The Cloister World / ______ Higher quality image Here ______ This photo was done during a one-day trip to the fascinating city of Évora. Classified as UNESCO World Heritage Site, one can easily get amazed at the diversity and quantity of historic buildings, including Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. / ................................................................................. / This is one of those special places where, on a weekend, without the noise of cars and the crowds, you can forget present time, and feel immersed somewhere in the past, when beauty was cherished, and schedules were not a concern. / ................................................................................ / One of the places I’ve visited was the amazing Cathedral of Évora, and one of it’s strongest surprises: an exquisite and captivating cloister. / ................................................................................. / Cloisters have always fascinated me. In the past they were the place, inside a monastery, where the fusion of nature and men was strongest. Four cold stone corridors and a garden in the center, adorned with profound meditation, trying to reach the highest answers. / ................................................................................. / During the first 15 minutes I had some strong clouds in the sky, but the sun was uncovered and very strong. I tried to capture some photos, trying to properly expose both the building and the sky, but this proved to be impossible, even with ND Grads. Fortunately, mother nature helped, and the clouds finally covered the sun. Not only this helped in getting a correct exposure of the scene, but also lended a very special lightning to the whole scene, much different from the harsh light I had 15minutes before. This was the time to start shooting, and in 10 minutes I was able to cover some shooting angles I had planned beforehand. Here you can see one of them, hoping the image will be able to “capture” you into that magical place… / .................................................................................... / José Ramos
Angled shot taken inside the Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool. Really enjoy finding new angles and views within this building and its a great place to practice my photography. / . / Spent a lot of time with the position and cropping of this image to produce the desired look. / . / Your comments always help. / . / ste / . / Location: The Lady Chapel / . / The first part of the Cathedral to be completed and consecrated for worship was the Lady Chapel. The style of this lovely Chapel, which stands at the far south east corner of the Cathedral, is more elaborate than the main body of the Cathedral in a way which reflects its date and the influence of G F Bodley who was, at that time, working with the Cathedral architect.
Image by photographer Glennis Siverson, www.glennisphotos.com. Reflection of St. Catherine’s Cathedral in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Underground crypt in th Cathedral
Tynemouth Priory was founded early in the 7th century. / In 800 the Danes plundered Tynemouth Priory. / Afterwards the monks strengthened the fortifications sufficiently to prevent / the Danes from succeeding when they attacked again in 832. / However, in 865 the church and monastery were destroyed by the Danes. / At the same time, the nuns of St Hilda, who had come there for safety, were massacred. The priory was again plundered by the Danes in 870. / / The priory was destroyed by the Danes in 875. / The small parish church of St Mary remained. / This Chapel is behind the Blue door. / When entering it is truly stepping back in time.
Featured in Visions of Italy Group November – 08 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- / Featured in The Beauty of the European Waters Group October – 19 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— Featured in Live and Let Live Group October – 18 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- / Featured in European Everyday Life Group October – 17 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- Featured in JPG Cast-Offs Group October – 17 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- / Featured in Your Magic PLACE Group October – 17 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- / Featured in Dimensions Group Agoust – 25 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- / Featured in The Beauty of the European Waters Group May – 28 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- Challenge Winner The World Group – SUMMER! Challenge May 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— Featured in Your Magic Place Group May – 18 – 2009 / _______ Featured in All Water in Motion Group May – 18 – 2009 / ________ Featured in Shifting Sands Group May – 17 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- Featured in Italy and all Things Italian April – 22 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- Nikon D300 Sigma 15/30 Belvedere Marittimo is town and comune in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of southern Italy. The town is made of two separate urbanized areas also called “paese” and “marina”. The first is what’s left of the original medieval town, the second was developed in more recent decades and it now represents the center of Belvedere Marittimo’s commercial and turistic services. Main sights The “Castello del Principe” was originally built by the Normands on what is the highest hill by the coast, around the year 1000. The castle was restored and enriched during the Spanish domination to assume the shape and architecture currently visible. Monastery of “San Daniele” (16th century) Paolo Emilio” roman tower Church of “Rosario” (Rosary) founded in 1091 Wooden Crucifix (17th century)
Featured Members in That One Great Shot Shot Agoust – 24 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- Challenge Winner in That One Great Shot Group – That One Great Shot SUNSET Challenge Agoust – 24 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- Featured in That One Great Shot Group Agoust – 24 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- Placed 8th in à EUROPA! Group – EUROPEAN SUNSETS Challenge July – 24 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- Challenge Winner in Italy and all Things Italian Group – Italian Sunsets Challenge June 08 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- Featured in Sunrise, Sunset April – 14 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— Featured in Live, Love, Dream April – 30 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— Featured in DSLR Users Only – 3 A Day May – 02 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— HDR processed in Photomatix Pro 3.1.3 from a single RAW image, then processed using CS4 – no tripod used Nikon D100 Sigma 15/30 Camogli – the “City of the Thousands Sailships” Our city has very old origin. Traces of a first settlement, dating back to the prehistoric age, have been discovered on the Castellaro hill, located east of the present downtown, in the middle of the park of the Cenobio dei Dogi Hotel, where we can find the the majestic maritimes pines. Unfortunately, we cannot retrack any remains of the Middle Ages, when the first beach village and the fort which protected the “Island”, which was rocky ram that forms the natural port. The first inhabitants were fishermen, right after they became seamen to serve the genoese fleet and later they kept their own business as shipowners. The glorious era of the camogliese people, extraordinary seamen, goes back to the 19th century, when their trade crossed with international events. In that period, they joined the Egypt’s and Algiers’ campaign and, overall, the Crimea war, as the only military striking force of the Piedmontese army. This useful contribute was possible thanks to their well equipped maritime fleet. Their audacity and skillness at sea were decisive to the result of the was and brought a solid welfare to the city. This welfare was well visible through the buildings and in the institutions, in the social services as well. The growing importance of Camogli allowed to obtain from king Vittorio Emanuele II the title of “City”. About its name, there are few speculations: camuggi in genoese dialect means “house of the wives” (their husbands were out at sea); another version says that cà a muggi (packed houses) reminds its landscape as seen from far out at sea. Finally and more realistically, scholars determined that the name Camogli comes from etrurian or celtic deities: Camulo or Camolio. Camogli has three neighbours: Ruta, St. Rocco and St. Fruttuoso and many valued places for environmental and historical matters. / Ruta, which was named by the route that passes through of it, has been built on the hills, at an altitude of 300 metres. There we experience a mild and dry climate, for this, Ruta was a reknown tourist destination until the last century. Today this neighbour is the departure point for the many escursions to the Portofino Park. By going to a private boulevard, we can reach the Portofino Kulm hotel, built on the first years of the 20th century and restored recently.St. Rocco lies on a rocky wall falling to the sea: up there you can admire the Paradiso Gulf panorama.St. Fruttuoso, which is only reachable by foot or by boat, is a sea village framed in a narrow valley of the Portofino promontory. There we find a very valuable monumental complex : the abbey, the church and the Andrea Doria’s tower. Camogli, among the many historical and artistic treasures, has various religious buildings. On the “Island”, close to the medieval castle, we can admire the Basilica, named after Santa Maria Assunta, which hosts many art masterpieces of the camogliese sculptors Francesco and Bernardo Schiaffino and of the genoese painters Niccolò Barabino and Francesco Semino. Inside the church, among the altars, decorated by valuable marbles, we can admire the paintings of the Patron saints of Camogli: St. Fortunato, protector of fishermen and seamen and St. Prosperous, patron of the city.Uphill of the Repubblica Street, you will find the Oratory of St.Prosperous and Caterina, dating back to the 15th century. The old crucifix inside the building has a great value for the camogliese people: it was carried out in procession during the difficult times. On the hills, we meet the church and monastery of St. Prosperous, still today it is hosting a small community of benedectine friars; then we meet the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Boschetto, loved specially by seamen which invoke the Lady during sea storms and perils, as painted in the various votive images.In the downtown of Ruta we can admire the parish church, built on 17th century. Inside there, we find masterpieces of painters and sculptors such as Bernardo Castello and Francesco Schiaffino. Along the road which leads to St. Martino of Noceto, we meet the millenary church dated back to the 12th century, national monument, seat of classic concerts specially in the summertime.Between St Rocco and Chiappa Point, western tip of the Portofino promontory, we mmet the romanic church of St. Nicolò of Capodimonte which is placed into a spectacular and natural frame. Finally, in the sea village of St. Fruttuoso, it is possible to admire the benedectine abbey, placed by side of the romanic church, donated on 1983 along with the built-up area, by the Doria Pamphily princes to the Italian Fund for the Environment (F.A.I.), which arranged to restore it.In the St. Fruttuoso bay we can dive to reach the Abyss Christ, a bronze statue which is object of devotion by many divers. Since the old times, due to its location, the inhabitants of Camogli looked for sustenance from the sea. Before as fishermen and after as captains and shipowners. Since 1800 until 1900, Camogli prduces 3700 ship captains, 2932 merchant vessels and more than 500 naval engineers. Indeed, in the middle of the 19th century, our city reaches the top of its maritime economy. Camogliese ships and crews join the events which had been lead to the Unity of Italy on 1860. Simone Schiaffino, the ensign of the ” Mille”, the Garibaldi’s army, was a brave camogliese ship captain. Again, on the middle of 1800, the first camogliese maritime insurance was founded: it covered the damages originated by the perilous sailings of those times. Just in that period, Camogli is named “the City of the Thousands Sailships”. The most famous ships were the bricks and barks and the camogliese crews were very brave to handle them. At the beginning of the 20th century, along with the mechanic propulsion, the “family management” of the sailships started to decline: it was extremely expensive to keep the maintenance all around the world of an “iron ship”. As a remain of the extraordinary maritime tradition of Camogli, we have today the high professional value of its seamen, specially on board the most modern cruise and cargo ships where the highest level of technology can be found. To admire the maritime tradition of Camogli, please visit the Maritime Museo “G.B.Ferrari”, located in the stairways in front of the railway station. In the museum, you will find rare parts of ships and seamen’s belongings wich are donations of the camogliese families of 1800 and 1900. HDR processed in Photomatix Pro 3.1.3 from a single RAW image, then processed using CS4.Nikon D300 camera Sigma 15/30 Lens no tripod use.
Featured in STAINED GLASS ART Group Agoust – 24 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- / Featured in Shapes & Patterns Group Agoust – 13 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—— Featured Members in Shapes & Patterns Group Agoust – 12 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— Challenge Winner in Shapes & Patterns Group – Window & Door Shapes Challenge Agoust – 12 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- Featured in That One Great Shot Group June – 07 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- Featured in Color and Light Group May – 08 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- Featured in Historic Churches Group April – 19 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— Nikon D300 Sigma28/70 Millstatt Abbey (Stift Millstatt) is a former monastery in Millstatt in Carinthia, Austria, now used by the Austrian civil service. For centuries the monastery was the spiritual and cultural centre of Upper Carinthia and with its possessions round the Millstätter See, in the valley of the Görtschitz, in Friuli and in Salzburg, was one of the largest in the province. It is presumed to have been founded in about 1070, but had definitely been established before 1122 and was run as a Benedictine abbey. In 1469 the buildings and assets were taken over by the Order of St. George, an Austrian order founded to combat the invading Turks. After its collapse in 1598 the premises passed to the Jesuits. The church is now the property of the parish, while all other buildings belong to the Austrian government and are used by the Austrian State Forestry Commission (Österreichische Bundesforste). Millstatt Millstatt is a village in Carithia that is situated near the northern shore of Lake Millstätter See near the Nockberge. If you have read my article on the National Parks of Austria, the Nockberge might sound familiar to you – it is them of the not-quite-a-national-park reserve, which offers good hiking opportunities. Millstatt itself benefits quite a bit from the vicinity to these mountains, however, it is best known as a formerly imperial spa town that managed to preserve much of its 19th century splendour. Millstatt’s oldest record dates back to Neolithic times, to approximately 2000 BC. Archaeological findings from that period were discovered on the Millstätter Berg hill near the hamlet of Lammersdorf. Around 500 BC, various Celtic tribes arrived in the area and populated much of today’s Carinthia until the Romans arrived in 15 BC. The Romans were the first people in Carinthia to convert to Christian faith and built a church near another hamlet of Millstatt, Laubendorf. When Slavonic tribes started to migrate into Carinthia in the 5th and 6th century, they destroyed this church. The principality of Karantania formed as the seed for today’s Carinthia. It went under Bavarian and later Franconian rule in the 8th century. Millstatt as a Scholastic Centre Around this time, the bishops of Salzburg accepted the task of re-Christianising the people south of the Alps. They sent missionaries to Karantania, Bavarian settlers followed. In 800, the first Slavonic-Bavarian church was built in today’s Millstatt. According to legend, a Slavonic duke called Domitian became a Christian and threw a thousand statues of pagan gods (Latin: “mille statue”) into the lake, which thereafter was called “lake of the mille statue” from which Millstätter See developed. The sad rationale of modern linguistics, however, teaches us to doubt such legends – in fact, the name refers to a place and developed only in the 11th century, a long time after all pagan statues had gone. In 1070, a Benedictine monastery was founded in Millstatt. This was done with the support of the Duke Aribo of Bavaria and the Archbishop of Salzburg. Soon the monastery became the scholastic centre of Carinthia. For more information on the Stift Millstatt and its colourful history, please see my article on the monasteries of Carinthia. The former monastic church still serves as a parish church to Millstatt. Millstatt turning into a Fancy Spa Town The following centuries saw the arrival of the Knights of St George, Jesuits, some attempted Turkish invasions and the Napoleonic Wars. Carinthia was under changing administrations and it is hard to keep an overview on the turbulent past of this province. A very important innovation was the towns opening towards tourism in the second half of the 19th century. The construction of a railroad accelerated this development, and soon the first lakeside promenade and public bath alongside with B&Bs and hotels were opened. The former monastery was transformed into a hotel in 1901. In 1921, Millstatt earned itself the status of an official “spa town” and emphasised that by hiring a spa orchestra of 25 musicians that performed nightly by the lakeside promenade during the main season. Some of Millstatt’s most significant buildings date back to the period between approximately 1880 and 1920. This is when many Viennese aristocrats had their countryside retreats built here for stays in summer. To accommodate modern sightseeing-needs, the tourism board of Millstatt publishes a guide to 20 particularly nice villas as a “Villenwanderweg” (“Villa Hiking Route”). Millstatt Museums & Nearby Attractions Furthermore, visitors can learn more about the history of Millstatt in the town museum, situated in the former monastery. The local dungeon prides itself for still having some 16th century graffiti. A separate collection shows an array of rosaries, which might delight individuals with very specific interests. The more recent past of Millstatt is shown in the “Heimat- und Fremdenverkehrsmuseum” in the former primary school of the town. This moderately interesting collection presents daily life in the past 150 years. If all that is not enough for you, reach out to other attractions of Carinthia. In the vicinity of Millstatt, these include Gmünd, Seeboden and Spittal; Villach, Velden, Ossiach and Maria Wörth.
Must View Larger “Lincoln Cathedral is one of the finest gothic buildings in Europe. Here you will find information about its past history, its present activities and our hopes for its future. I hope you will come and visit Lincoln Cathedral to discover its wonders for yourself and receive a blessing.” - The Very Reverend Philip Buckler / (Dean of Lincoln) Canon 5D Mk2 / 16mm / ISO 100 / F14 6 Photos stitched together and made into a sphere
Featured in Colour and Light Group October – 16 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— Challenge Winner in A Place To Call Home Group – HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS Challenge September – 09 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- Featured in A Place To Call Home Group September – 04 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- Featured in Country Bumpkin Group Agoust – 20 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- / Featured in Style! Class! Elegance! Group Agoust – 20 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— / Placed 6th in Trees Group – Spring Trees Challenge June 24 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- Challenge Winner VIBRANT COLOURS IN NATURE in à EUROPA! Group May 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- May – 08 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—— Featuredin in Natural Color and Light Group May – 07 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- Featured in Italy and all Things Italian Group May – 06 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- Featured in Weekly Theme Challenges Group May – 06 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- Challenge Winner Weekly Theme Challenges Group “Challenge Spring” May 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- Italian Spring Nikon D300 Sigma 15/30
Featured in Going Coastal Group November – 16 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- / Featured in Image Writing Group November – 15 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- / Featured in à Europa Group May – 29 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- Camogli – The Harbour – Challenge Winner in à EUROPA! Group – PRETTY PORTS OF EUROPE Challengr May – 22 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- Nikon D100 Sigma 15/30 Camogli / Camogli’s biggest tourist attraction is its annual fish-fry and festival during the second weekend of May. Saturday’s “blessing of the fish” festivities include bonfires and a spectacular display of fireworks. On Sunday the town pulls out what is said to be the largest skillet in the world (about four meters - more than 12 feet - in diameter) and fries up a huge helping of fish donated by the local fish cooperative. If you’re planning a trip to Camogli, the best way to get there is by train. From Genoa, it’s just a 20-minute ride. Driving is not recommended since parking is scarce, especially during the crowded summer months. Once you arrive, you can get just about everywhere by foot. Just be sure to put on your walking shoes and be prepared to hike a lot of stairs.
Featured in Dimensions Group Agoust – 20 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- Photo of the Month of July in Austria Group / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- Featured in Austria Group June – 03 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- Nikon D300 Sigma 15/30 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- Maria Worth Halfway along the southern side of the Wörther See, obliquely across from Pörtschach, lies the resort of Maria Wörth (458m/1,503ft; pop. 2,000), with the communes of Dellach (golf courses) and Reifnitz. The old core of the village occupies a rocky peninsula. High up on the headland, surrounded on three sides by water, stands the Late Gothic parish church, a prominent landmark; note the fine Baroque interior, the Romanesque crypt and the 15th-16th C. high altar with a beautiful Late Gothic figure of the Virgin. In the churchyard there is a round charnel house of 1278. Close by stands the little 12th C. Rosenkranzkirche (Rosary Church) or Winter Church, with well preserved Romanesque frescos of the Apostles. The picturesque village of Maria Worth is situated on the south shore of Lake Wörthersee and is one of the most charming scenic pearls of Carinthian beauty
Ministry of Heritage and Cultural Activities, Superintendence for the Architectural, the Landscape, the Historical Heritage. Artistic and Ethno-Anthropological of Italy / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- Featured in Historic Places Group October – 10 – 2009 Featured in Live, Love, Dream Group September – 09 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— / Placed 2nd in A Place To Call Home Group – One if by Land and Two if by Sea Challenge June – 30 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— Featured in Heritage in Stone Group June – 09 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—— Taken from the Album”Journey in Calabria” Nikon D100 Nikon 70/300 Tropea The sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola, situated right on a cliff above the sea, can be reached by a windling path from the beach. Visit the church and do not miss the garden that offers breath-taking views of the sea from above – also because of its hidden terraces and panoramic benches, perfect for romantics. Legend has it that this picturesque little town was originally founded by Hercules, therefore the port is called a Hercules Port. The name Tropea dates back to the V Century after Christ and suffered for several hundred years under the constant attacks of the Saracens. / From the Norman era and on, the independent town of Tropea became the popular nest of noble families who constructed their luscious palaces on the spectacular cliff above the sea. The narrow streets of Tropea, the ancient noble palaces and the whiteness of the beaches below in contrast with the deep blu sea are an extraordinary experience for the senses. The town has almost completely preserved its 16th century planning. / Admire the “Porta Nuova”, the opening above the sea of piazza Galluppi with the savage cliff precipitating into the white beach stretching below.At a short distance there is another cliff, on which is erected the sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola.
Cathedral of Arequipa, Peru ! .
Five Lands National Park – Italy Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List – Italy Portovenere, Five Lands, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto) (1997) / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- / Featured in Visions of Italy Group October – 24 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- Featured in Going Coastal Group October – 17 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— / Featured in Sea Group October – 16 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- / Featured in Historic Places Group September – 06 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- / Challenge Winner in Style! Class! Elegance! Excellence! Group – The Best Waterscape (sea, river, lake only) Challenge Agoust – 28 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— / Featured in National Trust Properties Group July – 26 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— Featured in Unlimited Quality Group July – 21 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- Nikon D300 Sigma 15/30 Vernazza The name is thought to derive from the Latin adjective verna, meaning “of the place” or “indigenous”. Thus the village’s name would be linked to its most famous product, Vernaccia, the local wine. Others maintain that the place name comes from a Latin predial, Vulnetia, indicating a family that owned land. • 1080: the first mention of the village dates to a deed of gift by Albert IV Rufo, grandson of Adalbert II of the Obertenghi family, drawn up in castro Vernazio, i.e. the castle of Vernazza. • 1207: the lords of Vernazza submit to Genoa. • 1242: the inhabitants of Vernazza drive back Frederick II’s troops led by his deputy Oberto Pallavicino. • 1254: in the Cathedral of Santa Reparata in Florence, Florentine judges concede Vernazza to Genoa, together with all lands and castles situated between the Magra river and Genoa itself. • 1310: date of the earliest documents referring to the Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia. • 1874: the railway line between Genoa and La Spezia is completed, putting an end to the village’s centuries-old isolation. • 1997: UNESCO places Vernazza, together with the other four towns of the Cinque Terre, on its “world heritage” list.
Featured in Ancient Ruins and Relics Group November – 30 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— Featured in Castle Magic Group October – 24 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- Featured in Communities Group October – 19 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- Featured in JPG Cast-Offs Group October – 13 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— / Featured in All Castles Around The World Group Agoust – 25 – 2009 Challenge Winner in All Countries ~ Wetlands, Ponds, Lakes & Rivers Group – Calm As The Mirror Challenge Agoust – 20 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-— Featured in The Male Photographer Group Agoust – 18 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- Featured in All Countries ~ Wetlands, Ponds, Lakes and Rivers Group Agoust – 15 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- Castel Toblino – Trentino – Italy Renowned for the romantic legends associated with it, and as the pleasure retreat of the episcopal court, Castel Toblino is a rare example, in Trentino, of lake fortification. / It was probably a prehistoric fort and Roman site, on an island in the middle of the lake which, due to the lowering of the water level later became a peninsula. It is a very old site, once occupied by a small temple dedicated to the worship of the Fates, as recorded in the rare 3rd century epigraph (walled under the northern portico of the castle). Its original religious function was soon replaced by a military function, given its strategic position. In the 13th century the castle passed from the hands of the lords of Toblino into those of the lords of Campo, who owned the castle bearing the same name in the Giudicarie (Castel Campo). Later on, the castle fell into the hands of the church of Trento (1495) and the Cardinal Bernardo Clesio had the place restored and rebuilt (1536-1537) on Renaissance lines, to become a lord´s residence: it was decorated by some of the artists working at the Magno Palazzo of the Castello del Buonconsiglio in Trento. The prevailing 16th century elements are due to the subsequent transformations (courtyard portico and loggia, round arches) ordered by Gian Gaudenzio Madruzzo. All that remains of the Medieval castle layout are the wall to the west, a turret to the north-west of the present enclosure and the 20 meter high cylindrical tower, which may be considered a keep, strengthening the fortifications closing the summit of the fortified rock. Lake of Toblino This valley bottom lake has marsh vegetation (in particular ) and lacustrine (a few samples of “lamineto” of the ninfea gialla type); At certain points of the shore there are willow groves. The site includes the surrounding hills, where holm oaks woods grow(Celtidi australis-Quercetum ilicis). Nikon Coolpix 990
Lincoln Cathedral (in full The Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lincoln, or sometimes St. Mary’s Cathedral) is a historic Anglican cathedral in Lincoln in England and seat of the Diocese of Lincoln in the Church of England. It was reputedly the tallest building in the world for nearly a quarter of a millennium (1300–1549), though this height has been questioned.[1] The central spire collapsed in 1549 and was not rebuilt. It is highly regarded by architectural scholars; the eminent Victorian writer John Ruskin declared, “I have always held… that the cathedral of Lincoln is out and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles and roughly speaking worth any two other cathedrals we have.” Canon 5DMK2 / F16 / ISO 100 / 24mm / HDR / Handheld / 1 Raw File Split Into 3 / Tonemapped in Photomatix
Featured in Unique Buildings Of The World Group September – 02 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- / Featured in Dimensions Group Agoust – 27 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- Featured in Italy and all Things Italian Group Agoust – 28 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- / Camogli – Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta On the “Island”, close to the medieval castle, we can admire the Basilica, named after Santa Maria Assunta, which hosts many art masterpieces of the camogliese sculptors Francesco and Bernardo Schiaffino and of the genoese painters Niccolò Barabino and Francesco Semino. Inside the church, among the altars, decorated by valuable marbles, we can admire the paintings of the Patron saints of Camogli: St. Fortunato, protector of fishermen and seamen and St. Prosperous, patron of the city. Nikon D300 Sigma 15/30
London 2009, Capital city of England ! View from the Tower Bridge !
Challenge Winner in Italy and all Things Italian Group – Doors & Windows of Italy Challenge September – 29 – 2009 / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-- Featured Member in #1 Artists of RedBubble Group Featured in #1 Artists of RedBubble Group September – 21 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—— / Scalea is a town in the province of Cosenza in the Calabria region of southern Italy. Scalea is a picturesque, little town which takes its name from its terraced lay-out an the hillside, at the bottom of the Capo Scalea promontory. The old town is placed on the heights and preserves the remains of an ancient wall, while towards the beach, the Scalea Marina centre has recently been developed, with modern, comfortable hotels splendid villas and numerous, fully-equipped bathing areas on the beach. These enchanting beaches look out onto a sea of incomparable beauty. This town was no doubt inhabited even in prehistorical times, as proved by the material of the Paleolithic period that was excavated in a cavern near Torre Talao, which dominates over the rocky promontory called Scalea Island. It is claimed that the town of Lao, of pre- Indo-European origin and colonized by the Sybarites in the 6th-5th century B.C., once stood an the plain South of Scalea, near the mouth of the river Lao. Nowadays Scalea is synonymous of seaside and holidays. Indeed, it is one of the most visited resorts in Italy. But the name of Scalea is also synonymous of culture, history and folklore. During the Swabian, Angevin, Aragonese and Spanish era, Scalea became an important fief and a centre of study, which was gradually enriched with monuments and works of art, most of which can still be admired today. The 13th century Palazzo of the Spinelli Princes (XIII century), which belongs to the Town Council, is the most important building of the lower part of the old Town Centre. In the old hamlet the main “street” is an attractive stairway that begins in piazza De Palma: it is a natural amphitheatre. Well north a visit are the Norman Castle, the Palazzo Palamolla, of Renaissance inspiration and the Torre Cimalonga, Aragonese style building, now the seat of the “Antiquarium”. Nikon Coolpix 990
Sydney Dust Storm and St Mary’s Cathedral – Sydney Sept 23 2009. Canon 350D, 18mm, f3.5, 1/20 sec
Notre Dame Gargoyle – Paris / /
Featured in Christian Churches, Statues and Crosses Group November – 22 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- / Featured in Visions of Italy Group November – 14 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—- / Featured in The Weekend Photographer Group November – 13 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- / Featured in You’re Accepted Group November – 12 – 2009 —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- / Ministry of Heritage and Cultural Activities, Superintendence for the Architectural, the Landscape, the Historical Heritage. Artistic and Ethno-Anthropological of Italy It belongs the Club of “THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN ITALY” was founded through the incentive of the Tourism Council of the ANCI (National Association of Italian Municipalities).This project arose from the need to promote the great heritage of History, Art, Culture, Environment and Traditions found in small Italian towns which are, for the most part, cut off from the flow of visitors and tourists. / —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-——- Bobbio Bobbio is a small town and commune in the province of Piacenza in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy. It is located in the Trebbia River valley southwest of the town Piacenza. Known to the ancients as Bobium or Ebovium, it underwent many settlements from the Neolithic Age up to the contemporary one. Several archaeological finds testify to the presence of Liguri, Boii (Gauls of Celtic origin), and from the fourteenth century B.C. the Romans. But the history of Bobbio is tied to the existence of the Abbey founded in 614 by the Irish monk Saint Columbanus (It. Colombano), who received this district from the Longobard King Agilulf. Bobbio Abbey increased its possessions and became one of the principal seats of culture and religion of Northern Italy and a center of learning during the Middle Ages, and was renowned for its famous Scriptorium and Library, in the 10th century there were 700 codes; but its decline in the 15th century led to the dispersal of the library. The monastery was officially suppressed by the French in 1803. This monastery is in part the model for the great monastery in Umberto Eco’s novel The Name of the Rose Nikon D100 Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4,5-5,6 IF-ED
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