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BricksandStones — The calm before the storm
Published: 2014-03-14 18:45:16 +0000 UTC; Views: 2067; Favourites: 68; Downloads: 25
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Description
This is a view through the gothic ‘sailors’ gateway in the medieval city walls of Toruń (Poland) to the 14th C. church of Sts. Johns’ (currently a cathedral). Founded in the 13th C. on the riverbank of Vistula, Toruń was one of the first two cities founded by the Teutonic knights in the Baltic, in the land which was given to them by the Polish Duke of Masovia Conrad but which they had to recapture from the hands of pagan Prussians. In the time of the Baltic crusades, Toruń was a major centre of trade and craft. It was famous for example for the production of stained glass and today, it is the only crusader city in the world which preserves large collection of medieval stained glass panels. The local churches are famous for their medieval frescoes and the city had its own merchant guilt of goldsmiths. In the medieval market place there are still preserved stone statues or idols carved by pagan Prussians which were obtained by the Teutonic knights during their northern crusades. The Teutonic commander of Toruń was one of the wealthiest Teutonic officials in Prussia but in the 15th C. the high taxes imposed on the city by the Teutonic knights who needed money for their war with Lithuania eventually caused a rebellion of local merchants and the lesser nobility. The rebels captured the Teutonic castle and gave the keys to Toruń to the king of Poland who granted them substantial exemptions from taxes. At the time it was still inhabited mainly by Germans although Polish and Prussian minorities were present from the time of city’s foundation. Today it is one of the best preserved medieval metropolises of the Baltic and is inscribed on the UNESCO list.
The photo was taken literally 4 minutes before a storm with heavy rain and thunders started. Unfortunately there was nothing I could do about this ugly Suzuki….
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Comments: 36
Beautifully framed shot, and a lovely commentary. I knew fractions about the history of Teutonic Knights in the Baltic but not as much as I have learned in the last few minutes!
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Thank you very much, I really appreciate such comments. I am aware I have no artistic talent whatsoever so I am glad when someone views my photo and reads the description. I think that crusader Baltic, especially in Poland can become a region comparable to Wales in England or Transylvania in Romania - all these small regions have very distinct identity with medieval history and monuments slightly different from that in other parts of Europe. If you like brick gothic, check out the cathedrals in Kwidzyn and Frombork, the Cistercian abbey in Pelplin or the Teutonic castle in Malbork - they are all quite original buildings.... Anyway, thank you once again!
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Hi Joolita, I am very sorry for not responding for so long! I moved flats and had to abandon DA for some time but now I hope to catch up and see if I missed some of your works 
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I like you think so! It was really pretty in reality but lasted only for few minutes before the rain started so perhaps this photo does not show it fully as I had little time to try to take a better angle.... Anyway thank you again and sorry for late response!
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więcej niż trochę ... pozdrawiam
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Love it when there is sun and clouds!
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Yes, the magic of that contrast makes colours stand out even more, no worries each one replies when they're free to do so!
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Hej! Przepraszam za pozna odpowiedz! Milo mi ze poznalas Torun
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Nie ma sprawy. W Toruniu byłam wiele razy - moja siostra tam mieszkała, a ja miałam tam zlecenie z pracy raz 
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Hi Peter! Sorry for taking so long to reply and thank you for the comment! I am glad you like the contrast, I know it is not a very good photo but solely because of its colours I still thought it might be worth uploading... Thanks again!
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No hurry to reply and of course it's worth uploading.
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niestety nie leżało w twojej mocy pozbycie się Suzuki
Ale pomijając ten fakt moment złapałeś idealny. Czarne chmury a tu świeci słońce moment super
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Byłeś może kiedyś na zamku Ciechanowskim zanim nadali mu "Nowoczesny" wygląd?
Kiedyś żałowałem, że nie wziąłem aparatu. Stałem na wieży, czarne burzowe chmury, ale takie.. kumulusy? Nie znam się na chmurach niestety. Takie kłębiaste nisko leciały. Do tego stado wron/kawek się poderwało i widok z wieży tego ptactwa na tle nieba zaraz przed burzą był po prostu cudny *_*
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I love your works so much - they make me feel as if I'm standing in front of these historical buildings myself. The description is as brilliant as always, so educational. As for the car... no doubt it spoils the photo but despite this the view itself is fascinating. I feel a bit envious of people who live in such cities. In my city most of the old buildings are either destroyed or in a poor condition or in an awful environment and there are very few places where you can feel that spirit of history.
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Awww, thank you very much - that is one of the kindest comments I received on DA, I really appreciate it - especially from such a talented artist like yourself. People who have no artistic talent and upload only photos usually get comments only from other photographers so it is a pleasure to know that artists also some time visit photo galleries
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Thank you for such a detailed reply! You seem to know a lot about Russian architecture and it delights me so much. What a pity it is that you had problems with getting Visa!
Indeed, there are many fascinating historical places in Russia, like Sergiev Posad or St. Petersburg (though the latter has nothing to do with Middle Ages, the city definitely has a peculiar atmosphere). However, I personally come from Moscow, and I'm not a big fan of Soviet architecture (mostly concrete-paneled apartment buildings) which now forms the image of the city. It's not that I don't like Moscow, on the contrary, there's much to see there and the city is improving year by year. If only there wasn't so much aesthetic dissonance there.
As for the Kaliningrad Oblast, I like the idea of going there some day. It's just ridiculous how many places in my own country I've never been to!
I have to admit that I know very little about architecture, except for some basic knowledge that I got in my art school. So for me your gallery is an opportunity to broaden my mind. Keep up the good job!
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Thanks! I am glad you like it
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The arch forms a frame for the simple scene beyond and I appreciate the info you provided for this area. (I love history) You're so welcome.
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Fantastic shot, as always
I especially like how you cropped it, the angle also makes it more interesting,
and again nice to have a description (especially if it's the history in a pill).
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You are very kind and I am really glad you like it - I know the view itself is not spectacular but I was hoping people might like the colours. I did not edit this photograph and the brick really looked beautiful in the sun with the dark clouds behind... As for the description I am always happy when someone reads it and comments on it. I think this one is one of my worst descriptions as it does tell any individual story but I simply could not think of anything unique. On the other hand, when I described how a bishop was killed in his bedchamber in his Island castle no one got interested either so maybe this is simply not as interesting as I find it... Anyway, once again thank you and sorry for appearing so irregularly on DA - I will try to comment more regularly on the future!
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It's easy to be kind when someone puts so much love in his works as you do
And what can I say - I'm a nut when it comes ro history, especially that of Poland and the neighbouring countries (I find it to be a dissgrace not to know such things about one's fatherland). Meh, seen worse and sometimes some places just don't have that much of a story to be told, even if they're beautiful. Well, about that bishop... I think it's time to check your gallery once again as I don't recall that one
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There is always a car or a sign blocking the view ...
However, I really like this shot, as it comes with great light and shadows - you can almost feel the storm coming. Great composition of this historic pearl!
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I am really glad you like the light, this was the main reason why I decided to upload this photo even though I know the view itself is not spectacular. Thank you very much for taking the time to write a comment - I really appreciate it! As for the cars and signs this is, sadly true, I have hundreds of photos ruined by some annoying signs, cars or motorcycles parked just near a medieval portal, gate or other type of monument.... Once, I stayed in Trogir in Croatia and for the whole week that I was there the same car was blocking the view of the apse of the Romanesque cathedral there - argh! Your photos however seem to be very nicely taken without much obstacles in the view... Thanks again!
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That's a really nice shot. I like the contrast between the bricks of the gateway still in the sunlight and the dark clouds in the background. It's really pretty! I agree, shame about the car!
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Hi Akitku - it has been so long since I last heard from you! How are you doing? Is there any chance you will submit some new amazing art soon? I am glad you like this shot! I think I got a bit over exited about the colours here and I though the photo is better than it really is but still, it is good to know you find it nice - thank you very much for the comment, it is always great to hear from you (especially such positive feedback
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