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Getting a full moonrise over Yosemite Valley had been on my bucket list but had eluded me for some time. My original plan for the day was to shoot the full moon rising over the Painted Ladies with the San Francisco skyline during blue hour. However, the forecasted clearing storm in Yosemite was too promising to pass up.
While shooting sunset at Tunnel View, I was so engulfed watching the epic conditions unfold I nearly forgot about the moonrise. Once the sunset show was over, all the photographers began chattering about the impending full moon rise.
Somehow, no one seemed to know where or when exactly the moonrise was to occur. Figuring that we had already driven 4 hours to Yosemite, Alan, Aaron, and I decided to wait it out. Twilight began kicking in and all of a sudden, the moon appeared on the horizon north of Cloud’s Rest. At that moment, the entire crowd of photographers flocked southward at the Tunnel View overlook.
Initially I focused on shooting the moon using my tele lens in hopes of getting a giant moon framed with Half Dome. However, the moon’s position had too much spread from Half Dome and the wider angle shot seemed more optimal. For my last shot, I threw on my 24-70 lens for a midrange shot with hopes of a light star from the moon. I really did not expect much out of the shot but was pleasantly surprised with the result. It was an evening worthy to remember: an epic sunset followed by a full moon rise over Yosemite Valley.
Popular Photography Magazine Your Best Shot finalist for January 2013.
Canon 5D Mark II
EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II
On the right hand-side : Fondamenta Nani
In the background, you can see San Trovaso church ; in the far away you see San Trovaso bridge
Foto taken from "Ponte Longo"
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San Trovaso is a popular district.
There are still one of the last squeri of Venice, a repair shop gondolas and other boats of the Venetian lagoon.
In the 17th century, descended from their original Alps, probably Cadore, the craftsmen have built their homes and workshop, and at home.
Right in Venice, so we find this amazing set of "alpine chalets."
The squero San Trovaso is one of the most active currently.
Sestiere Dorsoduro
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©2012 All rights reserved.
© Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission
A breach of copyright has legal consequences
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Nikon D90 + "Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR"
Owasco Reformed Church, also known as Reformed Dutch Church of Owasco, is a historic Dutch Reformed church located at Owasco in Cayuga County, New York. It was built in 1811-1815 and is a large, rectangular, Federal-era frame meeting house at the core of the hamlet of Owasco.
Built:1811-1815
Architect:Selover, Isaac; Hoyt, Elivar
Architectural style:Federal, Queen Anne
Governing body:Private
NRHP Reference#:1000022
or the quality of being discret.
I love this photo of my three children Philip, Katja and Bastian ... so seldom that all three can be together.
One son is in Germany, my daughter in Colorado and my second son still in Canada.
© 2013 Ursula Sander - All rights reserved.
Prilgrim SalaBiKE
* * * * * Bigger and better pressing [L] ** ** ** ** ;-) ** ** ** ** ** Más grande y mejor pulsando [L] * * * * *
My father took this photo with my Brownie camera, his was lost in the war when his plane crash landed. Came across this photo whilst looking for the previous upload. Taken over 50 years ago before Wainwright had published all his books but we managed to find our way without him! I know we had walked along that valley before making the ascent, no car in those days and buses don't start early enough. All our climbs were done like that, one often walked a good 5-10 miles just to get started. Not only that but other things were different too: multi-coloured jumper knitted by my mother, trousers sewn by my father, red hiking socks knitted by my grannie, maps were cloth-backed and lasted longer, compass came from an old RAF plane. Ebygum, but I can still drag myself up there, just can't remember where it was.............
Another panorama taken from the top of Cerro Seguro. This is a 28 photo composite.
As always, the large version is better.
You can follow me also on Getty | 500 px | Deviant Art
The Pannonian Plain is a large plain in Central Europe that remained when the Pliocene Pannonian Sea dried out. It is a geomorphological subsystem of the Alps-Himalaya system.
The river Danube divides the plain roughly in half.
The plain is divided among Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.
The plain is roughly bounded by the Carpathian mountains, the Alps, the Dinaric Alps and the Balkan mountains.
Although rain is not plentiful, it usually falls when necessary and the plain is a major agricultural area; it is sometimes said that these fields of rich loamy loess soil could feed the whole of Europe. For its early settlers, the plain offered few sources of metals or stone. Thus when archaeologists come upon objects of obsidian or chert, copper or gold, they have almost unparalleled opportunities to interpret ancient pathways of trade.
The precursor to the present plain was a shallow sea that reached its greatest extent during the Pliocene, when three to four kilometres of sediments were deposited.
The plain was named after the Pannonians, a northern Illyrian tribe. Various different peoples inhabited the plain during its history. In the first century BC, the eastern parts of the plain belonged to the Dacian state, and in the first century AD its western parts were subsumed into the Roman Empire. The Roman province named Pannonia was established in the area, and the city of Sirmium, today Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia, became one of the four capital cities of the Roman Empire in the 3rd century.
© all rights reserved by B℮n
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How time flies eh. I want to thank everyone for her/his visit last year. Thanks for all your complimentary, sweet and lovely comments on my photos at Flickr. That makes me feel good! I appreciate every visit again, a comment, invitation and a fave! Let's hope it will be a good year. That's the most important right? Just a nice year and of course in good health. And one year with many beautiful photographic moments. I'll do my best to post more great pictures. Again best wishes for 2013, and make it a great photographic year! A 2013 full of photographic inspiration.
The first snow of winter is falling silently, bringing back memories. My best wishes and a 2013 full of photographic and wintery inspiration! From left to right: Samantha, BieJee, Ben, my father Joop and Kanitha.
Wat gaat de tijd snel hè. Ik wil een ieder bedanken voor z'n bezoek het afgelopen jaar. Bedankt voor al jullie complimenteuze, enthousiaste en lieve reacties op m'n foto's op Flickr. Dat doet een mens goed! Een comment, uitnodiging en een fave, ik waardeer weer elk bezoek van jullie! Laten we hopen dat het een mooi jaar wordt. Dat is toch het belangrijkste? Gewoon een mooi jaar. En een gezond jaar natuurlijk. En een jaar met veel mooie fotografische momenten. Ik ga van mijn kant weer mijn best doen om komend jaar weer mooie foto’s te plaatsen. Nogmaals de beste wensen voor 2013, en maak er een mooi fotografisch jaar van! Een 2013 vol winterse inspiratie.
Taken earlier this month when we had decent weather....been gey dreich lately !
Wishing everyone a great hogmanay and a Happy New Year !
The Torrey Pines State Reserve has a multitude of trails. This particular hike was a reconnaissance mission to find Broken Hill and the rare Torrey Pines. I did find it ... and I will be back for some future sunset shoots. I continued on the trail that led down to the beach. I was planning on returning back via the beach but when I rounded the corner on this trail, I was greeted by high tide! So back the way I came! Should've fired up that Tides Timetable App!
Has everyone solidified their New Year's Eve plans? We are still plotting!
~
Happy Fence Friday Everyone!
This story tells us a tale of a gorgeous and rich land now buried under the sands,
Ras-al-Jabar
"An old castle called Ras-al-Jabar was built hundreds of years ago by Emir of
Rabaat in the southern realm of Mamlakat. The Salam river
runs through these lands and it is the main source of fresh water and
fish. Ras-al-Jabar is the center of trade and learning. Markets impress
everyone by rich variety of products from all over the world.
Ras-al-Jabar's library is still the largest in the southern region.
This castle provided safety and defence to the whole land.
But its greatness fell when The Dark times began..."
__________________________
This is my first entry for the Colossal Castle Contest 2012 in the Сastle Category
Winning entry
Main Picture | Brickshelf Set | More Pictures
Thanks for viewing! Hope you will like it!
Tokyo, Japan, Pan-Asia l 東京、日本、パンアジア
Section 12: Biological and Medical Studies District -- Kyoto Townhomes l セクション12：生物•医学研究地区 - 京都タウンホームズ
[American Spec Ops Deployment 4]
Music: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUZ5wNobS-E
Gold Leader: "Deployment 4 is all accounted for and ready for departure. Who's ready to get off this living hell?"
Thresh: “I’m ready to light some more of those blue boys up. My baby just can't wait too either!"
*loading of magazine*
Sarah: "Don't get too trigger happy. You'll shoot yourself trying to get out of here alive..."
Thorne: "Copied, Gold Leader, I'm sending you the coordinates for the extraction point as of now... Be there in under 2 hours on the clock now and you should be able to avoid any unnecessary distractions.
Gold Leader: "Just received the coordinates. We’ll be there this time. And there will be no casualties, unlike last time. Alright boys, pack up."
Tancred: "Charges are set and secure. Our traces should be mostly covered up."
Thorne: "I'm picking up heat signatures south eastbound, so light the damn thing up"
Sarah: "Sni-"
*sniper rounds*
Vern: "Man down! We're gonna need a medic!"
Gold Leader: “Pull her inside and patch her up. Do anything you can to stop the bleeding."
"Thorne, call in the medics. We’re going to have a belated arrival… again."
Thorne: "I'm on it."
---
My 4th scene ever, and my 3rd U.S. scene for The Purge.
Enjoy,
--[Shock]--
P.S.
The first person to find the candy bar will get a real one.
The New Palace and the jubilee column (erected between 1841 and 1846) by night viewed through the bandstand from the opposite side of Schlossplatz, the central square in Stuttgart, Germany.
The New Palace (German: "das Neue Schloss", which may also be translated as New Castle) is a building which stands on the south edge of Schlossplatz. The castle is built in late Baroque style.
From 1746 to 1797 and from 1805 to 1807, it served as a residence of the kings of Württemberg. (At other times, the Ludwigsburg Palace, a few miles to the north was the favoured residence of the royal family). The palace stands adjacent to the Old Castle.
The castle was almost completely destroyed by Allied bombing during the Second World War and was reconstructed between 1958 and 1964. During this time most of the inside of the castle was also restored and the building was used by the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament. Today it is used by the State Ministries of Finance and Education. Public tours of the building are only permitted by special arrangement.(Wikipedia)
The former German President (1984 - 1994), Richard von Weizsäcker was born in the New Castle on April 15, 1920.
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© 2012 Ursula Sander - All rights reserved
Wishing everyone peace, health, understanding and prosperity this Christmas Holiday Season and into 2013!!
More than you probably want to know:
This home belongs to Bob and Julie who live just south of the Mall of America on 9145 Meadowview Road in Bloomington MN. The couple have been decorating the big 50 foot tall oak tree in their front yard since 2001 to commemorate moving back into Julie's childhood home. Adorned each fall with over 40,000 Christmas lights, this tree has become a local Holiday landmark that can be seen for miles up and down the Minnesota River Valley. It's so bright that airline pilots have been known to point out this tree to passengers when landing at the nearby Minneapolis International Airport.
Bob and Julie are very accommodating to photographers but ask that the images not be used for commercial profit - it's a gift they give to the neighborhood/community for free.
Have you noticed that the number of photos from the CN tower at night has significantly dropped? Ever wondered why? It's because of the tower's own lights.
The LEDs that run the height of the tower are a great touch and a marvel to look at from the outside. However, to a photographer from the inside, its the worst possible scenario... Glare Galore.
This photograph was taken literally seconds before the LEDs came on, after that, it was a lost cause. I love this photo though, it's easily one of my favourites. Taken from the "skypod" of the CN Tower, Enjoy!
I wish you all on Flickr a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
» Playing with Photoshop... Love to do this sometimes.
Have a great Sunday !!
» Press L to view large on black.
Happy Christmas everyone I hope you all have a wonderful 2013.
Thank you for passing by it is appreciated
Sometimes it's good to take a step back...
Lens: Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6 (click to see all my photos with this lens)
[Explored] Many thanks for your visits, comments and faves! :-))
My dream finally came true!!!!! See a sunrise over MT. Fitz Roy in Argentina (aka "Smoking Mountain) with my own eyes!!!! Happy holidays peeps!! May all your wishes come true! Happy Holidays!!!!
Con parte del alumbrado navideño de mi ciudad Gijón he hecho esta postal para desearos a tod@s unas muy Felices Fiestas y propero Año Nuevo
Espero sea de vuestro agrado
Mejor ver en grande sobre fondo negro
Por favor, no utilice mis fotos en sitios web, blogs u otros medios de comunicación sin mi permiso explícito. © Todos los derechos reservados ©
Location: Sirajganj, B A N G L A D E S H.
Bangladesh is a small country but this country has many beauty full thing in country,Sunder bane
is one of them,There are many things here,Bangladesh is queen of the world.
Bangladesh is full of pride, passion, and vigor unlike anything. The people are not just friendly; rather, they are the most hospitable people. The food is not just delicious; rather, it is a vital part of the pulse of the nation, tying people and families together as they sit down to a meal, dig in (literally) with their hands, and enjoy. The landscapes are not just green; rather, they are verdant, majestic, serene, in tune with nature.
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সাবধানবাণী: বাণিজ্যিক উদ্দেশ্যে এই সাইটের কোন ছবি ব্যবহার করা
সম্পূর্ণভাবে নিষিদ্ধ এবং কপিরাইট আইনে দণ্ডনীয় অপরাধ।
© All Rights Reserved
Please seek my consent to publish it anywhere.
:::::::::::::: [RAZU] ::::::::::::::
jakirrazu@hotmail.com
Mobile no: 006 0163080112
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Vivaldi - Bassoon Concerto in B Flat Maj. RV501 - Mov. 3&4/4
Eschebach - Mozart, Piano Sonata K.309 - II Andante un poco adagio
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photo:
Stavropoleos Monastery, Bucharest, Romania
www.flickr.com/groups/stavropoleos/
www.monumenteromania.ro/index.php/monumente/detalii/en/St...
As I travelled home from Cologne last week I saw those stars on the sky. So I got off the freeway a little bit north of Frankfurt. Usually you don't have a good chance to shoot the stars around Frankfurt because of the lights of the airport. But that night I was lucky to see a star sky like this.
I took this shot with my new Nikon 24-70mm 2.8 lens at ISO 100. I was amazed how good the outcome was. I usually took shots of the star skys with ISO 1600 and much more. I am still impressed of this lens.
Thank you again for all your comments and faves the last days. I appreciate that very much. I will catch up to your streams today again.
Have a good start into the weekend everyone!
© all rights reserved by B℮n
Please take your time... to View it large on black
Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Politically, economically, and culturally it was the most important city in Europe for around 250 years; from some time before 1300 until the early 1500s. Florentines reinvented money in the form of the gold florin. This currency was the engine that drove Europe out of the Dark Ages. Florentines were the driving force behind the Age of Discovery. Florentine bankers financed Henry the Navigator and the Portuguese explorers who pioneered the route around Africa to India and the Far East. Florence is filled with many other churches stuffed with some of the finest art in the world. In all, Florence has something over 80 museums. Among those at the top of most lists are the City hall, the Palazzo della Signoria, the Archeological Museum and Museum of the History of Science. The Uffizi Gallery is one of the world's top art museums - it houses some of the most important works of the Renaissance, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Botticelli and Michelangelo. Lots of sculptures too. Wander some of the oldest streets in the city until you reach the Arno River, cross the Ponte Vecchio, and experience the newest area of Florence, the Oltrarno. Summer is hot in Italy, no getting away from it, but I don't see that as a reason to skip Florence.
To get a great overview of the city Florence - Italy, you have plenty of choices: climb the dome of the Cathdral or Giotto's Bell Tower or photo above from Boboli Gardens near Piazzale Michelangelo undoubtedly the best panoramic view of Florence.
Florence is de hoofdstad van Toscane en heeft bijna 400.000 inwoners. De grote rivier die door de stad stroomt is de Arno en daar zijn dan ook ruim tien bruggen overheen gelegd. De wegen die direct langs de Arno lopen beginnen allemaal met het woord Lungarno (vrij vertaald: langs de Arno). Florence is een van de belangrijkste kunststeden ter wereld. Het herbergt prachtige kunstwerken en gebouwen: de David van Michelangelo, de Santa Maria del Fiore met de koepel van Brunelleschi, de Ponte Vecchio met huizen aan de weerszijden van de brug, en niet te vergeten de Galleria degli Uffizi met een aantal van de belangrijkste renaissance-kunstwerken van Italiaanse, Hollandse, Vlaamse, Duitse en Spaanse meesters. Als je Florence wilt bezoeken, moet je proberen in de lente of de herfst te gaan; in de zomer is het er stikheet en barst het er van de toeristen, terwijl het in de herfst en de lente aangenaam warm is en niet al te druk bij de belangrijke bezienswaardigheden. Maar ja voor ons toch geen reden om deze stad over te slaan in hartje zomer.
Para - JotaEseGé más vale tarde que nunca.....-((
Muchas gracias por vuestras visitas y comentarios
Un montón de besos ¡¡
Thank you for your visits and comments
Kisses
Mi Blog - Mi caja de sueños
© all rights reserved by B℮n
Please take your time... to View it large on black
Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Politically, economically, and culturally it was the most important city in Europe for around 250 years; from some time before 1300 until the early 1500s. Florentines reinvented money in the form of the gold florin. This currency was the engine that drove Europe out of the Dark Ages. Florentines were the driving force behind the Age of Discovery. Florentine bankers financed Henry the Navigator and the Portuguese explorers who pioneered the route around Africa to India and the Far East. Florence is filled with many other churches stuffed with some of the finest art in the world. In all, Florence has something over 80 museums. Among those at the top of most lists are the City hall, the Palazzo della Signoria, the Archeological Museum and Museum of the History of Science. The Uffizi Gallery is one of the world's top art museums - it houses some of the most important works of the Renaissance, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Botticelli and Michelangelo. Lots of sculptures too. Wander some of the oldest streets in the city until you reach the Arno River, cross the Ponte Vecchio, and experience the newest area of Florence, the Oltrarno. Summer is hot in Italy, no getting away from it, but I don't see that as a reason to skip Florence.
To get a great overview of the city Florence - Italy, you have plenty of choices: climb the dome of the Cathdral or Giotto's Bell Tower or photo above from Piazzale Michelangelo undoubtedly the best panoramic view of Florence.
Florence is de hoofdstad van Toscane en heeft bijna 400.000 inwoners. De grote rivier die door de stad stroomt is de Arno en daar zijn dan ook ruim tien bruggen overheen gelegd. De wegen die direct langs de Arno lopen beginnen allemaal met het woord Lungarno (vrij vertaald: langs de Arno). Florence is een van de belangrijkste kunststeden ter wereld. Het herbergt prachtige kunstwerken en gebouwen: de David van Michelangelo, de Santa Maria del Fiore met de koepel van Brunelleschi, de Ponte Vecchio met huizen aan de weerszijden van de brug, en niet te vergeten de Galleria degli Uffizi met een aantal van de belangrijkste renaissance-kunstwerken van Italiaanse, Hollandse, Vlaamse, Duitse en Spaanse meesters. Als je Florence wilt bezoeken, moet je proberen in de lente of de herfst te gaan; in de zomer is het er stikheet en barst het er van de toeristen, terwijl het in de herfst en de lente aangenaam warm is en niet al te druk bij de belangrijke bezienswaardigheden. Maar ja voor ons toch geen reden om deze stad over te slaan in hartje zomer.
Mornings along the waterfront provide me with sense of a fresh page for the day, full of opportunity. The Irish side of me sees opportunity for adventure and success, while the German side of me sees opportunity for pitfalls to be avoided!
Taken along Tacoma's waterfront on Commencement Bay, from one of the city's many parks (Jack Hyde), looking at the Sealift Military ships and the Port of Tacoma beyond.
Muchas gracias por vuestras visitas y comentarios
Un montón de besos ¡¡
Thank you for your visits and comments
Kissess
Mi Blog - Mi caja de sueños
Textura Skeletal-Mess ¡¡Thanks ¡¡
I haven’t posted a night shot from Seattle since September. Steve suggested taking some night shots around downtown Seattle for the holiday season, so we met and looked around the sights. I’m slowly entering that holiday mode and spirit.
Please enjoy a glimpse of the entrance to Pike Place Market, one of Seattle’s most renowned landmarks, during the holiday season. It’s nice to see all the letters lit up this year. Sometimes certain letters are missing (i.e. the “L” in Public”) -- that has happened many times in the past!-- so it can give an entirely different message, but quite harmless with the right sense of humor.
Still marveling at how fast time flies sometimes. This will be my sixth Christmas living in Seattle. If you had asked me four years ago if I would ever become a sole proprietor and start my own small business as a professional photographer, I would have scoffed in your face and asked -- politely -- if you were on any type of medication. I also wouldn’t have predicted that I would still be living here, the longest time in one place. Perhaps it’s home now. Not sure. A few days ago, the City of Seattle sent me my business license registration forms so I can continue operations for TIA International Photography in 2013, commencing the fourth year of the business.
I am grateful.
WATCH ***TIA: YEAR IN PHOTOS 2012***
TIA INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY / TIA Facebook / TIA Twitter / TIA Blogger
E' venerdì sera e le luci sono basse
Cerchi un posto in cui andare
Dove mettano la musica giusta,
Per immergersi nello swing
Ci vieni per cercare un re
Quel ragazzo potrebbe essere chiunque
La notte è giovane e la musica è alta
Con un pò di musica rock tutto è bello
Sei dell'umore per ballare
E quando cogli l'occasione
Tu sei la regina danzante..
p.s. Per chi volesse leggere tutta la favola deve tornare indietro con le pagine, Flickr con la sua nuova versione vuole mettere un freno alla mia fantasia;((((
We sleep in God’s unconsciousness.
We wake in God’s open hand.
We weep God’s rain.
We laugh God’s lightning.
Fighting and peacefulness
both take place within God.
Who are we then
in this complicated world-tangle,
that is really just the single, straight
line down at the beginning of ALLAH?
Nothing.
We are emptiness.
When you are with everyone but me,
you’re with no one.
When you are with no one but me,
you’re with everyone.
Instead of being so bound up with everyone,
be everyone.
When you become that many, you’re nothing.
EMPTY.
~Molana Jalal uddin Rumi.
Pebble Beach is such a beautiful, rugged stretch of coastline. It is near impossible to NOT capture a fence post percher. It was gusty and rainy and I reveled in it (poor Nikon)! And the waves? Monumental! The surfers were obviously thrilled.
Happy Fence Friday! 18 Days Till Christmas!!!
Entrar dentro destas antigas muralhas e compreender por que motivo se constrói tão belo e dispendioso Castelo implica um estado de alma e alguma capacidade para recuarmos no tempo, se conseguirmos por em prática tal exercício estamos a um pequeno passo de compreender e perceber exatamente o motivo de tais construções… Os mais antigos testemunhos da ocupação humana localizam-se num cume da vertente norte da Serra de Sintra. Trata-se da ocupação epipaleolítica da Penha Verde, comprovada por abundantes utensílios de tipo micro-laminar. Testemunho de uma ocupação do Neolítico é o sítio de São Pedro de Canaferrim, junto à Capela do Castelo dos Mouros. Ocupação testemunhada pela presença de cerâmicas decoradas associadas a uma indústria lítica talhada em sílex, datada pelo método do radiocarbono de inícios do V milénio a.C. A originalidade deste sítio, enquadrado em termos cronológicos e culturais na corrente circum-mediterrânea, consiste na sua implantação na paisagem, em plena montanha. Vestígios vários da Idade do Bronze segunda metade do II milénio a.C. - inícios do I, surgem em diversos locais da Serra de Sintra, mesmo a nível de habitats do Bronze mais antigo, séculos IX-VI a.C.
No tempo do Império Romano toda a região de Sintra se inscreveu no vasto territorium da civitas olisiponense, à qual César cerca de 49 a.C. ou mais provavelmente, Octaviano cerca de 30 a.C., terá concedido o invejável estatuto de Municipium Civium Romanorum. Os vários habitantes da região, adotaram nomes romanos e apresentam-se plenamente imbuídos de romanidade, nos mais diversos aspetos culturais, políticos e económicos. Mesmo aqueles que, porventura oriundos de outras regiões da Lusitânia, ostentam nomes indígenas aparecem quase sempre integrados nesta sociedade profundamente romanizada.
O nome de Sintra muito provavelmente terá tido origem num templo erguido uns 308 anos antes de Cristo, por Gregos, Galo-celtas e Túrdulos, dedicado à Lua. Os Celtas chamavam a Lua de Cynthia e quando os Árabes dominaram a região, por não pronunciar o 'c', chamavam o local de Xintra ou Zintira. Existe ainda todo um património literário que transformou o nome Sintra numa referência quase lendária. Sintra, cuja mais antiga forma medieval conhecida "Suntria" apontará para o indo-europeu “astro luminoso” ou “sol”, terá sido designada por Varrão e Columela como Monte Sagrado. Ptolomeu registou-a como a "Serra da Lua" e o geógrafo árabe Al-Bacr, no século X, caracterizou Sintra como «permanentemente mergulhada numa bruma que se não dissipa». A pesquisa arqueológica contemporânea, entretanto, revela que a primitiva ocupação da região de Sintra data dos séculos X a VIII a.C..
O primeiro plano das muralhas deste castelo nasce um pouco acima da extinta Igreja Matriz de São Miguel, contornando a rocha irregular e bastante íngreme da montanha. Porém, este troço encontra-se hoje parcialmente destruído. Mais próximo do topo, surge-nos o Castelo propriamente dito, pleno de majestade. Aí erguem-se várias torres, sendo uma delas de feição semicircular, cujo acesso se processa através de cinco degraus de pedra. Devido à irregularidade do terreno, as muralhas do castelo foram, em certas zonas, edificadas sobre grandes penedos graníticos, facto que muito contribuiu para os acentuados desníveis observados ao longo de todo o trajeto amuralhado, o que obrigou ainda à construção de longos e serpenteantes lanços de escadas. A porta principal da fortaleza foi construída num arco de volta perfeita, surgindo logo à esquerda uma cisterna abobadada, também medieval, que se impõe pelas suas dimensões e singularidade arquitetónica.
Acerca das origens do denominado Castelo dos Mouros pouco se sabe. Ainda que alguns autores remontem a sua fundação ao período visigótico, as primeiras provas documentais reportam-se já à época da plena ocupação muçulmana, concretamente ao século XI. Todavia, será lícito concluir que a edificação do Castelo se tenha verificado anteriormente, talvez no século IX. Em 1093, D. Afonso VI, Rei de Leão, tomou Sintra aos muçulmanos; dezasseis anos volvidos, Sigurd, príncipe Norueguês, saqueou o castelo dos Mouros, que os muçulmanos entretanto haviam recuperado. Também, por essa altura e por um curto período de tempo, o conde D. Henrique foi o seu proprietário. Após a conquista de Santarém, o rei D. Afonso Henriques impôs um cerco a Lisboa, que se estendeu por três meses. Embora o Castelo de Sintra se tenha entregado voluntariamente após a queda de Lisboa, reza a lenda que, nessa ocasião, receoso de um ataque de surpresa às suas forças, por parte dos mouros de Sintra, o soberano incumbiu D. Gil, um cavaleiro templário, que formasse um grupo com vinte homens da mais estrita confiança, para, secretamente, ali irem observar o movimento inimigo, prevenindo-se, ao mesmo tempo, um deslocamento dos mouros de Lisboa, via Cascais, pelo rio Tejo até Sintra. Os cruzados colocaram-se a caminho sigilosamente. Para evitar serem avistados, viajaram de noite, ocultando-se de dia, pela estrada de Torres Vedras até Santa Cruz, pela costa até Colares, tentando ainda, evitar Albernoz, um temido chefe mouro de Colares, que possuía fama de matador de cristãos. Entre Colares e o Penedo, Nossa Senhora apareceu aos receosos cavaleiros e disse-lhes: "Não tenhais medo porque ides vinte, mas mil ides". Desse modo, cheios de coragem porque a Senhora estava com eles, ao final de cinco dias de percurso confrontaram o inimigo derrotando-o e assim conquistaram o Castelo dos Mouros. Em homenagem a este feito foi erguida a Capela de Nossa Senhora de Milides ("mil ides"), em Colares.
D. Afonso Henriques confiou então a guarda da fortaleza a trinta povoadores, que não eram mais do que uma mera guarnição, aos quais foram concedidos privilégios através de carta de foral, outorgada pelo próprio Rei, em 1154. Foi também para eles que se ergueu, no recinto amuralhado, a primitiva igreja de São Pedro de Canaferrim. No entanto, com o contínuo e firme avanço da Reconquista cristã para Sul, o Castelo dos Mouros foi perdendo a sua importância estratégica. Mais tarde, no início da Segunda Dinastia, a consolidação da nacionalidade, a estabilidade social e a reorganização do reino, conduziram ao abandono total desta grande e majestosa fortaleza. Neste contexto, logo nos começos do século XV foi transferida a paróquia de São Pedro para a nova igreja edificada no termo da Vila e nos finais de quatrocentos, apenas habitavam o sítio do castelo alguns judeus, que aí permaneciam, segregados da comunidade por ordem régia. D. Manuel I extinguiu os grupos minoritários e na sequência dessa atitude, o Castelo dos Mouros foi despovoado por completo. Abandonada, a fortaleza sentiu a implacável passagem do tempo e foi caindo na ruina quase absoluta, estado que se agravou ainda mais com o terramoto de 1755, a maior parte dos muros do Castelo desmoronou-se quase na totalidade. No século XIX, D. Fernando II tomou a pulso a velha fortaleza e procedeu ao seu restauro integral. Este mecenas esclarecido e culto procedeu a uma imaginativa obra de conservação e restauro, iniciativa importante que susteve a ruína em que o castelo se encontrava.
Com um olho para um mercado turístico incipiente, em 1954 algumas das falésias foram recuperadas para estabelecer uma área de piqueniques perto do castelo e, em 1965, um transformador foi instalado para fornecer iluminação. Em 1979, escavações arqueológicas na Capela de São Pedro executada pelos serviços culturais de Portugal, descobriu a existência de túmulos funerários medievais, que datam do final do seculo XII princípio de XIII. Um despacho do Ministério da Cultura, em 26 de Junho de 1996, declarou a área do Castelo como uma zona de especial interesse. Apenas a base das torres e as muralhas serão parte da fundação inicial. Decorrem atualmente campanhas de escavação arqueológica que têm vindo a esclarecer muitas questões sobre a história da presença humana neste local e constituem também um atracão, dado que podem ser acompanhadas pelos visitantes. Numa recente visita a este castelo verificamos que apesar de decorrerem essas importantes escavações muito haverá a fazer ainda para que os mistérios deste antiquíssimo castelo possam ser desvendados…
Diz a história, que o poeta Bernardim Ribeiro terá habitado neste bucólico e isolado local. Este castelo está integrado na área Paisagística e Cultural de Sintra, local classificado Património Mundial pela UNESCO. Do alto das suas muralhas é possível admirar uma paisagem deslumbrante e única que nos apresenta a vila de Sintra em primeiro plano, estendendo-se até ao Cabo da Roca, a Praia das Maçãs, Mafra, Ericeira e o oceano Atlântico, observando toda a linha de costa e obtendo uma vista privilegiada da serra de Sintra, vestida de verde e pontuada por belas quintas, românticos chalés e magníficos palácios, vale bem a pena uma visita a este parque natural rico em misticismo e lendas que nos fazem recuar a tempos que nos dias de hoje nos parecem utópicos, muito embora me pareça que nesse tempo, muito pouco seria tão mágico assim, quanto mais estudo a história mais me apercebo que aquilo que dela resta só tem magia para uma classe social muito restrita, a pobreza será sempre a pobreza e desse tempo em nada terá diferido da atual ou da pobreza das gerações futuras, que segundo me parece, de diferente só o será na quantidade certamente mais elevada…
A lenda de Zaida, a moura encantada
Na serra de Sintra, perto do Castelo dos Mouros, existe uma rocha com um corte que a tradição diz, marcar a entrada para uma cova que tem comunicação com o castelo. É conhecida pela Cova da Moura ou a Cova Encantada e está ligada a uma lenda do tempo em que os Mouros dominavam Sintra e os cristãos nela faziam frequentes incursões. Num dos combates, foi feito prisioneiro um cavaleiro nobre por quem Zaida, a filha do alcaide, se apaixonou. Dia após dia, Zaida visitava o nobre cavaleiro até que chegou a hora da sua libertação através do pagamento de um resgate. O cavaleiro apaixonado pediu a Zaida para fugir com ele mas Zaida recusou, pedindo-lhe para nunca mais a esquecer. O nobre cavaleiro voltou para a sua família mas uma grande tristeza ensombrava os seus dias. Tentou esquecer Zaida nos campos de batalha, mas após muitas noites de insónia decidiu atacar de novo o castelo de Sintra.
Foi durante esse combate que os dois enamorados se abraçaram, mas a sorte ou o azar quis que o nobre cavaleiro tombasse ferido. Zaida arrastou o seu amado, através de uma passagem secreta, até uma sala escondida nas grutas e, enquanto enchia uma bilha de água numa nascente próxima para levar ao seu amado, foi atingida por uma seta e caiu ferida. O cavaleiro cristão juntou-se ao corpo da sua amada e os dois sangues misturaram-se, sendo ambos encontrados mais tarde já sem vida. Desde então, em certas noites de luar, aparece junto à cova uma formosa donzela vestida de branco com uma bilha que enche de água para depois desaparecer na noite após um doloroso gemido…Há la coisas!
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