Quartet? Like the rest of the island, this building had seen better days in 2004, but since then someone has replaced the boarded windows, and you can rent an "airy loft" for less than a stay at a Holiday Inn Express. 

My Web Page: tapirback.com

Clever

Chicago ~ April 21, 2005

I'd been trying to figure out why this says "Metra" instead of "Metro" or even "Metropolitain." Then I realized (duh) I could easily look it up. It turns out that Metra is the actual name of the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. Thanks, Wikipedia!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

La Samaritaine: Wrought Iron

Paris ~ May 4, 2004

La Samaritane

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

La Samaritaine: Pieces of Sky

Paris ~ May 4, 2004

La Samaritane from Pont Neuf

I was so sad when I read Cieldequimper's and Halcyon's comments on yesterdays post featuring one of the lighting fixtures on this beautiful building (now extinct), that I went searching for more photos. I found a few of the outside and the inside. Here's one taken from Pont Neuf.

Cieldequimper gave me the first clue when she said, "It used to be a favourite of my Gran's and I have many fond memories there. To answer your question, it's now closed - forever." (Oh, no!)

Halcyon filled in the bad news: "Sadly the Samaritaine was closed due to asbestos. It would have cost too much to refurbish. I hope someone salvaged those lamps though. They are nice. I used to like to go to the top floor and have a coffee and enjoy the view."

Does anyone else have memories of this historic and beautiful landmark?

See Weekend Reflections from around the world.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Light on La Samaritaine

Paris ~ May 4, 2004

La Samaritaine Department Store

I've enjoyed these lighting fixtures along the Seine side of La Samaritaine Department Store in Paris since I first saw the building in the late 1960s or early 1970s, so I was dismayed to see the fixtures gone on my last visit in 2008. I hope it was only for refurbishing and repair. The fixture looks to be somewhere between Art Deco and Art Nouveau in style, doesn't it? Or is it truly a Deco piece? What do you think? The current building was in progress between 1883 and 1933, so it spans both periods.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.