It looks as if a dreamscape became physically real, "as wild as an old-wives tale", to borrow a phrase from G. K. Chesterton.
On St. George's ubiquity, when I visited Athens, I was a bit perplexed to find so many icons of the dragon-slayer in the Byzantine museum. I hadn't realized prior to that the original George hailed from Cappadocia, having always associated him with English folklore. But clearly, if it was Western Europe that invented St. George's dragon slaying, then that part of the legend went East again quite soon, as some of the icons of him killing a dragon were quite old.
I never knew St George is a patron of so. many. places-I knew only about Moscow, really...
(and isn't crazy that when I hear "Lod" -I think "cheap market, too close to airport, I lived couple kilometers away once, I'd find there a job easily", etc, etc-, but when I hear "Lydda" it's like solemn music-because all past turns to music somehow? and isn't it crazy to think that had me and a friend of mine be born in 18 th century-she'd be from the Ottoman Empire, while I (most probably?) wouldn't-and we're from the same country? And why are we born when we're born? What is that we have to do/refrain from doing, each one of us, being a note in that music?)
Loved reading this! As a Turkish-Greek person, this was right up my alley haha very fascinating! I shared it with my dad who will enjoy it too. Thank you 🙏
So beautiful thanks for sharing! I've only been to Istanbul but I would love to return to Turkey someday. It is such a diverse country and a truly incredible place to visit. Cheers.
Delightful piece, as always Mickey! Comparing the Muscovy icon to the actual pictures of the Cappadocian landscape, it sure seems to me that the artist was either working from memory or else reasonably well informed. The resemblance to the Fairy Chimneys is spot on.
Human history is rich, but the geological features alone make me want to take a field trip! Wow!
I agree--the landscape is stunning!
Fascinating stuff. Might get to visit Cappadocia in a few months myself!
It looks as if a dreamscape became physically real, "as wild as an old-wives tale", to borrow a phrase from G. K. Chesterton.
On St. George's ubiquity, when I visited Athens, I was a bit perplexed to find so many icons of the dragon-slayer in the Byzantine museum. I hadn't realized prior to that the original George hailed from Cappadocia, having always associated him with English folklore. But clearly, if it was Western Europe that invented St. George's dragon slaying, then that part of the legend went East again quite soon, as some of the icons of him killing a dragon were quite old.
Such amazing post. Glorious, really.
I never knew St George is a patron of so. many. places-I knew only about Moscow, really...
(and isn't crazy that when I hear "Lod" -I think "cheap market, too close to airport, I lived couple kilometers away once, I'd find there a job easily", etc, etc-, but when I hear "Lydda" it's like solemn music-because all past turns to music somehow? and isn't it crazy to think that had me and a friend of mine be born in 18 th century-she'd be from the Ottoman Empire, while I (most probably?) wouldn't-and we're from the same country? And why are we born when we're born? What is that we have to do/refrain from doing, each one of us, being a note in that music?)
“All past turns to music” - love that
Fascinating. I been interested in this region of the world since I was a child. Hope that someday i visit Cappadocia
Loved reading this! As a Turkish-Greek person, this was right up my alley haha very fascinating! I shared it with my dad who will enjoy it too. Thank you 🙏
Ahhh always makes me so happy when a person with cultural/national roots to the place enjoys the post!
So beautiful thanks for sharing! I've only been to Istanbul but I would love to return to Turkey someday. It is such a diverse country and a truly incredible place to visit. Cheers.
Delightful piece, as always Mickey! Comparing the Muscovy icon to the actual pictures of the Cappadocian landscape, it sure seems to me that the artist was either working from memory or else reasonably well informed. The resemblance to the Fairy Chimneys is spot on.