Circo Massimo

Sunrise, 2014

Reutlingen, Germany

A visit to the city that houses the Methodist Theological Seminary in Germany

Reutlingen, Germany

A visit to the city that houses the Methodist Theological Seminary in Germany

Reutlingen, Germany

A visit to the city that houses the Methodist Theological Seminary in Germany

Reutlingen, Germany

A visit to the city that houses the Methodist Theological Seminary in Germany

A quiet Lane

A Quiet Spot in Yvoire Yvoire is a small town (pop. about 800) on the French shore of Lake Geneva. It is a reconstructed medieval town, hosting several hundred thousand tourists annually. It is known for its floral arrangements on all houses. Rare, indeed, to find a street without tourists. The Chateau, originally from the middle ages, burned in the 16th century and was reconstructed in the early 20th century. It is privately owned.

Postcard

Greetings from Yvoire, France. This shot of street lights impressed me as something you would send a friend. Old lighting, medieval walls, flowers, blue sky.

Yvoire et environs

The view from Yvoire Yvoire is a medieval city in France on the shore of Lake Geneva. Some people still live there, but the town lives from tourists. It has its own harbor. The far shore is Switzerland. A 14-shot stitch. And many thanks for ranking yesterday's eagle shot in the top five for the day.

Typical Yvoire

In contrast to my previous shot, this 'documentation shot' shows the typical street scene in Yvoire - lots of places to shop and eat, and plenty of people doing both. The church itself was originally built in the 11th century but rebuilt several times. The present tower was constructed in 1854.

Cirque du Fer a Cheval

The northern side of this 'horse shoe' shaped part of the French Haute Savoie Alps. Wonderful hiking trails. My wife and I got this far on the gravel paths. Somehow the grandeur is missing from this shot. If you go in spring, you can hear the snow and rocks falling and see eagles. In high summer, most of the waterfalls have disappeared.

Roman Pyramid

Roman Pyramid The burial pyramid for Gaius Cestius - built in the second decade BCE. This is the top half - the bottom half is hidden because of restoration work that started in 2013.

Four Rivers

Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi The "Four Rivers" fountain on Piazza Navona in Rome was designed by Bernini and finished in 1651, symbolizing the four continents where there was papal influence. And for you Dan Brown fans, I found no cardinal in the pool, nor could I say which direction the dove on the top is pointing.

Aqueduct

Roman Aqueduct In my attempts to avoid tourists in Rome, I spent yesterday morning in the Parco degli Acquedotti in the southern part of Rome. This one was about 70 km long, built almost 2000 years ago. The park is frequented by joggers and cyclers. The site has been used in several Italian films.

sunrise

Buon giorno! Sunrise over the Palatine Hill in Rome.

Rome

Guess where I am! I have some time off from working, so am seeing the sights. Difficult to get shots without tourists in the picture.

Annecy, France

Annecy, France: "Last Ride"

Annecy, France

Annecy, France

Annecy, France

Annecy, France

Annecy, France

September Afternoon 2012-09-28 in the town of Annecy, France. The view is along the 'marina' towards the city hall in the background. Annecy is in the French Alps, about an hour south of Geneva. The old town and shore (along Lac d'Annecy) have a very strong feeling of early 20th century, especially on a warm autumn day. A few other views of Annecy can be seen in my Europe gallery: http://www.jerrybarton.eu/Landscapes/Other-Europe/ Many thanks for the comments on Shakespeare's fountain.

Temple 2012-07-06 A bit of tonal contrast to bring out the details. This is an exhibition of enterprise - the Galeries Lafayette in Paris, still (or again) going strong. Finished in 1912, it was built in French Art Nouveau style, with a huge glass and steel dome. [I didn't purchase anything]. Thanks for all the thoughtful comments on yesterday's picture.

Gurgelers and Gargoyles 2012-07-04 Detail from the Cathedral Notre Dame de Paris.

Ah, Paris! 2012-07-05 Why are the quays along the Seine so romantic? Or is it just that young people have nowhere else to go? This shot shows the eastern tip of the Île Saint-Louis. Many thanks for the comments on yesterday's picture of gargoyles. As some people noted, there was a 'tad' of pp to bring out the outlines. I added a sketch layer, since the stones were mostly the same color.

Nighttime 2012-06-30 Another shot of the Eiffel Tower. Taken on the corner near my hotel. And yes, the young lady stood there taking a picture for the whole 30 seconds of the exposure.

Guess where I am! 2012-06-29 Actually I've been here all week, but sitting in meetings all day long. This shot was taken approx. midnight - isn't it wonderful that pairs are resting on the grass. The Eiffel Tower was actually sparkling - which can't be captured in a 30 second exposure. There are very few such iconic constructions in the world.

The high pulpit, added to the gothic chancel in the 11th century.

Gargoyle 2011-08-14 This monkey adorns the gothic chancel of the Aachen Cathedral. It was added to the original octagonal chapel in the 14th century, as more and more pilgrims came to Aachen. Looking at the picture, I think this is a recent (1980s?) replica. After all, a cathedral is a permanent construction site. And thanks to both of you who found yesterday's picture and commented.

Adam, a figure on the outside of the gothic addition.

John the baptist, on the outside of the gothic addition.

Chandelier 2011-08-13 This bronze chandelier was added to the Aachen cathedral in the 12th century, at the beafication of Charlemagne. The small enclosures used to hold figures that have been lost. It crowns the original octogan chapel. Thanks for the wonderful comments on yesterday's mosaic picture! much appreciated.

A detail from the ceiling of the octagonal Pfalz Chapel, as it leads to the entrance.

A detail from the ceiling of the octagonal Pfalz Chapel.

The high chancel, in the gothic addition. Over 1000 square meters of stained glass windows, often replaced - the last time after the end of the second world war. The case holds the holy reliquaries, opened once every seven years.

A detail from the ceiling of the octagonal Pfalz Chapel.

Good Morning! I have no idea why a rooster is part of the ceiling mosaic in the Aachen Cathedral, but it is. According to the book we have, it is there as a "symbol of vigilance". This part of the cathedral was finished in 800. The mosaics were redone mid-19th century from original plans. This part of the cathedral was Charlemagne's chapel. And thanks for yesterday's comments. Yes, indeed, shooting through glass is a pain.

A detail from the ceiling of the octagonal Pfalz Chapel.

Charlemagne (Karl der Große) 2011-08-11 Charlemagne (742 - 814) was king of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor. He is credited with starting the French and German lines of kings, and was the first to unify Europe. His seat was at Aachen (Aix la Chapelle). In the cathedral treasury they have his bust, shown here. The top of the bust opens - the top of his skull is stored inside. The bust is from 1349, and the crown was worn by Charles IV. Oh, and I nearly forgot to add great thanks for yesterday's comments - the shot landed in the top ten! [This shot is from the same museum]

The Pala d'Oro in Aachen (Aix la Chapelle) 2011-08-09 Created around the year 1000, it decorates the front of the altar in the Aachen cathedral. In the middle is Christ. The twelve panels tell his story from entering Jerusalem to the women finding the empty grave. The four circles hold the symbols of the four evangelists. Many many thanks for your numerous and excellent comments on yesterday's "beggar" sculpture. Very very appreciated. Thanks. A great community.

Lock 2011-08-10 The cathedral in Aachen (Aix le Chapelle) has several holy relics. These are kept locked away on shown only during the pilgrimage that takes place once every seven years. The case is locked with an ornate lock that is not unlocked but broken and replaced at each pilgrimage. This is one of those locks, displayed in the Treasury. The case has a mirror so you can see the back side as well. This shot is definitely not SOOC. Slightly rotated and the color balance adjusted, but most of the work was removing the dust. Thanks for yesterday's comments. Yes, the exposure was tricky on yesterday's shot - but the main problem was to find a shooting location where the overhead lights did not reflect off the gold.

Der Dom zu Aachen - Aachen Cathedral Here one sees the original octagonal Pfalz Chapel (a.d. 800), a bit of the later gothic chancel on the right, and the bell tower added over the original entrance on the left. The Chapel was Charlemagne's chapel. The Cathedral is where all German kings have been crowned.

Begging - one of the figures of a sculpture "Der Kreislauf des Geldes" [The circulation of money] at a fountain in downtown Aachen (Aix la Chapelle), Germany. Thanks to all of you who have found my pictures in the last week or so. Your comments are highly appreciated.

View to the Burg St. Sebastian church and the city hall Nürnberg, Germany

Schöner Brunnen Nürnberg, Germany First built in 1396, then restored and copied. Stands on the main market square.