MDCCLXXXVI Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

This is an old cathedral from year MDCCLXXXVI (1786) in downtown Sibiu (Hermanstadt). As you can see the building is* in desperate need of renovation, as it shows a great deal of scars on it's facade; you may also notice there are some bullet holes on the upper side of the building, left from the anti-communist revolution that took place in December of 1989.
The inscription above the entry is written in Latin and is pretty much washed out - I managed to decipher most of it and filled in the missing letters (it may or may not be 100% accurate):
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Deo Creatori Redemtori Santificatori Sacrum
Josepho II Augusto Principe Annuente
Rey De Fidelium Helveticae Confesionis Posuit
MDCCLXXXVI
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* Note update: the building was renovated in 2007, a few months after this photo had been taken. (info update thanks to Adrian_S)

litiancai has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Adrian_S (621) 2008-05-07 11:23

imi place alb-negrul in fotografia ta foarte mult...si efectukl acela ciudat, datorat lntilei, ce face biserica sa para rupta pe mijloc.
Aaaa...si apropo, biserica a fost renovata anul trcut

litiancai (1046) 2008-05-07 11:40

Hi Daniel,
I love these old eastern european buildings which have so much character, and to see them in a state of bad repair is sad but I guess many of these countries have more pressing priorities. It's a great photo and I think using black and white has worked well and adds a nice timeless sense to the photo.
Great shot!
Lee

BeBeHooker (6258) 2008-05-08 2:45

Hi Daniel!
Original church. Original picture. Good composition. Nice lightness. Good capture.
Cheers!