There are images of Mary all over Italy. Sometimes she is alone and sometimes she is with her baby, some are beautiful and some not so much, but all are fascinating. Some may not be Mary, (I am not catholic, so I’m not too sure about Mary) but here they are anyway.
I don’t think I will ever run out of Marys.
I think this is one of your best Debra. Some so beautiful, others interesting, but all wonderful. Thanks for this one.
By: dianneqld on July 25, 2012
at 12:06 pm
Thank you, I had fun collecting the photos.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 25, 2012
at 12:33 pm
I am so moved by this post Debra. I didn’t expect to be. It’s so beautiful.
By: janinevasta on July 25, 2012
at 12:42 pm
Some of the Marys are lovely aren’t they?
By: Debra Kolkka on July 25, 2012
at 10:22 pm
Thankyou. Lovely photos.
Cheers Judy.
By: Anonymous on July 25, 2012
at 12:56 pm
These lovely Marys are everywhere,including Bagni di Lucca.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 25, 2012
at 10:29 pm
Thank you for the lovely pictures of Mother Mary. Don’t see many of those in the secular suburbs I live in.
By: Trinity River on July 25, 2012
at 12:58 pm
There are not too many in Brisbane either.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 25, 2012
at 10:31 pm
I love these photos. I find some sort of comfort when I’m in Italy and I see Mary in so many places.
By: paninigirl on July 25, 2012
at 2:13 pm
Several of the Marys are in Lucca.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 25, 2012
at 10:31 pm
You captured quite the variety …. well done!
By: aFrankAngle on July 25, 2012
at 3:02 pm
There are lots to choose from.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 25, 2012
at 10:31 pm
On a hike last summer in the hills above Menaggio, we took a rocky path through woods on a trail that had not been maintained. It was probably used for years as a route between small villages in the hills. Along the trail, we found three or four stone structures with small statues of Mary. But they were dusty, littered with cobwebs, twigs, dirt, and debris. I imagined that young catholic goys and girls had been encouraged to clean the statues as part of their religious training. But it appeared no one had bothered to clean the statues in many years.
I can only imagine how many other Mary statues are turning to rubble and dust as attendance in catholic churches in Italy continue to plunge..
By: jackandmarilynerickson on July 25, 2012
at 3:35 pm
Most of the ones I see are cared for. There are usually tiny shrines in the villages of Bagni di Lucca and they seem to be much loved.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 25, 2012
at 10:33 pm
this is a beautiful collection of photos….thank you for posting it!
I have some beautiful pictures of Mary as she appeared in a small town near my home….I treasure them….and can’t believe I captured the apparition on film.
By: Beverly on July 25, 2012
at 4:03 pm
I’m pleased you enjoyed my little collection.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 25, 2012
at 10:34 pm
[…] Mary (bagnidilucca.wordpress.com) […]
By: Why so serious MrMary ? « A Spoonful of Suga on July 25, 2012
at 4:37 pm
Beautiful collection of photos, Debra! Italians have always had a deep devotion for Mary and all of her different names. It is linked to the love and profound respect for the image of the mother. Mary represents the eternal mother not only of Jesus, but also of all human beings. And she is also an excellent advocate when we need divine intervention.
By: mulino dominillo on July 25, 2012
at 5:41 pm
It does seem that Italians love their mothers.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 25, 2012
at 10:35 pm
You are so right. They are all over. there even is one on the lower portion of the Murano lighthouse!
By: margieinitaly on July 25, 2012
at 6:41 pm
There is a never ending supply of Marys in Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 25, 2012
at 10:36 pm
Goodness, there are a lot of them! I still like the first one best.
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on July 25, 2012
at 7:45 pm
The first one is in a glass case in Ravello. I also like the fourth one. She is tiny and lives on the front of a house in Bagni di Lucca, close to my place.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 25, 2012
at 10:39 pm
I like the simplicity of the last one… lovely
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on July 25, 2012
at 8:18 pm
I love the ” home made ” ones.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 25, 2012
at 10:39 pm
I do like the one with the pigeon… It looks so contented. And the ‘naive’ one which is about ninth from the bottom – it just appeals to me.
By: Jan on July 26, 2012
at 12:27 am
The one with the pigeon is in Venice and the other one is in the Bargello museum in Florence.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 26, 2012
at 9:34 pm
What a great collection of Madonna images!
Hugs,
Kathy
By: Kathryn McCullough on July 26, 2012
at 3:00 am
There are plenty to choose from in lovely Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 26, 2012
at 9:34 pm
Some of those are really lovely indeed. I was struck at how many there were in Italy too 🙂
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on July 26, 2012
at 8:15 am
What an amazing collection! The variety in styles is amazing. You really capture the essence. And they all look like Mary to me, although I am not Catholic either.
By: Damommachef on July 26, 2012
at 1:35 pm
Mary comes in all shapes and sizes in Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 26, 2012
at 9:35 pm
Really enjoyed these photos D… particularly the photo of the four statues in the alcove surrounded by vines. I love the icon of Mary (though not religious myself) and have collected many during my travels 🙂 M
By: sheof108names on July 26, 2012
at 3:08 pm
That little one with the group of 4 is in an alcove in a fence in the village of Anchiano, near Bagni di Lucca.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 26, 2012
at 9:37 pm
I too am a catholic – though a lapsed one so I loved looking at these images as they brought back memories of my convent schooldays where once a week in May we had a procession and laid some flower in front of a statue of Mary in the school grounds. We loved it not I think for religious reasons but more because it was a break from school routine.
By: Just Add Attitude on July 27, 2012
at 11:23 am
I grew up without religion, but I can certainly appreciate all the lovely things built because of it.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 27, 2012
at 12:10 pm
I wish she would smile, just once…
By: Anonymous on July 27, 2012
at 5:05 pm
Now there is a thought. I try to find a smiling one.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 27, 2012
at 9:49 pm
And what a beautiful set of photos! My home country (Finland) is very protestant, so we don’t see much of Mary anywhere. And I think it’s ok. Religious beliefs are different. 🙂 But myself being an orthodox, Mary plays important role, though I don’t feel very religious person myself.
By: hforhelsinki on July 31, 2012
at 9:25 am