Sfax's bastions Photo

Photographer’s Note

Sfax's bastions

In short, a Kasbah is an official fortified residence, often defended by armed guards. It can be the dwelling of a sovereign (for example the Tunis Kasbah, not much of which has survived) or that of the representative of authority in a province. By extension, the word has come to designate the quarter adjoining the building.
In fact, all North African towns have their Kasbah. Their use spread in the XIIth century under the Almohad dynasty established in present day Morocco. In time, they were integrated into larger defensive works comprising fortifications and ramparts. This is the case, particularly, of the Sfax Kasbah that today is a monument flanked by two towers and an artillery bastion dating to the XVIth century and is located in the continuity of the city walls.
The Kasbah was painstakingly restored and has now recovered its original majesty.

Sfax

Sfax (Arabic: صفاقس‎, Safaqis, or /sfa:qs/ in Tunisian Arabic, whence the French name) is a city in Tunisia, located 270 km (168 miles) southeast of Tunis. The city, founded in AD 849 on the ruins of Taparura and Thaenae, is the capital of the Sfax governorate, and a Mediterranean port on the Gulf of Gabes. Sfax has population of 340,000 (2005), and is an industrial center for processing phosphates. The city is often described as Tunisia's Second city, because only Tunis has more inhabitants.

History

By the end of the 10th century Sfax had become an independent city state. The city was conquered by Roger of Sicily in 1148 and occupied until it was liberated in 1156 by local forces, and was briefly occupied by European forces again, this time by the Spanish, in the 16th century. Sfax became an integral base of the Barbary piracy, prompting an unsuccessful invasion by Venice in 1785. In the late 19th century Sfax and the rest of Tunisia were conquered by France and incorporated into the French empire. During World War II, the Axis powers used the city as a major base until they were defeated by British forces. After World War II, Tunisia was returned to France only to gain independence in 1956. (Source: patrimoinedetunisie.com & wikipedia)

saxo042, vasilpro, paura, subhendu_bagchi, jlbrthnn, leonorkuhn, Royaldevon, asajernigan, Gerrit, ChrisJ, Graal, Cretense, mikolaj_kawa has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

saxo042 (16316) 2009-09-19 2:33

Hi George,
This is really a very special and quite different architecture. This picture is certainly very well composed and the colours are outstanding. The addition of flowers and green vegetation are a very good bonus here!
Kind regards
Gunnar

paura (39376) 2009-09-19 2:38

George,
O lugar é muito lindo, com pitorescos detalhes arquitetônicos e você o mostra com a costumeira compet~encia fotográfica. Muito bom, amigo.

Abraço

Paulo

vasilpro (9497) 2009-09-19 2:40

Hello George,
Wonderful composition from a very good POV, I like the "step" presentation of these buildings, a lot.
Have a nice WE, Vasilis.

snunney (35522) 2009-09-19 2:49

Hello George,
The flowered border makes an attractive frame and contrasts well with the golden tones of the walls. I like also the presence of the people who bring a touch of vitality and a sense of scale. Very good colours and sharpness.

subhendu_bagchi (3540) 2009-09-19 3:01

Namaste George,
beautiful execution of this elegant construction with vertical framing. Nice light management even in such light. Colours are great . Inclusion of the man provides life here. The trees and flowers are nicely contrasted with the golden architecture. Great job.
Have a great weekend.
Subhendu

jlbrthnn (39039) 2009-09-19 3:32

Hello George,
The typical flowers and plants are a superb element of presentation of this fortress. The ocher color is a beautiful intermediary between the green and blue. Framing and the point of view create a very marked effect of depth. The light and clearness are perfect. Excellent realization. Congratulations.
Have a nice day.
Cordially.
Joël

npecanhuk (14756) 2009-09-19 4:58

Hello George!
Very beautiful and pleasant picture!
I really like the details of those walls and those plants to adorn them! The man back there gives us a very good sense of scale!
TFS - congratulations!
Have a great week-end!
Neyvan

leonorkuhn (14071) 2009-09-19 6:27

Hi George,

Splendid composition, with the Kasbah surrounded by palm trees and flowers. The architecture of the walls is very interesting, should serve to further protect. Very good sense of depth, great colors, light and sharpness.

Have a nice weekend
Leonor

Royaldevon (5944) 2009-09-19 6:39

Hello George,

What a fine composition. The receding turrets of the fortified wall make a fine diagonal across the frame where they meet the converging lines of the path. They give a great sense of perspective and with the inclusion of the people for scale, they have a sense of importance.
The focus is sharp and the details interesting. A great shot.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

ymrk (9168) 2009-09-19 8:03

i have specially communed these attractive colors of flowers George...Good buildings looks,have a nice week end!

Y.

asajernigan (14304) 2009-09-19 12:38

George,
This is a fine shot of the bastions. The palms and flowers provide excellent contrast for the yellow hue of the bastion walls. The road leads the eye through the shot nicely and the man adds a good sense of scale for the scene.
TFS,
Asa

Gerrit (36313) 2009-09-19 16:12

Hi George,
Beautiful old walls and the red flowers form a great foreground element.
regards, Gerrit

ChrisJ (70443) 2009-09-19 21:31

Hi George

Good warm cold colour contrasts, between the yellow ochre facades of the buildings & the blue sky. Excellent choice of a vertical frame. The fg purple flowers at right add a nice splash of vibrant colour. Tfs!

jjcordier (25256) 2009-09-19 23:13

George
Très beau cadrage de ces impressionnants remparts de la médina qui font remonter tant de souvenirs dans ma mémoire!
Amicalement
JJ

jurek1951 (26162) 2009-09-19 23:26

Hi George,

Really very nice your architecture photos this one is very sharp and very well composed.Beautiful sky.Beautiful colours and detail.
Georg

Graal (58786) 2009-09-19 23:52

Jó napot George,
amazing old walls of bastions, another interesting place and presentation from Tunesia. Good composition and well done photo.
Have a nice sunday.
Gr., Aleksander

ifege (1985) 2009-09-20 3:08

Another good photo from Tunisia George, great colour and composition with the harshness of the walls off-set by the green plants.
cheers
Ian

Cretense (57010) 2009-09-20 3:43

Hello George!

Very impressive perspective in this excellent architecture photo! Great framing and composition, flawless light managment, brilliant colours and amazing definition!

Hercules

carper (65742) 2009-09-20 11:01

very nice one George,
a good pov here fine composition and a fine quality job, have a nice evening.
regard jaap

mikolaj_kawa (31335) 2009-09-21 0:25

Hello George! Wonderful defensive walls, amazing flowers, good scene, very nice light and colours. Original picture. Good luck!

sacavem (8525) 2009-09-21 7:17

Olá georgr,

Bonita perspectiva e bom uso da foto na vertical. A arquitectura deste castelo é muito diferente do que se pode observar na Europa, onde predomina o granito.Bom pov e cor. TFS

Um abraço,
Filipe

gildasjan (24149) 2009-09-25 6:57

Bonjour George
Je passe ici également.Une très belle réussite cette image avec le premier plan superbement fleuri.
bonne journée
Amicalement
gildas