As you can see, this town is truly beautiful.
We made our way to the German Occupation Underground Hospital, which took four years to construct but was used for only a few months. It was quite an experience to walk through the dark hallways and just imagine what it was like for the patients, doctors, and nurses to work underground.
It was extremely chilly for us that day as we walked along the wet hallways. It was hard to comprehend how this structure was built as it had many corridors and was built over a large area.
Here is a typical ward in the hospital. Just think of the wounded soldiers as they laid in these beds, with thin mattresses and meagre medical supplies. How dismal it must have seem to them.
As shown here, there was not a lot of head space.
After we left the Hospital, we walked towards the Little Chapel, well-known for the fact that it is very small and yet every surface is covered with hand-placed pieces of ceramics and broken shells. A brother by the name of Deodat decided to build and decorate a small chapel as a replica of the grotto at Lourdes. It took him two years to accomplish this task. (1923--1925) Townspeople gave him pieces of broken crockery which he incorporated into decorating the chapel walls.
Only three or four people can be inside the chapel at one time.
In the photo above, try looking for the following members of the British Royal Family:
King George V and Queen Mary, their son King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and the present Queen, Elizabeth II. Just think--this whole chapel and all its surfaces are covered with pieces of broken china! The hours that it would take to break up pieces and then fit them into the wall space--such patience on one man's part.
We thoroughly enjoyed our half day in St. Peter's Port which we were fortunate enough to visit. Maybe you will get a chance to visit it one day too.
No comments:
Post a Comment