Dominique’s old stones (mostly)
- Thread starter Blue439
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Blue439
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Gone fishing (2015)
Coastal fishing installation on the Adriatic coast of southern Italy, near Peschici. Supplemented of course by the usual seaview restaurant where tourists will usually be charged stupendous amounts for (admittedly) often delicious seafood.
Nikon D810, Nikkor 300mm, ƒ/4 PF E lens, handheld.
Coastal fishing installation on the Adriatic coast of southern Italy, near Peschici. Supplemented of course by the usual seaview restaurant where tourists will usually be charged stupendous amounts for (admittedly) often delicious seafood.
Nikon D810, Nikkor 300mm, ƒ/4 PF E lens, handheld.
Blue439
New member
The strangest Mediæval castle that ever was (2015)
Castel del Monte in southern Italy is undoubtedly the strangest and most enigmatic Mediæval castle I have ever seen. Built during the 1200s by the Holy Emperor Frederick II von Hohenstaufen himself, it is perfectly symmetrical, beautifully harmonious to behold, and utterly devoid of any drawbridge or moat: it may have had no true defensive purpose at all. It is a highly symbolic building and most historians believe the Emperor designed it himself. Its true purpose is not known.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
They say that over the centuries, the castle has been pillaged and that most of the adornments have been taken away. While that is certainly true, the few examples of statuary that remain show an amazing level of modernity and realism, and a technique I have never seen anywhere else in a Mediæval building, religious or civilian —which is why I feel compelled to include a second “photo of the day” below to give you an example.
Both shots by Nikon D810 and Nikkor G lenses, the top one 24mm, ƒ/1.4, and the bottom 85mm, ƒ/1.4. Handheld.
Castel del Monte in southern Italy is undoubtedly the strangest and most enigmatic Mediæval castle I have ever seen. Built during the 1200s by the Holy Emperor Frederick II von Hohenstaufen himself, it is perfectly symmetrical, beautifully harmonious to behold, and utterly devoid of any drawbridge or moat: it may have had no true defensive purpose at all. It is a highly symbolic building and most historians believe the Emperor designed it himself. Its true purpose is not known.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
They say that over the centuries, the castle has been pillaged and that most of the adornments have been taken away. While that is certainly true, the few examples of statuary that remain show an amazing level of modernity and realism, and a technique I have never seen anywhere else in a Mediæval building, religious or civilian —which is why I feel compelled to include a second “photo of the day” below to give you an example.
Both shots by Nikon D810 and Nikkor G lenses, the top one 24mm, ƒ/1.4, and the bottom 85mm, ƒ/1.4. Handheld.
Robin W
Senior Member
I really like this one, it just draws your eyes to the center and makes you want to look at the rest of it.
Blue439
New member
Thank you Robin! Tuscany is indeed a lovely place. And I’m not even going to begin talking about the food...
Two nights in a trullo (2015)
In July and August 2015, we spent a few weeks touring the southern Italian provinces of Basilicata, Puglia and Campania. The town of Alberobello (literally, “Beautiful Tree”) in Puglia is home to the trulli, those cute–looking, adorable little traditional dwellings that were already built thousands of years ago. Made of, and covered with, stone, they remain quite cool even during the hottest southern Italian Summer days. The main drawback is that not a lot of light is allowed in... Some are for rent to tourists as accommodation. We slept two nights in one, and it was fun!
Alberobello and its trulli are protected under the UNESCO World Heritage label.
Nikon D810, Nikkor 85mm, ƒ/1.4 G lens, handheld.
Blue439
New member
A Mediæval castle with all creature comforts (2016)
The Mediæval castle of Montbrun, in the province of Limousin (central France), was built during the 1100s, and substantially remodeled in the 15th century. It is ideally located next to a nice lake and in the middle of a very nice park.
During the 1990s, it was bought by a Dutchman who outfitted it with the most modern creature comforts, including elevators. It was for sale around 2010. No buyer was found at the time, perhaps the asking price was too high. I haven’t followed up on it since.
Nikon D810, Nikkor 24mm, ƒ/14.4 G lens, handheld.
The Mediæval castle of Montbrun, in the province of Limousin (central France), was built during the 1100s, and substantially remodeled in the 15th century. It is ideally located next to a nice lake and in the middle of a very nice park.
During the 1990s, it was bought by a Dutchman who outfitted it with the most modern creature comforts, including elevators. It was for sale around 2010. No buyer was found at the time, perhaps the asking price was too high. I haven’t followed up on it since.
Nikon D810, Nikkor 24mm, ƒ/14.4 G lens, handheld.
Blue439
New member
On the high plateau around Mount Lozère (2016)
A humble Mediæval bridge near L’Aubaret, somewhere on the high plateau (above 1,200 meters of altitude) surrounding Mount Lozère. One of the less densely populated regions of France...
Nikon D810, Nikkor 35mm, ƒ/1.4 G lens, handheld.
A humble Mediæval bridge near L’Aubaret, somewhere on the high plateau (above 1,200 meters of altitude) surrounding Mount Lozère. One of the less densely populated regions of France...
Nikon D810, Nikkor 35mm, ƒ/1.4 G lens, handheld.
Blue439
New member
Roman remains: the Aqueduct of the Gier (2023)
For about twelve years, I drove every morning through the village of Chaponost (near Lyon) while going to the office, with hardly more than a cursory glance at the remains of the Gallo-Roman aqueduct. As this remarkable monument is currently about to be restored thanks to funding by the Fondation du Patrimoine, for which I work as a pro bono photographer, I was requested to go and take some photos of it.
This aqueduct is one of the four that brought fresh water to the city of Lyon during Roman times, and the longest of the four, with its 85 kilometers. Built during the 1st century CE, its impressive ruins were listed as Historic Landmarks in various steps from 1875 until 1986. It is very interesting to study its structure: inside, the blocage, i.e., a mix of rubble and pebbles held together with mortar, and on the outside, a decorative apparel of thin bricks and small square stones arranged in opus reticulatum. It wasn’t just a purely utilitarian construction; it also had to look good.
This steeply climbing part of the aqueduct is a goose neck or U–bend allowing the water to cross over a river valley (to the right) and climb back up to the normal level of the aqueduct, which has been designed to offer a slight incline to bring the water to its destination.
Nikon Z7 II, Nikkor 19mm, ƒ/4 PC-E tilt-shift lens, manual focus, FTZ II adapter. Gitzo tripod, Benro geared head.
For about twelve years, I drove every morning through the village of Chaponost (near Lyon) while going to the office, with hardly more than a cursory glance at the remains of the Gallo-Roman aqueduct. As this remarkable monument is currently about to be restored thanks to funding by the Fondation du Patrimoine, for which I work as a pro bono photographer, I was requested to go and take some photos of it.
This aqueduct is one of the four that brought fresh water to the city of Lyon during Roman times, and the longest of the four, with its 85 kilometers. Built during the 1st century CE, its impressive ruins were listed as Historic Landmarks in various steps from 1875 until 1986. It is very interesting to study its structure: inside, the blocage, i.e., a mix of rubble and pebbles held together with mortar, and on the outside, a decorative apparel of thin bricks and small square stones arranged in opus reticulatum. It wasn’t just a purely utilitarian construction; it also had to look good.
This steeply climbing part of the aqueduct is a goose neck or U–bend allowing the water to cross over a river valley (to the right) and climb back up to the normal level of the aqueduct, which has been designed to offer a slight incline to bring the water to its destination.
Nikon Z7 II, Nikkor 19mm, ƒ/4 PC-E tilt-shift lens, manual focus, FTZ II adapter. Gitzo tripod, Benro geared head.
Blue439
New member
Building a Mediæval castle in the 21st century (2016)
Guédelon in Burgundy is a special place: it is where, since 1995, the project to build a Mediæval castle, with period techniques, tools and materials, began.
Construction has been going for three decades now. Of course, they don’t go very fast —it is safe to say that, with at most 40 workers on–site, they even go quite slowly, but that’s because they receive visitors and rake in entry fees and other assorted expenses, and probably think that most of that money will dry up once the castle is built and can only compete with “genuine” ones, with no particular added value...
We visited the site in 2016 and it is indeed very interesting to see those modern–day workers using (almost) only period tools, materials and techniques... Of course, a keen eye (and even more so a Mediævalist’s) will spot a few not–so–Mediæval aids being used here and there (the funniest one I spotted was a laser pointer being used in lieu of a level), but in the whole, it is a fairly honest representation of what building a castle in the Middle Ages would have involved. Very educational, especially for kids.
Nikon D810, Nikkor 24mm, ƒ/1.4 G lens, handheld.
Guédelon in Burgundy is a special place: it is where, since 1995, the project to build a Mediæval castle, with period techniques, tools and materials, began.
Construction has been going for three decades now. Of course, they don’t go very fast —it is safe to say that, with at most 40 workers on–site, they even go quite slowly, but that’s because they receive visitors and rake in entry fees and other assorted expenses, and probably think that most of that money will dry up once the castle is built and can only compete with “genuine” ones, with no particular added value...
We visited the site in 2016 and it is indeed very interesting to see those modern–day workers using (almost) only period tools, materials and techniques... Of course, a keen eye (and even more so a Mediævalist’s) will spot a few not–so–Mediæval aids being used here and there (the funniest one I spotted was a laser pointer being used in lieu of a level), but in the whole, it is a fairly honest representation of what building a castle in the Middle Ages would have involved. Very educational, especially for kids.
Nikon D810, Nikkor 24mm, ƒ/1.4 G lens, handheld.
Blue439
New member
A remarkable church in Burgundy (2016)
This is the church of Saint Peter and saint Paul in the village of Moutier. As the name’s etymology suggests, there was a monastery here, and an ancient one, as it seems to have been founded in the 700s. The oldest parts of the church are from before Year 1000, but remodelings took place until the 1400s.
The front part, which some call a narthex and others a caquetoire (a very funny name meaning literally “cackling place”, a sheltered anteroom where people could chatter and prattle about village things before entering the church proper, or after Mass), is from the 1200s and architecturally unique.
Between the monastery of the 700s and the erection of the caquetoire, the place had first become (as early as 868) a priory of the Saint Germain Abbey in Auxerre; then, the current church was built as a parish church, next to the institution’s buildings. It is mentioned as early as 990. During restoration works in 1982, splendid late 1100s alfresco paintings (see below) were discovered, which rank among the finest ones in all of Burgundy.
Nikon D810, Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm, ƒ/2.8 lens, manual focus. Handheld, natural light.
Nikon D810, Nikkor 85mm, ƒ/1.4 G lens. Handheld, natural light.
This is the church of Saint Peter and saint Paul in the village of Moutier. As the name’s etymology suggests, there was a monastery here, and an ancient one, as it seems to have been founded in the 700s. The oldest parts of the church are from before Year 1000, but remodelings took place until the 1400s.
The front part, which some call a narthex and others a caquetoire (a very funny name meaning literally “cackling place”, a sheltered anteroom where people could chatter and prattle about village things before entering the church proper, or after Mass), is from the 1200s and architecturally unique.
Between the monastery of the 700s and the erection of the caquetoire, the place had first become (as early as 868) a priory of the Saint Germain Abbey in Auxerre; then, the current church was built as a parish church, next to the institution’s buildings. It is mentioned as early as 990. During restoration works in 1982, splendid late 1100s alfresco paintings (see below) were discovered, which rank among the finest ones in all of Burgundy.
Nikon D810, Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm, ƒ/2.8 lens, manual focus. Handheld, natural light.
Nikon D810, Nikkor 85mm, ƒ/1.4 G lens. Handheld, natural light.
Blue439
New member
A deserted marina... easy to see why ! (2015)
The harbor at Gallipoli, near the very tip of the heel of the Italian “boot”. It’s not a surprise to see such a nice harbor completely empty: if they leave large rocks in the middle, it’s understandable boat owners do not feel very safe tying up there...
Nikon D810, Carl Zeiss Apo-Sonnar T* 135mm, ƒ/2 ZF.2 lens, manual focus, handheld.
The harbor at Gallipoli, near the very tip of the heel of the Italian “boot”. It’s not a surprise to see such a nice harbor completely empty: if they leave large rocks in the middle, it’s understandable boat owners do not feel very safe tying up there...
Nikon D810, Carl Zeiss Apo-Sonnar T* 135mm, ƒ/2 ZF.2 lens, manual focus, handheld.
Blue439
New member
Do you live in a cave? (2015)
The city of Matera in Basilicata (southern Italy) includes a network of centuries-old troglodyte dwellings called the sassi. In the 1950s, they were an object of shame for Italy and had to be evacuated as a result of unhealthy living conditions. Since then, they have been overhauled and rehabilitated, and today Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a very good example of how a concerted and lasting effort can eventually turn around an apparently hopeless situation.
Nikon D810, Nikkor 300mm, ƒ/4 PF ED VR Phase Fresnel lens, handheld.
The city of Matera in Basilicata (southern Italy) includes a network of centuries-old troglodyte dwellings called the sassi. In the 1950s, they were an object of shame for Italy and had to be evacuated as a result of unhealthy living conditions. Since then, they have been overhauled and rehabilitated, and today Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a very good example of how a concerted and lasting effort can eventually turn around an apparently hopeless situation.
Nikon D810, Nikkor 300mm, ƒ/4 PF ED VR Phase Fresnel lens, handheld.
Blue439
New member
Brienza, Basilicata, southern Italy (2015)
The village of Brienza is located in a particularly mountainous part of Basilicata. Overlooked by its Mediæval castle, it is an interesting place to visit. Approaching it from the South allows gorgeous viewpoints on the old sheet wall that went around the whole place in the Middle Ages, and looks like a miniature China Wall. Surely wasn't easy to defend, though, and probably required more troops than what the village would be able to supply in times of crisis...
Nikon D810, Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 135mm, ƒ/2 ZF.2 lens, manual focus. Handheld.
The village of Brienza is located in a particularly mountainous part of Basilicata. Overlooked by its Mediæval castle, it is an interesting place to visit. Approaching it from the South allows gorgeous viewpoints on the old sheet wall that went around the whole place in the Middle Ages, and looks like a miniature China Wall. Surely wasn't easy to defend, though, and probably required more troops than what the village would be able to supply in times of crisis...
Nikon D810, Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 135mm, ƒ/2 ZF.2 lens, manual focus. Handheld.
Blue439
New member
L’Herm Castle (2017)
The L’Herm Castle in the Périgord region of France (that’s to the SW of the country, within the greater region of Aquitaine) was built during the 16th century, it is therefore not Mediæval. However, and in spite of some elements and decorations in the Renaissance style, it retains a general appearance that is decidedly Mediæval, making it an exception for a time during which rich lords aspired to create much less austere–looking abodes... Today mostly a romantic–looking ruin, it also has a somewhat troubled history: there were some murders, it seems, and there could still be a ghost... Not necessarily a place you want to hang around alone on a dark night —or even not so dark a one— but definitely a memorable sight to behold... during the day.
Nikon D810, Nikkor 19mm, ƒ/4 PC-E tilt-shift lens, handheld. Natural light.
The L’Herm Castle in the Périgord region of France (that’s to the SW of the country, within the greater region of Aquitaine) was built during the 16th century, it is therefore not Mediæval. However, and in spite of some elements and decorations in the Renaissance style, it retains a general appearance that is decidedly Mediæval, making it an exception for a time during which rich lords aspired to create much less austere–looking abodes... Today mostly a romantic–looking ruin, it also has a somewhat troubled history: there were some murders, it seems, and there could still be a ghost...
Not necessarily a place you want to hang around alone on a dark night —or even not so dark a one— but definitely a memorable sight to behold... during the day. Nikon D810, Nikkor 19mm, ƒ/4 PC-E tilt-shift lens, handheld. Natural light.
Blue439
New member
Ladies in Waiting (2015)
In July and August 2015, we spent a few weeks touring the southern Italian provinces of Basilicata, Puglia and Campania. A Summer shower broke as we were about to start our visit of the Pæstum Temples site and we sought shelter under the wide sun umbrellas of the terrace of a nearby watering hole (which was a good excuse for another small gelato). Then, a couple of ladies, obviously all dressed up for a wedding, but only equipped with a woefully inadequate (and consequently torn) umbrella, arrived on high heels and rushed in, precariously balanced and dripping wet... They sheltered there, utterly angry and disappointed in their fancy but stained silk dresses, until the shower went away. Somehow they seemed to hold the innkeeper responsible for the rain and the damage it caused to their attire.
Nikon D810, Carl Zeiss Apo-Sonnar T* 135mm, ƒ/2 ZF.2 lens, manual focus. Handheld.
In July and August 2015, we spent a few weeks touring the southern Italian provinces of Basilicata, Puglia and Campania. A Summer shower broke as we were about to start our visit of the Pæstum Temples site and we sought shelter under the wide sun umbrellas of the terrace of a nearby watering hole (which was a good excuse for another small gelato). Then, a couple of ladies, obviously all dressed up for a wedding, but only equipped with a woefully inadequate (and consequently torn) umbrella, arrived on high heels and rushed in, precariously balanced and dripping wet... They sheltered there, utterly angry and disappointed in their fancy but stained silk dresses, until the shower went away. Somehow they seemed to hold the innkeeper responsible for the rain and the damage it caused to their attire.
Nikon D810, Carl Zeiss Apo-Sonnar T* 135mm, ƒ/2 ZF.2 lens, manual focus. Handheld.