San Francesco in Locarno Photo

Photographer’s Note

Back again to last summer ...

This is the old church San Francesco not far away from the castle of Locarno, Ticino, southern Switzerland.
It was the church of a Franciscan monastery which was abandoned in 1848. Today it's a parish church.

The church with three impressive naves first was mentioned in the 13th century, exactly in 1229. It was trasformed into the today's church in 1538 and many of its stones come from the then partly destroyed castle of Locarno - especially the stones of the here visible facade. You can clearly see the 3-nave division of the interior which is decorated with wonderful - but very damaged - wall paintings.

This church at the times of confederate bailiffs (Landvögte) for centuries was reserved for the nobles of Locarno. The heraldic animals of three of these families are perpetuated in the facade (please see workshop photo).

Entering this church on an unbearable hot afternoon I was surprised by the pleasant temperatures here and a brilliant pianist who practised for a concert in the evening. I sat there - the only visitor, took a look at the interior of San Francesco (please see ws photo) and listened for more than an hour - an unforgettable experience ... a concert just for me!

mikolaj_kawa, jlbrthnn, josepmarin, ellelloo, cbrman, papagolf21, saxo042, snunney, Uhu has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mikolaj_kawa (29322) 2008-11-02 0:58

Hello Frank! Superb composition, wonderful shot. Interesting architecture. Very good POV, ideal capture. Good luck!

snunney (33952) 2008-11-02 1:37

Hello Frank,
A fine capture of this imposing old church; just a slight pity for the slightly intrusive road sign. The composition is well framed and there are some very appealing light and shadow contrasts. Very good colours and clarity.

Uhu (7326) 2008-11-02 1:37

High! Thick walls are good in keeping hot summer away, ancient things are all good for that. Without thick walls, though, they'll perish long ago, and they stand for centuries. Don't know many modern buildings which are able to outstand 500 years. Oh we will never know, after all.
Very good, very informative photo! Details are good, one can see almost every stone on the facade.
Greetings from a sunny but quite cold St-petersburg!

saxo042 (15030) 2008-11-02 1:42

Hi Frank,
Impressive church and a fine capture. I like the play between light and shadows here. As said before, your notes are always important part of the picture! Here is no exception.
Regards
Gunnar

papagolf21 (55860) 2008-11-02 1:48

Bonjour, mon bon ami Frank,
Tu ne sais pas à quel point tu me fais plaisir à travers ces photographies. Je suis admiratif de l'architecture, de l'intérieur de l'église, de ces marques sculptées sur les pierres de l'église. Un pur moment de bonheur. Voilà tout l'intérêt de TE, apprendre, toujours et encore. Mille mercis, mon ami.
Ici, le ciel hésite entre le bleu et le gris, le temps est frais !
Amitiés sincères.
Philippe

dumbo (4288) 2008-11-02 1:52

Hello Frank,
Beautiful old church and great colors. I like this composition and the architecture of that church.
Well done!

Regards,
Eino

cbrman (18633) 2008-11-02 2:59

Hello Frank,

Une église très ancienne de style roman. Je connais bien Locarno mais il semble que je n'ai jamais vu cette belle église. Le panneau me dérange un peu mais il est dans l'ombre alors il se fait oublier.
La lumière sur la façade est intéressante.
Merci pour la note très instructive.
A+

Dominique

ellelloo (4626) 2008-11-02 10:44

Hello Frank,
Interesting architecture and wall textures in this old church, which you have presented in a fine way. A good POV, which shows the church from the best angle. I like the play of shadows and lights, which you have controlled well too. Beautiful and natural colours. I like the interior photo too. I can imagine that you had a memorable concert for yourself only!
Greetings,
Lasse

josepmarin (33561) 2008-11-02 11:39

Hallo Frank,
Your setting and the angle of your POV allow to catch the architectural beauty of this church.
The perspective is elegant and the strong light is managed well.
Good composition.
Regards from the soft Barcelona (14ºC), though the day has been very rainy.
Josep

jlbrthnn (36758) 2008-11-02 14:10

Good evening Frank,
The choice from the point of view, framing, clearness, the sober colors, contributes to this effective and pleasant composition. Cheer.
Good night
Cordially
Joël

ElAprendiz (7370) 2008-11-02 18:31

Hello Frank:

I think that the clouds which are in the background you do not take favors, but the dim blue of the sky, contrasts beautifully with the gray of the architectural structure.

This chapel is appreciated beautiful, well-designed, and the linear shapes are balanced well in the composition.

Excellent.

John

jlynx (11380) 2008-11-03 3:53

Hello Frank,
Nice composition and very well exhibited, nice perspective of the block of the church. Finished up chiaroscuro on facade of the church creates the good fine arts of the picture. Colours well replete and splendid sharpness. Very precious is the spacious in-line description to the photo.
Best regards from Poznan,
Jurek