Memorial Cathedral for World Peace - II

Going to the back of the hall, to the right side of the Cathedral. Can you guess what is that?

This is the tank for baptism in the olden days. But nowadays the ceremony is held in front of all the parishioners, so this place no longer serves its purpose. But it is kept well as remembrance. On the left wall hang a wooden crucifix, according to Teresa san, is carved from wood.

On the left, there's a chapel, named after our Holy Mother of God. They have their daily mass here, 7am.

Now move upwards -- we are going to climb to the top of the bell tower! But first, we move to the first floor where the pipe organ is. This is one of the largest pipe organ in Japan. I was so surprised when Teresa san said this organ is only played by one person. I really wonder how can a person play this organ? it is so big that it can accommodate like 20 people inside.

Every month there is pipe organ concert in this Cathedral. I'd very much like to join the concert if given the chance. :) But it's costing a lot to come eh~

The church is not always using the pipe organ, they use piano too.


Moving upstairs, there's a corridor where you can see the cathedral from another view.


Up up up, now we are going out into the sun, where there's a bridge or a path to the bell tower. From here it's another view of the design.



Going down a few steps, now we are outside of the bell tower.



See that little bird on top of the roof there? It's not small actually but far from sight. Take a closer look..



This is Phoenix, the symbol of Japan. Actually the windows are also design with the specialities of Japan, a type of tree.. Hmm... forgot again. See how terrible my memory can be, if I don't write them down everything will be wiped away in one second. There's also church windows the 15 mysteries of the Rosary, surrounding the Cathedral.



Entering into the bell tower, we went on to the top. Seeing Alvin carrying his bag and the staircase is quite narrow, Teresa san offered to leave his bag in this little chapel while we go to the top.

The BELLS!

This is enormous~! Can you believe this is over 1 tonne? If I'm not mistaken it's 1145 or 1150kg! Not even 20 strong man also can carry that. There are four bells all together, the size and weight varies from one another. The smallest bell also weights 250kg.

I can't imagine if I'm here when the bells ring...

This is not the top yet! Again we go up, up, and up, now reaching the last level before you get to the top.

This staircase is called the staircase to heaven. ;) Before you go up, take a look at the windows here. Does it make you think of something? Teresa san even imitated to me to let me guess what it is like...

Key to Heaven! Did you make the right guess? I didn't. huhuhuhu.

It was a bit scary to climb that staircase.. It's 45 meters high, and finally ---

The whole of Hiroshima City!

From the very bottom to the peak, now we are at higher position than the Phoenix. The two picture beside that is the Elisabeth University of Music, run by the Catholic Church.

I've been mentioning Teresa san for so many times, you might wonder who she is... Tata~

Then from 'Heaven' we landed on earth safely. ;p


This is another building of the Cathedral, opposite the bell tower. Upstairs are Bishop's Office.

Mother Mary and Jesus can be of any racial and appearance.. This is Korea costume, not Japanese oh~

This is indeed an awesome and fantastic experience! We spent at least 2 and half hour in the Cathedral, with our stomach protesting......... But worth it! :D :D :D

For more photos, please visit

http://www.alvinlms.blogspot.com/

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