Flowers
For today, just two flower shots I think worked out pretty well 🙂
Hill of Crosses, Lithuania
The Hill of Crosses is a sacred place in Northern Lithuania close to Silauliai. It consists of two small artificial hills (maybe 5 to 6 meters high) amid vast farming land. The origins of the crosses are primarily unknown, though many legends speak of soldiers finding their last rest in the ground beneath. In the 19th century, the place became regarded as mystical and holy. First, crosses were erected in honor of fallen soldiers and in remembrance of deceased family members, and later also to celebrate happy occasions like weddings and baptisms. The Soviets saw the hill as a place of fanatic cultism and closed it down. Despite the repressions, they could not stop the tradition, and after 1990, the Hill of Crosses grew even more, becoming a national symbol of religion and endurance. Today, crosses can be seen from around the world, not only catholic crosses but also orthodox and evangelical ones. Whether religious or not, the place doesn’t leave the visitor cold.
Vienna on the Danube
A couple of shots from the last months.
Italy September 2012 Part II
Trapani on a late September day.
The amazing staircase of the Vatican museums.
Sunset at the coast of Western Sicily.
The Cathedral of Modica in Central Sicily.
No comment needed 🙂
Italy September 2012 Part I
In September 2012, I went to Sicily and Southern Italy with friends. On the way there, I also had a chance to visit Milano. I already posted some of these impressions on this blog, but cramping them all into one entry would be nice. Also, as I mentioned, there are some new pictures as well 🙂
A view over the Bay of Naples.
The world-famous cathedral of Milano. A beautiful piece of Gothic architecture in black and white.
Catania is a fantastic city. Built on the foot of a massive volcano (Etna), it was destroyed and rebuilt a couple of times. A fitting alternative name for the city would be Phoenix, as it has risen from the ashes like a legendary bird. In Catania, the streets and many buildings are made out of lava stone (basalt), and it may happen very well that you end up in the cellar of a bar in which there are still traces of old lava flows under your table (Agora Hostel Bar). If you are on the main square (Piazza del Duomo), visit the Cathedral and enjoy this magnificent view from the rooftop.
Actually, this shot is not from 2012. But it fits pretty well, so here it is 🙂 Personally, I adore Vespas. And a beautiful turquoise Vespa in Rome must be a win, no?
The train station was built by the Fascists under Mussolini. It is colossal and displays various sceneries of Italian life and culture. Today, large commercial ads dominate. It is still a fascinating piece of 20th-century architecture and a prominent showcase for totalitarian gigantism.
It was the beginning of a warm day in late summer, sailing on board a ferry into the natural Bay of Naples. As we came on deck, we witnessed this beautiful sunrise over the Vesuvio volcano. The view was stunning, and we watched with a humbled AAW. Although we didn’t sleep much on the ferry that night and had a long program ahead of us in Naples, this sunrise was enough to carry us through the day.
Istanbul April 2013
Less than a week ago, I returned from a short trip to the magnificent Istanbul. It was the first time I visited an Islamic country and the first time I experienced a megalopolis with a staggering 16 million people! So, it was a very insightful and exciting trip. We enjoyed the beginning of spring in the Gardens of the Saray, drank tea served traditionally above the city skyline, and paved our way through the busy streets of the Old Bazar. We saw the last station of the Orient Express (sadly not existing anymore), found a feline friend on the Prince Islands (which should be called Cat Islands instead), and explored the nightlife of Galata. In short, the city on the Bosporus was beautiful and unique!
Michael Hoffman Photography 