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Valletta - Harbour impression


Valletta - Harbour impression
Photo Information
Copyright: George Rumpler (Budapestman) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3788 W: 0 N: 6800] (24225)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-03-18
Categories: Castles, Daily Life, Transportation, Architecture, Artwork
Camera: Canon Digital EOS350D, Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG Macro
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Discovery of Malta [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-04-22 3:44
Viewed: 1063
Points: 48
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Valletta, the capital city of Malta, is built on the northern half of the Sciberras peninsula, which separates the Grand Harbour from Marsamxett Harbour. The city is completely surrounded by fortifications and covers an area that is 900 meters by 630 meters The street plan is based on a more or less uniform grid. Republic Street divides one side of the city from the other and runs from Fort St. Elmo to the City Gate. Many of the streets that run parallel to Republic Street fall steeply as you get closer to the tip of the peninsula. Transverse street begin as flights of stairs at each end. The stairs do not conform to normal dimensions since they were constructed so as to allow knights in heavy armour to be able to climb the steps. The steps contributes towards the uniqueness of Valletta. Any irregularities that occur in the streets grid were imposed on it by the lie of the land and the need to have unhampered communications around the circuit of the fortifications.
Valletta was the brainchild of Grand Master Jean de la Valette. When the knights agreed, although reluctantly, to make Malta their headquarters, de la Valette quickly realized that they needed a defensible city to protect the island against the Turkish hordes that had driven them out of Rhodes and had followed them all the way to Malta. At the Grand Master's request, the Pope sent his own architect and Michelangelo's assistant, Francesco Laparelli, to Malta to help with the building of Valletta. Arriving in Malta on December 28th, 1565, he had the plans for the city drawn within three days. On March 28th, the new city was officially born. The inauguration ceremony was held on the site of the Porta Reale (the site of the entrance gates to Valletta) and the city was christened Valletta after the Grand Master. The bastions surrounding the city are impressive indeed but were never tested. Perhaps the Turkish generals realized that they were no match against the fortified city. The Grand Harbour is virtually lined with a string of bastions. Fort Sant' Elmo and Fort Ricasoli (the largest fort in the Commonwealth) protect the entrance to the harbour. Fort St. Angelo and the walls of Birgu and Senglea across the harbour shield its flank. The Grand Master died before the city was finished.
Towards the end of 1568, the Maltese architect and engineer, Gerolamo Cassar, took charge of the building of the city when Laparelli left for active service in Crete, where he died. Cassar and Laparelli laid out the street plan for the city. The first building that went up in the city is the Church of Our Lady of Victory, which commemorates the lifting of the Great Siege. Cassar designed all the auberges, the Magisterial Palace, the Conventual Church of St. John, the parish church of St. Paul, the churches of St. Mary of Porto Salvo, Carmine, St. Augustine and St. Mary of Jesus, and numerous other buildings and houses for the members of the order. Cassar died in 1586.
(Source: www.maltagozo.com)
robertosalguero, pablominto, dougie, bostankorkulugu, besnard, jlbrthnn, syd1946, Photo65Net, carper, AiresSantos, salvator, John_F_Kennedy, IgorDeleze, dorte_s_t, alvaraalto has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

George this is a busy marina. So many boats and beautiful weather to enjoy. Good composition with the city in the background. The scene is very typcal of the mediterranean region. The city shows incredible saturation of buildings. Nice pix George :-)

Roberto

Hello George,
So many details, so much to explore!
This is a very busy image, but in no way disturbingly busy...
Super sharp details and attractive colours, and a fine feeling of depth created by the forest of masts!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hi,
Very fine detail you have here and a good choice of lens to compress the distance. Interesting with lots to look at. Notes are a good read. Thanks.
Dougie.

  • Great 
  • Gustaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2242 W: 690 N: 178] (18460)
  • [2007-04-22 4:08]

Hi, my friend!
Next very interesting photo from small island Malta. Very good and very beautiful composition. I like your many boats, and many architecture. Realy good.
Marek

good one george, i like the vertical compo with all the poles in front of beautiful valletta... have a great sunday mate...

cheers

korkut:)

Bonjour Georges
Bien choisi ce format pour nous faire découvrir cette forêt de mâts et la ville aux maisons ocres bien étagées.
Merci pour le partage et bon dimanche.
Nicole

Hello George,
Now you have to write an historical an touristical book and illustrate it with your magnificent photos.
Once again, Bravo
Cordialement
Joël

Hello George,
Wonderful composition with the boats in front and the old city in the back.Together creating a very well seen combo in very high quality.Nice note as well.
Wishes for a fine week,
Thomas

Hi George,
This one is very nice.
I like the contrast between the white boats and the darker city in the background.
Nice job,
Regards,
JB.

merhaba my friend george.
beautiful composition and marine.very good light and colours.well done.
best regards.
gürkan akçakır.

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 9292 W: 445 N: 14616] (51323)
  • [2007-04-22 14:08]

good photo George,
harbour shots are not easy and you did do it very well here, enough contrast, good pov and a pleasure too look at, well done.
gr. jaap

Hi George,
What a stunning view.Fantastic colours, and a great perspective.Well composed.TFS.
Cheers!

hAyAti

Hi George,
Gorgeous perspective of this harbour with excellent POV and colours. Many boats, great details and very good note
TFS and have a nice week
Aires

Bonjour,
Excellente succession de plans qui donne une bonne idée de la région.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

  • Great 
  • Graal Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4605 W: 119 N: 429] (40469)
  • [2007-04-23 2:34]

Jó napot George,
amazing "forest" of masts, good vertical frame and composition, interesting place and note. Well quality of photo.Great serie from Malta.
Gr., Aleksander

Hi George,
Very nice composition and superb these botas like little jewels. The sharpness, the depth and the colors are very nice. I wish you a great week, best regards. Salvator.

Wonderful photo with great POV. The colour and lighting are very nice.
Best wishes,
Achim

Hi George,
A good high viewpoint showing all the boats and the city above them. Division of foreground and background works well. Strong sharpening gives the boat a bit restless appearance.
Kari

Hello,
Excellent shot full of elements.
The city behind the boats looks very nice!
Greetings.
Igor

  • Great 
  • vincz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2999 W: 87 N: 5049] (17510)
  • [2007-04-23 7:42]

Just back from Vietnam, many new great pictures in your library. Very interesting composition here, all vertical. i guess it is even better at large size since here the size reduction brings some side effects in the forest of masts and ropes. Very well done, very creative.

  • Great 
  • berek Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3860 W: 172 N: 4874] (22029)
  • [2007-04-26 4:00]

Hi George,
crowded harbour my friend. I can see so many details on your picture. good point of view and sharpness. have a nice day.
Burak

Hi , George .
Very good point of view to show where old meets new .
The masts and boats in the foreground add so much depth to this interesting and detailed photo .
Your note is excellent !
Have a nice weekend !
Dorte.

Hi George,
This is an excellent and fascinating composition.
He strong contrast between the old town and the modern marina is amazing. Great contrast in colour and in shapes and yet so well balanced.
Groet Ron

Very busy and beautiful shot. You really capture the common perception of Malta (small and tight streets ie lack of space) with the row of houses in background. Looks like they're all just stacked on top on or next to another.

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