Swallow's Nest, a photo from Krym, East

Photographer's Note

The most popular place in Crimea - Swallow's Nest. So why shouldn't I post the photo from there even if it is a classic composition. In the late evening light it looked quite scary.

Swallow's Nest is a decorative castle near Yalta on the Crimean shore in southern Ukraine. It was built between 1911 and 1912 near Gaspra, on top of 40-metre high Aurora Cliff, to a Neo-Gothic design by the Russian architect Leonid Sherwood. The castle overlooks Ai–Todor cape of the Black Sea and is located near the remnants of the Roman castrum of Charax.
The first building on the Aurora Cliff was constructed for a Russian general circa 1895.The first structure he built was a wooden cottage romantically named the "Love Castle
In 1911, Baron von Steingel, a Baltic German noble who had made a fortune extracting oil in Baku, acquired the timber cottage and within a year had it replaced by the current building. The Scottish baronial and Neo-Moorish styles had been introduced in the Crimea in the 1820s by Edward Blore, the architect of the Alupka Palace (1828-46). Swallow's Nest is closer in style to German architectural follies, such as Neuschwanstein, and Stolzenfels, although its precarious setting on the cliffs by the sea-side may also suggest the Belém Tower.

In 1914, von Steinheil sold the building to P. G. Shelaputin to be used as a restaurant In 1927, Swallow's Nest survived a serious earthquake rated at 6 to 7 on the Richter scale. For a long time, Swallow's Nest was closed to the public due to the damage it suffered in that quake. The building would remain closed for the next forty years.

Since 1975, an Italian restaurant has operated within the building. Swallow's Nest was also featured in several Soviet films. It was used as the setting of Desyat Negrityat, the Soviet screen version of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. The Swallow's Nest Castle and the surrounding landmarks such as the Massandra palace were also shortly featured in a Jackie Chan film.

The building is compact in size (20 m long by 10 m wide; 65 ft by 33 ft).An observation deck rings the building, providing a view of the sea, and Yalta's distant shoreline.

bukitgolfb301, jjcordier, dkmurphys, rodgerg, asajernigan, sandpiper, vasilpro, ade71, raszid62, macjake, PaulVDV, adores, saxo042, patdeph, paololg, Longroute, mkamionka, BluSimo, Angshu, s_lush, pablominto, Juntas, Didi, ikeharel, delpeoples has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bukitgolfb301 (30063) 2010-09-20 0:59

Hello my dear Malgorzata

Great but amazing secnery/archtecture shot.
dlight slight color management is marvelous too.
Perfect composition and well calcurated framework as usual. Blessing on your great job and thanks for sharing, Have a nice start of new week and Best regards,
Takero

jjcordier (62280) 2010-09-20 1:07

Malgorzata
Quelle étonnante construction!Ton traitement couleur lui donne un aspect encore plus étrange, presque inquiétant. Belle réalisation!
Amicalement
JJ

CLODO (24726) 2010-09-20 1:09

Hi Malgorzata

Unbelieveble! they dare built a castle on (and outside) the rock! Looks as a fairy castle, with the red light adding some color in your shot.
Warmest regards
CLODO

dkmurphys (36759) 2010-09-20 1:52

Hello,
Well, that's an interesting place. Weird terrace on that picturesque rock. The view is also fantastic. Well seen.

holmertz (26906) 2010-09-20 2:23

Hello Malgorzata,
A well known place, as you say, but still an undeniably fascinating kitsch. The evening colours and the red light above the door contribute to the spookiness.
Best regards,
Gert

rodgerg (55767) 2010-09-20 3:30

Witaj Malgorzta,

The verticla format here very well selcetd give an impressive aspect to this image with the castle well locatd an the top of the rocks. very intersting, very nice nad especially very impresive shot.
have a nice week,
Roger

DRAKOLIMNH (1224) 2010-09-20 3:33

hello,
wow!Amazing picture -what a place-nice shot

Petros

asajernigan (19669) 2010-09-20 3:52

Malgorzata,
This is a well composed shot of this unique castle. The vertical format works well here emphasizing the height of the scene while allowing us close up details. The lighting and colors are great and the photo has fine sharpness.
TFS,
Asa

francio64 (38188) 2010-09-20 4:29

Ciao Malgorzata,
mamma mia! Questo castello ha una posizione alquanto vertiginosa e affascinante allo stesso tempo.

Belli i colori.

TFS!
L'Assessore

Sergiom (39184) 2010-09-20 5:12

Bonjour Malgorzata

Très impressionnant comme construction.. La rampe est très utile à cet endroit, car le château a les deux pieds dans le vide. La lumière donne un aspect sinistre à l'endroit.

Amicalement

Serge

sandpiper (5997) 2010-09-20 5:20

Hi Malgorzata

You certainly get to some amazing places. I have never seen this one before, its fantastic. Good comositin and erie light.

Chris

Bluejeans (64227) 2010-09-20 5:31

Olas Malgorzata ,
Fantástico este lugar na Ucrânia , este pequeno castelo na ponta desta rocha , gostei muito do céu com tons meio tabaco, bons detalhes , bom uso da foto na vertical ,parabéns!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

sayeed_rahman (5985) 2010-09-20 7:55

if i knew it has been repaired after a quake i would never set foot on the leaning edge which seems the fav spot amongst tourists..exotic feature on this place my friend..swallow's nest..

sayeed

vasilpro (40192) 2010-09-20 8:42

Hello Malgorzata,
Wonderful vertical composition, interesting architecture on the edge of the rock, scary view, excellent light management, very nice POV.
Have a nice evening, Vasilis.

ade71 (2228) 2010-09-20 8:48

Posizione mozzafiato (soprattutto il balcone...) per questo meraviglioso castello. La luce e le ombre rendono l'immagine davvero suggestiva. Bellisso scatto!Complimenti, Adele

raszid62 (18196) 2010-09-20 9:09

Cze¶æ
To naprawdê jskó³cze gniazdo. Wspani³a wie¿a zawieszona nad przepa¶ci±. choæ taka ma³a , jest jednak imponujaca. ¦wietne wieczorne ¶wiat³o.
Pozdrawiam
józek

faletiz (10759) 2010-09-20 11:14

Hi Malgo
Really a balcony overlooking the sea! You chose a good POV for this picture and especially the effect of the balcony is level with the horizon line. A truly picturesque building!
Have a nice evening
Letizia

Fis2 (73084) 2010-09-20 11:42

Witaj Malgosiu!
Ladne to zdjecie, ma klimat.
Super kolorki i swiatlo.
Interesujacy obiekt pieknie usytuowany.
Podoba sie.
Pozdrawiamy
Krzysztof i G.

macjake (39227) 2010-09-20 12:09

Hi Malgorzata
i can see why this place is such a popular destination.
it looks so wrong! like you photoshoped out part of the structure! :)
what an amazing idea to place it along the cliff edge like that.
do you have any other shots of this Castle...love to see them
thanks for the wonderful visual
Cheers
craig

PaulVDV (15017) 2010-09-20 15:16

Hello Malgorzata,
From this very interesting POV it looks like the castle is placed only loosely on the flat rock.
I also have the impression that when too many visitors walk on the terrace, the construction could overturn.
Anyway it's a very impressive sight on the castle and probably also a great one looking down from on the terrace.
Best regards, Paul

adores (28196) 2010-09-20 17:03

Hi Malgorzata!
I have seen photos of this castle before, but this one has a really good light. Taken on a very good moment, the atmosphere is perfect. I like to see all those people in the balcony! An impressive place!

mesutilgim (67940) 2010-09-20 22:31

Hi dear Malgorzata,
What a strange feeling must it be to live in such a swallows nest !
A capture with perfect photographic qualities and wonderfull notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Silvio1953 (98093) 2010-09-21 6:01

Ciao Malgorzata, a veri impressive castle on a wonderful cliffs, splendid light, great atmosphere, very well done my friend, ciao Silvio

saxo042 (31794) 2010-09-21 8:13

Hi Malgorzata,
What a fantastic place to build a house! But if you have more money than taste, you can certainly fulfill your dreams this way. A very interesting picture with very good colours and a very interesting note!
Kind regards
Gunnar

patdeph (35738) 2010-09-21 8:59

hello Malgorzata
Woooow,what an impressive castle!I wonder how it's possible that it's stays here,so near the edge of the cliff, and even with a part above the space!I think it's an incredible idea to have built the castle like this!Your POV is perfect to show this!
Regards
Pascale

paololg (31442) 2010-09-21 10:07

Ciao cara Malgorzata,
it has to be really suggestive to eat the spaghetti in this unbelievable castle, that resembles to that of Frankenstein Junior :-)))
Curious and interesante photo, captured with a pleasant ghostly light as that of the horrors movie (I like horrors movie) ;-)
Ciao, buona serata!
Paolo

AKITA (15125) 2010-09-21 14:13

dear MAlgorzata,
a wonder view shot of the fantastic castle on the cliff,
most unique point is the horizon and the floor of castle are composed on same level, it makes the castle floating in the air,
the ocean seen from lacked rock bellow the castle is mysterious and the back light of the blurred sky too,
thank you for you amazing picture of "swallow's castle",
Akihisa

jurek1951 (35765) 2010-09-21 22:02

Witaj Malgorzeta,
prezetuje sie wspaniale ten budynek na tej skale,ladny kadr i kolorystyka,pozdrawiam
Jurek

Waylim (22349) 2010-09-22 9:57

Hi Maggie,
Impressive Castle, wow.
The evening light creat a very moody atmosphere and sure it is a classic compo, but it just fine, that's why it is classic because it is good. the whole scene looks surreal, kind of like from the movies. Really nice quality consider the low light.
Way

Longroute (19390) 2010-09-22 10:42

Really a "German architectural folly" ! (:-)
It defies the law of gravity!
Anyway a great photographic subject and your photo shows it well in a twilight atmosphere. Very original and interesting.
Ciao,
Donato

mkamionka (24505) 2010-09-23 8:21

Czesc Malgorzata,
ano bylem ciekaw czy to pokazesz poniewaz ty unikasz klasyki. Bardzo milo mi zobaczyc. Stoisz w takim ciekawym punkcie ze na miniaturce myslalem ze to jakis fotomontaz tak bardzo ta podstawa zamku wchodzi na linie horyzontu.
Bardzo trudne warunki ale za to przyjemna wieczorna atmosfera.
Pozdrowienia
M

BluSimo (9392) 2010-09-23 11:13

Ciao Malgo,
che posto impressionante!!! io credevo che castelli come questo esistessero solo nelle favole! :-) anche il post ha accentuato il carattere fantastico di questo luogo. mi piace molto che l'orizzonte sia sullo stesso piano della terrazza. brava, un interessantissimo scatto. grazie per mostrarci questa parte di Europa che non conosco per niente.
ciao e buona serata
Simonetta

leo61 (0) 2010-09-23 11:16

HI Malgorzata!
A pitty for some unsharpness in the foreground,but it`s a great shot,taken from an excellent POV.
I like that the bottom of this platform is exactly at the same level as the sea.
Regards,Leo

Angshu (51174) 2010-09-25 23:30

Hello Malgorzata
A very interesting building & more importantly the site where it has been built, perched high up the hill & hanging out of the ledge! A good sunset time shot with soft pastel hues, the red light above the door adds interest!
Best Regards
Angshu

s_lush (15580) 2010-09-26 23:26

Hello Malgorzata,
Thanks a lot for such artistic and masterful presentation of my country! In your blue-hour shot the Swallow's Nest looks highly beautiful and romantic. An excellent capture and very comprehensive and interesting note!
Best regards,
Sergiy

ManuMay (33311) 2010-09-26 23:27

Witaj Malgorzata!

For sure and impressive view!!

Optim point of view choosen and very good details, the play of contrasts is really good and let us see this place as if it was floating on air...

Very good!

Congratulations...

Have a nice day...

Manu

pablominto (53744) 2010-09-26 23:46

Hello Malgorzata,

Quite a construction, and what a place to put it..!
Excellent view of the Black Sea hehehe...
The first thing that struck my mind, is this must be Dracula's summer residence..!

Greetings,
Pablo -

cobra112 (15587) 2010-09-27 11:25

Ciao Margherita. Impressionante il POV che fa sembrare precario l'equilibrio del castello. Buona la lcue.

Roberto

Juntas (7958) 2010-09-28 9:54

Hi Emka. This is really a quite interesting scene. I don't know if I dare to have diner there :) Belém Tower looks much safer. It's a nice scene with a good pp. nice colors and great sharpness. Well done.
Have a nice day.
Paulo

KateinDenmark (1634) 2010-10-03 10:21

Very nice composition. I had click on this thumb nail since it really appears this castle is impossibly balanced. Very nice composition.

Greetings
Kate

SWEETFREEDOM (18411) 2010-10-04 11:31

Hi Malgorzata,
amazing castle on the cliff, colors and sharpness great.
regards
Alessandro

drt100 (1122) 2010-10-06 0:35

This is such an interesting photo, almost an optical illusion. Your positioning is just right with the water line breaking and near center allowing the contrast between castle and cliff. I have found your work to be interesting and with meaning. You have a great eye. drt100 David

cyborg83 (4515) 2010-10-10 1:07

Czesc Emciu,
moze to faktycznie jest najbardziej popularne miejsce na Krymie ale ja nigdy wczesniej go nie widzialem :)
No powiem Ci ze te "balkony" wiszace nad urwiskiem robia wrazenie, ja bym tam chyba nie wlazl...
Pieknie miejsce i pieknie Ci do tego swiatlo zagralo,
pozdrawiam
Sewek

Didi (48896) 2010-10-10 10:02

Hi Malgorzata
Mysterious ambiance with these scary lights, only flying bats are missing :)
Very strange castle indeed.
Warm regards

ikeharel (37280) 2011-01-24 8:45

Amazingly unbelieveable, Malgo, hanging there on it's edges.
Great POV well taken,
Ike

delpeoples (44904) 2011-02-08 3:30

Ciao cara Malgo

I can see why this place is so popular. Yes, this is a classic shot, but do you know I have never seen this place before. So I am glad you showed it to us. Amazing architecture and what's even more amazing is how the castle balances up there in the strong weather conditions. Dramatic sky, excellent colour and sharpness. A superb composition. Congratulations and I wish you a lovely day

Un abbraccio
Lisa

Ricx (13435) 2011-02-09 7:08

Hi Malgo, Is this actualy real? It looks like a fairytale castle ( Iam sure it is real) Congraulations and an excellent POV.. a very good photo well done