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Medieval street in Tallinn


Medieval street in Tallinn
Photo Information
Copyright: George Rumpler (Budapestman) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3701 W: 0 N: 6648] (23729)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-09
Categories: Daily Life, Architecture, Artwork
Camera: Canon Ixus 50
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Your Favorites, Tallinn, The picturesque medieval city, Magnificent architectural memories from Europe [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-09-29 7:07
Viewed: 1061
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Tallinn (recent historical name: Reval) is the capital city and main seaport of Estonia. It is located on Estonia's north coast to the Baltic Sea, 80 kilometres south of Helsinki.
In 1154 Tallinn was marked on the world map of the Arab cartographer al-Idrisi.
As an important port for trade between Russia and Scandinavia, it became a target for the expansion of the Teutonic Knights and Kingdom of Denmark during the period of Northern Crusades in the beginning of the 13th century when Christianity was forcibly imposed on the local population. Danish rule of Tallinn and Northern Estonia started in 1219.
In 1285 the city became the northernmost member of the Hanseatic League - a mercantile and military alliance of German-dominated cities in Northern Europe. The Danes sold Tallinn along with their other land possessions in northern Estonia to the Teutonic Order in 1345. Medieval Tallinn enjoyed a strategic position at the crossroads of trade between Western and Northern Europe and Russia. The city, with a population of 8,000, was very well fortified with city walls and 66 defence towers.
With the start of the reformation the German influence became even stronger. In 1561 Tallinn became a dominion of Sweden.
During the Great Northern War the Swedish troops based in Tallinn capitulated to Imperial Russia in 1710, but the local Baltic German rulers retained their cultural and economical autonomy within Tsarist Russia. The 19th century brought industrialization of the city and the port kept its importance. During the last decades of the century Russification became stronger.
On 24 February 1918 the Independence Manifesto was proclaimed in Tallinn, followed by German occupation and a war of independence with Russia. On 2 February 1920 the Tartu Peace Treaty was signed with Soviet Russia, wherein Russia acknowledged the independence of the Estonian Republic. Tallinn became the capital of the independent Estonia. After World War II started Estonia was annexed by the USSR as a result of coup with help of the Red Army in 1940-41, and later invaded by Nazi Germany in 1941-44. After Nazi retreat in 1944 it was restored as part of the USSR again. After the annexion into the Soviet Union, Tallinn became the capital of the Estonian SSR.
In August 1991 an independent democratic Estonian state was re-established and a period of quick development to a modern European capital ensued.
Historically, the city has been attacked, sacked, razed and pillaged on numerous occasions. Although extensively bombed by Soviet air forces during the latter stages of World War II, much of the medieval Old Town still retains its charm. The Tallinn Old Town (including Toompea) became a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1997.
pablominto, Paolo, carper, emjleclercq, TheMystic, berek, daburg, prezntime, leo61 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Good shoot, perfect frame and composition it has some specific atmosphere created by this emptiness on the street. I like it. Also you added comprehensive note. Good work! Andrzej

Bonjour,
Jolie tour, bel angle de vue.

Bonne journée.
clnaef

Hello George,
Interesting shot of this ancient architecture!
This winding street is captured with fine details, presented in this well composed presentation...
Colours are good and enhancing the mood of days gone by, your note has educational qualities!
Greetings,
Pablo -

George, I think this street is a little inclinated to the left.

I like the lamp on the forground.

Another great note. thanks

  • Great 
  • Paolo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4700 W: 146 N: 8980] (39465)
  • [2006-09-29 9:10]

Hi Ge orge, good capture. the small lane is well took from a good POV, with amazing colours and a good light.
excellent note.
thanks, and have a nice w.e.
ciao

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 9239 W: 445 N: 14461] (50826)
  • [2006-09-29 12:41]

very nice one George,
a nice one, the shot is not easy with the shadow party, the point of view is nice and the composition is nice, well done.
gr. jaap

I surely like you view of Tallinn's walls, since I know the town and like it very much, but especially when I went there in 1991,before the Independance. There is a real medieval and hanseatic spirit which remains rooted in the old stones there, but which is slowly retreating under the assault of tourists as I discovered last year. Excellent colors and sharpness again.

All the best,

Emmanuel

A deserted and timeless view of this massive structure. What lurks around the bend? Is a souvenier stand and McDonalds hidden just out of camera range?
Cheers
Otto

nice shot man, cheers for posting. where does the path lead?

merhaba dear george
beautiful lovely interesting street and houses.beautiful stone tower.
well done.best regards.
gürkan akçakır.

  • Great 
  • berek Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3816 W: 172 N: 4827] (21751)
  • [2006-10-01 4:36]

Hi George,
another very good point of view. great perspective . nice historical architecture. have a nice weekend. Burak
my overall evaluation -> :-))

Supeb with the sharp details and textures ! !
Nice view in this medieval street.

Hello George.
Your notes are always so informative, they are an important tool for me to learn about your world.

You have a wonderful perspective and it shows with this hot very well. The winding street is a nice sight line and the tower set against the beautiful blue sky looks very nice. The red tiles are also a nice contrast to the aforementioned sky.
Regards,
Chris.

Hi , George .
Excellent photo with a lot of interesting details - such as the round tower which is not round , the different types of roofing , the rural and medieval look and the cobblestone paved alley !
Greetings
Dorte.

  • Great 
  • leo61 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3515 W: 316 N: 6854] (29228)
  • [2006-10-02 14:32]

Hi George!
I`ve seen some shots of this tower at TE taken from outside the walls.Yours POV is a good choice.Good composition with the old road and facade and the inclusion of this nice lamp.Good depth and sharpness and nice details.
Regards,Leo

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