Here's another image of the New Palace in Potsdam, Germany. As mentioned in yesterday’s post, the New Palace dwarfs Sans-Souci, Frederick the Great's original palace. Capturing its grandeur with just a 28 and 50 mm lens posed quite a challenge. To overcome this, I opted to stitch multiple shots together in Lightroom. While using a tripod would have been ideal for optimal results, I'm satisfied with the final image - Neues Palais, Sans-Souci, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany
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Continuing my series on the magnificent New Palace in Potsdam, I'm sharing a black and white image that made the final cut. I chose this photo for its captivating play of lines in the foreground and the textured sky, which beautifully frame the impressive Baroque palace. - Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany.
Today, I'm sharing more images of the Palaces and Parks of Potsdam! Some were captured during an evening stroll through the park on our first night, while others were taken the following day as we explored the entire complex. Sanssouci, a fascinating architectural marvel, is a single-story villa nestled atop a terraced hill in the park, boasting just ten elegant rooms. In contrast, the New Palace, with its sheer size and dominant presence on the western side of Sanssouci Park, is significantly more impressive. Built to commemorate Prussia's triumph in the Seven Years' War, it's a testament to Frederick the Great's vision of splendor, showcasing over 200 rooms, including majestic gathering halls and a magnificent theater for royal events. While Sanssouci reflects Frederician Rococo, the New Palace embraces varying forms of Baroque architecture favored by the king. Since 1990, the New Palace has been honored as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin.' This image was taken on the first evening of our arrival as we leisurely strolled through the park before dinner, capturing the beautiful light – Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany
Potsdam is well-known for its Palace of Sanssouci, but another significant palace, Cecelienhof, also holds historical importance. Built between 1914 and 1917, Cecelienhof features an English Tudor manor house design. It became famous as the venue for the pivotal Potsdam Conference in 1945, where leaders from the Allied Powers - the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union - gathered to discuss Europe's post-World War II reorganization and the administration of Germany. This conference made crucial decisions about Germany and Europe's future, including matters like borders, war reparations, and the prosecution of war criminals. Prominent figures such as Harry S. Truman, Winston Churchill (later replaced by Clement Attlee as British Prime Minister), and Joseph Stalin were in attendance. Additionally, it was the location from which President Truman ordered the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima. Two images are on display: the first depicts the palace in the typical English Tudor manor style, and the second showcases the room and the famous table where the Potsdam treaty was signed after more than two weeks of negotiations – Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany
We had two cities on our list for this short trip in Germany: Leipzig and Potsdam. Having recently showcased Leipzig's landmarks, today marks a shift to Potsdam, specifically Sanssouci Palace, a gem renowned for its Rococo architecture and picturesque gardens. Constructed by Frederick the Great in the 18th century, it served as his idyllic summer haven. Its name, "Sanssouci," translating to "without worries" in French, epitomizes the king's aspiration for a sanctuary of leisure. Over the years, Sanssouci played host to esteemed figures like Voltaire, the eminent philosopher, and Empress Catherine II of Russia, fostering vibrant intellectual exchanges and lavish banquets that enriched European history. We spent approximately 4 hours exploring the vast complex of gardens and palaces. Here, the Sanssouci palace is reflected in a small pond beneath majestic stairs adorned with vines and serres, where olives are cultivated – Sans Souci, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany.
Our exploration of Leipzig was fascinating, with two standout attractions that made our trip truly worthwhile. Firstly, the 'ZEITGESCHICHTLICHES FORUM LEIPZIG,' a museum providing a captivating window into the history and daily life of the former DDR. Secondly, the majestic Sint Thomas Kirche, where the timeless melodies of Johann Sebastian Bach still resonate. Additionally, we were drawn to the Museum of Fine Arts, particularly to view the captivating work of Evelyn Richter. Her exhibition was the main reason for our visit, and her talent as a photographer truly shines through her remarkable black and white images, offering a glimpse into life in post-WWII Germany, especially in the former DDR. Alongside the Evelyn Richter exhibition, we were also surprised to find many paintings by famous Flemish and Dutch painters.
While not always the top attraction for visitors, the Federal Court House, formerly known as the Reich Court House, is an imposing structure built in the late historicist style between 1888 and 1905 that is impossible to overlook. During one of my early morning strolls through the city, I captured a photograph of this grand edifice. While it may not be a masterpiece, I believe it effectively captures the tranquil ambiance I experienced in downtown Leipzig at daybreak – Leipzig, Saxony, Germany. Here's a snapshot of the famous St. Thomas Church that I captured one early morning when traffic was very light. Unfortunately, the building wasn't illuminated, and the sky lacked texture, appearing simply blue. Nonetheless, since we were only in Leipzig for two nights, this is the best shot I could get. The St. Thomas Church is a historic gem steeped in both cultural and religious significance. Dating back to the 12th century, it holds a special place in the hearts of music enthusiasts worldwide, thanks to its association with none other than Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach, the musical genius, graced the halls of St. Thomas Church from 1723 to 1750, holding prestigious roles as Director Musices Lipsiensis and cantor. As part of his official duties, Bach was responsible for the musical education of the boys at St. Thomas School and for the music in services at the two main churches - St. Thomas and St. Nicholas. Known for his tireless dedication, Bach composed around 150 cantatas during his tenure, not to mention his iconic St. Matthew Passion, which debuted right here in St. Thomas Church – Leipzig, Saxony, Germany.
Belgian surrealism extends beyond the art world into everyday life, manifesting itself in the most unexpected corners. During a leisurely stroll through the Westerkwartier in Ostend, I stumbled upon an unexpected juxtaposition: two shoes, one black and one red, displayed in the window of a quaint house, each adorned with a tiny tag bearing its size and price. The sight left me pondering - will the owners of this curious abode ever sell this footwear? - Ostend, Belgium
While waiting for the tram at Bara station near Brussels-Midi, I captured this poignant moment. The solitary woman is surrounded by reflections in the tram window, including a reflection of myself, offering a glimpse into her world. Despite the bustling street and the presence of other passengers, she appears isolated and melancholic, evoking a sense of loneliness amidst the crowd - Brussels, Belgium
After strolling through Ostend for a couple of days, it's hard to overlook the city's transformation. Once hailed as one of the coast's gems, it now wears a cloak of architectural chaos and aesthetic dismay. The grandeur of yesteryears, which began during the era of King Leopold I and later continued under King Leopold II, along with the artistic legacy of luminaries like Ensor and Permeke in the 19th century and persisted until the end of the interbellum, has been overshadowed by the towering presence of uninspired apartment blocks and houses from the 1960s. At times, the sight is so jarring that it borders on the comical - Westerkawartier, Ostend, Belgium
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WELCOME TO MY PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG AND PORTFOLIO. MY GOAL IS TO DOCUMENT THE WORLD AROUND ME, FROM THE SMALL DETAILS OF EVERYDAY LIFE TO THE GRAND LANDSCAPES THAT TAKE OUR BREATH AWAY. WHETHER I'M AT HOME OR TRAVELING TO NEW PLACES, I AM ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR NEW AND INTERESTING SUBJECTS TO PHOTOGRAPH. MY PHOTOGRAPHS ARE A VISUAL DIARY OF MY EXPERIENCES AND A WAY TO SHARE THE WORLD AS I SEE IT WITH OTHERS. I HOPE YOU ENJOY EXPLORING MY COLLECTION AND DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF THE WORLD THROUGH MY LENS.
About me:
Before: Healthcare Exec. Based in Brussels; Heidelberg; Los Altos Hills, CA; The Hague, Geneva, Nijmegen, Groningen
Now: Non-Executive Director in the Healthcare Industry based in Ghent. A travel buff with a passion for photography, photography books, Leica, wine and Asian food. Last but not least: proud grandfather of William, Nicholas and Mateo. |