Carrying water to town, a photo from Larnaca, East

Photographer's Note

‘Larnaca - Carrying water to town’

After an extended stay in Cyprus (extended by four days by the shutdown of Europe's airspace because of the ash cloud) I can finally show you some pictures of my trip.

The place of arrival in Cyprus was Larnaca.
When I went to the outskirts of town to see the old aqueduct, built by the Ottoman governor Koca Bekir Pasha in 1745, I was very surprised.
There were no other visitors at all while this aqueduct really is a remarkable construction.

Back home I’m also surprised that so far nobody else ever has posted a picture of this aqueduct on TE.
In a way, this picture here is a scoop :-)

The habitants of Larnaca call this aqueduct ‘the Kamares’, whick means ‘arcades’ in Greek.

From http://www.about-larnaca.info :

At the exit from Larnaca towards the Limassol highway you see the grandiose arches (kamares) of the 16 kilometers long, 18th century aqueduct of Larnaca. For the adventurer the old aqueduct of Larnaca offers a tremendous challenge. Walking in a straight line from the 1st arches (about 2-3 kilometers), you arrive at the 2nd arches, and after a walk of almost the same distance, (but having to pass the airport “bypass highway”) you arrive at the 3rd and lower arches. At this point you have to look for the old mill, which pumped the aqueduct’s water. Then, for almost 9 kilometers up to the river, the water - channel goes underground, but every 30 meters you can see the “visiting wells” of this unbelievable project, which channeled the water of the river Tremithos to Larnaca till the 1950’s.

Many researchers and historians believe that this tremendous public work has existed since Roman times, (as it’s mentioned in the acts Secret of Apostle Barnabas) and that the Ottoman Governor Bekir Pashia reconstructed the whole project in 1745 on the basis of the surviving facilities.

This argument is supported by the fact that a similar water channel exists in the archaeological site of the ancient port at Kilkis Street and at many other spots in the city dated in Hellenistic and Roman times.

yeln, edge, sandpiper, danos, skippy007, Cretense, paololg, shevchenko, belido, jhm, Fante, dip, pajaran, adramad, Charo, vladic, Angshu, ikeharel, Hansaphotos has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

francio64 (38188) 2010-04-26 13:05

Ciao Paul,
bella vista dell'interno del canale di questo acquedotto.
Mi piace l'inquadratura di esso che forma una doppia diagonale dando molta profondità alla scena.
Ottima la gestione della luce, bei contrasti di colore e ottimo sharp.

TFS!
Francesco

edge (6068) 2010-04-26 19:42

Bonsoir Paul, Remarkable shot of thie old aqueduct. Wonderful composition with the village, and its colorful buildings, in the background. A very artful picture with the creativity to recognize how this would look as taken. The arches are excellent, and I can imagine how this must look as described in your notes. Very good job on this one. Regards, Roger

sandpiper (6009) 2010-04-27 5:48

Hi Paul

Great view along this aqueduct. It is indeed a surprise that no one else has shared on TE before. An amazing construction, as are all aqueducts. I lik eteh way it leads the eye into the modern town, yet we can still see the ancient construction. Good oone.

Chris

danos (74064) 2010-04-27 9:12

Hi Paul,
nice the presentation of this old aqueduct,with the POV and the perspective to make it to looks so impressive.These old aqueducts there are a lot in Greece and i think and all around Europe.

Have a nice afternoon,Danos

TopGeo (37994) 2010-04-27 22:10

Hi Paul! A nice the presentation and excellent point! An impressive Surveying Interesting note!, With the POV and the perspective old aqueducts there are a lot in Greece I like your idea because I have not visited the Larnaca! Bravo
Georgios

skippy007 (12500) 2010-04-28 0:04

Hello Paul, I read your informative note with interest, when I first looked at this I thought it was a aqueduct built by the Romans & not as recently as 1745. Congratulation on the scoop, one wonders why it has not appeared on TE before. I like the perspective & composition, pleasant diagonals & showing not only the bridge but also the town in the BG putting it all in perspective. Nice colour saturation & light.
Thanks
Regards
Santo

Cretense (68663) 2010-04-28 5:52

Hello Paul!

Beautiful stone bridge, works perfectly as "lead in" line! Excellent perspective, great framing and composition, flawless light management, beautiful colours!

Hercules

paololg (31442) 2010-04-28 15:07

Ciao dear Paul,
marvelous and interesting perspective of this ancient aqueduct that brings the eye up to the modern palaces of the city. Excellent quality photographic and good choice of the POV. Compliments!
Ciao, have a nice day!
Paolo

diomed (13926) 2010-04-29 14:46

Hi Paul,
a nice diagonal this aqueduct, a wonderful perspective.
Excellent POV, lovely satured colors, attractive composition.
Regards
Antonio

gunbud (34052) 2010-04-29 18:38

Hi Paul,
The ancient Romans certainly did leave their mark on Europe with these ruins more than 2,000 years old.
Excellent POV allowing for a view of the richly texture arches and the cuving walkway above the aqueduct.
Regards, Tom

shevchenko (18243) 2010-04-30 0:07

Hi Paul,
Good frame to the old aqueduct stretching to the town, clear to show the inner side completed with concrete, beautiful modern city in the depth, good frame in good perspective, distinct photo, well done.
Ally

mikolaj_kawa (0) 2010-04-30 0:42

Hello Paul! Amazing aqueduct, amazing old and new architecture, old and new times. Very good point of view, superb capture. Excllent lightness and colours, superb saturation, delicate effect. Original work. Well done!

AiresSantos (56155) 2010-04-30 19:22

Hi Paul
Fine perspective of this aqueduct from top
Excellent vivid colors and depth
Have a nice weekend
Aires

mauro61 (52527) 2010-05-01 4:23

ciao Paul,
bello questo POV con la linea dell'acquedotto che attraversa lo scatto mettendo in mostra la struttura ad archi.
Città sullo sfondo contrasto tra moderno e antico,
un caro saluto
maurizio

belido (19934) 2010-05-01 7:52

Hi Paul,

it seems we chose the same "theme" for our last photos :) I'm happy they preserved this aqueduct. It's an area of modern buildings. I like the graphism of the image and its colors. The note is also important and informative. Great job on the catch!
Regards,
Carlos

jhm (122490) 2010-05-01 23:57

Dag Paul,

Enkele dagen geleden heeft iemand deze aquaduct geplaatst maar uit een ander hoek, bijna in de vlakke lijn.
Daarom vindt ik uw foto een stuk beter we zien de water goot perfect, deze creëert nog perspectief en diepte aan de foto.
Zeer mooi gedaan, bedankt.

Prettige zondag,
John

Fante (5429) 2010-05-04 11:13

Hi Paul,
beautiful photo of very interesting architecture. Perfect composition, extraordinary POV. Amazing sharpness with very good DOF and nice vivid colors. Bravo
TFS
Regards, Sasko

rodgerg (55767) 2010-05-05 11:44

Goed avond best Paul,

Mooi, zeer mooi.
The POV very well selcetd give an incredible prospect and a great depht to the image. The coloured houses in the BG give a very beautiful prospect effect in the BG.
Goed nacht,

Roger

dip (21921) 2010-05-05 13:38

Hi Paul,
nice image of the ancient arcades-wall with good POV and perspective,very good sharpness and clarity as well!
greetings,
Dimitris.

pajaran (36282) 2010-05-06 0:24

Dobar dan.
Dobar motiv i perspektiva sa pogledom na deo grada ...
Stara arhitektura i potreba za vodom terale su ljude da prave velicanstvene gradjevine, dobar prikaz uvodnim tekstom i lepom fotografijom.
Dobra dubina snimka i novo saznanje, svidja mi se vas rad, Paja.

Google.

Good day.
A good motive and perspective view of the city ...
The old architecture and the need for water forced the people to build magnificent buildings, good view of the introductory text and beautiful photography.
Good depth of image and new knowledge, I like your work, Paja.
.

adramad (27556) 2010-05-06 9:51

Hello Paul.
Great POV with the aqueduct seen from above showing the channel through which water flowed, modern and colorful buildings contrast with this ancient monument. Good color and light management in this beautiful composition.
Best regards.
Luis.

Charo (51174) 2010-05-10 16:39

Hello Paul,
Magnificent view of the aqueduct, ne is often able to climb over them.
Excellent depth and contrast with the architecture of the city.
Best wishes,
Charo

mkamionka (24583) 2010-05-11 12:59

Hi Paul,
great POV which explains so easily the purpose of this structure. The channel leads the eye across the construction to the town view. Fantastic composition, very well done,
M

yeln (11502) 2010-05-16 6:27

hello Paul
google
impressive architecture. good view with excelent sharpness!
sincere congratulations!
Have a nice day
Vojko

vladic (4153) 2010-06-07 3:04

Hi Paul,

Intéressant point de vue sur le vieux aqueduc.
La lumière bien captée permet d’apprécier toutes ces textures de pierres.

Bonne journée,
Wladyslaw

Angshu (51174) 2010-07-12 9:35

Hello Paul
I think I am seeing the top of an aqueduct for the first time. You created a good lead-in & perspective with the aqueduct. The contrast between the old & new/modern architecture in the BG is also interesting! Thanks to share this unusual view!
Best Regards
Angshu

ellelloo (6570) 2010-07-13 9:28

Hello Paul,
You are presenting this masterpiece of ancient engineering from a great POV, showing the top structure of the construction, where the water run. Amazing that the use of the aqueduct ended as late as the 1950's. TFS!
Greetings,
Lasse

bracasha75 (24443) 2010-08-07 8:00

Hello Paul
On amaizing Aquaduckt to city of Larnaca and beautiful present of long time forgoten architecture
My compliments
Bratislav

ikeharel (37424) 2010-08-22 5:53

Hello Paul,
Water was a major issue also in ancient times - and the Romans knew how to handle and transfer by a simple architecture: The aquaduct. It is found wherever the Romans ruled.
Good pov over the Aquaduct, and depth in pic. with the colorful houses in BG.
Enjoy your Sunday.
Ike

Hansaphotos (5449) 2010-09-15 2:33

Hello Paul

This was surely a scoop, I`m glad you managed to discover it. An excellent choice of POV to get som much of the aqueduct in the foreground. You have also managed to show us its location in relation to town. Splendid work with very good DOF. TFS.

Have a great day.

Best regards, Erling