The final battleground, a photo from Ninawa, North

Photographer's Note

I have finished showing photos from Baku and jump to Mosul in northern Iraq.

This is the famous leaning minaret of the 12th century al-Nouri mosque, also known as the Nur al-Din mosque. Three years ago the terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed the "Caliphate" of the so called Islamic State from this mosque. This street and others surrounding the mosque will be where the final battle of Mosul between Iraqi forces and the terrorists will take place, probably very soon.

Look carefully at the minaret now, because it may soon be gone.

Here is a larger version.

I took this photo in July 1970. It is scanned from an Agfacolor slide but converted to B&W mainly to make it look older and more timeless. After all it is not even 47 years old. You can see the colour version as a workshop. In another workshop I will show an older photo I found on the internet.

alvaraalto, snunney, pajaran, ikeharel, Royaldevon, jhm, Fis2, papagolf21, COSTANTINO, PiotrF, mcmtanyel, sacimar, macjake, PaulVDV, worldcitizen, jean113, CLODO, cornejo, BennyV, lucasgalodoido, ChrisJ, adramad has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

snunney (130967) 2017-06-08 1:15

Hello Gert,
Black and white was a good choice here both as regards the subject and the point you make in your commentary. The lady walking home with her shopping is a nice addition, enlivening the scene and supplying scale. Very good conversion. We can but wait and see now.

Nicou (193814) 2017-06-08 1:44

Hello

quelle iamge et vue quelle compo NB avec ce minaret qui penche et ces personnages le caniveau sueprbe ensemble et compo nostalgique.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

pajaran (117001) 2017-06-08 1:48

Dobar dan.
Interesantan i lep pogled, dobar tekst ...
Dobarrad sa lepim fotografijama u radionici, dobar kontrast, lepo pokazana stara arhitetura i detalji na fasadi. Lepa stara arhitektura i minaret.
Imajte lep i uspesan dan, sve najbolje.
Paja.

Good day.
Interesting and nice view, good text ...
Dobarrad with beautiful photographs of the workshop, good contrast, nice old demonstrated and architecture details on the facade. Beautiful old architecture and minaret.
Have a nice and successful day, all the best.

alvaraalto (42804) 2017-06-08 2:18

Hello Gert
You present us today an interesting and important document. Probably in the category “How it was before the “Caliphate”. Good choice for this old fashion black and white presentation. It underlines timeless, but something of the past. The workshop are a good addition.
Have a nice day, Groet Rob

heimann2 (2067) 2017-06-08 2:44

Hi Gert,
wonderful shot with great view on this strange minaret. Like your choice of B&W too.
regards
Pierre

ChrisJ (172408) 2017-06-08 2:54

Hello Gert,

For a moment I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me or my glasses needed a good clean. Looks similar to the effect of refracted light on water. Must have been an earthquake or 2 in the distant past. Good tonal range and sharpness in this superb b&w image of the leaning minaret. Tfs!

Royaldevon (86400) 2017-06-08 4:22

Hello Gert,

The more that I see your archive photographs, the more I am aware that you have an irreplaceable international archive! Shots like this, show places as the were before wars or modernisation. They are like gems ... and possibly more interesting!
We can see the materials, the design, the decorations, all in a very well composed photograph. Long before digital manipulation, the details are exact.

I've tried hard to identify what the figure is carrying, perhaps you will be able to help me in that respect.

I always want to say, thank you for sharing this, for aI really enjoy scrutinising these old photographs,
Bev :-)

jhm (211738) 2017-06-08 5:07

Hello Gert,

Your picture is absolutellt spectacular with the oblique minarette.
A pity but the area is breeding ground for the next WAR, I am not anti man, but a realist man.
I was born in WW II but I know not of the War only short after the war was I young boy, everything broken in my area!.
Wonderful perspective and depth picture.
An excellent composition and lovely presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John

Fis2 (171877) 2017-06-08 6:22

Witaj Gert!
Nice b&w photo from your archive.
Interesting scene from street, minaret makes impression.
Good frame and composition.
Well done.
Warm regards.
Krzysztof

Sergiom (117241) 2017-06-08 6:28

Bonjour Gert,

Elle ne date pas d'hier cette photo. y a des traces d'usure sur le papier et le passage a été difficile au numérique.A en faire pencher dangereusement la tour.

Amicalement

Serge

papagolf21 (152607) 2017-06-08 7:07

Bonjour, cher Gert,
Toujours la passion du détail et de l'Histoire, merci pour ces trois photos, toutes intéressantes.
Effectivement, le minaret est prêt de tomber (est-il encore debout à ce jour ?).
Cette photo devient une image d'archive.
Merci pour votre note toujours passionnante.
Amitiés.
Philippe

COSTANTINO (117726) 2017-06-08 8:05

Hello dear Gert and have a nice time
and a happy new day
again to old photos I love old photos
because very photo is a different storey
for you as you wrote this is the famous
leaning minaret the choice of black and white
is the best showing better the quality of
the photo
regards
Costantino

Tue (93374) 2017-06-08 8:21

Hello Gert,
Unbelievable how things must have changed in a place like this, how different it must be there now. Excellent B&W photo, very good vertical frame too. The minaret looks impressive.
Lars

dale54 (17768) 2017-06-08 9:55

gert hello..let us hope it will make it through this war.so they can have peace...excellent shot from 1970,this is amazing from a scan! tfs dale

Silvio1953 (222847) 2017-06-08 10:17

Ciao Gert, lovely B&W composition with curious tower, good perspective, fine details, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

GyurMaster (25018) 2017-06-08 12:42

Dear Gert,

My first thought was: the leaning tower of Pisa is a beginner compared to this tower. Joking apart: the BW conversion was a good choice in this case (is there any case, when not? :)), this photo really has a timeless feel. As often, you show something really important reflecting on the actual events.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

batalay (41261) 2017-06-08 14:21

Hello Gert,

Indeed, it is a timeless photo. I did not know about the leaning minaret. It's quite amazing that it has not toppled after 800-900 years, especially it is curved so badly. Also, I did not know about Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi selecting Mosul as the seat of his future Caliphate. I fear the minaret, the mosque, and most importantly, thousands of residents will become collateral damage in the liberation of the town.

Warm regards,

Bulent

lousat (139960) 2017-06-08 15:29

Hi Gert,fantastic memory from your archive,a very old pic but very important in these days close to final attack....the architechture is unique,reminds a bit the Pisa tower...ehehe...i hope that it will be there after the battle...thanks a lot for the moment for this pic and the WS too. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

PiotrF (55934) 2017-06-08 16:30

Hello Gert,
Good photo from your archive.
Great view of this famous minaret.
A colorful photo in WS I like too.
Regards
Piotr

mcmtanyel (69165) 2017-06-08 21:19

Hello Gert,
The prospect of the destruction of this almost 1000-year old mosque saddens me. Let us hope that self-proclaimed caliph can be taken down without damaging peculiar structure.
Regards,
MT

rychem (72187) 2017-06-08 22:26

Amazing, this leaning minaret is almost unknown in Europe, perfect old photo, excellent presentation
regards Ryszard

emka (158744) 2017-06-08 23:35

Hello Gert, This is really old picture! It looks fine in with the conversion in black and white. Fantastic leaning minaret. Why you think it can be gone soon? because of war, or it is leaning more and more? Glad you post your old gems.
Very interesting to compare with the older version. It leaned a lot during thjese years inbeetween.
Kind regrad s Malgo

dkmurphys (79209) 2017-06-09 0:11

Hi Gert,
Nice document, how nice the place was. I hope this structure will stand against the stupid war between the humans and the brainwashed religious beasts...

D

GFSSD-1 (5888) 2017-06-09 3:50

Merhaba,
çok dokunaklı bir fotograf paylaşımı,
bu güzelim kentlerde huzursuzluğun, düşmanlığın, cinayetlerin kol gezmesi ne acıklı bir durum.
Very touching photo sharing,
It is a pathetic situation where the unrest, hostility and murders of these beautiful cities are circulating.
Bestregards

ikeharel (114535) 2017-06-09 5:22

"Torre pendent of Mosul", and immediately this sight made me wonder if it still stand tall, Gert.
I find this a great past-time documentary, well scanned from B&W photo, distinct clear scenery. Amazing to learn new things about our world, through TE of course.
Good afternoon and thanks for your critique.
Ike

sacimar (38173) 2017-06-09 5:34

Hello Gert,

this is another one of your great old photographs, the minaret is witness of history and I hope it will not be gone. Great job, congratulations!

Best regards,

Sergio

BennyV (34772) 2017-06-09 6:27

"Look carefully at the minaret because it may soon be gone" - from the look of it, it would be a miracle if it was still standing two hours after this shot was taken!

What a beautiful oldie you've resurrected here, Gert. Teriific post, terrific note. Thanks a lot & have a terrific weekend.

Terrifically...

Benny

jmdias (116405) 2017-06-09 16:44

gert

curious how the top of the minaret was up, almost like a plant correcting its way up. probably the top fell down and they rebuild it. amazing structure by itself and because it is so tilt. the compo is fantastic with the personages and excellent framing. nice option for B&W escaping from the vanished colors. I hope the minaret can survive and the evil will be washed away.

hugs

jorge

macjake (98544) 2017-06-10 1:41

Hi Gert
it would be interesting to hear Lisa's comments on this one
haha :)

On a more serious side of things, you're probably 100% right in that this minaret will more than likely be another casualty of war...sadly.

what they fail to understand is, all it does is make locals want to build another, newer, better structure. Look at the New World Trade Center in NY, it brings people together, stronger, more united.

as for the photo, i much prefer the color version, however this monochrome one suits the depressing mood very well, it suits it perfectly. another wonderful shot from the past
cheers
Craig

rbassin (27472) 2017-06-10 3:05

hello Gert,
une superbe photo N&B avec de bons contrastes.
Un document d'archive très intéressant de 1970.
Bon W-E
Roland

PaulVDV (63452) 2017-06-10 10:59

Hello Gert,
I remember you've mentioned this minaret once in your note at another picture.
This minaret is surely leaning more than the famous tower in Pisa. Surprisingly, it is still standing in an area of earthquakes.
It reminds me a bit of the mosque with the shaking minarets (Monar Jonban) on the outskirts of Isfahan. Apparently there is nothing wrong with it. Were it not that it is visited by people who enter (= crawl in) one of two very narrow minarets and once at the inside they start shaking it. The minaret shakes back and forth so that anyone standing outside thinks it will fall.
I was there in summer 1996 and there was a large group of Iranians waiting their turn to enter the minaret. We were with two foreigners and the Iranian visitors insisted that one of us did this too. So I crawled on the stairs in the narrow minaret and started shaking it with my hands against one side and my back against the other. My traveling companion said afterwards that the minaret shook tremendously. I even got an applause. This was my strangest experience anywhere with a country's cultural patrimony.
Regarding Mosul I really hope there won't be too many victims with the locals at the liberation of the city. But IS knowing, I fear it.
Best regards, Paul

willperrett (14215) 2017-06-11 9:49

Hello Gert

A classic but potentially sad image: important as an historical and cultural document. I think you did the sensible thing to convert this image to monochrome - for several reasons, not least the technical issue of the colour degradation of the old tranny.

Regards

Will

worldcitizen (16226) 2017-06-11 17:47

Hello Gert,
That minaret seems to be leaning so precariously, but it's something other than architecture that threatens its existence. This is a great archival photo, and I like the people walking along the wall, too. It's a very captivating scene.

Cricri (176) 2017-06-12 8:12

Hi Gert
Cette version N/B donne un côté plus dramatique, incroyable penchement du minaret prêt a tomber !! bon travail
belle journée
cricri

jean113 (28253) 2017-06-12 13:52

Hello Gert, thank you for this picture and the additional ones in the workshop.The conversion to b/w does indeed make it feel timeless.
Your viewpoint emphasises the angle of the tower, how can it still be standing? Let us hope that it remains for a long time into the future.
The woman walking along the street completes the composition.
Thanks for sharing,
regards Jean.

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2017-06-12 22:00

Hi dear Gert

Woo so precios shot, that was taken in Mosul where so severe buttles are now conducted. 47 yeras ago there is full of peace. You are really great history teller.

All the best and have a good day! Takero

CLODO (45118) 2017-06-14 7:51

Hi Gert

A very informative news well underlined by the amazing mosque tower still reaching the sky!
Cheers
CLODO

cornejo (61504) 2017-06-17 10:01

Hello Gert, very good black and white photograph of this interesting minaret, very well captured in this interesting image, with good clarity, light, color and quality. Very good and interesting work perfectly done, my congratulations, my friend. Thank you for sharing this beautiful work.

Good night and happy Sunday.
Affectionate greetings from the south of Spain.
Angel.

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2017-06-23 5:20

Olá Gert,
bem interessante esse registro histórico seu aqui, com um excelente POV. Curiosa essa torre torta. Belo trabalho.
Parabéns e Abraço,
Lucas

dta (98848) 2017-06-23 5:32

Hello Gert ,
Unfortunately , the reason why you present us this wonderful nostalgic view is a sad event .
But war means a lot hardships ...
Regards

kasianowak (17676) 2017-06-24 0:37

I think it's now gone after all the fighting in the centre of Mosul. So many lives and so much history destroyed in the war.
It looks like the final battle but in the Middle East no battle is ever final, just another step in the never ending war. One menance turns into another, many of those created by western interventions.
When I was there in 2014 Mosul was already a no go area. Time flies indeed, even those 3 years for me feel like an eternity.
Have a nice weekend
Kasia

adramad (73418) 2017-06-26 11:35

Hi, Gert.
Fantastic image, that is an example for the memory of this jewel, disappeared these days, for the savagery of that group of fanatics, who are a scourge for civilization.
Excellent POV, with very good lighting and sharpness to enjoy the details.
Very good work. I like it
Have a happy day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

LuisGustavoLima (5184) 2017-09-26 15:52

Oi, Gert!

Cena realmente muito interessante! Não conhecia esse monumento. O efeito preto/branco realmente valorizou a imagem. Uma pena essa construção tão interessante estar sob ameaça.
Boa foto!