邦港圣母教堂拱顶，莱萨布勒多洛讷，法国 Vaults of the Church of Notre Dame de Bon-Port, Les Sables-d'Olonne, France (© Helmut Meyer zur Capellen/Alamy)

静谧的石之杰作 A quiet masterpiece in stone

邦港圣母堂，法国莱萨布勒多洛讷

在法国西部海滨小镇莱萨布勒多洛讷的邦港圣母堂拱顶下，石质拱肋依旧引导着视线向上。高耸的拱顶自1646年开始建造，这座教堂自1993年被列为法国历史古迹，坐落在一座13世纪小礼拜堂的旧址上，静静讲述着大西洋沿岸悠久的精神文化与历史故事。

随着莱萨布勒多洛讷逐渐发展为渔港，邦港圣母堂也成为远洋水手出航前的重要停靠点。教堂融合哥特式拱形与文艺复兴细节的设计，反映了建筑、信仰与海洋生活紧密交织的时代。持续的修复工作，使拱顶在潮湿、盐雾弥漫的海岸环境中得以保存。游客常会注意到石材之间的光影流转和声响的柔和，让这片宁静的空间继续讲述着精湛工艺、信仰与几世纪航海历史的故事。

Church of Notre Dame de Bon-Port, Les Sables-d'Olonne, France

Under the vaulted ceiling of Notre-Dame de Bon-Port in Les Sables-d'Olonne, a seaside town in western France, the stone ribs still guide the gaze upward. Construction of the soaring vaults began in 1646. The church—officially recognized as a French historic monument since 1993—stands on the site of a 13th-century chapel, a reminder of deep-rooted spiritual life on the Atlantic coast.

As Les Sables-d'Olonne grew into a fishing port, the church became a waypoint for sailors preparing for ocean crossings. Its blend of Gothic arches and Renaissance details reflects a time when architecture, faith, and maritime life were closely intertwined. Ongoing restoration efforts help preserve the vaults amid the damp, salt-laden coastal air. Visitors often notice how sound softens and light shifts across the stone, creating a quiet interior that continues to connect craftsmanship, belief, and centuries of seafaring history.

阿尼遗址的圣格雷戈里教堂，卡尔斯省，土耳其 St. Gregory Church in Ani Ruins, Kars, Türkiye (© Kenan Talas/Getty Images)

一座比城市更悠久的教堂 The church that outlived a city

阿尼遗址的圣格雷戈里教堂，卡尔斯省，土耳其

在土耳其东部与亚美尼亚接壤的边境地带，一片风吹草低的台地上，阿尼古城遗址在荒野中清晰浮现。千年前，这里是丝绸之路上的繁华都城，城墙巍峨，街市喧闹，商旅往来不息，文化在此交汇。如今，风声取代了人声，但那沧桑的轮廓，仍默默诉说着昔日的辉煌。

这张照片展现了圣格雷戈里教堂，它是阿尼最具震撼力的遗迹之一。深色火山岩筑成的圆塔，依旧挺立，仿佛延续着昔日的精工细作。阿尼曾因“千座教堂之城”闻名，拱门、穹顶与立面的革新，曾在历史中掀起波澜，后来影响了哥特式建筑传统。即便在一片废墟中，其设计仍清晰可辨。

阿尼的衰落，源于地震、入侵和贸易路线的转移，但这座城市从未真正消失。考古学家仍在不断发掘新的细节，保护工作也在与侵蚀和时间抗争。漫步于此，感觉不像是在探访废墟，更像是在遇见一座执意守护自己故事的城市。

St. Gregory Church in Ani Ruins, Kars, Türkiye

On a windswept plateau in eastern Türkiye, along the border with Armenia, the ruins of the ancient city of Ani rise from the landscape with striking clarity. A millennium ago, Ani was a thriving Armenian capital on a major Silk Road route, its fortifications and busy streets shaping trade and culture across the region. Today, the city is quiet, but its outline still carries the weight of its past.

The image shows the Church of St. Gregory, one of Ani's most striking survivors. Built from dark volcanic stone, its tall cylindrical tower stands over the plateau with the same precision that once defined the city. Ani was known as the 'City of 1,001 Churches,' and its architects pushed new ideas in arches, domes, and facades that later influenced Gothic tradition. Even in ruin, the design remains deliberate and unmistakable.

Ani's decline unfolded through earthquakes, invasions, and shifting trade routes, yet the city never fully disappeared. Archaeologists continue to find new details, and conservation work fights erosion and time. Walking here feels less like exploring a ruin and more like meeting a city determined to keep its story alive.

索尔兹伯里大教堂，威尔特郡，英格兰 Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire, England (© Julian Elliott Photography/Getty Images)

打破盒子的传统 Unboxed traditions

节礼日

节礼日的妙处在于，它不需要你费心操劳：没有倒计时的喧嚣，没有拆礼物的惊喜，更不用临时奔波买电池。这是一个罕见的节日，仿佛在轻声说：“坐下来，吃掉剩菜，给自己一点时间。”每年12月26日，英国及部分英联邦国家都会庆祝这个节日，它像是一场圣诞狂欢后的温柔缓冲。节礼日的起源可追溯至维多利亚时代，当时人们会为工人和商贩准备“圣诞礼盒”，作为谢意，礼盒里可能是硬币，也可能是生活用品。教堂也参与其中，开启施舍箱，将捐赠分发给有需要的人。

如今的节礼日已成为传统与现代的融合体。足球比赛点燃球迷的热情，户外漫步驱散节日大餐后的昏沉感，而商店的促销活动则吸引人们早早排队、匆匆选购。若你偏爱风景胜过折扣，英国的索尔兹伯里大教堂（今日图片所示）是理想的静谧之地。勇者会跃入冰冷的水中，享受节礼日畅泳的刺激。至于古老的猎狐活动，如今已演变为纯仪式性的非狩猎庆典，既保留了华丽传统，又摒弃了追逐的残酷。

Boxing Day

The best thing about Boxing Day is that it doesn't ask much of you. No big countdown. No dramatic unwrapping. No last-minute dashes for batteries. It's a rare holiday that says, 'Sit down, finish your leftovers, and take a moment.' Celebrated on December 26 in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries, it's a national cool-down after Christmas has done all the heavy lifting. The term goes back to Victorian Britain, when households prepared Christmas boxes for workers and tradespeople—tokens of thanks that ranged from coins to essentials. Churches joined in by opening alms boxes and distributing donations.

Fast-forward to today: Boxing Day has evolved into a hybrid of tradition and modern habits. Football fixtures turn the day into a fan festival. Outdoor walks help shake off the seasonal food coma. And then there are the sales that inspire early lines and brisk browsing. For those who prefer scenery over discounts, places like Salisbury Cathedral in England, shown in today's image, offer a peaceful escape. Brave souls plunge into icy waters for Boxing Day swims. Old-style fox hunts have shifted to ceremonial, non-hunting events, keeping the pageantry alive without the chase.

科尔多瓦清真寺大教堂的内部，安达卢西亚，西班牙 Interior of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Andalusia, Spain (© Elena Zolotova/Getty Images)

文化交汇之地 Where cultures converge

安达卢西亚 · 科尔多瓦清真寺大教堂，西班牙

科尔多瓦清真寺大教堂是一部凝固在石头中的编年史，诉说着西班牙层叠交融的历史。它最初由日耳曼的西哥特人建造为一座教堂，公元784年，科尔多瓦倭马亚酋长国的创建者阿卜杜·拉赫曼一世将其改建为清真寺。其宏伟的柱式大厅由一排排石柱支撑，最著名的便是那交错的红白相间拱券。如今，殿内仍保留着 850 多根石柱，其中许多取材自古罗马和早期西哥特建筑。

13世纪的基督教收复运动期间，这场历时数百年的运动旨在从穆斯林统治下收复伊比利亚半岛，清真寺被改建为天主教大教堂。此后，又增建了文艺复兴风格的中殿，使哥特、文艺复兴、巴洛克与伊斯兰艺术在此完美融合。如今，这处被联合国教科文组织列为世界遗产的地标，每年吸引数百万游客，他们为其独特的艺术、信仰与历史融合而着迷。尽管历经数百年的修缮与改造，原清真寺的几何纹饰与马蹄形拱门依旧保存完好，仿佛为人们开启了一扇通向科尔多瓦多元文化辉煌过去的窗口。科尔多瓦清真寺大教堂，是共存与征服、信仰与艺术交织的建筑杰作。

Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Andalusia, Spain

The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba is a chronicle of Spain's layered history. It began as a church built by the Germanic Visigoths, before being transformed into a mosque in 784 CE by Abd al-Rahman I, founder of the Umayyad Emirate of Córdoba. Its vast hypostyle hall, a space supported by rows of columns, features the famous red-and-white arches shown here. Today, it contains more than 850 columns, many reused from Roman and earlier Visigothic structures.

During the Christian Reconquista in the 13th century—a campaign spanning centuries to reclaim Iberian territories from Muslim rule—the mosque was converted into a Catholic cathedral. Later, a Renaissance nave was added, blending Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles with Islamic heritage. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts millions of visitors fascinated by its unique fusion of art, faith, and history. Despite centuries of modifications, the original mosque's geometric patterns and horseshoe arches remain largely intact, offering a glimpse into Córdoba's multicultural past. The Mosque-Cathedral serves as a remarkable story of coexistence, conquest, and architectural brilliance.

梵蒂冈城与圣彼得大教堂，罗马，意大利 Vatican City with Saint Peter's Basilica (© RudyBalasko/Getty Images)

城中之国 A country within a city

梵蒂冈城，罗马，意大利

在意大利罗马市中心，有一个独立的国家：梵蒂冈城国。这个国家仅有 121 英亩，是世界上最小的独立国家，但其影响力却跨越了数个世纪和各大洲。作为教皇的居所和罗马天主教的精神中心，这座城墙环绕的飞地融合了艺术、历史与信仰。梵蒂冈城的核心地标是圣彼得大教堂，这座文艺复兴时期的建筑被普遍认为建于耶稣门徒、第一任罗马主教圣彼得的安葬地之上。今日图片中远景所示即为其雄伟的穹顶，也是世界上最大的教堂之一。大教堂前的圣彼得广场是教皇祝福仪式和宗教聚会的重要场所，每年吸引大量信众前来朝圣。此外，梵蒂冈博物馆与西斯廷礼拜堂也是不可错过的文化遗产，后者天顶画由米开朗基罗绘制，堪称艺术巅峰。尽管面积狭小，梵蒂冈城国却拥有独立的行政体系，包括邮政、电话系统、银行以及货币发行权。它虽非欧盟成员国，却发行专属欧元硬币。

环绕着梵蒂冈城的是罗马这座城市，本身就是一座活着的博物馆，拥有斗兽场、古罗马广场、万神殿等历史地标。在这里，信仰、历史与现代交织，带来一段独特且难忘的体验。

Vatican City with St. Peter's Basilica

In the middle of Rome, Italy, lies an entire country of its own: Vatican City. At just 121 acres, it's the smallest independent nation in the world, yet its reach spans centuries and continents. Home to the pope and the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church, this walled enclave is a blend of art, history, and devotion. At its core stands St. Peter's Basilica. Seen in the distance in today's image, this Renaissance masterpiece is built over what is believed to be the tomb of St. Peter, the first bishop of Rome. With its soaring dome dominating the skyline, the basilica is one of the largest churches in the world. Just beyond the basilica lies St. Peter's Square, where thousands gather for papal blessings. The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, which houses Michelangelo's famed ceiling, are other must-sees. Despite its size, Vatican City has its own postal service, telephone system, and banking system.

被水淹没的地下室，圣弗朗西斯大教堂，拉文纳，意大利 Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy (© Andrea Pucci/Getty Images)

神圣的深渊 Divine depths

被水淹没的地下室，圣弗朗西斯大教堂，拉文纳，意大利

在意大利拉文纳市，有一座圣弗朗西斯大教堂，以其美丽和历史意义而闻名。这座罗马式教堂始建于公元450年，在9世纪时又加建了一座坚固的方形钟楼，使教堂的外观更加突出。教堂设计有三座中殿，由两排各12根圆柱分隔。而今日图片中的圣弗朗西斯大教堂最引人注目的部分是地下墓穴。这座墓穴是早期宗教设计的杰出典范，拥有向下倾斜的拱形天花板和排列整齐的石柱。地面铺设的地砖镶嵌着精美复杂的马赛克图案，至今仍然保存完好，堪称艺术杰作。

拉文纳建在松软的沼泽地上，由于城市逐渐下沉，拉文纳面临着持续的结构性挑战，这在墓穴中尤为显著，如今墓穴常年淹没在约一英尺深的水中。然而，拉文纳并未对抗洪水而是选择接受它，在水池中放养了金鱼，金鱼在古老的石柱间和淹没的马赛克地砖上方游动。游客们常向水中投掷硬币祈求好运，使这座墓穴更像是一口许愿池，而非传统的埋葬之地。

Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy

In the Italian province of Ravenna lies the Basilica of San Francesco, recognized for its beauty and historical significance. This Romanesque church, originally built in 450, features a sturdy square bell tower added in the 9th century, enhancing the basilica's exterior. Its design features three naves, divided by two rows of 12 columns each. Featured in today's image is the basilica's real showstopper: The basement crypt, or burial chamber, is a stunning model of early religious design. Complete with vaulted ceilings that slope down into rows of stone columns, its floor is a work of art itself. It's inlaid with beautifully intricate mosaic tiles that have withstood the test of time.

Built on soft marshland, Ravenna faces ongoing structural challenges because the entire city is gradually sinking. This is particularly evident in the crypt, which now remains perpetually submerged under about a foot of water. But instead of battling the slow flood, the basilica has embraced it, filling the pool with goldfish that glide between the ancient columns and above the submerged mosaics. Visitors often toss coins into the water, making the crypt more of a wishing well than a burial site.

圣诞市场，圣斯蒂芬大教堂，布达佩斯，匈牙利 Christmas market, St. Stephen's Basilica, Budapest, Hungary (© Calin Stan/Shutterstock)

圣斯蒂芬大教堂的降临节 Advent at the basilica

圣诞市场，圣斯蒂芬大教堂，布达佩斯，匈牙利

在圣诞节来临之际，圣斯蒂芬大教堂成为了布达佩斯标志性的圣诞集市的中心。在洋溢着节日气氛的集市上，匈牙利手工艺品、节日装饰和当地美食应有尽有，充分体现了传统圣诞节的精髓。作为在圣诞节前几周举行的活动，降临节盛宴也是匈牙利节日传统的一部分，届时会邀请游客们品尝烟囱蛋糕、白菜卷和炖牛肉汤等菜肴，而空气中也会弥漫着热红酒和烤栗子的香味。对许多人来说，大教堂外墙投射的3D灯光秀是一大亮点，现代感十足的灯光秀让这座历史悠久的建筑栩栩如生。

这座新古典主义风格的大教堂是为了纪念匈牙利第一位君主斯蒂芬一世（又称圣斯蒂芬国王）。经过数十年的建设，该教堂于1906年竣工，教堂顶部是一个高耸的圆顶。游客可以参观教堂，欣赏错综复杂的彩色玻璃，或瞻仰据说是国王本人木乃伊化的右手遗骸。穹顶上有一个观景台，游客可以在此俯瞰城市的全景，如今天的图片所示。

Christmas market, St. Stephen's Basilica, Budapest, Hungary

As the holiday season kicks off, St. Stephen's Basilica becomes the dazzling centerpiece of one of Budapest's iconic Christmas markets. The fair buzzes with holiday spirit, offering a mix of Hungarian craft, festive décor, and local delicacies, capturing the essence of a traditional Christmas. The Advent Feast—an event held in the weeks leading up to Christmas and part of Hungary's holiday traditions—invites guests to savor dishes like chimney cakes, stuffed cabbage, and goulash soup, while the scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts fills the air. A highlight for many is the 3D light show projected onto the basilica's facade, a modern touch that brings this historic structure to life.

This neoclassical basilica honors Stephen I, also known as King Saint Stephen, who was Hungary's first monarch. Completed in 1906 after decades of construction, it is topped by a towering dome. Visitors can explore its chapels, admire the intricate stained glass, or view a relic that is believed to be the mummified right hand of the king himself. For those seeking a panoramic view, the dome has an observation deck where visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the city's skyline, as shown in today's image.

巴黎圣母院，巴黎，法国 Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, France (© Julien Fromentin/Getty Images)

巴黎圣母院再度回归 The comeback of Notre-Dame

巴黎圣母院重新开放

巴黎市中心矗立着这座城市最永恒的标志之一：巴黎圣母院大教堂。圣母大教堂建于12至13世纪，位于塞纳河中的西岱岛上，见证了法国几个世纪的历史，从百年战争到法国大革命，甚至更久。虽然拿破仑在1804年选择了这里作为他加冕称帝的场所，但到了19世纪初，大教堂已经年久失修。直至一部小说改变了它的命运：维克多·雨果的《巴黎圣母院的钟楼怪人》。这本书的畅销促进了大教堂的修复工程，使其重现昔日的美丽。

2019年4月，一场悲剧发生了——巴黎圣母院屋顶起火。大火被扑灭时，大教堂的木质尖塔和大部分屋顶已被烧毁，建筑顶部的墙壁也遭到了大面积破坏。在过去的五年里，重建修复工作一直在进行，今天，圣母院将重新向公众开放，游客们终于得以再次领略这座美丽大教堂的中世纪威严了。

Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens

In the heart of Paris stands one of the city's most enduring icons: Notre-Dame Cathedral. Built between the 12th and 13th centuries on the Île de la Cité—an island in the Seine—Notre-Dame has witnessed centuries of French history, from the Hundred Years' War to the French Revolution, and beyond. Although it was chosen by Napoleon as the site of his coronation as emperor in 1804, by the early 19th century, the cathedral was in a state of disrepair. However, one novel changed its fortunes: 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame' by Victor Hugo, published in 1831. The popularity of this book helped encourage a restoration project that renewed the cathedral's former beauty.

In April 2019, tragedy struck—a fire broke out in the roof space of Notre-Dame. By the time the blaze was extinguished, the cathedral's wooden spire had been destroyed, along with most of the roof, and there was extensive damage to the tops of the building's walls. Reconstruction efforts have been underway over the last five years , and today, Notre-Dame will reopen to the public. Finally, visitors will once again be able to marvel at the medieval majesty of this beautiful cathedral.

大运河和安康圣母教堂的鸟瞰图，威尼斯，意大利 Aerial view of the Grand Canal and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy (© Bachir Moukarzel/Amazing Aerial Agency)

在漂浮的城市之上 Above the floating city

安康圣母教堂，威尼斯，意大利

威尼斯的安康圣母教堂历史悠久，是巴洛克建筑风格的典范。这座教堂建于1631年至1687年，是为了纪念1630年威尼斯从一场毁灭性瘟疫中解脱出来。教堂建在大运河的入口处，其圆顶在威尼斯的天际线上占据着主导地位，正如今天的图片所示。意大利建筑师巴尔达萨雷·隆盖纳在26岁时就构思了这座建筑，它成为了隆盖纳毕生的事业，并在他去世后完工。教堂外部的涡卷状装饰和雕像与宽敞的八角形内部形成鲜明对比，内部装饰着文艺复兴时期艺术家提香和丁托列托的作品。每年11月，威尼斯都会在圣母节期间纪念这座教堂的重要意义，这是一场文化庆祝活动，内容包括节日游行和献蜡烛等，以感谢圣母将人类从瘟疫中解救出来。

Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy

The Santa Maria della Salute church in Venice is steeped in history. As a plague devastated the city in 1630, its leader, Doge Nicolò Contarini, vowed to build a majestic church dedicated to the Virgin Mary if the city was spared. In 1631 the epidemic ended, and construction began. The church, built in the Baroque style, was completed around 50 years later, a lifelong project for architect Baldassare Longhena.

Built at the entrance to the Grand Canal, its dome dominates the Venice skyline. Each November, Venice commemorates the church's significance during the Festa della Madonna della Salute, a cultural celebration that includes festive processions and offering of candles in gratitude for deliverance from the plague.

蒙马特和圣心大教堂，巴黎，法国 Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur, Paris, France (© Tuul & Bruno Morandi/Getty Images)

比赛开始！ Game on

夏季残奥会在巴黎开幕

今天，夏季残奥会在巴黎开幕。来自世界各地的4000多名运动员将齐聚法国首都，参加22个运动项目、549个不同赛事的角逐。作为首次举办夏季残奥会的城市，巴黎为开幕式准备了特别的节目。来自184个国家的代表团将沿着著名的香榭丽舍大街游行至协和广场，而不是进入体育场。首届正式残奥会于1960年在罗马举行。23个国家参加了比赛，角逐包括轮椅篮球和残疾人田径在内的8个项目。

今天的图片带我们来到巴黎的著名景点：蒙马特街区的圣心大教堂。这座教堂建成于1914年，矗立在巴黎最高点之一的顶端。从这里可以俯瞰整个城市，埃菲尔铁塔、巴黎圣母院、先贤祠等美景尽收眼底。如果你来巴黎是为了观看残奥会，那么这里是领略主办城市美景的绝佳地点。

Paralympic Games begin in Paris

The Summer Paralympic Games get underway in Paris today. Over 4,000 athletes with a range of disabilities from all around the world will meet in the French capital to compete across 549 different events. For its first time hosting the Summer Paralympics, the city has got something special in store for the opening ceremony. Delegations from 184 nations will parade down the iconic Champs-Élysées to the Place de la Concorde, rather than entering a stadium. The first official Paralympic Games were held in Rome in 1960. Twenty-three nations took part, competing in eight sports, including wheelchair basketball and Para athletics.

Today's image takes us to an icon of Parisian life: the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in the Montmartre neighborhood. The church, which was completed in 1914, stands at the top of one of the highest points in Paris. It offers impressive views over the city, taking in the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Panthéon, and much more. If you're in Paris to enjoy the Paralympics, it's the perfect spot to soak up the beauty of the host city.