The travelling players, a photo from Lakonia, Peloponnesus

Photographer's Note

Time to start a walk inside the heart of the beautiful medieval town of Monemvasia. First of all I have to make clear that it's not one castle and one town, but two castles and two towns, the lower part and the upper part. The upper part, where the "nobles" used to live (you see part of the walls on the upper part of the photo) is almost completely destroyed, only the magnificent church of Aghia Sofia, remains in good condition.

Here you see the main square of the lower town, which is preserved in magnificent condition. Of course, there are no cars inside. The lower town, as well as the upper one, is surrounded by walls and is located right by the sea. The building on the left, once was a church, later become a mosque and nowadays is the archaeological museum of Monemvasia. The belltower belongs to the church of Hristos Elkomenos, and inside you can see two thrones made of marble, once destined for the Byzantine Emperors. The dome on the right of the belltower belongs to the church of Panagia Mirtidiotissa or Kritikia (=Cretan), because that was the neighborhood, where the everpresent Cretans lived.

The title of the photo comes the english title of one of Theo Angelopoulos films (Greek title "Ο Θίασος"-Thiasos). Although the picture has nothing to do with any Angelopoulos films, especially in terms of colour, and despite the fact that the director has never made a film in Monemvasia (he prefers more wintery, misty "grey" landscapes) this group of people standing and enjoying the view, looking motionless, callow and in a sense helpless and timeless remind some of the scenes from his films. By the way, I would like to say, that in my humble opinion, Theo Angelopoulos is the greatest Greek artist alive, in general.

About "The Travelling Playres"- "Θίασος", an alternative title could be "Μπουλούκι"- "Buluki". Bulukia (plural), were sorts of wandering theatre "companies" that travelled around Greece, playing a mixture of popular greek acts and famous important plays, of the world repertoire, in a show of dubious quality. Anyway, for many decades they were the only entertainment for the people of the greek countryside, so their offer in dificult eras and under dificult conditions, should be praised.

***MORE PHOTOS FROM MONEMVASIA***

Vames, fabio_ts, jimkok77, amfdj, dip, delic, portmanndominic, Budapestman, chrkont, frieda, dareco, ifanik, CatherineD, coco, TopGeo, realimis, clio, PaulVDV, steliosk, COSTANTINO, stelli, Gerrit has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Vames (4356) 2008-03-27 4:10

γεια σου Ηρακλή,πολύ όμορφη στιγμή με τον κόσμο ανέμελα να θαυμάζει την αρχιτεκτονική της περιοχής που είναι ξεχωριστή !

fabio_ts (13694) 2008-03-27 4:10

What a wonderful place Hercules, a timeless appeal picture, well done and composed, fine work my friend!!

have a nice day,
Fabio.

aadilj (18080) 2008-03-27 4:11

I think this one is more about textures and colours as its about photography. I like the composition and the way you have handled it. good work indeed.

stefanocer (10640) 2008-03-27 4:24

Great perspective and beautiful framing in your fine shot Hercules , the strong light is well managed and the old stones reveal fine colour tonalities too , the old town semme to be very interesting , compliments , thanks to share.
Stefano.

dip (21873) 2008-03-27 4:39

Geia sou Irakli,
polu omorfi alla kai endiaferousa i foto apo tin Monemvasia gia mena pou omologo den etuxe mexri tora na do tin poli auti apo 'mesa'
yperoxa xromata kai fotismos,
den ksero an pote ta katafero,alla thelo na episkefto ta omorfa auta meri,
Xaireto,
Dimitris.

amfdj (1984) 2008-03-27 4:41

Hello Hercules,

What a beautiful view on the medieval village.
In spite of the presence of several visitors, it stays a charming picture. Very well captured in nice warm colors.
Friendly regards,
Eddie

delic (6735) 2008-03-27 4:42

Hi Hercules,
Looking at this picture is like traveling back in time. This would be the perfect setting for a Fellini movie. Very nice composition with the people in the foreground. Regards,
Hakan

portmanndominic (2400) 2008-03-27 4:52

Hercule Geia sou

you make a picture of a lovely place , good manage of the lights , the people make life in the pictures
TFS
filika
Dominic

Budapestman (82620) 2008-03-27 5:03

Hi Hercules,
Fascinating town with romantic environment, I like the attractive architectural details and the nostalgic atmosphere, colours are picturesque. Beautiful work with excellent composition, Congratulations, my friend. Have a nice day
George

chrkont (4003) 2008-03-27 5:08

Γεια σου Ηρακλή
Πανέμορφη φωτογραφία από ένα μέρος που έχω ακούσει αλλα και κυρίως βλέπω ότι είναι μαγευτικό, τόσο από αυτή αλλά και από την προηγούμενη φωτό σου. Μου αρέσει η προοπτική της ευρυγώνιας λήψης σου αλλά και η ζωντάνια που δείνουν οι άνθρωποι του κάδρου σου. Περιμένουμε με αγωνία την συνέχεια.
Χαιρετώ
Χρήστος

frieda (153) 2008-03-27 5:50

Hello Hercules,
Thank you for the interesting story about Monemvasia and the photo's.I was there 17 years ago.A lot of the houses are repair in the meantime.It's more beautiful now.
Kind regards,
Frieda.

dareco (17134) 2008-03-27 6:49

This looks like a different world to me! A very interesting picture of daily life, and the architecture is fantastic!! A place I would love to see!!! TFS

ifanik (21673) 2008-03-27 7:01

Kalispera Hraklh
Poly omorfh eikona poly wraia skinothetimeni oxi apo ton Agelopoylo alla apo ton Hraklh.....
Pragmatika h fwto soy bgazei mia entash poy mono se tainia tha mporoysame na doyme
Eyxaristoyme kai gia tis poly kales plhrofories
Xairetw
Nikos

Paolo (41206) 2008-03-27 8:40

Hi Hercules, a beautiful image and agreat note too.
excellent POV, light and quality too for this amazing view.
thanks, ciao

CatherineD (4864) 2008-03-27 11:29

Excellent shot Hraklh,
I like very well the attitude of the people who seems to look to the church, waiting for something... It's like a scene of a film. the colours and the sharpness are very very good.
An attractive place too.
Filika,
Katerina

coco (30433) 2008-03-27 13:15

Kalispera Hercules.

Tanto la nota como la foto no son solo "aptas" para TE. Ambas son muy ricas y disfrutables.
Me gusta la composición de la foto y el escenario que nos muestras.

Ta leme, file.

barrufeto_77 (28876) 2008-03-27 13:50

Hola fiera.

Otra gran foto de un día típico. Me encanta el POV y cómo has sacado de bien al pueblo.

Un saludo, Oscar

masquerade (0) 2008-03-27 16:29

Geia sou Hraklh!
Great note and to the point title for this photo.Zwntana xrwmata, pragmati 'aggelopoulikh' kai yperoxo meros.Trigyrnousa sta sokakia tou otan hmoun 8!
Take care
m

realimis (820) 2008-03-28 3:58

Γεια σου Ηρακλή!!!
Χαίρομαι που βλέπω μία φωτογραφία από τα μέρη μου...και ακόμα περισσότερο γιατί με μαεστρία με μεταφέρεις εκεί! Χαρακτηριστικό σκηνικό της πλατείας του κάστρου με τα παιδάκια να σκαρφαλώνουν στο κανόνι και να περιμένουν την φωτογράφισή τους.Εξαιρετική η προοπτική της λήψης σου και ο φωτισμός που έχεις πετύχει!
Πολλούς χαιρετισμούς
Ρενέ

jonathan_hart (21268) 2008-03-28 10:09

good light and colours, well framed from interesting POV, the place is very impressive of beauty, that make me thinking that i should visit greece one day
regards
jo

TopGeo (37994) 2008-03-28 11:55

Geia soy Hrakli!
Pragmatika mia ikona opos tin perigrafeis, Echei endiaferon, moy arese kai se epaino.
kali idea(?)
filika
georgios

clio (27955) 2008-03-28 14:55

Geia sou Hrakli
Angelopoulos is a part of the small group of the biggest film-makers. You know my love for its work! Monemvasia is one of more beautiful village of the Middle Ages which I know with this extraordinary situation of peninsula surrounded by the sea.
I like your transposition of "Θίασος" in Monemvasia and what you say in your note. Different colors, no rain, no umbrella but big very wide shot in the style of Theo which makes a perfect transposition.
All the film was shot in Peloponisos if I remember well and not in the North of Greece as the more recent films. I like what you say about Bulukia. I have never seen that in Greece, but I would love really met one of these troops.
Mono mia lexi: Evkaristo !
Filika
Artemis

Greg1949 (9011) 2008-03-28 17:30

Hercules, this is different from most of your other work. I like it but it has a really hard texture and your compositions are not usually so. This place is really beautiful, I hope you show us more.

Greg

PaulVDV (15017) 2008-03-29 4:56

Hello Hercules,
Very beautiful picture of a really beautiful place with nice colours, a good composition and also very sharp.
Greetings, Paul

steliosk (4802) 2008-03-29 10:57

Eftasa sth koryfh alla apo to shmeio pou perases den perasa kai kserw pou einai, ka8ws to exw apo allh optikh gwnia. Aparadektos eimai!!!
Ekplhktikh skhnh aksiozhleuth!!
o 16-35 deixnei ta dontia tou. Exw thn entypwsh oti den dior8wses epithdes tis paramorfwseis oi opoies einai elaxistes kai leitourgoun ws prooptikh, pes mou an kanw la8os omws.

Mia allh erwthsh, 8a mporouses na bgaleis to idio POV me ton 10-22 se APS-C kai na deixnei etsi akribws opws se FF me ton 16-35 edw? me idies moires 8eashs kai paramorfwseis?
8a xreiastw ligo th boh8eia sou ka8ws eimai ena bhma pro agoras tou 10-22 h opoia 8a ginei prin to pasxa.

Xairetw
Stelios

stelli (2991) 2008-03-29 15:48

It looks like a scene from a Greek movie. If it were B&W, I would bet on it!!! Amazing framing and composition! The colors are vivid and appropriately strong!!! Thank you for sharing! ΦΙΛΙΚΑ Στέλλα

Gerrit (43723) 2008-03-29 16:17

Hi Hercules,
beautiful place in agreat landscape. Very well composed picture.
Regards, Gerrit

COSTANTINO (42744) 2008-04-06 5:43

Hi HERCULES,
Nice capture of this scene,like a scene of the movie,
like a postcard...Bravo a beautiful image with
lightness,amazing colours good composition,
Greetings

Costantino