Lakki, a photo from Dodekanisos, South Aegean

Photographer's Note

This is a view of Lakki, the town by the first harbour of Leros. The picture was taken fron the cement road climbing a nearby hill. The slope behind me is full of slender, scented pine trees.
This aspect is extraordinary and unique for a Greek island. In fact, it is unique in the world.

From http://www2.egeonet.gr

The Italian occupation of the Dodecanese was accompanied by a strong presence in all levels of the islands’ structure: reformations in historical centres, organization of the road system, expansion and replanning of the town network. Interventions aimed to underline the Italian power and promote specific functions for each island (i.e. tourism on Rhodes, military bases on Leros).
The Italians built a large number of new buildings on all the Dodecanese islands, thus creating totally new settlement forms of a symbolic colonial architecture which emphasised the role of the metropolitan state as a factor of modernization. The new public buildings still stand out for their differentiation from the previous styles of local –learned or popular– architecture, size, scale and adaptation to the island landscape.

The Dodecanese architecture during the Italian possession may be divided into two periods, reflecting the different views of the two different governors-general, Mario Lago (1924-1936) and Cesare Maria De Vecchi (1936-1941).
In the first period the Italians adopted an architectural style with historical references aiming to provide an ideal continuity with the architecture of the period of the Knights’ domination in the islands.
The next governor of the Dodecanese, Cesare Maria De Vecchi, initiates a new period in Italian architecture, aiming at giving the conquered areas the air of a Roman province. This period is characterised by abstraction and the prevalence of rationalism and modern classicism. In this period De Vecchi launches a campaign to ‘purify’ his predecessor’s architecture by restoring the facades of several public buildings.
Lakki of Leros is a typical example of the new Italian architectural policy. Leros was selected to be a military base due to its geographical position. A naval yard was built at Lakki bay, the largest natural Mediterranean port. A new town called Porto Lago, inhabited exclusively by Italian colonists, was built to serve the needs of the yard. The first expropriations and infrastructures started in 1928 and works lasted until 1936. The plan proposed that the central operations –administration, market, services and culture– be in the centre of the settlement, thus forming peripheral dwelling zones for army officers. When planning the new town, the architects R. Petracco and A. Bernabiti managed to create an exceptional ensemble of Mediterranean rationalism. The buildings constructed, such as the church to San Francisco (A. Bernabiti, 1935-1939), the theatre (A. Bernabiti, 1936-1938), the elementary school (R. Petracco, 1934-1937) and the circular market (R. Petracco, 1934-1936), are unadorned and less ‘pompous’ than those of Rhodes and Kos, though equally impressive in this place. Without complicated morphological features, the interesting features of this architectural style are the form, the use of colours and materials as well as the plasticity of volumes, which is often quite daring.
These days the buildings of the Italian occupation, together with the rest of the traces and monuments of other civilizations (Ottoman and Frankish), are parts of the architectural inheritance of the Dodecanese.

Thank you for visiting, a lovely weekend to all.

ikeharel, carlo62, bukitgolfb301, jhm, holmertz, maria-v1981, Budapestman, abmdsudi, aliabazari, baddori, Sonata11, Didi, bayno, delpeoples, adores has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ikeharel (37424) 2012-08-18 0:50

Kalimera Ourania,
This looks as taken during the siesta, seeing the clock at 14:30...the promenade and streets are empty, well almost - you were there.
Fine lovely small town, I like the curve coast promenade, and the picture is in fine ambiance conveyed.
Enjoy your weekend,
Ike

carlo62 (12666) 2012-08-18 1:03

Buongiorno Ourania
peccato non sentire il profumo, la cittadina con il suo lungomare sembra molto tranquilla, nonostante sia agosto. Bella nota e bella panoramica, buona luce e grande profondità.
Buona giornata
Carlo

bukitgolfb301 (30111) 2012-08-18 1:06

Hi dear Ourania

Another Wonderful shot! Typical Greece image, I like very much. The sky and the sea is best iamge for Greece in my opinion. Much sunlight is so tasteful. Best suitable to see at weekend! Thanks for your sharing with finest work and have a good weekend!

Takero from Tokyo

jhm (122490) 2012-08-18 1:07

Hello Ourania,

Splendid picture of a lovely old architecture around the lake.
You took this image with high quality.
Splendid picture with excellent light management, where are the people, a break!
Nice depth and perspective image.
Lovely composition, good presentation too.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

SNOOP_Chan (3474) 2012-08-18 3:05

Hello Ourania, when i see photos like yours i remember the days that i spent in Greece..lovely days. Greece is a wonderful country as i can see in your photo. Lovely blue in contrast with the white buildings. Great high POV.
Regards!

agjika (4015) 2012-08-18 3:07

Hi Ourania,
Very well exposed and composed. This light is lovely and I love those curbed structures at the other end. They really add to the photo.Great atmosphere even though a couple of people walking would have been another plus!

Thanks for sharing

Aleks

mohammad_H (6600) 2012-08-18 3:14

Hi
Beautiful views and spectacular landscapes.
Good sharpness and good composition
Light management
Have a nice day

Sergiom (39336) 2012-08-18 4:17

Bonjour Ourania

J'aime beaucoup cette superbe courbe dans l'image qui lui donne profondeur et grâce. La lumière est très belle lorsqu'elle se reflète sur les maisons blanches et l'écrin des montagnes semble protéger le village.

Bon samedi

Serge

TopGeo (37994) 2012-08-18 7:25

Γειά σου Ουρανία!
ένα νησί που δεν έχω επισκεφθεί αλλά που πολλές σκηνές του με εντυπωσιάζουν όπως αυτή!
Καλή επιλογή πλάνου! Η ημικυκλική προοπτική οδηγεί και στο δεύτερο επίπεδο που έχει εξ ίσου ενδιαφέρον!
Χαιρετισμούς
Γεώργιος

holmertz (26982) 2012-08-18 8:01

Hello Ourania,
Seen along with your note this is a very interesting photo, it is also as a composition very attractive. The quay makes a fine curve lined with red and yellow details and the buildings along the waterfront are quite different from what is usually associated with Greek architecture. I have seen some similar buildings in Chania on Crete but not dominating an area like these. On top of everything else the sharpness and colours are very good.
Kind regards,
Gert

eldancer1 (17106) 2012-08-18 9:06

Beautiful! Someday I would like to visit Greece I think the country is so beautiful. Nice capture with good lighting and dof with sharp details. Wonderful colors. Well done, tfs.

maria-v1981 (10403) 2012-08-18 10:19

Καλησπέρα Ουρανία,
Γραφικό το λιμνακί με τα άσπρα σπίτια και την κρυστάλλινη θάλασσα. Πολύ καλή ΄θεση λήψης δίνοντας την δυνατότητα να περιλάβεις όλο το λιμάνι και να δημιουργήσεις μια όμορφη σύνθεση. Δύσκολο σκλήρο φώς ααλλά κατάγερες να το διαχειριστείς πολύ καλά.
Καλό απόγευμα και καλό Σ/Κ,
Μαρία

Budapestman (82620) 2012-08-18 11:53

Hi Ourania,
a superb photo of this beautiful place, the composition is spectacular, great lights and details, Tfs! Have a nice weekend! Kellemes hétvégét kívánok!
György

abmdsudi (26311) 2012-08-18 14:20

Hi Ourania
Excellent viewpoint and compostion as the light is bright picking out the cluster of building in traditional Greek white color that dominate the waterfront with some nice eye catching green back drop littered in whites. A great place to explore surely, lively and not lack of activity. Lovely tones of the teeming town with its own character and this s makes a very interesting picture, good depiction of this classic part of coastal town and the visual impact of that deep blue water is increadible. It was certainly worth being up there and the effort and I can share your feel. Great, Well done, TFS.
Warm regards

aliabazari (10105) 2012-08-18 20:24

Γεια σας Ourania Αγαπητέ.
Αρκετά μέχρι την ακτή και σε συνδυασμό με την αστική αρχιτεκτονική. Έκθεση εντυπωσιακά χρώματα και καλή αντίθεση. Όμορφα γίνει.
Ευχαριστίες για τη διανομή αυτή την όμορφη εικόνα.

baddori (18988) 2012-08-18 22:59

Ourania
Il rispetto per il mondo greco degli antichi romani.
L'aver continuato l'architettura degli invasori greci nel sud Italia.
Magna Grecia, fortificazioni arte ancora adesso fonte di turismo.
L'impero ottomano e la difesa di un occidente prima dei veneziani e per 30 anni .. hanno lasciato i segni.
Ma l potere di Costantinopoli e dei cavalieri stanno mangiando l'economia e facendo danni "apocalittici" ..tutto nasce dal medio oriente... da sempre, e ne sto pagando io le spese ancora con i soldi di tasca mia.
GF

Silvio1953 (98259) 2012-08-19 5:40

Ciao Ourania, bel POV sul delizioso villaggio, incantevole atmosfera mediterranea, ottima nitidezza, splendida luce e meravigliosi colori, brava, ciao Silvio

chrisvek (5515) 2012-08-19 5:50

Καλησπέρα Ουρανία

Πάρα πολύ όμορφη λήψη με τόσο έξυπνη ματιά και εξαιρετική γωνία λήψης!Όμορφα χρώματα και αντιθέσεις.Επίσης αν και τόσο απλό καδράρισμα ταιριάζει απόλυτα σε αυτή την απεικόνιση. Συγχαρητήρια!

Καλή σου μέρα
Χρήστος

Nicou (97811) 2012-08-19 10:59

Hlelo

superbe iamge de cette baie mangigique iamge et cpatager quelle rondeur quelle courbe avec la belle végétation fantastique compo.

Bravo et maitié

Nicou

mesutilgim (68036) 2012-08-19 11:46

Hello dear Ourania,
Very nice capture from Leros.
Perfect pov and very good layout. Nice ligth management and simple but nice framing.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Sonata11 (28391) 2012-08-19 21:01

Hello Ourania,
beautiful place and wonderful captured. Fantastic execution and great framing. Like the colors, sharpness, clarity, POV and DOF as well. Very beautiful picture. Great job. Thanks for sharing.
All the best,
Barbara

Didi (48938) 2012-08-20 6:16

Bonjour Ourania
Une courbe intéressante du rivage.
L'endroit est typiquement méditérranéen.
Le point de vue est très bien choisi.
Bonne journée
Bien cordialement

bayno (16241) 2012-08-21 2:47

Ciao Ourania,
una ottima scelta del POV per mostrarci questo delizioso lungomare, la luce era fortissima...a giudicare dalle ombre ore 12....ottimi i colori naturali e la profondità, dettagli ben visibili grazie all'eccellente sharp...il mare è stupendo ma in Grecia è difficile trovarlo brutto ehehe
buona giornata..
Valter

delpeoples (45018) 2012-08-22 4:00

Carissima Ourania

Lo stesso luogo ma con un POV piú alto? Molto bello. Insieme con la tua foto dopo, questa foto completa bene le serie dandoci un'idea meglio del paesino. Mi piacciono molto le curve del lungomare. I colori e gestione della luce sono la vera Estate Greca.

Un caro saluto e ti auguro una bella giornata del sole
Lisa

jemaflor (69035) 2012-08-23 23:40

Hi Ourania,
A good and pleasant pov on this town with a good effect with the curve, nice light and blue sea, interesting contraste, tfs.

adores (28248) 2012-09-24 17:25

Hi Ourania!
This island seems a little different from the others I've seen here. Good pov! The light and the view are really good. Seems a nice and calm town. I like the lonely boat there.