SAINT MARY CATHEDRAL
A BRIEF HISTORY
Saint Mary’s Cathedral, also known as Cathedral of Saint Mary the Virgin, is a revered Catholic cathedral located in Bo Aung Kyaw Street, Botahtaung Township, Yangon, Capital of Myanmar. It is located next to the compound of Basic Education High School No. 6, Botataung (formerly the famous “Saint Paul’s Catholic Boarding School”, before nationalization by the government).
The cathedral is the largest Christian institution building in Burma. It is said to be designed by one Dutch architect named Jos Cuypers, son of Pierre Cuypers. Construction began in 1895 in Rangoon (the previous name of the capital) and was completed 19 November 1899 under a land grant from the colonial British ruler whilst Lower Burma was a province of British India.
The cathedral’s exterior of red brick, consists of spires and a bell tower. The interior of the cathedral is also richly decorated. The architectural design is magnificently elegant.
The cathedral is listed among Top 200 buildings on the Yangon City Development Committee’s Heritage List and it’s been one of the major tourist attractions in Yangon downtown.
SHOOTING
Since my Dad is an old Paulian (a St.Paul’s graduate), I have heard of this cathedral every now and then. Yes, he spent nearly a decade in St.Paul’s Catholic Boarding School from 3rd Grade to his Matriculation Year. So, my Dad always shares me how majestic the cathedral is. And the cathedral is near my late great grandmother’s house. Whenever I passed by the cathedral, the sense of myself reminded me of going inside the cathedral. On 31 May 2009, I have compelled my dreams into my camera and translated as this post. I have been opportune seeing the SUNDAY mass after shooting.
Credits: Thank my dearest Dad for insisting on this post. He is the one who introduced me of this St.Mary Cathedral.
I really adore these spires and the bell tower. No wonder this is a remarkable Dutch architectural achievement…
Photo Information
Camera – Nikon D90
Lens – SIGMA 10-20mm Wide Angle Aspherical
Aperture – f/5.6
Exposure Time – 1/320s
ISO Speed – 160
Focal Length – 10mm
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A glance to interior, the magnificence of Saint Mary Cathedral…
Photo Information
Camera – Nikon D90
Lens – SIGMA 10-20mm Wide Angle Aspherical
Aperture – f/6.3
Exposure Time – 1/2s
ISO Speed – 160
Focal Length – 10mm
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After seeing this particular shot, I told myself that the SIGMA wide lens is just simply the ONE…
Photo Information
Camera – Nikon D90
Lens – SIGMA 10-20mm Wide Angle Aspherical
Aperture – f/6.3
Exposure Time – 1/6s
ISO Speed – 160
Focal Length – 10mm
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It’s been a popular tourist attraction in Ygn downtown and yes listed in Top 200 Heritage List by YCDC (Yangon City Development Council)
Photo Information
Camera – Nikon D90
Lens – SIGMA 10-20mm Wide Angle Aspherical
Aperture – f/5.6
Exposure Time – 1/400s
ISO Speed – 160
Focal Length – 10mm
The sigma lens is really fantastic…