Not to be confused with St. Paul's Cathedral, London
You're looking at the exterior of the Cathedral of Saint Paul in St. Paul, MN, which was their fourth cathedral, completed in 1914-15. This is the south side. There's a reason you're not being shown a photo of the front entrance, which is on the east, but I'll save that for a surprise later in the post.
I'm not sure why the cathedral is situated with the apse on the west end, but it is. Maybe they wanted the main entrance to be on Summit Avenue. The home of James J. Hill (railway magnate), built in 1891, is directly south of the cathedral on the other side of Summit Avenue.
A few photos of the interior, which is truly awe-inspiring.
What??!
We were glad to get any parking spot on the street, not too far from the cathedral, in spite of all the construction taking place on the site. When we walked toward the cathedral, we saw these signs (above) just about everywhere. When I got home, I looked up the event online and found the following, about 'Crashed Ice.'
'Ice cross downhill is the fastest sport on skates. Take some of the best and toughest skaters in the world, a sizzling atmosphere, stunning surroundings and thousands of square meters of frozen water. The result? Red Bull Crashed Ice!
'One of the world's most breathtaking winter sports events returns to Saint Paul for the sixth year. The Minnesota event is contested on a 1,600-foot-long track with a drop of 12 stories in front of the Cathedral of Saint Paul. It draws in excess of 120,000 wild fans, so expect high stakes and big drama as the riders fight it out as first to the bottom wins.
Can’t make it to Red Bull Crashed Ice? Catch the action live on Red Bull TV on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 8 p.m.'
Twelve stories?? Downhill ice skating? This event is definitely for the Type A personality! But I would love to be there to watch it!
Twelve stories?? Downhill ice skating? This event is definitely for the Type A personality! But I would love to be there to watch it!
Currently, this is what the front entrance to the Cathedral of Saint Paul looks like. It's the strangest sight. It looks like a ski jump or giant water slide.
looking from the cathedral toward the capitol building (r.)
It just goes to show you the lengths we in the upper midwest will go to make winter more tolerable, although personally, I'd much rather spend time IN the cathedral than to be skating downhill from it. It's still mind boggling.
But don't be surprised if you run into me at the Cathedral that evening.
But don't be surprised if you run into me at the Cathedral that evening.
Linking to Mosaic Monday
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when I read the sign before the post I thought what in the world, is that a misspelled sign? that ramp scares me silly just looking at it. they are brave souls to go down it at all.. ornate comes to mind inside and outside for this beautiful building.. I have only been in one Cathedral, the one in Savannah that I can't remember the name of. one time on my lunch break when I was 18 and working my first job. no cameras back then. I stopped and looked it up. The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is its name. there are not many Cathedrals in Georgia or Ky or Florida.
ReplyDeleteOh my, the skaters must have a death wish!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting sport. I've never heard of it. That cathedral sure is beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThe cathedral is beautiful. I can't believe that scaffolding!
ReplyDeleteWhat??!!?? We're in the Cities all of the time for hockey and I've never heard of this! I can't wait to show my Crew - they'll think that's the coolest. Lol :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE St. Paul's! I have been in there many times through the years. It was always kind of a special place for me and my Hubby. I've always loved churches and cathedrals (& was also blessed to travel through Europe & see many). My Hubby has always loved architecture and when we were dating I talked him into going into St. Paul's to show him what I meant about how large and beautiful cathedral's can be. He was amazed! And we have visited it together many times since and even enjoyed mass there. Many years ago we bought a beautiful watercolor painting by Chen Khee Chee (amazing local artist that taught at UMD -Duluth) of the Cathedral and keep it on our mantle most of the year.
Thanks so much for sharing! Fun post close to my heart. Blessings on your weekend Judy! xoxo
I don't live too far away from here and it's always a wonderful place to visit.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting. And I thought Red bull was a drink. Maybe they sponsor it? Nah couldn't be. It does remind me of the toboggan slides in Ill. where I grew up. But from the front of a cathedral? That is just mind boggling! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteStunning photos!! But as far as the crushed ice I think I will have to pass on that one, lol. I like my feet planted on the ground! ;-) Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteblessings,
Jill
That is a beautiful building!
ReplyDeleteWow what an interesting event to happen at a cathedral! Somehow it seems odd to me. What a magnificent house of worship, Judy. It looks like you had a beautiful sunny day to visit. Sending warm wishes for a sunny weekend. ♥
ReplyDeleteAnd I thought the sign was to warn you of ice that had fallen. What a very strange event and to be there in front of the cathedral. Is it a fundraiser for the cathedral?
ReplyDeleteCrashed Ice looks terrifying to me. Even when I was really young and nothing hurt me, I wouldn't have gone in for that!
ReplyDeleteThe Cathedral is beautiful. That ramp is so interesting. Never have seen anything like it.
ReplyDeleteJudy, That Cathedral is beautiful inside and out. Blessings, stay warm, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteWOW! That ramp is really something, but the Cathedral is gorgeous! The alter inside looks very similar to the alter in Rome at the Vatican. Beautiful. I am still trying to fathom why that ramp begins in front of that beautiful church!?
ReplyDeleteOh my!! I would not try the Crashed Ice. WOW!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, I had no idea.
Your photos are beautiful.
Have a blessed weekend,
Carla
Great pictures. I saw that on the news on one of the channels about the Crashed Ice! I thought that was so interesting and had never heard of it before either.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful pictures, Judy!
Hope you have a peaceful, blessed weekend. xo Diana
Beautiful photos..I think I would stay away from the crashed ice scaffolding..Enjoy your weekend..
ReplyDeleteAwesome and majestic photos ~ church is so awesome ~ thanks,
ReplyDeleteWishing you Happy and Peaceful weekend ~ ^_^
Whoa! I didn't expect that last part! How funny! Such a gorgeous cathedral - absolutely stunning. xo Karen
ReplyDeleteNow that is really something, Judy! I've never seen anything like that ramp, nor heard of anything like "crashed ice". The cathedral is breathtaking. I can only imagine what it's like in person, although your photos give us a pretty good idea. Hope you're having a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Nancy
Beautiful Cathedral . . .
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine putting up that scaffolding and the skaters skating . . .
A sight to see no doubt . . .
Were you inside yesterday??
Well, the Cathedral is very impressive inside but I can't say that the Red Bull ramp does very much to improve the look of the outside at all.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that the Crashed Ice event does sound thrilling and I would have watched it on TV given the chance. Did you go and watch the event live?
Thanks for sharing this unusual sporting activity with us at Mosaic Monday this week.
The church is beautiful, inside and out. I'm surprised that they would allow the Red Bull sponsored ramp to be used there.
ReplyDeleteCrashed Ice is an interesting combination of words to use. Glad you explained the event. It's something I've never heard of.
Oh, my goodness! Crushed Ice and the ramp from the cathedral!!!! I'm with you, I'll watch, but would prefer to stay warm. The cathedral is beautiful. I enjoy visiting churches ... awe inspiring! Happy Monday!
ReplyDelete