1200 year old fortress of Monastir Photo

Photographer’s Note

1200 year old fortress of Monastir

This is the oldest and most important defensive work to have been built along the North African coastline by the Arab conquerors in the early days of Islam.
Founded in 796, this building underwent several modifications during the medieval period. Initially, it formed a quadrilateral and then was composed of four buildings giving onto two inner courtyards.
A spiral stair of about a hundred steps leads to the watchtower form the top of which visual messages were exchanged at night with the towers of neighbouring Ribats and from which visitors can admire a superb view over the city of Monastir and the open sea.
In the summer the Ribat houses various events that are part of the international festival of Monastir.

Monastir

Monastir (Arabic: المـنسـتير‎ al-munastîr, from Latin monasterium), called (mi’stir) in Tunisian Arabic, (20 km south of Sousse; 162 km south of Tunis), is a city on the central shore of Tunisia, in the Sahel area.

Monastir city in eastern Tunisia. It lies at the tip of a small peninsula protruding into the Mediterranean Sea between the Gulf of Hammamet and the Bay of Al-Munastīr. The ruins of Ruspinum, a Phoenician and Roman settlement, are 3 miles (5 km) to the west of the city. Monastir is now a port and, with adjacent Saqānis (Skanes), forms a fashionable beach resort complex that is served by an international airport. Its industries include textile milling (especially wool) and the manufacture of salt, soap, and olive oil. The city has a noted ribat (monastery-fortress), founded in 180 ce, to which it owes its name; also in the city are several old mosques and a modern mosque that was completed in 1968 and dedicated to Tunisia’s first president, Habib Bourguiba, who was born in Monastir. Benefiting from Bourguiba’s patronage, Monastir enjoyed considerable development, including a modern marina. In 2000 Bourguiba was buried at Monastir in his family mausoleum. Pop. (2004) 71,546. (Source: Britannica Encyclopedia & Wikipedis & Looklex-Tunisia)

besnard, snunney, Gerrit, asajernigan, vasilpro, ChrisJ, jlbrthnn, paura, JanD has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

npecanhuk (14652) 2009-10-14 2:37

Hello George!
Quite interesting architecture! Very beautiful photograph!
Sharpness, exposure, dof and colors are excellent!
The pov was very well chosen and composition is effective and attractive! I specially enjoyed that you placed the old fortress and the modern car in the picture, because that meant a very good contrast!
TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan

jurek1951 (26136) 2009-10-14 2:37

Hi George,
Very interesting architecture. Original POV and composition. Very good shot. Well done
Georg

besnard (31064) 2009-10-14 2:45

Bonjour George
Un joli cliché de cette forteresse qui a l'air d'avoir traversé les siècles sans dommage.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

snunney (35464) 2009-10-14 3:32

Hello George,
A very good point of view on this impressive fortress. The surrounding greenery and palm trees make a pleasing tonal contrast.

Gerrit (36259) 2009-10-14 4:01

Hi George,
impressive old fort. Good frame,
regards, Gerrit

BeBeHooker (6020) 2009-10-14 4:04

Hi George!
Wonderful architecture and wonderful history. Good shot and very good info. Nice frame.
Cheers!

asajernigan (14284) 2009-10-14 4:06

George,
The architecture is great here and you have presented it nicely. The road leads the eye into the shot but I think I would have cropped out some of the foreground (see WS). The lighting and colors are great and the photo has nice shaprness.
TFS,
Asa

[workshop] [compare]

serp2000 (9675) 2009-10-14 4:22

Hi, George,
Hmmm, impressive information. Excellent shot, great colors and details! My congrats!
Serghei

TopGeo (22205) 2009-10-14 4:25

Hi George,Excellent moment with good BG!
Very interesting architecture of castle. Original POV and composition with perspective.A very good place of view on this impressive fortress The lighting and colors are great Very good shot. Well done
Regards
Georgios

vasilpro (9397) 2009-10-14 9:10

Hello George,
A very good perspective to your composition from this POV, a beautiful photo with very nice contrast and colors.
Have a nice evening, Vasilis.

ChrisJ (70443) 2009-10-14 10:13

Hi George

I like the warm cold colour contrast, of both the red & white striped kerb, & the yellow ochre building, against the blue sky. Good sharpness & well composed. Congratulations!

ymrk (9105) 2009-10-14 10:31

a great photoangle dear George.taking to capture of taxi is almost greatly!
Take care!

Yağmur

jlbrthnn (38897) 2009-10-14 11:50

Good evening george,
The climate of North Africa is favorable to the conservation of constructions. The image describes this interesting so old monument very well. As always, framing is excellent, clearness is perfect. Cheer.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

lousat (16052) 2009-10-14 12:24

Hi George,every time i see the fort of Monastir i have a bad situation to remember..when i was there was closed..aaaaahhh!! Just pics like that from the street,and your is another beautiful prspective whit the usual great quality! My best compliments,have a nice day,LUCIANO

paura (39202) 2009-10-14 14:57

George,
Uma beleza de post aqui, amigo, com interessante nota e linda fotografia. Lindo trabalho.

Abraço

Paulo

hay_kes (28562) 2009-10-14 23:06

Hi George,
Very beautiful postcard indeed.Great POV, colours and perspective.TFS.
Cheers,

hAyAti

francio64 (11718) 2009-10-15 1:42

Ciao George,
questa fortezza ha 1200 anni?
Incredibile lo stato di conservazione oserei dire: "perfetto".
Sembra molto, ma molto più recente.
Bello il contrasto con il cielo.

TFS!
Francesco

ifege (1979) 2009-10-15 2:25

A great shot on the Pentax George,
A simple shot with great POV, sharpness and good colours (especially the sky).
cheers
Ian

carper (65622) 2009-10-15 9:32

very nice and original George,
good balance, fine composition, good details fine photo job here, have a good evening.
regard jaap

Silvio1953 (42769) 2009-10-15 12:10

Ciao George, great view of wonderful fortress, good POV, excellent clarity, splendid light and colors, very well done, ciao Silvio

JanD (15043) 2009-10-16 1:13

Howdy Budapestman!
Amazing shot, amazing architecture, wonderful light and bright, superb colors.
Regards.