St. Mary's Church: Part 2

Canon 30D | EFS 17-85@17 | 1/640s | f/10 | ISO 1600 | Circular Polarizer

Yesterday I decided to got back to the church in order to climb the tower and take more photos of the interior. The view from the top of the tower isn't that great for photos because it's surrounded by a fence. There were also I lot of people up there and it was hard find a good spot to shoot from.

Canon 30D | EFS 17-85@17 | 1/13s | f/4 | ISO 1600

In order to get to the top, you have to climb this winding staircase which is located in one of the spires. The stairs themselves are really steep and so small in width (not even a meter) that you have to walk near the wall to get a good footing. There is also nothing to hold onto except the wall, and it can get pretty claustrophobic after a while. I can't imagine climbing this and having your torch blow out...

Canon 30D | EFS 17-85@17 | 1/13s | f/4 | ISO 1600

After reaching the top of the spire, you have to walk over to the main tower. Although there were more stairs to climb, I was pretty relieved to have the walls a little further apart. As you climb up the main tower, you pass a pair of giant bells. I don't know if they are still in use or not, and I didn't want to find out.

Canon 30D | EFS 17-85@75 | 1/200s | f/5.6 | ISO 1600

At the top is an old man. He makes sure people don't do stupid things. At his age, I don't know how he climbs all those stairs. Maybe he lives up there....and that wooden door is his den. Maybe he has a raven for a pet.........I know I would.

Canon 30D | EFS 17-85@17 | 1/125s | f/8 | ISO 1600

Here is another man.....this one definitely doesn't have a raven for a pet. Maybe he's asking for forgiveness for all the terrible things he did..........or maybe he's just enjoying a quiet time.

Canon 30D | EFS 17-85@17 | 1/160s | f/10 | ISO 1600

The ground of the church is covered with gravestone slabs.

Canon 30D | EFS 17-85@17 | 1/30s | f/10 | ISO 1600

Inside the church is a huge astronomical clock which was reconstructed after 1945. The whole church was really damaged by the Red Army in 1945. The roof was completely burnt and the the ceiling fell in. All of the windows we destroyed and the gravestone slabs were torn apart by looting Soviet soldiers. Most of the artwork survived because it was transferred to and hidden in surrounding villages.