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The abandoned city & St. John castle


The abandoned city & St. John castle
Photo Information
Copyright: George Rumpler (Budapestman) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 4172 W: 0 N: 7535] (26695)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08-09
Categories: Castles, Nature, Architecture, Ruins
Camera: Pentax K10D
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Romantic Chalki [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-11-12 0:20
Viewed: 730
Points: 44
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Horio the abandoned city

In earlier times, the capital was at Horio, which was placed well inland in an effort to escape the frequent pirate raids that were once the scourge of the Aegean. At its peak, it boasted 4,000 inhabitants; nowadays it is virtually deserted. Its stone houses, built in tiers like an amphitheatre, are mute reminders of its past prosperity. Above Horio the ruined mediaeval castle occupies the site of the ancient acropolis. Within its walls is another church dedicated to St. Nicholas (Aghios Nikolaos) with frescoes.

Chalki

Chalki (Halki, Khalki, also Chalce; Greek: Χάλκη) is a Greek island and municipality in the Dodecanese archipelago in the Aegean Sea, some 6 km west of Rhodes. With the area of 28 km² (11 sq. mi.), it is the smallest inhabited island of Dodecanese. It has permanent population of 330 (much increased during the summer months), concentrated in the only village Emborio (official name Chalki). The 2001 census showed a population of 313 inhabitants, making it the smallest municipality (category dímos, Greek δήμος) in Greece; however, there are many smaller communes (category koinótita, Greek κοινότητα). The community is divided in two parts, Chorio and the port. The island supported a much larger population but following emigration in the mid twentieth century Chorio was almost completely abandoned. A ruined medieval castle of the Knights of St. John overlooks the old town and the chapel contains some of the original frescoes.
There is virtually no natural water supply on the island and rainfall is collected in large cisterns. Drinking water is brought in from Rhodes but there can be shortages during the summer months with the increased population.

History

Chalki possibly got its name from the copper (in Greek chalkos) workshops that were there in ancient times. The Titans were according to Greek mythology the first inhabitants of all the surrounding islands. The Pelasgians lived here for a long time, leaving several constructions behind, before they were succeeded by the Carians, the Dorians and later the Phoenicians. Aretanassa, the illustrious queen of Halki lived here once, before being exiled in Karpathos where she committed suicide after her husband's death. Remains of three temples of the god Apollo are preseved at the location of Pefkia, today's Nimborio (along the coastline). The god was worshipped here with exceptional honours. During the flourishing period of the Athenian state, Chalki regularly paid the alliance taxes. In the 7th century it is concered by the Arabs, until 825 when it is liberated. Venetians and Genovians arrived on the island in 1204 and repaired the ancient acropolis, building at the same time a fortress on the island of Alimia. In 1523 Chalki was conquered by the Turks. It takes part in the 1821 revolution, it is conquered by the Italians in 1912 and finally is annexed to Greece along with the rest of the Dodecanese.
(Source: Dodecanese islands and Wikipedia)
ifanik, meltemi, dip, ChrisJ, UnTrained, John_F_Kennedy, cunejo200, jlbrthnn, portmanndominic, jjcordier, syd1946, Silvio1953 has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To agbonavita: Abandoned cityBudapestman 2 11-14 04:45
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello George,
Interesting composition of this village rising up the hillside under the protection of its massive castle. Nice contrasts between old and modern buildings. Good colours and definition.

  • Great 
  • ifanik Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1690 W: 53 N: 2683] (15252)
  • [2007-11-12 1:24]

Hi George
Very good photo with nice colours, lighting and contrast
us usually
This is a very interesting theme
Regards
Nick

Hello George,
excellent capture, excellent sharpness and details. I like the way the muted colours give a real 'atmosphere'. Kind of sad to see.
Together with the interesting note, story and pictures belongs together here.
Kind Regards.
Stella

  • Great 
  • Paolo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4704 W: 146 N: 9096] (40013)
  • [2007-11-12 2:28]

Hi Georgem beautiful colours and good quality for this amazing image, with the old ruins on the top and the typicall houses on the lower side.
thanks, ciao

  • Great 
  • dip Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1881 W: 0 N: 957] (9026)
  • [2007-11-12 2:33]

Hi George,
very good photo of the place,great POV and very good sharpness,
interesting and informativ note.
Greetings,
Dimitris.

  • Great 
  • ChrisJ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 8776 W: 923 N: 11778] (57325)
  • [2007-11-12 2:54]

Hi George

The wide anled panoramic view suits here. Superb colour & sharpness with good repetition of the ruins. A marvellous blue sky to cap it all off. Tfs!

Szia George,
good upview with strong contrasts and the slope in the frame is well done. Strange look of having some colour spots of used houses in the abandoned city. Sharpness and light are pleasant.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

  • Great 
  • paura Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 4304 W: 8 N: 2767] (23302)
  • [2007-11-12 4:49]

George,
Nice shot and note to show to all us this interesting place. The point of view is very nice as the colors.

Paulo

I like the nice houses so much - the country is so beautiful. Excellent composition and POV here.
Best wishes,
Achim

Hello George,
Lovely graduation of colors of green to blue from the bottom to top. Am always fascinated by village towns built at the foot of hills. Charming! Greetings, Danilo

Hello George,
It is a very beautiful image, a little nostalgic in front of these deserted habitats. The image is superb with a light which, in this place, is always splendid. Cheer.
Have a good day
Cordially
Joël

bonsoir Georges

une photo bien contrasté , avec un bon POV , les couleurs rendent bien en particuliers les toits qui apportent leurs petites touche oranges

Bonne soirée

Dominic

George
Une vue très intéressante de cette ville quasiment abandonnée curieusement abritée par ces beaux rochers. Belle photo!
Amicalement
JJ

Hello George,
The view to the abandoned village is great.Especially with this wonderful deep blue sky above!I like very much the summer feeling coming out of your photo...

greetings,
Thomas

une superbe photo de ce chateau et de cette ville abandonnée ou nearly, des couleurs lumineuses et la roche parait trs importante
bon cadrage
juliette

  • Great 
  • john_c Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4905 W: 53 N: 5951] (24618)
  • [2007-11-12 8:54]

Hi George,
A remarkable juxtaposition of shapes and textures comprising the old city that are discernible as the eye sweeps this awesome hillside. I like the way the odd inhabited building is interspersed here and there. The low angle POV is very effective and the clarity of detail impressive. I like the shot very much. Thanks for the first rate note.
John

Hi George,

This picture is a masterpiece,very nice scenery.
great composiiton and nice sharpness,
Georg

Hi George,
Splendid view of this small city.The castle it's very special,wonderful place.The perspective is brilliant.
Thanks for sharing this shot.

Hi George, great mediterranean composition with lovely abandoned town, splendid colors, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hi George,
İnteresting Place.Great POV, colours and light.TFS.
Cheers!
hAyAti

  • Great 
  • Graal Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4915 W: 121 N: 509] (43305)
  • [2007-11-13 0:35]

Jó estet George,
another great landscape from Chalki. Nice view, interesting castle and informations, excellent colours and sharpness. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

My friend, I don't know about this photo. I like the colors, the sharpness, the depth..but I think it could be better in a vertical position, including the place you were to take it. the great pine tree in the middle of the photo really call our attention to it so I would suggest to put this tree in the right side, showing more the left side...
But is only some suggestions. I know that your intention was to show the abandoned city and you made it very well.
did you walk between that old stone houses?
Hugs
Andre

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