Sitka, Alaska - WALK in TOWN 2 of 2

We walked along the waterfront, saw the hatchery and beautiful homes as well as the Russians Bishop’s House that was built 180 years ago and restored to its original condition in 1973.

Since 1834 St Michaels Russian Orthodox Cathedral has been a center point and significant icon in Sitka (although it had burned down in 1966 and had to be rebuilt to the same spec). The onion shaped dome is very interesting in and outside. Built in a 19th Century Russian design with Alaskan materials, walls are made of sailcloth (ship builders built it).

The Cathedral is not just a museum or a repository for sacred art and historical artifacts, but continues to be a center of worship for the community. We had a private tour inside since that is the only way to see its inside when there are no services (see photos). Lastly before walking back to the tender to our ship, we walked around the cute town filled with many gift shops, restaurants, galleries, bookstores, and hotels. Winds picked up when we got to the tender, our ship was moved and we had a little bit longer and challenging ride back to the ship.

One interesting story we heard in town was regarding St. Peter's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in the heart of downtown Sitka. Above the entrance of this Gothic Revival red-brick Episcopal church is an intricately designed stained-glass window with eight flower petals in varying shades of blue and gold that was supposed to be a Rose of Sharon when ordered in 1898. The wrong window was shipped (with a Star of David in the Center) but this led to a Community love and sharing of their Judeo-Christian traditions. See the article below.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/why-does-a-120-ye…

A great day in Sitka. We ended our evening with an Alaskan meal filled with salmon, halibut and many many other fishes and seafood items that perplexed Bruce but was good for experimentation. Our entertainment this evening was worth noting as it was outstanding with singing and music by Kenny James and Logan James performing and late night DJ Ray playing VINYL – The Who’s 1971 fifth album, Who’s Next.Leggi altro