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...a walk through Spis history...


...a walk through Spis history...
Photo Information
Copyright: Ivana Chudikova (Elaine_Blath) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1322 W: 31 N: 1745] (8502)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-01
Categories: Castles, Nature, Architecture
Exposure: f/4, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-02 22:13
Viewed: 346
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
...my first free weekend after finishing my studies - and of course, I decided to make a trip, this time through one of most beautiful regions of Slovakia - Spis region.

The ruins of Spis Castle in eastern Slovakia form one of the largest castle sites in Central Europe. The castle is situated above the town of Spisske Podhradie and the village of Zehra, in the region known as Spis. It was included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1993 (together with the adjacent locations of Spisska Kapitula, Spisske Podhradie and Zehra).

On a dolomite rock 200 m above the surrounding land, at the elevation of 634 m, there is one of the most precious cultural monuments in the Spis region that reigns over the Spiš basin - the Spis Castle. It is not just an evidence of architectural development from the 12-th to the 18-th century. With its area of 41 426 m2 it is at the same time one of the largest castles in the Central Europe.

And a little from the history:
Spis Castle was built in the 12th century on the site of an earlier Slavic castle. It was the political, administrative, economic and cultural centre of Spiš county. Before 1464, it was owned by the Hungarian kings, afterwards (until 1528) by the Zapolya family, the Thurzo family (1531-1635), the Csaky family (1638-1945), аnd (since 1945) by the State.

Originally a Romanesque stone castle with fortifications, a two-story Romanesque palace and a three nave Romanesque-Gothic basilica were constructed in the area by the second half of the 13th century. A second extramural settlement was built in the 14th century, by which the castle area was doubled. The castle was completely rebuilt in the 15th century; the castle walls were heightened and a third extramural settlement was constructed. A late Gothic chapel was added around 1470. The last owners of the Spis Castle the family Csaky deserted the castle, in early 18th century considered too uncomfortable to live in. In 1780, the castle burned down and has been in ruins since. The castle was partly reconstructed in the second half of the 20th century, and extensive archaeological research was carried out on the site. The reconstructed sections house displays of the Spis Museum.

You can park your car at a parking place that is only about 10 minutes far from the castle gate (access from the village Hodkovce). From Spisske Podhradie it will take you about 1 hour to get to the castle on foot.

...you´ll see some more photos soon!
pasternak, avene, ricochet has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • emka Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 460 W: 19 N: 1093] (8080)
  • [2008-06-02 23:37]

Hi Ivana, nice photo of the spis castle. It seemed to me that i saw everything there, but i missed this interesting cross. Good composition and colours. Regards

Malgorzata

Hi Ivana,
wonderful landscape image with excellent colours and sharpness
my compliments

Really nice composition, Ivana, with good balance between an impressive castle in the distance and the obelisk on the right.

Cheers
A

  • Great 
  • avene Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1189 W: 68 N: 1451] (5480)
  • [2008-06-03 8:33]

hello Ivana,
good to have you back and posting, I missed your elegant photos. and this photo is exactly what I like - smartly composed landscape, I like a lot how the four elements create a frame, and the bush in the lower right corner is a nice natural frame. beautiful clear and fresh colours, excellent work.

with best regards,
Kristine

Bonjour Ivana
Très content de voir à nouveau tes photos!
Tu as trouvé là une très belle composition avec un bel équilibre d'ensemble et une parfaite luminosité, bravo à toi!
Eric

Hello Ivana,

Une excellente composition, même les nuages se dirigent vers la droite de l'image. très bien vu.
Bonne journée
Marie

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