Heavens Meets Earth

Heaven Meets Earth

Christians believe in Jesus, the son of God, and their religion is based on his life and teachings. Christians were persecuted for many years during the Roman Empire, but in AD 313 Emperor Constantine made the religion legal. He then left the city of Rome and moved east by Byzantium and established a new Christian capital named Constantinople, which is now Istanbul in Turkey.

The Roman Empire later split into east and west. The western empire collapsed after it was invaded many times by nomadic tribes from central Asia,, but the eastern part survived to become the Byzantine Empire. Christianity as it developed there is called Orthodox Christianity. Hagia Sophia was the magnificent Orthodox church in Constantinople and it inspired builders of Orthodox churches for centuries. The great dome at the center of the church represented the heavens. The floor below represented life on Earth.

The Pantheon

For many years, the dome of the Pantheon, in Rome, Italy, baffled modern engineers. They did not know how the ancient Romans managed to build such a large dome. Then they discovered that the dome was made of concrete that becomes lighter as it gets higher because each level is mixed with lighter stones such as volcanic pumice.

For many hundreds of years the dome of the Pantheon was the largest in the world. It measures 142 ft across and is the same in height. Walls 16 ft thick buttress the base of the dome.

Wall of a Temple. Photo by Elena.

The church today

Four towers called minarets surround Hagia Sophia. They were added when the Islamic Ottoman Turks, founders of modern Turkey, conquered the Byzantine Empire and converted the church into a mosque.

Central dome

The large, lightweight dome is built of a single layer of brick and is 107 ft wide. It has a row of arched windows cut into its base.

The Congregation

There were no seats in Hagia Sophia. Worshippers stood in the space beyond the columns – the men in the aisle below and the women in the gallery above – to listen to the singing of the Orthodox church service.

Half domes

A half dome at each end lengthens the nave to 250 ft and buttresses the main dome by pressing against its base.

Decorating with Mosaics

A mosaic is a design of picture made up of small pieces of colored glass or stone that are mounted on a wall or ceiling. Mosaics seem to glow in the dimmest light. At one time, many colorful mosaics covered the ceilings of Hagia Sophia. Jesus and other great leaders and heroes of Christianity were portrayed in mosaics against a gold background, which symbolized Heaven.

Hagia Sophia

Byzantine architects began this church in Constantunople in 532, during the reign of Emperor Justinian. They finished it six years and it soon became the model for future Orthodox churches. The clergy, the worldly ruler, under the great domes, where the teaching of Jesus were read.

New Design

Manhattan – A New Design

The construction of an innovative buildings is difficult and often requires new techniques and special building materials. Many unexpected problems arise no matter how careful the advance planning may be. The architects and engineers face major obstacles to introduce innovative methods and to work out a way to actually build new buildings.

All the pictures have been taken by Elena.

A great building can reflect many different ideas and styles and tells us about the values and beliefs of the people who design and build it.

These buildings have thing, lightweight roof, which was made by pouring concrete over a tightly stretched wire mesh.

Ancient buildings around the world looked different because they were shaped by the building materials available. Each material inspired  a different construction method.

Broadway and Toronto Dominion Bank on sight.

Metals, plastic and glass from around the world are used in this buildings.

There are always many unexpected costs and delays in construction.

Their roofs are designed to be made of prestressed concrete.

Large international corporations are building impressive and functional buildings. Many of these giant buildings can be seen all over Manhattan.

As space became scarce, corporations needed high-rise buildings, so architects and engineers designed skycrapers to withstand earthquakes.

Modern buildings dot the New York  skyline, but modern lifestyles affect their future.

Each new generation of architects and engineers will face many new obstacles and technological opportunities.

Architects will create different building materials, methods and architectural styles to meet new challenges. 

St. Andrew's church in the heart of Manhattan.

Trinity church, one of the oldest Christian temples on Manhattan.

Stone Jungle. New York, New York.

Place in front of the Trump Center, near the Central Park of New York.

Toronto's High Park

Toronto's High Park

Within a city, trees are important not only for their aesthetic value, but also for their role in maintaining a healthy environment and atmosphere.

Among other things, they are vital to the absorption of carbon dioxide; the reduction of heat accumulated from buildings, pavement, roads, and vehicles; and the control of stormwater runoff.

Trees within a city on private and public lands are collectively referred to as the “urban forest”.

Toronto’s urban forest has a mixture of native and non-native tree species, with thousands of different cultivated varieties. Trees of different species and ages growing throughout the city, on streets, in parks, and on private property, reflect the trends and fashions in planting at different periods of the city’s history.

All the pictures have been taken by Elena.

Spring in High Park. Its well drained acid sand supports prairies and savannah vegetation, characteristic of 4,000 years ago, when the area was warmer and drier.

The plant communities offer the opportunity to view many rare species of plants and wildflowers including Black Oak, Wild Lupine, Cup-plant and Sweet Flag.

Orange, yellow and brown flower (sunflower), close up.

Multicolored flower bush.Presented to the citizens by the Rotary Club of Toronto.

A magnifying glass isn’t necessary when exploring  natural spaces but it can help you get a closer look.Very brightly colored red flowers. Pink flowers, bush, close up.

The park contains Toronto’s largest pond and approximately 110 acres of remnant oak woodland communities, once common on the Great Lakes sand plains.

There is no provision for lighting on the nature trails. These trails are intended for daytime use only. 

There are different levels of difficulty: from Asphalt Path (easy, level terrain) to Woodchip Path (moderately slopped terrain) and Footpath (not maintained). Flowers white buttons - Pretty beige flower bush.

A fictional character with bright fuchsia hair and lips hidden behind the leaves.

The booklets which were developed by Toronto City Planning can help you uncover the broad diversity of spiders, birds, trees/shrubs, butterflies, fishes, mammals, reptiles and amphibians found in High Park and other Toronto’s parks.

Two loonies in Grenadier Pond.

The High Park administration recommends that you enjoy secluded areas in the company of friends.

You’ll be amazed at how many animals and rare plants you’ll see.

Keep your eyes open and listen carefully while exploring Toronto's Parks and Trails.

Sakura in winter. 

Nature in the City: You can also find an incredible Biodiversity Booklet Series available online and at Toronto Public Libraries. Flowers of sakura Purple blue flower (petunia), close up

High Park : Animal Paddocks, Baseball, Colborne Lodge, Dream Site, Fishing, Food Concession Grenadier Restaurant, Football, Hillside Gardens, Howard Tomb and Monument, Information Map, Lawn Bowling, Nature Trail/Foot Path, Outdoor Pool, Parking, Pedestrian path (paved), Picnic Areas, Playground, Road (vehicular access), Road (no vehicular access), Sculpture Symposium Site, Skating, Soccer, Stairs, Streetcar Stop, Subway Station, Summer Music Festival, Telephone, Tennis Court, Trackless Train Stop, Wading Pool, Washroom.For more information on area of the High Park history, inquire at the Runnymede Branch of the Toronto Public Library. For more information on parks and parks programs, please call 416-392-1111.

Central Park Monuments

Central Park Monuments and Sculptures

A total of 29 sculptures have appeared since 1863 in New York City's 843-acre Central Park. While many early statues are of authors and poets along "Literary Walk" and American figures like Daniel Webster and "the Pilgrim", other early works were simply picturesque, like The Hunter and The Falconer; other notable statues include sled dog Balto, the so-called "Cleopatra's Needle"—an Egyptian obelisk—Alice of Wonderland, and most recently Duke Ellington.

Balto - Balto was dedicated to the sled dogs that led several dogsled teams through a snow-storm in the winter of 1925 in order to deliver medicine that would stop a diphtheria epidemic in Nome, Alaska. The sculpture is slightly larger than the real-life dog, and is placed on a rock outcropping on the main path leading north from the Tisch Children's Zoo. The sculpture was created by Frederick George Richard Roth, and placed in the park in 1925. 

Eagles and Prey, designed and created by Christophe Fratin, is the oldest known sculpture in any New York City park. It is made of bronze, and was cast in Paris, France in 1850 and was placed in the park in 1863.

Still Hunt by sculptor Edward Kemeys (1843–1907) was placed in the park in 1883. This bronze sculpture of a crouching cougar waiting to pounce, was created by Edward Kemeys, the famous American sculptor who also created the famous Hudson Bay wolves at the Philadelphia Zoo, and lions at the entrance to the Art Institute of Chicago.

Many other sculptures highlight the beauty of the Central Park. All the pictures have been taken by Elena.

Alice in Wonderland. This large sculpture depicts Alice, from Lewis Carroll's 1865 classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Alice is pictured sitting on a giant mushroom reaching toward a pocket watch held by the White Rabbit. Peering over her shoulder is the Cheshire cat, flanked on one side by the dormouse, and on the other by Mad Hatter, who in contrast to the calm Alice looks ready to laugh out loud at any moment. The poem, "The Jabberwocky" is also included; chiseled in a granite circle surrounding the sculpture: 'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe The design of the sculpture attracts many children who want to climb its many levels, resulting in the bronze's glowing patina, polished by thousands of tiny hands over the years since the sculpture was unveiled.

José Marti at the main entrance of the park.

Hans Christian Andersen, the famous Danish fairy-tale writer, his most notable work being "The Ugly Duckling". His statue features him sitting and reading to a stray duck. The 1956 work by sculptor Georg J. Lober was constructed with contributions from Danish and American schoolchildren. It was cast at Modern Art Foundry, Astoria, Queens, NY.

José de San Martin, national hero of Argentina.

Thomas Moore.

Simon Bolivar, freedom-fighter for Latin America. The equestrian sculpture of Simón Bolívar was originally sited on the rock outcropping between 82nd and 83rd Streets overlooking Central Park West, where the Bolívar Hotel, once facing it, commemorates its location.  After Sixth Avenue was renamed Avenue of the Americas in 1945, the sculpture was relocated in the 1950s to be adjacent to those of fellow Latin American revolutionary leaders José de San Martín and José Martí at the head of the Avenue of the Americas.

Obelisk. The 107th Infantry Memorial is dedicated to the men who served in the 107th New York Infantry Regiment, originally Seventh Regiment of New York, during World War I. The regiment was, as its name implies, stationed in New York, and consisted of males mainly from this region. In 1917, the National Guard's 7th New York Infantry Registry Division. 

Battery and Hudson Parks

Battery and Hudson Parks in New York City

New York City Parks

Welcome to your park. This is a shared public space provided for your enjoyment and recreation. Dogs must be properly licensed and vaccinated. Be courteous and respectful to others, and please keep the park clean.

The Hudson River Estuary Program

New York State established the Hudson River Estuary Program in 1987 to conserve the estuary’s natural resources and sustain the benefits they provide. Based in the Department of Environmental Conservation, the program partners with state agencies, local governments, and private groups in carrying out projects to protect the ecosystem, promote access to an enjoyment of the estuary, and clean up pollution. The interpretive station, part of a network from Troy to New York City, furthers these aims by increasing public understanding of the estuary.

Park rules prohibit:

•     Loitering and dumping of debris
•     Smoking within the park
•     Barbecuing, except in designated areas
•     Unleashed dogs, except in designated areas between the hours of 9pm to 9am when the park is open
•     Using illegal drugs and alcohol
•     Feeding birds and squirrels
•     Entering the park after it is closed
•     Solicitation and obstructing entrances
•     Amplifying sound, performing and rallying, engaging in commercial activity, and vehicles, except by permit.

A fort or something... This mysterious structure is very big (look at the people walking around). Photo by Elena.

Robert F. Wagner Junior Park. Photp by Elena.

Stephan Weiss 1938-2001. Apple 2000/01. Dedicated by the artist to the city of New York and to the neighbors and neighborhood of the Far West Village that filled his heart. Stephan Weiss Studio. Photo by Elena.

Korean War Memorial. New York Korean War Veterans Memorial. Mac Adams, Artists, dedicated June 25, 1991. Photo by Elena.

The Immigrants. Dedicated to the people of all nations who entered America through Castle Garden. In memory of Samuel Rudin (1896-1975) whose parents arrived in America in 1881. Photo by Elena.

A Middle Ages wall. Photo by Elena.

New residential buildings in the Green village. Photo by Elena.

The path is going through half of New York. Photo by Elena.

The Hudson River park is a perfect place to admire the Hudson. Photo by Elena.

Another portion of this long park. Photo by Elena.

View on New York downtown and the Memorial center. Photo by Elena.

Hudson River trail. Photo by Elena.

American Merchant Mariners' Memorial. To all merchant mariners who have served America from the Revultionary War through the present day in the prosecution of war and in pursuit of peaceful commercie, unrecognized thousands have lost their lives at sea. Their sacrifices have helped secure America's liberty and prosperity. The sculpture was inspired by a photograph of the victims of a submarine attack during World War II. Left to the perils of the sea, the survivors later perished. This memorial serves as a marker for America's merchant mariners resting in the unmarked ocean depths. In recongnition and appreciations. Sculptor Marisol.

1941 - 1945 Erected by the United States of America in proud and grateful remembrance of her sons who gave their lives in her service and who sleep in the American Coastal Waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Into Thy Hands, O Lord

For three decades, this sculpture stood in the plaza of the World Trade Center. Entitled The Sphere, it was conceived by artist Fritz Koenig as a symbol of world peace. It was damaged during the tragic events of September 11, 2001, but endures as an icon of hope and the indestructible spirit of this country. The Sphere was placed here on March 11, 2002 as a temporary memorial to all who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. This eternal flame was ignited on September 11, 2002 in honor of all those who were lost. Their spirit and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

History of New Pier 1: New Pier 1 was designed by General George B. McClellan (of Civil War fame), first Engineer-in-Chief of the Department of Docks. It was constructed between 1872 and 1877 as part of a larger maritime complex that included a wharf and boat landing. The pier was later leased to the Iron Steam-Boat Company, which ran ferries to Coney Island beginning in 1881. The Steam-Boat Company erected a two-story pier building to house a restaurant, a saloon, and a dance hall.

By 1897, New Pier 1 was turned over to freight use, and in 1972, it was demolished to make way for Battery Park City. The white granite inlay in the pavement of this plaza indicates the aproximate location of New Pier 1 and the shorelines circa 1877 and 1886. The water around these piers was infilled in the early 1970s to creat Battery Park City, so the former site of New Pier 1 is now largely within the footprint of Robert F. Wagner Park. Photo by Elena.

View on New Jersey from the Hudson Park. Photo by Elena.

A structure looking like the head of the statue of Liberty. Photo by Elena.