Madhu just took me to the very beautiful

Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul .

The gilded cross atop the dome beckons to the faithful (and the tourists):

My irreverent mind, of course, immediately added "Mary" to Peter and Paul and flew off to "Puff the Magic Dragon"...see this audience-inclusive rendition by the group: Mary of the group recently passed away . Well, now that I went down that side-road and came back,...here's the outside of the cathedral: Madhu opening the lovely old door: Inside, the dim vastness of the church instantly silenced our voices and thoughts; the peace was like a blanket that spread itself over us. This, to me, is what religion should be about...the spiritual uplifting that makes one's soul, mind, and heart go beyond themselves to something greater. I have felt this in various places...the most unexpected one was the Necropolis near Teheran. Here's the scene that greets one's eyes on entering the doors: There were several beautifully executed paintings: The stained glass in the cathedral was wonderful...how I wish had a digital camera in the six consecutive days that I visited the Cathedral at Cologne , many years ago! But...as the big striped cat said to the tourist who exclaimed that he'd seen a diger..."I digress!" Here are a couple of panels, one from above the nave: And one above the entrance: Looking back from the nave, I saw the large and impressive church organ: On the side of the church were these sumptuously appointed confessionals: I'm afraid I'm not a very devout person, because I thought of the several novels in which the murderer uses the confessional to aid his plans!