Fortress Marienberg Photo

Photographer’s Note

This shot was taken about an hour before sunset taking advantage of the nice angled lighting.
Fortress Marienberg is a prominent landmark on the Main river in Würzburg, Germany. It has been a fort since ancient times. After Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden conquered the area in 1631, the castle was reconstructed in the Baroque style. Today, it is a park and museum. In 704 A.D., the Marienkirche was built atop a former Celtic shelter and in the 13th century was surrounded by the first fortification. In 1482, the main castle was encircled by a medieval ring wall with the Scherenberg gate. Some of the parts of the fortress accessible to the public are the Scherenberg-Tor (Gate) the Burgfried (keep), a chapel, a well house, Bibra Stairs / Lorenz von Bibra apartments, and the Julius Echter Apartments.

In May 1525, during the Peasants' War (Bauernkrieg), a peasant army of 15,000 men surrounded the fortification (seat of the bishop of Würzburg) but could not penetrate the concentric walls built on a steep incline. When their leader, Florian Geyer, went to Rothenburg ob der Tauber in early June to procure the heavy guns needed to at least attempt to breach the walls, the leaderless peasant army camped out around the castle, allowed themselves to be outflanked by a professional army in the service of the bishop. More than 8,000 peasants were either slaughtered or blinded on the bishop's orders. The Nazis would lionize Florian Geyer 410 years later, as part of the National Socialists' desire to connect with the common man and turn them away from the Catholic Church.

In about 1600, Julius Echter rebuilt the fortress into a Renaissance palace. After the conquest by Gustav II Adolf of Sweden in 1631 (Thirty Years War), the fortress was reconstructed as an even more formidable baroque fortification, and a princely park was laid out.

Still, during the Napoleonic Wars, the fortress was captured and, of course, the fortress wasn't defended in 1945 when the US Army quickly captured the side of the Main river on which Marienberg is located, across from the city center of Würzburg.

The Baroque Armory, built 1702-1712, houses the Mainfränkisches Museum, an excellent collection of Franconian works of art, including world-famous sculptures by Tilman Riemenschneider. The Fürstenbau Museum in the princes’ wing of the fortress offers a stroll through 1200 years of Würzburg’s history. The mighty Fortress Marienberg is the symbol of Würzburg and served as a home of the prince-bishops for nearly five centuries.(Wikipedia)

JanD, snunney, paura, Buin, tedesse, pasternak, Didi, s_lush, jafadabret, dip, Budapestman, carper, gunbud, belido, pierrefonds, PixelTerror, rodgerg, patdeph, ChrisJ, Royaldevon, Pitoncle, serp2000, lucasgalodoido, maximage, Silversnow has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

JanD (14275) 2009-01-29 3:02

Howdy Asa!
Excellent castle, very nice colors. Good POV and very good capture. Excellent take.
Regards!

snunney (33988) 2009-01-29 3:07

Hello Asa,
The vertical format suits the subject perfectly. The image benefits from a very pleasing ambient light and has good colours and clarity. The tones in the old stones are very nicely rendered and make a nice contrast with the lovely sky. The person walking towards the gate gives a good sense of scale.

paura (37722) 2009-01-29 3:30

Asa,
Excellent exposure settings and point of view here. Very interesting architecture also. Nice job, friend.

regards

Paulo

jplebrun (16522) 2009-01-29 3:58

Bonjour Asa
superbe ce château je m'attends de voir sortir un chevalier par le pont levis, très belle présentation ou la luminosité a bien rehaussé ce cliché.
Amitiés
Jean-Pierre

dta (4276) 2009-01-29 4:05

Hello Asa,
A beautiful castle , indeed , in a good vertical format . Framing and colors are excellent . Well done
Regards
Denis

npecanhuk (12947) 2009-01-29 5:15

Hello Asa!
The architecture of that castle is superbly beautiful and your photo has excellent quality! The vertical format was the best choice for this one! It also has correct sharpness and exposure, with soft lights and colors! Well chosen pov and well done composition! A picture that really pleases me!
TFS - Congratulations!
Warmest regards,
Neyvan

Buin (36786) 2009-01-29 6:35

Hllo Asa!
I've never been there but one day I'll visit it. This must be a special place with a stunning view. Your photo shows a well fortified entrance and I like the many details one can detect here. For aggressors this must have been a frustrating sight...
In combination with your note an excellent contribution!
Greetings from cold but sunny Germany!
Frank

tedesse (13032) 2009-01-29 6:56

Hello!
Excellent POV,wonderful castle,beautiful colours and light,good sharpness.
Interesting note.
Greetings
Tadeusz

pasternak (12934) 2009-01-29 7:32

Nice fortress and well made shot, looks pleasant against the blue sky with light clouds. I played with it a bit, see WS.

Cheers
A

[workshop] [compare]

Didi (35668) 2009-01-29 7:33

Hello Asa
Very nice point of view who shows us the architecture volume under good lights.
The character presente gives us an estimation about the scale.
Best regards.

s_lush (1864) 2009-01-29 8:22

Hi Asa,
Beautiful fortress, captured perfectly well! The setting sun light makes the building looking more three-dimensional and attractive. The composition, POV and quality of the shot are very good. This makes the picture to be a good illustration of the very informative note. Great post!
Best regards,
Sergiy

jafadabret (38881) 2009-01-29 11:41

Hello Asa.
La photo est bien composée pour mettre en valeur ce château qui a très belle allure. L'originalité de cette construction est le toit en ardoise du donjon ou du clocher.
Bon POV et belles couleurs !
Jacques

denisn72 (6867) 2009-01-29 16:23

Hello Asa
That fortress has a great style and great colours. The sky makes an incredible background. Excellent point of view and the vertical format fits really well. Good job!
Best regards
Denis!

John_F_Kennedy (30545) 2009-01-30 0:43

Beautifully taken great details and colours. Good POV to capture this beautiful castle.
Best wishes,
Achim

dip (12406) 2009-01-30 0:45

Hello Asa,
nice image of the famous fortress,I like the low light and the point of view,
well done,
Greetings,
Dimitris.

Budapestman (40866) 2009-01-30 2:27

Hi Asa,
Very spectacular and effective image of this imposing fortress with attractive vertical composition. The colours and details are splendid, excellent shot with informative note. Have a nice weekend!
George

danyy (67882) 2009-01-30 9:44

Bonjour Asa,
le rendu de la texture des pierres est excellent grâce à une grande netteté.
Un format vertical qui convien bien pour encadrer un maximum de cette tour. Le ciel est magnifique , les lumières offertes, pleinement exploitables.
Amicalement.
Daniel.

COSTANTINO (22126) 2009-01-30 9:52

Hello Asa
You have a special collection of photos with castles,really excellent castles..
The quality of the best photos
Original version
thanks for sharing
Costantino

carper (63968) 2009-01-30 10:01

very nice one Asa,
a good one out your reries, good composition, fine contrast and a nice castle and a good perspective, have a good weekend.
regard Jaap♦

gildasjan (23257) 2009-01-30 10:20

Bonjour Asa
Très beau cadrage vertical de cette architecture,les détails ressortent bien sous cette lumière et ce ciel bleu.
Bonne journée
Amicalement
gildas

darek1978 (11097) 2009-01-30 17:10

Hello Asa,
Composition and colours are very real, good presentation. It is a pleasure looking at this photo.
My compliments!
Very well done, TFS.
Darek

gunbud (27515) 2009-01-30 21:42

Hi Asa,
The tight vertical format isolates the beautiful old castle against the vivid blue sky with its lovely wispy clouds.
The lighting here is special bring out all the intricate details of this old beauty.
Sharpness and color quality are first rate as well.
Regards, Tom

saxo042 (15054) 2009-01-31 0:29

Hi Asa,
This is a very good picture of this impressive fortress and castle. The museum here is very interesting for Swedes with all the things regarding Gustav II Adolf. But there are really an abundance of objects to be studied here. A good photo and a very good note!
Best regards
Gunnar

belido (15997) 2009-01-31 5:11

Hi Asa,

very good shot of the this fortress. There two features that pleases me a lot in this: the well chosen angle which makes the building even more imponent and the moment of tha day with such nice lighting. The blue sky is a great bonus. Very well done!
Regards,
Carlos

fanni (8709) 2009-01-31 14:04

Hello Asa,
it looks like Cinderella's castle :) I like it very much. Excellent light management, good natural colours, very nice vertical perspective. Very good choice of POV! The castle looks grand against the blue sky which is a bonus :)
I see a tiny figure of a man near the entrance: this is good for seeing the real size of the castle!
Ont he whole, the view produces a very pleasant impression.
Best regards,
Elena

pierrefonds (25871) 2009-01-31 18:17

Hi Asa,

The diagonal line of the stone wall is an asset to the composition. The point of view is showing the details and colors of the architecture of the castle. The subject is well frame. The light brings out the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

PixelTerror (85994) 2009-02-01 3:13

Hi Asa
A side pov that shows well how massive it is and the person in the frame provides the scale, good light on it as well.
Have a nice day JY

bracasha75 (21560) 2009-02-01 7:24

Helo Asa
What a lovely castle in Germany and realy typical for Bayern and all south Germany
TFs
Cheers,Braca

patdeph (17370) 2009-02-02 4:25

hello Asa
the architecture of this castle is splendid,and I like very much how it's standing outthe blue sky!This blue is really wonderful,and with the light,it enhances very well the beauty of the photo!This is perfectly framed!
Regards
Pascale

mikeo (12113) 2009-02-02 12:42

Hello Asa,

What a place! Castle looks like from a fairy tale;)
Great, blue sky is a nice background to this building. Good composition and really good, delicate colours.

I like it!
Greetings,
Mikeo

Angshu (33215) 2009-02-03 2:38

Hello Asa
An impressive castle with quite unique architecture. The spires on top of the towers, conical, is quite different from the onion central come. Good light & contrast against the blue sky. Well done!
Regards
Angshu

yso (3142) 2009-02-03 10:54

Hi Asa,
What a beautiful architecture of this castel, the light is soft with nice shadows, perfect !
Regards,
Yves

mauro61 (14528) 2009-02-04 2:24

ciao Asa,
bello il taglio verticale con cui riprendi il bastione.
Ottime luci e colori.
Grande profondità dal muretto in primo piano alla guglia del castello, ben fatto
saluti
maurizio

ChrisJ (69430) 2009-02-04 3:08

Hi Asa

A fantastic blue sky, with good graphism of the castle, & superb sharpness, & warm cold colour contrasts. Tfs!

ls7902 (5996) 2009-02-04 4:25

Hello Asa,
A good composition on a part of the Marienberg of Wurzburg which is one of my favorite town in Germany. I like the way you use the wall and bridge to compose. And with good inclusion of the person entering the tower. I like the clarity and lighting. Great sky above. Regards. Latiff.

Bluejeans (31479) 2009-02-04 5:29

Ola Asa ,
Magnifico ponto de visão sobre este castelo a sua arquitectura é linda , o céu ficou lindo com aquelas nuvens,boas cores ,parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

TGULUMSER (12406) 2009-02-04 13:03

Hello Asa,
This vertical format is very nice. Great POV and colors,
Best regards,
Tulay

delkoo (33894) 2009-02-05 4:23

hi asa
The clarity of this image is excellent. Well composed with good saturation of colour and sharpness.

best regards
didier

Greg1949 (8499) 2009-02-08 11:14

Asa, this is Disney Land / Snow White looking isn't it, and I of course know that is the wrong direction comparison. Great color and detail and a fine note as always.

Greg

jimkilgallon (0) 2009-02-08 12:18

Hi Asa
Excellent vertical presentation of this fortress which shows first rate detail and colours.
The blue sky and wispy clouds are a bonus to this capture. Very well done.
Regards
Jim

Bandit (2028) 2009-02-08 13:50

Bonjour Asa,
une très belle image de cette forteresse ! La composition est bien vu ! J'aime beaucoup le renforcement des contrastes dans le workshop ! Bravo !
Fabien

Royaldevon (5784) 2009-02-09 2:15

Hello Asa,

It certainly was a good time to capture this fine old building. The light is lovely as it shafts across the gatehouse, highlighting the contours of the towers.
I like the use of the sloping wall in the f/g, the well chosen dof and the use of the person to help understand the scale.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

Flavia (10202) 2009-02-09 6:26

Hi,

Well tought compo, using the wall in diagonal to create deph, the blue sky and the warm light over the fort were perfect.

Regards,

Flavia

Pitoncle (3743) 2009-02-10 8:02

Bonjour Asa,
Très intéressante publication avec cette angle de prise de vue en contre plongée valorisant bien l'architecture du bâtiment sans déformation.
A bientôt sur TE pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard

lucasgalodoido (16537) 2009-02-14 5:15

Hi Asa,
interesting view of this castle, and impressive the capture of sky, with deep blue. The details for contruction. Great shot.
Regards,
Lucas

maximage (13233) 2009-02-21 13:35

Bonjour Asa,
Très bon cadrage vertical sur ce château magnifique. Le format vertical donne une réelle impression de hauteur à cette forteresse impressionnante. Excellent travail, j'aime beaucoup.
Amitiés.
max

lomumo22 (323) 2009-05-13 1:41

Hi Asa,
I like it!
Regads Lourdes.

Bruno40 (6440) 2009-05-14 5:44

Hi Asa,
Clear and crispy photo. nice colors and sharpness. The composition is okbut I would have left the fg wall out (or less)
well done
Jorge

mkamionka (4226) 2009-05-27 1:35

Hi asa,
Another fantastic postcard.
I have mentioned that already: I was in Wuerzburg but I nnever took pictures there so I am happy that you share your beautiful shots from that town,
M

kiks (5967) 2009-06-05 6:22

I like your choice of POV here. Chossing for a diagonal you made the Fortress even more imposant and use well the cloudlines. well seen.
KIks

Silversnow (2069) 2009-07-31 11:44

Very nice moment of evening light for a good castle shot, the composition also brings lots of colors and teh exposure is spot on for a very detailed look at those great geometric patterns.
thanks for the very detailed note too :)

guitianmiranda (3484) 2009-09-15 11:48

I like this one from your gallery, you have chosen a interesting angle to catch the castle against the blue sky, usually the contrast between the warm colors from the stones works perfect with the cold sky.

Best regards Asa