Around the World Cityscapes P1/C1 ** new comment code
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This façade in Annecy captures the rustic charm of one of Franceâs most picturesque towns. The wooden doors and shutters, framed by worn plaster and stone, reflect the traditional Savoyard architecture that dominates the old quarters of the city. The engraved date â1819â above the lintel hints at the long history embedded in these walls, where every imperfection tells a story of weather, time, and human touch. The textures â from the aged timber to the patched stone â embody the authenticity that makes Annecyâs old town feel alive.
Annecy, located in the Haute-Savoie department of southeastern France, is often called the âVenice of the Alpsâ because of its network of canals linking the lake to the Thiou River. Its medieval roots trace back to Roman times, but it flourished particularly in the Middle Ages as a stronghold of the Counts of Geneva and later the Dukes of Savoy. Walking through the old town today feels like stepping through centuries, with its cobblestone alleys, colorful facades, and quiet courtyards still echoing the past.
The cityâs prosperity grew alongside trade routes between France, Switzerland, and Italy, and later through tourism. Lake Annecy, known for its clarity and alpine setting, attracts millions of visitors each year for water sports, hiking, and photography. This economic shift from traditional crafts and agriculture toward tourism and services has helped preserve the cityâs architectural heritage, turning façades like this one into living symbols of continuity between history and modernity.
Beyond tourism, Annecy has also become a hub for innovation and industry. The region hosts companies in precision mechanics, clean energy, and outdoor sports equipment â a natural extension of its alpine identity. Yet, despite its modern economic pulse, the heart of Annecy remains in its old stones and wooden doors, where the rhythm of daily life still carries the warmth of its past.
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he walks through a tunnel of voices, where shadows shape the silence and paint holds memory. his presence is neither past nor present â only a flicker in the cityâs kaleidoscope.
This scene from the canal at Korenlei in Ghent captures the essence of the cityâs medieval charm. The bridge in the foreground elegantly frames the waterway, while the Gravensteen Castle rises proudly in the background, a reminder of Ghentâs medieval power and its role as a political and economic center in Flanders. The canal itself, once vital for trade and transport, remains a central artery of the city, now carrying leisure boats and kayaks rather than merchant vessels.
The architecture along the Korenlei showcases the ornate gabled facades typical of the Flemish Renaissance style. These former guild houses reflect the prosperity of Ghentâs merchants and craftsmen during the Middle Ages, with each facade designed to impress and assert status. The combination of brickwork, stone details, and decorative elements illustrates the cityâs layered history, blending Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque influences within a compact urban space.
Tourism thrives in this area, as visitors are drawn to the picturesque setting and the lively atmosphere of the canal. Boat tours depart from this quay, offering views of Ghentâs skyline from the water, while the bridge serves as a perfect vantage point for photography. The mix of historic monuments, waterways, and vibrant street life makes Korenlei one of the cityâs most photographed and walked-through places, both by day and illuminated at night.
Gastronomy is also deeply tied to this part of Ghent. The terraces along the canal host cafés and restaurants where visitors can enjoy local specialties such as waterzooiâa creamy fish or chicken stew originating from Ghentâor indulge in Belgian beers brewed with centuries-old traditions. The combination of fine dining and casual street food adds flavor to the experience, making Korenlei not only a visual feast but also a culinary one.
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This scene portrays a charming, narrow street in Grenoble, a city nestled in the heart of the French Alps. The architecture is a beautiful blend of history and rustic charm, with vibrant ochre and pastel hues covering the facades of the buildings. The weathered walls and arched doorways speak of centuries of history, evoking a sense of timelessness. Small balconies with wrought iron railings and shuttered windows add to the character, showcasing the quintessential style of southern French towns. The cobblestone path running down the center enhances the nostalgic ambiance, inviting visitors to wander and explore.
Culturally, Grenoble is a melting pot of French traditions and Alpine influences. Streets like this are a testament to the city's rich heritage, where art and daily life converge. The preserved architectural details reveal the pride the city takes in maintaining its historical essence. Local traditions, often celebrated through festivals and open markets, are centered around community and shared history. Such streets serve as the backdrop for communal interactions, adding to Grenobleâs intimate and welcoming spirit.
Historically, Grenoble is a city steeped in significance, dating back to Roman times. It has been a hub of intellectual and scientific advancement, earning the nickname "Capital of the Alps." The buildings in scenes like this may have housed generations of families, artisans, and merchants, contributing to the city's development. Grenoble played a vital role in the French Revolution and has been a center of resistance during World War II, making its streets silent witnesses to pivotal moments in history.
Gastronomically, Grenoble is renowned for its culinary delights, particularly its walnuts, which have a protected designation of origin (AOP). Walking down such streets, one might stumble upon small bistros offering regional specialties like gratin dauphinois, a creamy potato dish, or local cheese platters featuring bleu de Sassenage. The street cafés exude a cozy charm, inviting passersby to sit and enjoy a glass of Chartreuse, a herbal liqueur created by monks in the nearby mountains. Such gastronomy is a celebration of the cityâs natural bounty and its deep connection to the Alpine environment.
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This photograph captures the weathered, faded elegance of a once-grand doorway in the historic center of Palermo. The wooden doors, now cracked and peeling, bear remnants of a once vibrant yellow paint that has aged over time, giving the surface a textured, almost painterly effect. The wood is heavily marked by the passage of time, revealing various layers beneath the paint and showing areas where moisture and neglect have left their mark. These doors seem to tell a story of both architectural pride and abandonment, standing as relics of a bygone era.
The structure around the doorway hints at its historical significance, with detailed moldings and stone columns framing the doors. Above each side, there are baroque-like, ornamental carvings that may have once reflected the wealth and status of the building's original owners. This building, previously a palazzo, likely belonged to a noble family or was used as a center for political or social gatherings in Palermo's flourishing past. The style of the decorations suggests it was constructed in the 18th or 19th century, a period of architectural opulence in the city.
Today, this old palace stands abandoned, a shadow of its former self. The cracks and faded paint represent decades, possibly centuries, of change in Palermo. Many historic buildings in Palermo's center were once grand palaces that now suffer from neglect due to urban decay or lack of preservation funding. This doorway is a haunting reminder of the city's past glory and a testament to the resilience of the structure itself, which has withstood the elements and the passage of time despite its neglected state.
As a piece of architectural history, this doorway serves as a window into Palermo's rich cultural heritage. Although abandoned, the building still captures the imagination of those who walk by, offering a glimpse of an era when grandeur and attention to detail defined the cityâs architectural landscape. For locals and visitors alike, such relics of the past invoke a sense of nostalgia and curiosity, encouraging us to appreciate the layers of history embedded in Palermo's streets.
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The scene shows L'Envol de la Wallonie (The Flight of Wallonia), a bronze sculpture by the artist René Julien, located in Liege, Belgium. The artwork captures movement and vitality, with two human figures in dynamic motion symbolizing the spirit and energy of Wallonia. Positioned on the banks of the Meuse River, the sculpture is surrounded by a landscape where historic 19th- and 20th-century architecture blends with a more modern skyline, reflecting the cityâs industrial and cultural evolution.
The Meuse River is the lifeline of Liege. Since the Middle Ages, it served as a key route for trade and industry, making the city a strategic hub during the Industrial Revolution. Today, the river remains central to both the economy and tourism, offering boat tours and scenic walks that highlight the city's mix of history and modernity. Along its banks, festivals, markets, and public spaces reinforce the deep bond between Liege and its river.
Historically, Liege has been a cultural and political stronghold of Wallonia. Known as the Cite Ardente (Fervent City), it earned a reputation for its rebellious spirit and its role in Europe's steel and coal industries. The city still preserves remarkable landmarks such as Saint Paul's Cathedral, the Palace of the Prince-Bishops, and working-class neighborhoods that speak of its industrial heritage.
Liege's culinary traditions are equally emblematic. The city is especially famous for its Liege waffles, a dense, caramelized version of the Belgian classic, as well as for meatballs in berry sauce and a wide range of abbey beers. The riverfront setting adds to the gastronomic atmosphere, with terraces and brasseries where both locals and visitors enjoy regional dishes alongside the warmth and hospitality of Wallonia.
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A narrow alley in Bari Vecchia, where history, tradition, and daily life blend beneath lace canopies and ancient stone walls.
This picturesque alleyway in the historic heart of Bari, Italy, captures the essence of a city where time seems to slow down. The narrow cobbled street, flanked by ancient stone buildings, reflects Bari's medieval roots, particularly in the old quarter known as "Bari Vecchia." This area, once encircled by defensive walls, retains its labyrinthine layout, originally designed to confuse invaders. The sunlight filters softly through the hanging laundry and lace decorations, casting intricate shadows that tell a silent story of centuries of local life.
Architecturally, the scene is a showcase of Apulian vernacular design. The stone façades, with their rustic textures and wrought iron balconies, are adorned with flower pots and traditional elements like wooden shutters and awnings. The presence of modern air conditioning units contrasts sharply with the centuries-old walls, symbolizing how Bari merges the old and the new in a harmonious, almost stubborn, coexistence. Carved corbels supporting balconies and arched doorways echo the Romanesque influences prevalent throughout the region.
Culturally, the image reveals a slice of daily life in Bari Vecchia, where localsâespecially elderly women known as âle nonneââare often seen sitting or strolling along these narrow lanes, embodying the spirit of community. The small artisan shop on the right, selling handcrafted souvenirs and religious artifacts, hints at the city's deep-rooted traditions and its enduring connection to craftsmanship and faith, particularly linked to the veneration of Saint Nicholas, the cityâs patron saint.
Culinary traditions also permeate this alleyway. Though not visible in the frame, itâs common to find families preparing fresh orecchiette (ear-shaped pasta) on wooden tables outside their homes. The scents of freshly baked focaccia barese, rich with olive oil and tomatoes, often waft through these streets. Bari's gastronomy, deeply tied to its maritime and agrarian heritage, is celebrated in such alleys where food is not just sustenance but a living tradition passed from generation to generation.
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the eiffel tower, an iron giant reaching for the clouds, reveals both its strength and grace when viewed from below. this angle celebrates not only the scale but the delicacy of its latticework, like a piece of intricate lace set against the sky. capturing paris from this perspective gives new life to the cityâs most iconic symbol.
This image showcases a stunning street view in Palermo, Sicily, taken from an ultra-low angle that accentuates the grandeur of the historic architecture. The primary focus is on the Palermo Cathedral (Cattedrale di Palermo), an iconic landmark that exemplifies the cityâs rich cultural heritage. The cathedral's design is a harmonious blend of various architectural styles, including Norman, Moorish, Gothic, and Baroque influences, reflecting the diverse civilizations that have shaped Palermo over centuries.
The left side of the image features a row of ornate palazzi, likely dating back to the Renaissance or Baroque periods. These buildings exhibit traditional Sicilian architectural features, such as arched windows, intricately carved stone details, and iron balconies. The street itself exudes a timeless charm, with its cobblestone pavement and warm-toned facades that are characteristic of Mediterranean urban settings.
Palermo's historical significance is deeply tied to its role as a cultural crossroads in the Mediterranean. Founded by the Phoenicians and later ruled by the Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Spanish, the city has absorbed influences from each era. The Palermo Cathedral, originally built in 1185, stands as a testament to this layered history. Its evolution over the centuries, with additions from different periods, embodies the city's dynamic past.
Culinary traditions in Palermo are equally rich and diverse, with street food playing a central role. Visitors to the area might enjoy sampling dishes such as arancini (stuffed rice balls), pane e panelle (chickpea fritters served in a sandwich), and the famous cassata siciliana, a traditional dessert. The cityâs vibrant food markets, such as Ballarò and Vucciria, provide an immersive experience into Palermoâs gastronomic culture, which, much like its architecture, reflects a tapestry of influences from its multicultural history.
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i was wandering near the parking garage on la rambla when i noticed the stairs, clean and precise, rising toward a quiet sky. she appeared, her boots clicking softly against the stone, a leather jacket slung over her frame, moving with purpose. the reflection caught her stride, splitting the scene into parallel worldsâone real, one imagined. behind her, the tree stood tall, a delicate rebellion against the cityâs sharp edges. it was a fleeting moment, where movement and stillness coexisted, where reflections turned reality into poetry.
This weathered stone doorway is part of the ruins of Pompeii, an ancient Roman city famously buried by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The doorway, with its rough and partially eroded structure, provides a vivid glimpse into Roman architecture and the daily life that once thrived within these walls. The remnants of plaster and faded paint on the surface are characteristic of Pompeian homes, many of which were adorned with frescoes and decorative finishes. The simple, functional design of the entrance reflects the utilitarian approach Romans took in constructing domestic spaces.
Pompeii was a flourishing city located near the Bay of Naples, and it played an essential role in Roman commerce and culture. It was a hub of trade, agriculture, and leisure, boasting villas, bathhouses, temples, and markets. The cityâs layout and infrastructure reveal a high level of urban planning, with paved streets, aqueducts, and sewer systems. Structures like the one in the image formed part of a dense urban landscape where people lived, worked, and interacted in close proximity, illustrating the vibrancy and complexity of Roman urban life.
The preservation of buildings like this doorway is largely due to the volcanic ash that covered Pompeii during the eruption, sealing the city in a time capsule. Unlike other ancient sites that suffered from erosion or human destruction, Pompeii offers an unparalleled snapshot of Roman life frozen in time. The doorway stands as a silent witness to the sudden disaster that struck the city, allowing modern archaeologists and visitors to imagine the people who once passed through it daily, unaware of the impending catastrophe.
Pompeiiâs ruins, including modest doorways like this one, are significant not only for their historical and archaeological value but also for their contribution to our understanding of Roman society. From the grand villas of the wealthy to the modest homes of artisans and shopkeepers, each structure tells part of the broader story of the Roman Empireâs reach, sophistication, and fragility. This particular doorway, though simple, holds immense value as part of the collective memory of a civilization that shaped much of Western history.
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she walked through the cityâs fading day, carrying more than her bag revealed. behind her, the sun sketched an exaggerated version of herself â a tall, angular echo that clung to the wall like a second memory. the shadow didnât care for truth or scale; it only carried what the light allowed, stretching her story into something larger, stranger, and more silent than words.
Both shots were taken with 50mm lenses: this one with a Leica Summilux Asph. f/1.4, the other one with the Sony GM f/1.2. The images differ slightly in terms of crop, angle, and time of day. It's quite interesting to observe how distinct the rendering can be between the two lenses... Would be glad to read which one you like more in the comments!
on a hot summer evening in palma's parque de general riera, the sun is sinking slowly, casting long shadows over the scattered patches of greenery. here, in the heart of the park, where runners and bikers pause, and children weave through the air with their laughter, small water fountains like these stand silently â like birds gathered at a watering hole. their metallic surface catches the last rays of the day, reflecting the energy and thirst of the park-goers. it's a simple design, almost like a sparrow leaning forward to take a drink, serving as a humble reminder of life's basic needs amidst the cityâs chaos.
歸心似箭
Thank you everyone for your visit, favorites and comments.
2015.10.20 New Taipei City, Taiwan, Rep of China © copyright by May Lee 廖藹淳
The large window of the Museum of Liverpool reflects the dramatic sunset in the background. The Museum of Liverpool is a new venue to tell the story of Liverpool and its people, and reflect the cityâs global significance. The museum is housed in a new purpose-built building on the Mann Island site at the Pier Head. The museum was designed by architects 3XN.
In this vibrant street scene of Parma, historic charm meets modern life along narrow cobblestone lanes. The aged buildings, with their detailed facades and classic architecture, create a picturesque backdrop that whispers tales of centuries past. Sunlight bathes the street in a warm glow, highlighting the delicate interplay of shadows and light on the old stone surfaces.
Local cafes and artisan shops line the street, inviting passersby to pause and savor the moment. The inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries drifts from the open doorways, blending harmoniously with the sound of lively conversations and soft, distant music from street performers. This blend of sensory details captures the soul of everyday life in Parma, where tradition and contemporary flair coexist effortlessly.
Pedestrians, both locals and visitors, meander along the pathway, taking in the intricate details of the surroundings. Some stop to appreciate the delicate balconies adorned with vibrant flowers, while others continue on their journey, immersed in the timeless rhythm of the city. The scene exudes a sense of relaxed energy, where the pace of life is measured and every step seems to echo the cityâs rich heritage.
In the distance, iconic landmarks subtly punctuate the skyline, reminding everyone of Parmaâs storied past and its contribution to art and culture. The overall atmosphere is both inviting and dynamic, a perfect snapshot of urban life that honors its historical roots while embracing the vibrancy of the present.
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The Red Arrows flying in formation over the Al Hamra Tower in Kuwait City.
This image shows the Red Arrows arriving in Kuwait, signalling their arrival with white smoke for a flypast over the citya. For the 50th anniversary of the Red Arrows the Team embarked on a Middle East Tour, visiting several countries including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE.
This image was a winner in the 2014 Royal Air Force Photographic Competition.
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© Crown Copyright 2014
Photographer: Senior Aircraftsman (SAC) Craig Marshall
Image 45157986.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
This image is available for high resolution download at www.defenceimagery.mod.uk subject to the terms and conditions of the Open Government License at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/. Search for image number 45157986.jpg
For latest news visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
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This photograph captures a majestic wooden door in the heart of Siena, Italyâa city renowned for its medieval architecture and timeless charm. The door, adorned with intricate square carvings and studded metal details, is framed by a robust stone archway that speaks volumes of the centuries it has witnessed. Set into a facade of rustic, weathered bricks and aged stone blocks, the door exudes an old-world dignity. The sign âDitta Lombardiâ hints at a long-established business or artisan workshop that once or still operates behind these walls, adding to the mystique and historical depth of the setting.
This grand door stands proudly near the Piazza del Campo, Sienaâs most iconic public square. It is here that the famous Palio di Siena takes place twice a yearâa thrilling horse race that has defined the cityâs cultural heartbeat for centuries. The piazza, shaped like a shell and lined with Gothic buildings, becomes the stage for this intense competition between the city's contrade, or districts. The excitement and passion surrounding the Palio underscore the Sienese people's fierce loyalty to tradition and community.
Siena is not only a city of history and pageantry but also of rich culinary heritage. Local specialties such as pici (a thick handmade pasta), ribollita (a hearty vegetable and bread soup), and panforte (a spiced fruit and nut cake) reflect the earthy flavors of the Tuscan countryside. The cityâs osterias and trattorias offer these dishes with pride, accompanied by wines from nearby Chianti and Montalcino vineyards. The gastronomic scene here is a sensory continuation of Sienaâs deep cultural roots.
Wandering through Siena feels like stepping into a living museum, with every narrow alley and weathered stone whispering stories of the past. The city is divided into seventeen contrade, each with its own emblem, identity, and traditions. This photograph, with its vivid textures and silent strength, captures more than a doorâit is a portal into the enduring soul of Siena, a city where art, architecture, history, and everyday life remain beautifully and inextricably entwined.
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This image shows a beautiful, historic gateway located in the old town of Grenoble. The arched doorway is set into a weathered stone wall, which adds to its sense of age and charm. The stone arch is crafted from different shades of stone, giving it a textured, layered appearance. The arch is supported by thick stone columns with simple capitals, hinting at classical architectural influences.
Above the arch is an elaborate crest carved into stone, a striking feature that immediately draws attention. The crest features a shield with three symbols, likely representative of the city's heritage or a historical family crest, surrounded by a detailed floral or laurel motif. At the top of the crest is a crown, possibly symbolizing nobility or the city's historical status.
The gate itself is framed by iron bars, painted in a muted gray color that complements the stonework. The ironwork is simple and functional, adding a layer of security while allowing visibility through to the inner courtyard. This structure evokes a sense of protection, as if it once served to guard something valuable or significant within the walls.
The passageway beyond the gate appears to lead into an inner courtyard or another enclosed area, dimly lit, hinting at further architectural beauty hidden from immediate view. The soft lighting and the warm tones within suggest that this could be a peaceful retreat, inviting visitors to explore deeper into Grenoble's storied past. The combination of intricate stonework, historical symbolism, and sturdy iron bars makes this entrance a remarkable feature of the cityâs architectural heritage.
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Weston Shore is a 2.2km stretch of public open space on Southampton Water. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The Shore has inter-tidal mudflats which make the site important for waterfowl. The area is a seafaring gateway. It is a unique site and is the cityâs main publicly accessible water front. It has international environmental importance enhanced by a rich and diverse archaeological, industrial and social heritage. (Southampton City)
The Copenhagen Opera House, a modern masterpiece glowing against the night sky, is a striking example of the cityâs bold architectural spirit. Copenhagen is known for seamlessly blending the old with the new, where cutting-edge design coexists with historic charm. The Opera House, with its sleek lines and state-of-the-art facilities, stands as a symbol of this architectural evolution.
When first opened in 1890, the Portland Transcript called 295 Water Street âone of the most picturesque public buildings that the government has bestowed upon any city in the Union.â Built of Hallowell granite and complete with a corner tower, Roman arches, a winding staircase, and 32,000 square feet of space, it was built in response to the growth of Augustaâs publishing industry. It served as the cityâs main post office until the 1960s. The original building, a classic example of American architectural style Richardsonian Romanesque, was altered in 1910, making the tower the center point, then again in the mid-twentieth century, adding a south wing. Now known as The Olde Federal Building, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974." from AugustaMaine.gov
The San Antonio River Walk (or Paseo del Rio) is a linear park that winds for thirteen miles from Brackenridge Park through downtown San Antonio, Texas and south to the farthest of the cityâs five eighteenth-century Spanish missions. The central section of approximately 3½ miles is navigable by tourist barges that stop along riverside walkways near hotels, restaurants, and shops concentrated around the Great Bend or Horseshoe Bend. Navigation northward beyond the original River Walk was made possible in 2009 by construction of the only river lock in the state of Texas. Access to the remainder of the River Walk is along hiking and biking trails. The River Walk draws several million tourists a year, is ranked as one of the top travel destinations in Texas, and has inspired riverside developments throughout the world.
The River Walk has its origins at the end of the nineteenth century, when the narrow San Antonio River was replaced as the source of the city's water by a municipal system fed by artesian wells. The wells began lowering the water table and periodically caused the river, some twenty feet below downtown street level, to go dry. Proposals for new use of the river's tree-lined course as a park gained momentum in 1904, when irate citizens went before city commissioners to protest overzealous clearing of overgrowth along the river. New civic use followed. The annual spring festivalâs king had traditionally made his ceremonious entry at a railroad station, but in April 1905 the king arrived by boat as part of the first river parade. A second such parade was held two years later as part of a riverside Carnival of Venice. It had to be delayed when a temporary dam to raise the water to a level adequate for boats washed out in a storm, and no more river parades were held for nearly three decades. In 1911 a group of businessmen commissioned an engineering study that reported the dwindling flow could safely be carried through a proposed underground conduit beneath downtown. That would permit the surface riverbed to be filled in for development. Opposing businessmen formed the San Antonio River Improvement Association. After added opposition from the City Federation of Women's Clubs, city commissioners took no action on the proposal. Election in 1912 of a reform mayor, Augustus H. Jones, led to a mile-long landscaping of downtown riverbanks as a River Park, one of several municipal improvements inspired by the national "City Beautiful" movement. The original River Walk was dedicated in November 1914. In about 1920 The Coffee House, in a riverside basement below the Houston Street bridge, became the first business to open along what became the River Walk.
After several major floods in the 1920's and many improvements to the drainage, the first segments of the modern Riverwalk opened in 1941. For many years the new River Walk remained little more than a narrow landscaped canyon between the unsightly backs of buildings facing streets above. The succession of river-level restaurants near the Houston Street bridge was joined in 1946 by Casa Rio, at the Market Street bridge over the Great Bend, but no other commercial development soon occurred.
A long struggle to save the river walk ensued. The efforts coalesced with planning for San Antonioâs worldâs fair, HemisFair 1968, on a downtown site just beyond the easternmost leg of the Great Bend. An extension of the bend dug a third of a mile east ended as a lagoon beside the fairâs exhibition hall and theater. When the fair ended, the exhibition hall, theater, and nearby arena became a convention center that dramatically revitalized the cityâs convention industry. Fair visitors and convention goers could follow the River Walk to the first major hotels built in San Antonio since the Great Depression. The riverwalk became known also as Paseo del Rio).
In the decades since 1968, hotels, restaurants, and shops have multiplied along the River Walk, guided by a variety of agencies monitoring aspects from building setbacks to lighting to semitropical plantings to noise levels. The River Walk has been extended to the north and south. Addtional hiking/ biking trails were added extending the walk all the way to the southern most of the San Antonio Mission.
This place of worship was completed in the early-19th century and is one of the cityâs top landmarks. At the fall of communism it was the site of one of the most remarkable events in Tiranaâs recent history, when on the 10th of January 1991 10,000 people gathered to practise their religion, against the decree of the authorities who had banned Islam for almost half a century. In the end there was no police interference and the event marked a turning for religious freedom in Albania. The outer walls of this mosque are unusual as they depict idyllic scenery such as forests and waterfalls, which arenât normally permitted in Islamic art.
Monsoon Sunset
El Dorado Mountains from Interstate 11
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Boulder City, Nevada
8/16/2018
In the heart of Colombo the tallest residential towers around this part of the world -and definitely the tallest in the country- are under construction. Designed by the famous architect Moshe Safdie, Altair, the $ 250-million development project is set to become the city’s new landmark. The structure consists of one 68-level vertical tower and a 64-level sloping one, forming a total living space of 1.5 million ft2 (140 2). The towers meet at level 38.
В самом сердце Коломбо строятся самые высокие жилые башни в этой части мира и, безусловно, самые высокие в стране. Разработанный известным архитектором Моше Сафди, Альтаир, проект развития стоимостью 250 миллионов долларов США станет новой достопримечательностью города. Структура состоит из одной 68-уровневой вертикальной башни и 64-уровневой наклонной башни, образующей общую жилую площадь 1,5 миллиона футов (140 м2). Башни встречаются на 38 этаже.
Brydekirk (Scottish Gaelic: Eaglais Bhride) is a village in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland located approximately 2.5 miles north of Annan.
The village sits adjacent to the River Annan, and was the concept of the Paisley Dirom family of Mount Annan and building started about 1822.
There is a lovely school in brydekirk on School street.
Jenny Mill Riding Stables is situated in Brydekirk. The "Brig Inn" is also in Brydekirk which offers a warm welcome to locals, visitors and passers by.
Excerpts From 'Our Village Brydekirk' - Produced by the children of Brydekirk School in 2014.
The original village was called Bridechapel and was north west of what is now Brydekirk Mains farm. In 1507, over 500 years ago, it was known as Bridechapel, in 1517 Brydekyrk and in 1660 Brydekirk. It had its own water at St Brydes Well and the spring is still there 500 years later.
The pond which is over grown was the village pond at Brydekirk Mains Farm. You may see signs of the old village. The chapel had a rough stone wall surrounding it, it was in 1100 over 900 years ago. We also found out before Diromâs time the village north west of Brydekirk called Brydechaple was built round a small chaple dedicated to Saint Bryde, or Saint Briget born 452. In 1983 it was excavated by archaeologists they found coins dating back to 1496 these are in the Dumfries Museum.
Mains Farm. The Bell family have lived there for over 200 years. Mr Bell showed us the oldest part of the tower. We saw St Brides Tower it is about 15m high. The people lived above and the animals lived underneath to help keep the people warm. You could still see the beams that held the floor where the people lived. Mr Bell also showed us a pond in front of the farm where water was dammed so it could power the waterwheel. Brydekirk Mains Farm had their own corn mill and Mr Bell said his father can remember it working over 70 years ago. Mr Bell also said the Quarry, where the boys from school probably went to work, was nearly all filled in. It is about a field away from the school park. That field is known locally as âThe Americanâ because of its size.
A landowner Lieutenant General Alexander Dirom wanted to build an industrial village by the River Annan to increase the value of his land. Dirom made a great many plans for Brydekirk.
Dirom was born in 1757 at Banff near Aberdeen and came to Annan when he married Miss Magdalene Paisley the heiress of mount Annan Estate. They lived at mount Annan for many years had 7 sons and 5 daughters. He died in October 1830 at mount Annan Aged 74. The first job was to make the planned village easy to get to. He had to build roads and between 1799 and 1800 a bridge. A stone bridge with three arches went over the river Annan, thatâs over 200 years ago. Now Dirom had four roads that came into Brydekirk. He made a new road from Mount Annan to Brydekirk one mile with a gate and a porterâs lodge at each end. Dirom was interested in the river to power all the industries of Brydekirk including a corn mill, woollen mill and a bleach field to bleach the cloth by the sun. Dirom was also interested in quarrying his lands fine sandstone from Corsehill and a lime from a quarry at Brownmoor. In 1791 over 200 years ago he tried to bore for coal but was unsuccessful. The houses were to be built by the people themselves and then a set rent was paid to Dirom. He wanted hardworking people to live in his village. The first six houses were built by Dirom. The houses were all built to his plan; each had a slated roof and was built with lime-stone from quarries at Brownmoor. Each house was to be white washed in the spring of every year, the cottages were said to glisten in the sun and Brydekirk was nicknamed âThe White Wash Cityâ.
In 1837, over 200 years ago the list of people in the village were, 1 clergy, 2 clog makers, 1 cooper, 3 grocers and spirit dealer, 4 mason builders, 1 miller, 1 tailor, 1 vinter, 1 flax dresser and 2 black smiths. The village was thriving but Dirom never completed his elaborate plan. New power came along like steam and water power was not going to last. Dirom died in October 1830 at Mount Annan Aged 74.
Tourist barges wait along the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas. The San Antonio River Walk (or Paseo del Rio) is a linear park that winds for thirteen miles from Brackenridge Park through downtown and south to the farthest of the cityâs five eighteenth-century Spanish missions. The central section of approximately 3½ miles is navigable by tourist barges that stop along riverside walkways near hotels, restaurants, and shops concentrated around the Great Bend or Horseshoe Bend. Navigation northward beyond the original River Walk was made possible in 2009 by construction of the only river lock in the state of Texas. Access to the remainder of the River Walk is along hiking and biking trails. The River Walk draws several million tourists a year, is ranked as one of the top travel destinations in Texas, and has inspired riverside developments throughout the world.
The River Walk has its origins at the end of the nineteenth century, when the narrow San Antonio River was replaced as the source of the city's water by a municipal system fed by artesian wells. The wells began lowering the water table and periodically caused the river, some twenty feet below downtown street level, to go dry. Proposals for new use of the river's tree-lined course as a park gained momentum in 1904, when irate citizens went before city commissioners to protest overzealous clearing of overgrowth along the river. New civic use followed. The annual spring festivalâs king had traditionally made his ceremonious entry at a railroad station, but in April 1905 the king arrived by boat as part of the first river parade. A second such parade was held two years later as part of a riverside Carnival of Venice. It had to be delayed when a temporary dam to raise the water to a level adequate for boats washed out in a storm, and no more river parades were held for nearly three decades. In 1911 a group of businessmen commissioned an engineering study that reported the dwindling flow could safely be carried through a proposed underground conduit beneath downtown. That would permit the surface riverbed to be filled in for development. Opposing businessmen formed the San Antonio River Improvement Association. After added opposition from the City Federation of Women's Clubs, city commissioners took no action on the proposal. Election in 1912 of a reform mayor, Augustus H. Jones, led to a mile-long landscaping of downtown riverbanks as a River Park, one of several municipal improvements inspired by the national "City Beautiful" movement. The original River Walk was dedicated in November 1914. In about 1920 The Coffee House, in a riverside basement below the Houston Street bridge, became the first business to open along what became the River Walk.
After several major floods in the 1920's and many improvements to the drainage, the first segments of the modern Riverwalk opened in 1941. For many years the new River Walk remained little more than a narrow landscaped canyon between the unsightly backs of buildings facing streets above. The succession of river-level restaurants near the Houston Street bridge was joined in 1946 by Casa Rio, at the Market Street bridge over the Great Bend, but no other commercial development soon occurred.
A long struggle to save the river walk ensued. The efforts coalesced with planning for San Antonioâs worldâs fair, HemisFair 1968, on a downtown site just beyond the easternmost leg of the Great Bend. An extension of the bend dug a third of a mile east ended as a lagoon beside the fairâs exhibition hall and theater. When the fair ended, the exhibition hall, theater, and nearby arena became a convention center that dramatically revitalized the cityâs convention industry. Fair visitors and convention goers could follow the River Walk to the first major hotels built in San Antonio since the Great Depression. The riverwalk became known also as Paseo del Rio).
In the decades since 1968, hotels, restaurants, and shops have multiplied along the River Walk, guided by a variety of agencies monitoring aspects from building setbacks to lighting to semitropical plantings to noise levels. The River Walk has been extended to the north and south. Addtional hiking/ biking trails were added extending the walk all the way to the southern most of the San Antonio Mission.
Indigenous women’s groups perform a Tlalmanalli opening ceremony to kick off the Generation Equality Forum in Mexico. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka participated in a conversation with the women, following greetings and respects to the ceremony. The event was held at the Complejo Cultural Los Pinos in Mexico City on 29 March 2021.
“Tlalmanali” from the Nahuatl indigenous language, is an “offering to the earth.” a traditional greeting to the four winds, which consists of an altar on the ground that forms a circle surrounded by natural elements, divided into four directions (south, north, east and west). Each symoolizes an element of nature (earth, water, air, fire). It represents the seed fire of inauguration.
The collectives in charge of the ceremony were: Red Autónoma de Médicos Tradicionales y Parteras CDMX y Area Metropolitana, Colectivo de parteria LOG OLAJ ALAXIN SAGRADO NACIMIENTO, and Casa de medicina tradicional Ixchel.
Photo: UN Women/Dzilam Méndez
Read More: www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2021/3/press-release-open...
in the polished glass of the riem arcaden, reality blurs and doubles. a lone silhouette walks along the bottom edge, faint but purposeful, a shadow that seems both part of the structure and somehow detached from it. overhead, strong industrial shapes reflect and intersect, softened by a faint light that filters through and dissolves the lines into a hazy abstraction. this image captures a moment suspended in liminalityâwhere reflections hold stories and the cityâs architecture feels like a portal to somewhere else.
October 10, 2022 -New York Cityâ Governor Kathy Hochul marches with the Consul General of Italy, Fabrizio Di Michele, in the 78th Columbus Day Parade up Fifth Avenue in New York City, Monday October 10, 2022. (Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)
Call No.: 12_00051
Corp. Name: Zeppelin
Subject: Zeppelin
Notes: Universal Pictures, ""'The Hindenburg' over New York Cityâ¦""
Description: 7.5 x 9 Black and White Photo
Gammeltorv - Old Square.
This is one of the city’s first community telephone centers from the days before phones were privately owned.
homs
Hims (Arabic:حمص , transliteration: Ḥims, also spelled Homs and anciently called "Emesa"[1] (Greek: ἡ Ἔμεσα) is a city in western Syria and the capital of the Hims Governorate. It is 501 metres (1,640 ft) above sea level and is located 162 kilometres (101 mi) north of Damascus.[2] Located on the Orontes River, Hims is also the central link between the interior cities and the Mediterranean Sea coast.
Hims did not emerge into the light of history until the 1st century BCE at the time of Seleucids. It later became the capital of a kingdom ruled by the Emesani dynasty who gave the city its name. Originally a pagan center of worship for the Sun god El-Gabal, it later gained importance in Christianity under the Byzantines. It was conquered by the Muslims in the 7th century and made capital of a district that bore its current name. Throughout the Islamic era, Muslim dynasties contending for control of Syria sought after Hims due to the city's strategic position in the area. It began to decline under the Ottomans and only in the 19th century did the city regain its economic importance when its cotton industry boomed.
Today, Hims is a major industrial center in Syria, and with a population of 823,000, it is the third largest city in the country. Its population reflects Syria's general religious diversity, composed mostly of Arabic-speaking Sunni Muslims, with a Christian minority. The city boasts a number of historic mosques and churches and is near the Krak des Chevaliers, a world heritage site.
Etymology
"Emesa" is a compound of "Ham-Es", with the Es representing an assemblage of the locally-revered sun god in (El-Gabal) in ancient times.[3] The name "Emesa" or "Hemesa" is also attributed to "Emesenoi", the name of the Arab tribe that ruled the area before its incorporation into the Roman Empire.[4] When the name of the tribe became attached to the city is indiscernible, but is generally thought to have been used under the Romans.[5]
"Emesa" was called "Hems" or "Hims" by its Arab inhabitants, many of whom settled there prior to the Muslim conquest of Syria.[5][6] This name has been preserved throughout the period of Islamic rule continuing to the present day. It was known as "la Chamelle" by the Crusaders, although they never ruled the city.[7][8] A second possibility about the origin of the city's modern name is that it is an Arabic form of the city's Latin name "Emesus", derived from the Greek "Emesa" or "Emesos".[9]
History
For roughly 2,000 years, Hims has served as a key agricultural market, production site, and trade center for the villages of northern Syria. It has also provided security services to the hinterland of Syria, protecting it from invading forces.[5]
Emesani dynasty and Roman rule The Emesa temple to the sun god El-Gabal, with the holy stone, on the reverse of this bronze coin by Roman usurper Uranius Antoninus
Excavations at the Citadel of Hims indicate that the earliest settlement at the site dates back to around 2300 BCE. Biblical scholars have identified the city with Zobah mentioned in the Bible.[10][5] In 1274 BCE,[11] a battle took place between the forces of the Egyptian Empire under Ramesses II and the Hittite Empire under Muwatalli II at the city of Kadesh on the Orontes River near Hims.[12] It was possibly the largest chariot battle ever fought, involving perhaps 5,000–6,000 chariots.[13][14]
Hims itself may have been founded by Seleucus I Nicator who established the Seleucid Empire upon the death of Alexander the Great, though the city did not emerge in the light of history until the 1st century BCE. At this time, Greek philosopher Strabo spoke of a tent-dwelling tribe called the "Emesani" living in the area around the Orontes and south of the Apamea region.[5] They were an Arab tribe in the area and settled in Emesa—which derived its name from them. Upon Pompey's incorporation of the Seleucid state of Syria into the Roman Empire in 64 BCE, the Emesani dynasty were made vassals to the Romans for aiding their troops in various wars. Their chief at the time, Samsigeramus I, gained the status as king of the Emesanis, but their capital was at Arethusa, a city north of Emesa, also along the Orontes River. At its greatest extent, the kingdom's boundaries extended from the Bekaa Valley in the west to the border with Palmyra in the east, and from Yabrud in the south to al-Rastan (Arethusa) in the north. Semsigeramus's kingdom was the first of Rome's Arab clients on the desert fringes.[4]
The city of Emesa grew to prominence after the new-found wealth of the Emesani dynasty, governed first by Samsigeramus's son Iamblichus who made it the kingdom's capital.[4] The Emesani proved their loyalty to Rome once more when they aided Caesar in his siege of Alexandria in 41 BCE, by sending him army detachments. Subsequently, they became embroiled in the Roman Civil War between the rebelling Mark Antony and the pro-Caesar Octavian. King Iamblichus took the side of Octavian, and so upon encouragement from Antony, the king's brother Alexas usurped the throne and put him to death in 31 BCE. Octavian's forces prevailed in the war, however, and as a result the kingdom's throne was reverted to Iamblichus II after Alexas was executed for treason. Under his stable rule emerged a new era of peace from 20 BCE and 14 CE, known as Emesa's "golden age". In 32 CE, Heliopolis and the Bekaa Valley came under the kingdom's control.[4]
Relations with the Roman government grew closer when King Sohaemus inherited the kingship. Under him, Emesa sent the Roman military a regular levy of archers and assisted them in their siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE. His loyalty to Rome gained the Emesani dynasty little, however; in 75 CE the Kingdom of Emesa was completely incorporated into the Roman Empire, diminishing the dynasty's autonomy. It is unclear whether King Sohaemus abdicated his throne or had died with an incapable heir, prompting the Romans to annex the territory.[15]
Some frescoes inside the Church of Saint Elian date back to the 6th century
Under the Romans, Emesa began to show attributes of a Greek city-state and traces of Roman town planning still remain. Its transformation into a major city was completed under the reign of Antoninus Pius (138-161) when Emesa began to mint coins.[5] By the 3rd century, it grew prosperous and well-integrated into the Roman Orient. This was partly due to the marriage of Septimus Severus to a woman from a family of notables based in Emesa. It attained the coveted status as a Roman colonia by Severus, and two other emperors of Severan Dynasty were raised in Emesa. One of them was Elagabalus who served as the high priest at the Temple of El-Gabal, the local sun god. He brought the image of this god, a conical black stone, to the Elagabalium in Rome.[16][17]
Emesa also grew wealthy because it formed a link in the eastern trade funneled through Palmyra, however, this dependence also caused the city's downfall when Palmyra sank to insignificance in the 4th century. Nonetheless, Emesa at this time had grown to rank with the important cities of Tyre, Sidon, Beirut, and Damascus. It also continued retain local significance, because it was the market center for the surrounding villages. The city remained a strong center of paganism, because of the Temple of El-Gabal. After one of his victories over Zenobia, emperor Aurelian visited the city to pay thanks to the deity.[16]
Due to the strength of the pagan sun-cult in Emesa, Christians initially did not settle in the city. Eusibius writes that Silvanus, the city's first bishop, had no jurisdiction over the city, but the surrounding villages. He was executed aside Emperor Julian and succeeded by Bishop Antonius—the first bishop to settle Emesa.[18] By the 5th century, Christianity was well-established under the Byzantine Empire; however, few ancient Christian inscriptions exist in Hims today.[16] Under the Byzantines, it became an important center for Eastern Christianity.[19] Initially a diocese, Hims was given the status of ecclesiastical metropolis after the discovery John the Baptist's head in a nearby area in 452.[16]
Arab Caliphate The mausoleum of Khalid ibn al-Walid is in a mosque in Hims that bears his name
Prior to the Muslim conquest of Syria, Arab tribes, particularly the Banu Kalb settled around Emesa, ensuring its position as an important Yemeni center. The Byzantine emperor Heraclius abandoned the city—which served as his headquarters[20]—after the defeat of his army to that of the Rashidun Muslims under Umar ibn al-Khattab during the Battle of Yarmouk in southern Syria. In 637 CE, the Rashidun army led by Khalid ibn al-Walid captured Emesa peacefully as the city agreed to pay a substantial ransom of 71,000 to 170,000 dinars.[16][21][22] Afterward, they renamed the city "Hims". The caliph Umar established Hims as the capital of Jund Hims, a district within the province of Bilad ash-Sham, encompassing the towns of Latakia, Jableh, and Tartus along the coast, as well as the Palmyra in the Syrian Desert and the territory in between, including the town of Hama.[23] Hims was probably the first city in Syria to have a substantial Muslim population.[24]
The Muslims transformed half of St. John's Church into the city's Friday Mosque (Great Mosque of al-Nuri) and Hims soon became a center of Islamic piety since some 500 companions of Muhammad settled there after its conquest.[16] The tombs of Ibn al-Walid, his son Abd ar-Rahman, and Ubaid Allah, the son of Umar are located in the city.[25] During the conflict between the Umayyads and Ali, the inhabitants of Hims allied themselves with Ali and when the latter was defeated, the Umayyad caliph Mu'awiyah hived the northern half of Jund Hims to form a separate district, Jund Qinnasrin, apparently as punishment.[16] Ali's oratory (mash-had 'Ali) was located in the city, and Islamic tradition claims his fingerprints are engraved on it.[22] Despite repression by the Umayyads, Hims remained a center of Shia Islam for a while longer. As a stronghold of the Banu Kalb, the city became involved in its conflicts with the Qais tribal faction. The last Umayyad caliph, Marwan II, enjoyed the support of the latter tribe and subsequently razed the city walls. In 750 CE the Abbasids wrested control of Syria, including Hims, from the Umayyads, but the Arab tribes continued to revolt against the Caliphate.[16]
The interior of the Great Mosque of al-Nuri
During the reign of caliph Harun al-Rashid from 796 to 809 and after his reign, the Abbasid authorities sent numerous punitive expeditions against Hims and although the city was quite prosperous in this era, Abbasid rule was generally not welcomed.[16] Under the reign of al-Mutawakkil, in October 855, an uprising by the Christians of the city erupted in response to additional taxation. The caliph put down the revolt by expelling Christians from the city, burning down its churches, and executing members of its leadership.[26] With Abbasid rule over the Caliphate weakening in the mid-9th century, Hims became sought after by rebel dynasties contending for control of Syria due to the city's strategic position.[16]
Initially, the Egypt-based Tulunids came into control of it, but they were forced out by the Aleppo-based Hamdanids who were briefly succeeded by the Qarmatians,[16] after their Turkish rebel ally Aftakin invaded northern Syria and made Hims his base.[27] In 891 CE, geographer al-Yaqubi wrote that Hims was situated along a broad river from which the inhabitants drink.[28] It was one of the largest cities in Syria and had several smaller districts surrounding it. In 944, the Hamdanids took definitive control of the city dominated it until 1016.[16] Arab geographer al-Mas'udi noted in the early 10th century, that Hims was "noted for the personal beauty of its inhabitants".[28] In 985, al-Muqaddasi claimed that Hims was the largest city in all of Syria, but it had suffered "great misfortunes" and was "threatened with ruin". He stated that when the city was conquered by the Muslims they turned half of its church into a mosque.[29]
For roughly thirty years during the 10th century, Hims was raided by the Byzantines and its inhabitants were subject to slaughter and plunder and the city's mosque was briefly restored to become a church. Throughout most of the 11th century, the Byzantine raids receded greatly and the Mirdasids of the Banu Kalb tribe ruled over Hims, replacing the Hamdanids. Inclined towards Shia Islam, they did not oppose the Shia Fatimids of Egypt who were aiming to extend their rule into northern Syria and Iraq at the time. This precipitated a Sunni reaction led by the Seljuk Turks who occupied Hims under Aq Sunqur al-Hajib in 1090.[16]
Seljuk, Ayyubid, and Mamluk rule Romantic illustration of Hims by Louis-Francois Cassas. The artist in the foreground is shown sketching the Citadel of Hims, surrounded by his guards and the inquisitive locals
The First Crusade was launched in 1096, and in 1098, the Crusaders captured Antioch to the northeast, looted Ma'arat al-Numan, and finally besieged Hims itself. Although they managed to cut the city off from its main port Tartus, they failed in taking the city. Soon after, Hims came under the control of the Seljuk ruler of Damascus who turned it into a large, fortified camp and key fortress effectively preventing the Crusaders from penetrating deeper into Muslim territory. Immune from attack, the city became a point where the Muslims could marshal their forces and launch raids against Crusader holds along the Mediterranean coast.[16] In the early 12th century, the Seljuks affianced in internal fighting, during which Hims was often a prize. In 1149, the Mosul-based Zengids under Nur al-Din captured Hims in 1149.[30]
al-Idrisi reports in 1154, that the city was populous, had paved streets, possessed one of the largest mosques in Syria, contained open markets, and was frequented by travelers attracted to its "products and rarities of all kinds". He also noted that its residents were "pleasant; living with them is easy, and their manners are agreeable. The women are beautiful and are celebrated for their fine skin."[31] A series of earthquakes in 1157 inflicted heavy damage upon Hims and its fortress, then in 1170, a minor quake finished off the latter. Yet because of its strategic importance, being opposite of the Crusader County of Tripoli, the city and its fortifications were soon restored. In 1164, Nur al-Din handed Hims over to Asad ad-Din Shirkuh as a fief, but reclaimed it five years later after Shirkuh's death. The latter's nephew, Saladin, came into control of the city in 1175 and in 1179, after reorganizing northern Syria, he restored the fief to his Ayyubid dynasty who retained it for nearly a century until 1262. In 1225, geographer Yaqut al-Hamawi mentioned that Hims was large, "celebrated", and walled, having a strongly fortified castle on its southern hill.[22]
During the later Ayyubid period of rule, Hims remained a centerpiece of the wars between them and the Crusaders, as well as internecine conflicts with the Mongol Empire and the Mamluks.[30] The first battle between the Mongols and the Mamluks took place on December 10, 1260, ending in a decisive Mamluk victory. A second battle was fought on October 29, 1281, also ending in a Mamluk victory. The Mamluks were finally defeated in the Battle of Wadi al-Khazandar, also known as the "Third Battle of Hims", in 1299.
Hims declined politically after falling to the Mamluks under Baibars because they effectively drove out the Crusaders and Mongols from the entirety of Syria. At the beginning of the 14th century, the city was merely the capital of the smallest province of Syria and was often included in the province of Damascus.[30] Ibn Batuta visited Hims in 1355, writing that it had fine trees, good markets, and a "fine Friday Mosque", noting that all of its inhabitants were Arabs.[32] Timur seized the city in 1400, and later in the 15th century as Mamluk weakness had brought insecurity to the countryside, Hims was ravaged by Bedouin raids; In 1510, the powerful tribe led by al-Fadl bin Nu'ayr were sent on an expedition by the governor of Damascus to loot the city markets as Hims had failed to pay for his "services".[30]
Ottoman rule Khalid ibn al-Walid Mosque, an example of Ottoman architecture in Hims See also: Ottoman Syria
In 1516, Hims was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire and consequently suffered a greater political eclipse, but it continued to thrive as an economic center, processing the agricultural and pastoral products that flowed to it from surrounding districts.[33] Hims was particularly well-known for silk and wool weaving, especially the alaja, which was mottled muslin run through with gold threads and used in feminine apparel. This silk was exported to as far as the Ottoman capital Istanbul. In addition to weaving industries, there were olive oil presses and water mills for wheat and sesame, while grapes and rice, grown in the surrounding marshlands from the 16th century, were found in abundance in the city's markets. Moreover, the markets of Hims were the center of a trade in animal, where flocks of sheep and goats coming from Aleppo met camels and cows moving north from Damascus.[30]
The coming of the Ottomans brought administrative change to Hims, now becoming the center of a sanjak ("district") attached to the wilaya ("province") of Tripoli—its old rival.[34] At this time, a French visitor noted that the city walls and citadel were in good repair, all within was in decay and only its covered markets "retained their beauty". French traveler, Volney wrote in 1785 of the city's one_time great importance and its current "miserable" condition. He described it as large, but ruined village administratively dependent on Damascus. The Ottomans did little to revitalize Hims or ensure it security against Bedouin raids. Tribal unrest throughout the 17th and 18th centuries resulted in the sacking of its markets on several occasions. Security was even more hampered, when in the 18th century, the Ottomans tore down the gates of the city's walls.[30]
The countryside of Hims saw an increase in Bedouin ravages in the first half of the 19th century, interrupted by it and Syria's occupation by Muhammad Ali's Egypt led by Ibrahim Pasha between 1832 and 1840.[35][33] The city revolted against Egyptian rule, and its citadel was destroyed when the Egyptians were suppressing the revolt. Ottoman rule was soon restored and up to the 1860s, Hims was large enough to form a discrete economic unit of trade and processing of agricultural products from its satellite villages and the neighboring Bedouin tribe.[30]
The local economy was stimulated when the Ottoman government extended security to the city and its surrounding area; new villages were established and old ones were resettled. Hims found itself faced with European economic competition since Ottoman rule was restored. Hims' economic importance was boosted again during the depression of the 1870s, as its cotton industry boomed due to a decline European textile production. The quality and design of cotton goods from Hims satisfied both the lower and upper classes of the local, Ottoman, and even the foreign market. There were around 5,000 looms in Hims and nearby Hama, and one British consul referred to Hims as the "Manchester of Syria".[30]
Modern era A street in downtown Hims
Throughout the 20th century Hims held high political importance in the country and was home to several heads of state and other high-ranking government officials.[30]
Under the French mandate Hims was part of the State of Damascus. In Autumn 1925, the city joined Damascus and the southern Druze chieftains in a full-blown revolt against French rule.[36] In 1932 the French moved their military academy from Damascus to Hims, which was the only military academy in Syria until 1967.[37] The Hims Military Academy played a major role in the years following the independence, as many of its graduates went on to become high ranked officers in the Syrian Army and many of them took part in the series of coup d'états that were to follow. Most important of them was Hafez Assad who was to become the president of Syria from 1971 until his death in 2000.[38]
An oil pipeline between Tripoli and Kirkuk was built in Hims in the early 1930s and it followed ancient caravan route between Palmyra and the Mediterranean. 1n 1959, an oil refinery was built to process some of this oil for consumption by Syria.[30] Israel bombed the Hims oil refinery during the Yom Kippur war in 1973.[38] The city flourished under the newly formed Syrian state due to its central location and partial destruction of its rival city Hamah in 1982 when Hafez al-Assad ordered the Syrian army to quell the Muslim Brotherhood rebellion.
Geography
The Governorate of Hims is the largest in Syria. Hims, the governorate's capital, is located in central western Syria, situated along the east bank of the Orontes River in a particularly fertile area. The city is in between the southern outliers of Jabal Ansayriya located to its west and Mount Lebanon, overlooking the Hims Gap. Because of the gap, the area around Hims receives much more rainfall than interior regions to its north and south.[37] To the east of Hims, is the Syrian Desert. Lake Hims is to the southwest, lying some 125 kilometers (78 mi) south of Aleppo and 34 kilometers (21 mi) south of Hama, halfway on the road between the capital Damascus and Aleppo.[5] The Orontes River splits the city into two main sections: To the east, on a flat land lies the city center and the main neighborhoods; to the west, lies the more recent and modern suburb of al-Waer. The city spans an area of 4,800 hectares (19 sq mi).[39]
Hims is located 162 kilometres (101 mi) north of Damascus, 193 kilometres (120 mi) south from Aleppo, 47 kilometres (29 mi) south Hama, and 186 kilometres (116 mi) southeast from Latakia.[2] Nearby towns and villages include al-Qusayr to the south, Fairouzeh to the southeast, Marmarita and Zweitina to the west, Qatna to the northeast and Ar-Rastan to the north.
Old City and subdivisions The Atassi quarter in the Old City of Hims A building in the neighborhood of al-Mahatta See also: Gates of Hims
The Old City is the most condensed area of Hims, and it includes the neighborhoods of Bab Tadmur, Bab al-Dreib, and Bab Hud and the area around the citadel, covering an area of 1.2 square kilometres (0.46 sq mi).[39] Little remains of the Old City; its walls and gates were demolished in the Ottoman era, but a short section of fortified wall with a circular corner tower still exists. Half a kilometer to the south, a large earth mound marks the site where the citadel once stood.[40] To the north of the citadel lies the Christian Quarter, known as "al-Hamidiyah".[41] This neighborhood is one of the few areas of Hims that retains its older look, with most of the black-and-white stone buildings dating from the Mamluk era. They are still used as shops and dwellings, and there has been recent renovation.[42]
At the time of the Abbasids, Hims was known for its seven gates. They were Bab al-Souq (Gate of the Market), Bab Tadmor (Gate of Palmyra), Bab al-Dreib (or Bab al-Deir), Bab al-Sebaa (Gate of the Lions), Bab al-Turkman (Gate of the Turkmen), Bab al-Masdoud (Closed Door), and Bab Hud (The Gate of Hud).[30] Only two gates—Bab Tadmor and Bab al-Dreib—remain today.[43] The oldest of Hims' mosques and churches are located in the Old City.[40]
Hims consists of several subdivisions outside the Old City. The large neighborhood of Khaldiyah spreads along its northern edge, while the more modern neighborhoods of al-Sabeel, al-Zahra, and Jub al-Jandali are situated to the east of the Old City. South of it are the neighborhoods of Bab al-Sebaa, al-Mreijeh, al-Nezha, Akrama and beyond them lay the Karm al-Zaytoun and Karm al-Loz neighborhoods.[41] The modern commercial center lies to the west in the neighborhood of Jouret al-Shayyah, and further west are the upscale neighborhoods of Qusoor, al-Mahatta and al-Ghouta. The suburb of al-Waer is located even further west, separated from the city by areas of farmland called al-Basateen and the Orontes river forming a green belt where it is forbidden to build anything.[41] The al-Baath University complex and dormitories are located on the western-southern edge of the city next to the neighborhood of Akrama.[41]
Climate
Hims' location ensures that it receives softening influences and breezes from the Mediterranean Sea . As a result, the city has a much milder climate than nearby Hama, with higher average rainfall of 18 inches (457.2 mm) instead of 14 inches (355.6 mm), but it also experiences greater winds.[5]
GEC82222 DFWMEXâ¨â¨Benito Juarez International Airport | MEX / MMMX
Mexico Cityâ¨Mexico
[Canon EOS 1D Mark III + EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM]
In the heart of Colombo the tallest residential towers around this part of the world -and definitely the tallest in the country- are under construction. Designed by the famous architect Moshe Safdie, Altair, the $ 250-million development project is set to become the city’s new landmark. The structure consists of one 68-level vertical tower and a 64-level sloping one, forming a total living space of 1.5 million ft2 (140 2). The towers meet at level 38.
В самом сердце Коломбо строятся самые высокие жилые башни в этой части мира и, безусловно, самые высокие в стране. Разработанный известным архитектором Моше Сафди, Альтаир, проект развития стоимостью 250 миллионов долларов США станет новой достопримечательностью города. Структура состоит из одной 68-уровневой вертикальной башни и 64-уровневой наклонной башни, образующей общую жилую площадь 1,5 миллиона футов (140 м2). Башни встречаются на 38 этаже.
Benito Juarez International Airport | MEX / MMMX
Mexico Cityâ¨Mexico
[Canon EOS 1D Mark III + EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM]
Pictured is HMS DEFENDER arriving in her affiliated city Glasgow. The state-of-the-art Type 45 destroyer HMS Defender will visit Glasgow â her adopted city â for the first time since she was delivered to the Royal Navy.
And she sails in under the command of Commander Philip Nash, who also served on the cityâs previous twinned ship â HMS Glasgow; a proud and welcome return for him.
âThis is our first visit to our adopted city since the ship left Scotstoun after her initial sea trials,â said Commander Philip Nash, HMS Defenderâs Commanding Officer. âShe has now proved herself at sea and is operating within the Fleet alongside her other five sisters.
âI am hugely proud to be the first Commanding Officer to bring her back to the city and river where she was built; my shipâs company and I feel extremely privileged to be affiliated to Glasgow and are honoured to have been invited by the Lord Provost and Glasgow City Council to a special reception at the City Chambers.
âGlasgow has a very proud and distinguished maritime heritage and Defender is an extremely visible reminder of that.
HMS Defender is the fifth of Britainâs six Type 45 destroyers which are the most advanced warships the nation has ever built. Their mission is to shield the Fleet from air attack using the state-of-the-art Sea Viper missile system.