Crato - Praça do Município I Photo

Photographer’s Note

This is the main square of the older part of the small town of Crato.

The rock pole on the left is a pillory (pelourinho in Portuguese). It was the place where public punishments of criminal offences were held in ancient times. Any Portuguese town or village that had some importance in the Middle Ages has its own pillory.

That Maltese cross on the top of it is a sign of the rulers of the town and its neighbourhoods since the 13th century, the 'Order of Knights of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem', also known as 'Order of Malta' and 'Order of the Hospital' (Hospitalary Knights), an important religious and military organization that was formed during the Crusades supposedly to protect the pilgrims that went visiting the Holly Land (Palestine). If you have never heard of them, probably you know about their rivals, the fabled Templar Knights. Crato was the headquarters of the Order of Malta in Portugal for many centuries and its people are still very proud of that old glory.

Link to all my posts of Crato: *.

Location (latitude, longitude): 39.2869,-7.6447

ribeiroantonio, feather, jwmunro, adores, sufi, JCG, paura, riclopes has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ribeiroantonio (21975) 2007-03-28 0:43

Parece-me que é a primeira vez que vejo um pelourinho com a Cruz de Malta. Gosto da tua foto a qual está com uma definição excelente e umas cores muito boas. O PDV é também bom mas, penso que podias ter endireitado um pouco a perspectiva de modo a colocar o pelourinho vertical.
António

UnTrained (0) 2007-03-28 1:17

Olá José,
even with this history a beautiful place. There is a lot that I like on this capture. The clear light, which leads to good shadow lines and a wonderful brightness is the first thing. Then are the colours appealing, based on a good contrast and sharpness it is just a refreshement for the eye. The balanced composition opening to the right with the "pelourinho" on the left and the tree in the middle comes next. And the final closure for me are the textures on the wall and the pavement. The architectural details are a pleasant addition for all that.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

snunney (35476) 2007-03-28 4:45

Hello Jose,
Very nice view of this little square. I like the contrast between light and shadow which you have handled very well. Good pov with the cross and the bench leading the eye diagonally across the composition. Excellent clarity.

feather (50154) 2007-03-28 8:07

The light/shade contrast is very appealing on this image as is the total lack of people in this quiet square. From various photos I have seen from countryside small towns this white and yellow architecture seems typical. Good composition; I like your choice to place the pelourinho at the left.
Kath

jwmunro (6255) 2007-03-28 9:27

Hello Jose -

Well done! This image was captured at the right time of the day to show off the subtle tones an details of the building and the square. There is detail in the shadows and the placement of the shadows balances the bright areas of the image. The composition is spot on with the punishment post at the left third. The exposure is spot on and the image is very sharp. Well done Jose, bravo!

Thank you for sharing

John

sacavem (8523) 2007-03-28 14:15

Olá Jose,

Bom PDV,cores e definição muito boas,julgo que o Pelourinho faz acentuar uma certa inclinação à foto,mas perfeita...perfeita,só a Superbok pêssego:)
um abraço,
next
filipe

lucasgalodoido (16789) 2007-03-28 22:12

Olá José!
Bonita arquitetura, muito comum aqui no Brasil também, gostei do detalhe da calçada "portuguesa", como é conhecida por aqui e da árvore seca! Ótimas cores também!
Parabéns e Abraço!

parbo (11026) 2007-03-28 22:29

Olá José,

Your view is beautiful with yellow colored borders on old type of house. Its huge chimney and architecture is giving some clues about your notes before read it. I like your clever wide view with tree and mossy ground a lot too. Congratulations.

Friendly Regards,

Ertugrul

adores (15769) 2007-03-29 4:09

Olá José!
Gosto desta perspectiva, uma verdadeira foto do Alentejo.Acho que a luz está óptima, tirada na hora certa. Gosto também do detalhe das grades das janelas, tão comum no Alentejo.Boa ideia teres incluido este pelourinho que afinal tem particularidades.
Até amanhã!
Anabela

sufi (9568) 2007-03-30 5:03

Merhaba José, my friend...
It's a wonderful point of view and beautiful architecture, indeed... The colors, the light and the clarity are perfect... Also perfect contrast between the blue and other colors...
Wonderful sharpness and details too...
TFS...
Stay well..
Salim.

JCG (25753) 2007-03-31 4:44

Hi José,

A very pretty square which takes the light agreeably. I appreciate much the clearness of the image and the beautiful harmony of the colors, it is very pleasant. Beautiful and interesting image. Thank you for the instructive comment.

With all my friendships and a good WE,

Jean-Charles

paura (39306) 2007-04-02 17:05

José,
A composição está excelente. Até a sombra penso que ajudou a mostrar uma paisagem bem natural. Os detalhes do chão são lindos.

Paulo

riclopes (33135) 2007-04-10 6:27

Olá José, tenho que ver se faço uma visita a este lugarejo na minha próxima estadia em Benavila. Esta praça é muito bonita e a tua captura está muito agradável a nível de cores, luminosidade e jogo de sombras. Acho piada aquele banco solitário, a única coisa moderna nesta imagem. O pelourinho podia estar um pouco mais para a esquerda, evitando a janela/porta lá atrás. A imagem parece estar a cair para a direita, mas dá para perceber que é o efeito visual das distorções e do facto de na realidade isto estar mesmo a descer para a direita. Continuo a achar que a última é um bom complemento às outras duas, para mostrar esta terra. Venham mais!
Um abraço,
Ricardo