Most churches in Europe are built for the ages. But not the new house of God erected in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. In fact, it'll probably melt away before May.
Ancient cathedrals are often rather chilly. But a new church built in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania -- and consecrated on Sunday -- promises to be downright frigid. It was constructed entirely out of blocks of ice.
The church, located 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) up in the mountains of southern Transylvania, is the brainchild of Arnold Klingeis, who is trying to attract tourists to the mountain cabin he helps operate on Lake Balea. And it's not the only ice structure he has created. Worshippers might choose to stay in the 12-room ice hotel next door (room service available). A night in one of the freezing rooms -- on an ice bed no less -- costs a mere €50 on the weekend.
The church took 30 workers one month to build using ice taken from the frozen-over Lake Balea. Klingeis is hoping to keep it open until at least April. He is planning an exhibition of ice sculptures as well, which is scheduled to be finished by the beginning of February.
The new church includes an altar made entirely from ice as well as relief carvings chiselled into the walls.
The Lutheran pastor Kurt Boltres on the other hand is a fan and thinks it’s a "wonderful idea."
No comments:
Post a Comment