Abandoned Churches: Unclaimed Places of Worship

Francis Meslet photographed several hundred places of worship across Europe, which have become enveloped in silence. He travels the world in search of places that have fallen into disuse, offering us an opportunity to immerse ourselves in places that have been abandoned by faith and seek a divine light.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 16 October 2020
Publisher: Jonglez

Between 2012 and 2019, Francis Meslet embarked on a captivating journey across Europe, capturing the essence of numerous places of worship through his lens. As the years passed, these once bustling sanctuaries gradually succumbed to silence, their once-echoing halls now hauntingly quiet. The only audible sounds are the occasional gust of wind whistling through shattered stained glass or the rhythmic drip of water leaking through the dilapidated roof above a nave. Despite the desolation, these muted spaces still manage to captivate the occasional visitor. In the past, the walls of a German church reverberated with the melodious recitation of Latin prayers, while the halls of a French Catholic college echoed with the joyful melodies of children ringing in the bells. However, it is impossible to fathom the enigmatic sounds that may lie hidden within the crypts nestled deep within the Italian mountains or within the tombs of a former convent in Portugal. In his spare moments, Francis ventures forth on a global expedition, seeking out abandoned religious buildings that have remained untouched since their doors were closed for the last time. Upon his return, he presents us with awe-inspiring photographs, each serving as a time capsule, preserving a parallel universe. These images ignite our imagination and encourage us to ponder profound questions. With utmost reverence for the faithful who once frequented these sacred spaces, Francis offers us a unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in the remnants of faith, to seek solace in the divine light that once permeated these hallowed halls.

Weight: 1404g
Dimension: 217 x 304 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9782361954406