ALPS D*HUEZ – Notre Dam Among the  Snows

It was good  luck for the very small village Alp D*huez, when in nearby large Grenoble decided to conduct the Olympic games in  1968. And then the village  Alp D*huez was build.  Large skiing resort. And  perfect decision to rebuild new  church.  And, only during one year  1968-1969  in Alp D*huez appeared strange construction-   a  big pipe with blades. From above, as though as a helicopter screw. And actually bent arches symbolize the amount of turns of serpentine road used for the cycle race “Tour de France” . Architect Jean Маrо.

You enter to the church – total modern. And  the narthex not ordinary. And vault not such as needed. An enormous pipe stands in the center of hall. Down a pipe is cut away at an angle. An unique in Europe organ, constructed by  Detlef Kleker, stands in an appearing niche. An organ presents from itself a benedictory palm, directed to sky. Organ pipes are visible between fingers.  Part of  them looks straight to a hall. Acoustics of hall is  magnificent. .

But a church would not be so wonderful without the stained-glass windows of Аrcabas. Twelve masterpieces surround a church hall. Stained-glass windows are illuminated  from beneath – in winter days a church is almost always covered by snow and lamplight  is justified.  Twelve stained-glass windows – twelve histories.  Among them is  Dance of Salome, Death of Joann Batiste, Jesus goes on water,  Entrance of Jesus to Jerusalem, Kiss of Judas, Lamb Divine. And certainly, famous the  Last Supper.  Church was built during one year, but stained-glass windows were created  8 years. From 1990 to 1998.

Today, besides services, in a church  there are Concerts . Every  Thursdays. And that surprisingly, in a little village arrive organists from  all around the world – from distant Korea, from Australia, from all Europe and even from Russia.

The church of Notre Dam  Among  the Snows is charming building, harmoniously blending in an alpine skiing resort. After a day, conducted in mountains, it is possible swim in an open pool or just  skat. And then  enjoy the bewitching sounds  of Mountain Organ