Atmosphere of Mdina, a photo from Malta, South

Photographer's Note

Mdina (also called L-Imdina or Citt� Notabile) is the old capital of Malta. It is a medieval town, with narrow quiet streets, situated in the centre of the island. It is also known as the "Silent City". It commands a magnificent view of the Island.

Carmelite Church (in the background)

This 1600 church and its associated monastery are also known as Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The Carmelites were a Sicilian Order who came to Malta in 1370. Designed by Francesco Sammut and 12 years in the construction, the interior with its seven altars and Palladian pilasters under an oval and well-lit dome is unexpectedly rich, despite the French army's looting of the church in 1798 to fund Napoleon's war efforts.

Mdina

Evidence for settlement in Mdina goes back to over 4000 BCE. It was first fortified by the Phoenicians around 700 BC, probably because of its strategic location on one of the highest points on the island and as far from the sea as possible. When Malta came under control of the Roman Empire, the Roman Governor built his palace there. It was here in 60 CE that the Apostle St Paul is said to have lived after being shipwrecked on the Islands. The city earned its present day name from the Saracens who came to Malta around 870 CE. They surrounded the city with thick defensive walls and a wide moat, separating it from its nearest town, Rabat.
The Normans conquered Malta in 1091. A strong earthquake in 1693 destroyed a large number of buildings in Mdina. After the earthquake the Cathedral was rebuilt on the designs of the Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafa.
Today, no cars (other than those of a limited number of residents, emergency vehicles, wedding cars and hearses) are allowed in Mdina and there is a calming atmosphere as one walks along its narrow streets and ways. The city displays an unusual mix of Norman and Baroque architecture, including several palaces, most of which serve as private homes.
(Source: guidetomalta & wikipedia)

pasternak, Fellini, Buin, npecanhuk, snunney, macondo, ChrisJ, ktanska, KLB, TopGeo, bobocortis, jjcordier, paura, John_F_Kennedy, jhm, Cretense, ocskaymarci, Photo65Net has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mikolaj_kawa (0) 2009-01-27 0:51

Hello George! Amazing POV. Wonderful composition: sculpture, lantern and belfry. Nice light and bright, ideal colours. Great effect. Good luck!

pasternak (15185) 2009-01-27 0:56

Such a pleasant composition, the way I like it, with well made interaction between the tower, the statue and the lantern. Really well done.

Cheers
A

Fellini (6407) 2009-01-27 1:07

Hi Geoge,
a perfect composition from this p.o.v. and very good colors, contrast and sharpness adjustements. Good capture.
Greetings
Alex

aadilj (18102) 2009-01-27 1:25

Hey George, this is another fabulous composition with fresh hues and a lovely perspective. I like the way you have composed and dealt this scene. the hues and textures of stone are fabulous as well

jurek1951 (42198) 2009-01-27 1:26

Hi George,
This is a great composition, wonderful sharp colours and details,amazing light and a fantastic blue sky,
Georg

Buin (42580) 2009-01-27 1:56

Hallo George!
Here - for me - the colours and this bright light are the main characters - even though the scenery is beautiful too. Not a single "screaming" colour, no green, no yellow ... very interesting. Great note - as always!
Greetings from cold and grey Germany!
Frank

npecanhuk (79329) 2009-01-27 1:59

Hello George!
Another very interesting architecture photograph!
Excellent sharpness, allowing me to see many details in the buildings! Correct and very good exposure, with excellent management of light! Well chosen pov and beautiful composition!
I really like it!
TFS - Congratulations!
Warmest regards,
Neyvan

hatti52 (12786) 2009-01-27 2:03

Hello George
wonderful detail image with very nice POV
excellent light management
thanks for your note
regards

snunney (130967) 2009-01-27 2:06

Hello George,
I continue to be amazed by the lovely architecture you have unearthed on your trip to Malta. A fine composition with a perfect juxtaposition between all the main elements; the vertical format is well chosen. Lovely warm colours and great clarity.

macondo (20449) 2009-01-27 2:06

Hi George.
Another superbly sharp shot, well composed/cropped to give a pleasing balance between the statue and the tower. Good work to bring out so much detail in the shadows. Such rich colours, and nice angles and lines. Very well done.
Regards,
Andrew

ChrisJ (172408) 2009-01-27 2:33

Hi George

Good colour contrasts between the honey coloured stone & the blue sky, with superb sharpness. The statue at right makes a fine focal poiunt. Well done!

Aviller (3866) 2009-01-27 2:40

Very well composed picture. Both the statue of Jesus and the tower are off center and provide a nice counterbalanace to one another. The fact that we essentially only see two colors in this picture makes it more enjoyable in my opinion. No distractions of any sort, you just get to appreciate the architecture.

ktanska (45048) 2009-01-27 3:04

Hi George,
Well chosen viewpoint from tight corners of Mdina. Nice play of blue sky and sandstone buildings in sun and shadow. Good composition of staue on one corner and towr on the opposite.
Kari

KLB (23723) 2009-01-27 4:41

Hi George

Once again a great one from Malta.
It seems to be a very charming place to visit, with a marvelous architecture.
You present this island in a pleasant way, with diverse points of view, for a complete discovery.
This narrow street of the medieval town is really amazing, your light managment and the fine sharpness bring many details out.
Excellent work.

Regards
Karine

TopGeo (38220) 2009-01-27 8:23

Hello George! Amazing POV. I like it captured ,Wonderful composition with excellent management of light The artistic glance from first level and up to the background of sky with the belfry in place dynamics because vertical frame that impresses Excellent sharpness,well done
I praise you
Georgios

TGULUMSER (13252) 2009-01-27 9:48

Hello George,
A wonderful composition with beautiful details. Your frame is superb,
Best regards,
Tulay

bobocortis (16090) 2009-01-27 10:26

Hello George.
A superb composition coupling several architectural items, in a sunny day, in an amazing mediterranean town.
Well done.
Best regards.
Bobo.

hay_kes (31439) 2009-01-27 14:07

Hi George,
What a stunning architecture vith superb POV, lighting and perspective.TFS.
Cheers,
Have a beautiful day,

hAyAti

jonathan_hart (21276) 2009-01-27 14:53

well managed, nice architecture shot, well balanced
jc

jjcordier (79299) 2009-01-27 22:05

George
Encore une photo de belle qualit�, tr鑚 bien compos馥, qui met id饌lement en valeur cette belle architecture.
Amicalement
JJ

danyy (0) 2009-01-27 22:49

Bonjour George,
je trouve les lumi鑽es vraiment parfaites sur cette photo, avec la nettet�, les deux qualit駸 qui rendent cette photo magnifique.
Regards.
Daniel

paura (25802) 2009-01-28 1:40

George,
The composition is great with and excllent elements management in the frame. Lighting is also a top point. Well done, my friend!

Abra輟

Paulo

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2009-01-28 3:21

I really like the picture. The detail and the colours on the walls are great. Good POV and composition.
Best wishes,
Achim

jhm (211738) 2009-01-28 4:01

Hello George,

You chose a vertical frame this suit excellent to this picture.
Splendid how we the tower see in background, also the statue is very well taken.
The colours and exposure are perfect as is the sharpness of the image.
Nice done, TFS.

Warmest regards,
John

ifanik (21679) 2009-01-28 6:28

Another beautiful photo from you my friend with your wonderful colours
Contrast and POV are great
Best regards
Nick

Cretense (68709) 2009-01-28 9:20

Hi George!

Perfect framing and composition for this impressive architecture photo! Flawless light managment, to bring out those typical "Malta colours"! Congratulations!

Hercules

ocskaymarci (2832) 2009-01-28 11:01

Szia Gyuri!
A hangulat az nagyon megvan! Főleg, hogy a r駸zletekre koncentr疝t疝, 駸 igaz畸 semmi sem kapott t伃nyom� hangs伃yt, ar疣yos az elrendez駸. A f駭yek is a lehető legjobbak!
Gratul疝ok!
ﾜdv,
Marci

berek (50518) 2009-01-28 12:00

Hi George,
its clear picture beautiful blue. clever point of view my friend. take care.
Burak

Photo65Net (43144) 2009-01-28 13:40

Hello George,
Wonderful contrasts.
I like too the details you caught on this beautiful architecture.
Have a nice day,
JB.

Greg1949 (9011) 2009-01-29 4:45

George, this is another fine view of Malta and while I only visited Medina once I remember it as a place lost in another time. This is a fine example that shows little link to the current century. Great capture.

Greg