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photograph I acquired from a large archive of negatives from a San Francisco Bay based commercial photographer taken mostly in the 1960s to 1970s.
Found Kodachrome slide, no processing date but manually captioned "Summer 1961". Obviously taken at the same time as Found Slide - 3937.
ROMA ARCHEOLOGIA E RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA: Update - The Forum and Temple of Trajan in Rome (2018-20): "L’evidenza archeologica ha dimostrato che il tempio c’è.” With New Comments & New Information Courtesy of Prof. James E. Packer (18 March 2020).
PDF = wp.me/pbMWvy-5t
Note: I have actually been working on this brief notice on the The Forum and Temple of Trajan in Rome (2019-2020) since May 2020 onwards (1), but, with the recent Italian 'Chinese virus’ Crisis in late Feb thru March 2020, I have been sidelined communicating, discussing and attempting help my dear friend in Rome.
ROMA ARCHEOLOGIA E RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA: Update - The Forum and Temple of Trajan in Rome (2018-20): "L’evidenza archeologica ha dimostrato che il tempio c’è.” With New Comments & Information Courtesy of Prof. James E. Packer (18 March 2020).
Update - Rome recently in late January 30 2020 and in early 11-13 December 2019, the numerous Italian scholars in Rome affiliated with the long-term research and studies of the Forum and Temple of Trajan at the two following conference’s (see below) presented and discussed the results of their recent work on the Forum and Temple of Trajan, see:
I). Rome - LA TOPOGRAFIA DELL’AREA A NORD DEL FORO DI TRAIANO. Giornata di studio. Rome, the Auditorium dell’ Ara Pacis (30 January 2020).
Abstract - La giornata di studio è finalizzata a confrontare differenti esperienze della ricerca archeologica riguardanti un’area di grande importanza nella topografia antica della città. In essa infatti doveva trovarsi il grande tempio di Traiano e Plotina divinizzati la cui esatta localizzazione e consistenza sono, da anni, al centro di un intenso dibattito fra gli specialisti. Verranno anche presentati i risultati di nuovi scavi effettuati dalla Scuola Spagnola [see: note 2] nei sotterranei della sua sede di via di S. Eufemia oltre a quelli delle indagini realizzate dalla Città Metropolitana di Roma nel sottosuolo di palazzo Valentini. Si ripercorreranno le tappe della scoperta degli auditoria adrianei di piazza Venezia, a cura del Parco Archeologico del Colosseo, e verranno esposte nuove teorie riguardanti alcuni dei principali monumenti esistenti in antico nell’area oggetto di studio. Infine saranno illustrati i risultati più recenti della ricerca sulla topografia e sulla decorazione architettonica del Foro di Traiano.
Fonte / source:
--- Convegno La topografia dell’area nord del Foro di Traiano/ 30 de Enero de 2020. Rome, EEHAR [the Spanish School of History and Archaeology in Rome] (01/2020) (accessed late January 2020).
www.eehar.csic.es/convegno-la-topografia-dellarea-nord-de... (3).
Surprisingly, after a lengthy search on the internet, apparently no one from the Italian TV or newspaper media (print, internet or social media resources) in Rome reported on the furthcoming or actual ‘La topografia dell’area nord del Foro di Traiano’ conference on 30 January 2020? But, then again since mid-t0-late 2019 and up-to early 2020, for some unknown reason compared to past years (2008-18), the recent news of the archaeological & restoration work in the area of the Imperial Fora of Rome has not been covered by the Italian media? (4).
The only mention of the ‘La topografia dell’area nord del Foro di Traiano’ conference (30 January 2020) is brief notice recently posted on the following Facebook page:
I.1. Dr. Riccardo Montalbano (ed.), Qualche breve considerazione sul convegno "LA TOPOGRAFIA DELL'AREA A NORD DEL FORO DI TRAIANO", in: Topografia di Roma antica / Topography of Ancient Rome. Facebook (01 Feb. 2020) (accessed 19 March 2020).
Fonte / text & foto / sources:
Dr. Riccardo Montalbano (ed.), Topografia di Roma antica / Topography of Ancient Rome. Facebook (01 Feb. 2020). www.facebook.com/groups/540545102790727/
Nel corso della giornata di studi sono emersi numerosi dati inediti e sono stati proposti spunti di grande interesse. In particolare:
1). Presenza di un incredibile palinsesto murario rinvenuto nelle cantine della nuova sede della Escuela Española de Historia y Arqueología en Roma, in via di Sant'Eufemia (intervento: Antonio pizzo e Massimo Vitti). L'elemento più interessante, a mio avviso, è la presenza di resti riferibili a un colombario (datazione proposta: età augustea), che solleva nuovi problemi circa la linea pomeriale nella zona (chiaramente connesso con le mura repubblicane che, come noto, correvano lungo la sella poi cancellata a partire dall'età domizianea).
2). Rilettura complessiva delle 3 aule - Auditoria vs Athenaeum - con la novità riguardante un presunto ingresso da sud, costituito dalla "quinta" rinvenuta nel 1932 e ora messa in connessione con il sistema delle tre aule. Questo fronte, movimentato da una grande abside, avrebbe schermato l'irregolare disposizione retrostante (intervento: R. Rea).
3). Templum divi Traiani et Plotinae: secondo P. Baldassarri la presenza del tempio, un ottastilo con colonne da 50 piedi, è giustificata dalla grande fondazione rinvenuta (la cui larghezza però non è sufficiente a giustificare la fronte del tempio così come immaginato; per questo motivo, essa viene riferita solo alla scalinata del tempio, dunque all'interasse tra le guance della scalinata di accesso frontale), oltre che dalle camerelle di fondazione. In questa ricostruzione, non si rinuncia al grande portico a ferro di cavallo (a mio avviso, lo sviluppo a est della domus B di palazzo Valentini sembra far escludere questa soluzione). Bellissimi i frammenti architettonici rinvenuti, tra cui uno splendido frammento di rilievo con grifo.
4). Nuovi preziosi dati vengono dalla zone biblioteche del foro di Traiano e, in particolare, dall'esplorazione della cappella sepolcrale della chiesa del Ss. Nome di Maria e dalle strutture individuate (parte della biblioteca orientale). I nuovi dati permettono di articolare nel dettaglio il sistemare delle scale e degli accessi.
Inoltre, si ripropone un'altra alternativa circa l'ingresso del Foro da nord, con un grande arco di ingresso (intervento R. Meneghini - E. Bianchi), arco che secondo E. La Rocca è da identificare con l'arco partico noto dalle fonti letterarie (intervento E. La Rocca).
5). Interessantissime le osservazioni sul frammento 36b della Forma Urbis, la cui iscrizione sinora era stata letta com TEM PL (um) e identificato con il complesso campense dedicato a Matidia. La novità, correttamente rilevata, consiste nella presenza di un separatore e un'eccessiva spaziature tra TEM - PL, da leggere come Tem(plum) Plotinae (come proposto). Ciò apre interessanti prospettive sia epigrafiche (questione della dedica del tempio e della titolatura inversa tra Traiano e Plotina), sia topografiche (collocazione del frammento rispetto alla griglia della FUM).
6). Di grande utilità, infine, le considerazione su tutto l'apparato decorativo del foro (intervento L. Ungaro) e sui frammenti di ordine gigante rinvenuti nell'area (intervento M. Milella). Ma su questi temi, sutor ne ultra crepidam…
II). Rome - Dr. Paola Baldassarri (Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale), “L'area a Nord della Colonna Traiana e il Tempio dei divi Traiano e Plotina : riflessioni in merito alle indagini di Palazzo Valentini.” Conférence - Topographie et urbanisme de la Rome antique, Caen, France (11-13 Dec. 2019).
During the conference Dr. Baldassarri presented the following lecture on the “L'area a Nord della Colonna Traiana e il Tempio dei divi Traiano e Plotina,” in Caen, France (Dec. 2019). This presentation briefly discusses the recent series of excavations below the Palazzo Valentini in 2018-19, also based upon her recent published work on the Temple in the following journal articles (including two published works in English [2011, 2014-15]).
Fortunately, the various presentations at the recent Conference - Topographie et urbanisme de la Rome antique, Caen, France (11-13 Dec. 2019), with these presentation lectures recorded and now available on You-tube as of mid-January 2020. Note: several screenshots taken from Dr. Baldassarri’s video and converted into photographs are also republished here.
--- Dr. Paola Baldassarri (Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale), “L'area a Nord della Colonna Traiana e il Tempio dei divi Traiano e Plotina : riflessioni in merito alle indagini di Palazzo Valentini.” Conférence - Topographie et urbanisme de la Rome antique, Caen, France (11-13 Dec. 2019). You-Tube (17 January 2020) [24:50].
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uoeQ1MVDR0&t=313s
As mentioned Dr. Baldassarri’s lecture presentation is based upon several of her recently published works (2012-18) on the “il Tempio dei divi Traiano e Plotina” several as cited and available in PDF (particularly in RM 122 [2016], pp. 171-202) as listed here below :
--- Paola Baldassari (2018), “Gli scavi Palazzo Valentini e il Templum Divi Traiani et Divae Plotinae: omaggio di Adriano divis parentibus.” [Unpublished] paper / lecture read at the following conference in Rome = ‘Il Convegno Internazionale “adventus Hadriani 118 – 2018”’. Rome, Italy (4 July 2018). aha.uniroma2.it/it/ S.v., independent.academia.edu/PBaldassarri
--- Paola Baldassarri, (2017), “Templum divi Traiani et divae Plotinae : nuovi dati dalle indagini archeologiche a Palazzo Valentini.” RendPontAcc. 89, pp. 599-648. (Abstract in Italian & English). [= Part. II of] “FORO TRAIANO: ORGANIZZAZIONE DEL CANTIERE E APPROVVIGIONAMENTO DEI MARMI ALLA LUCE DEI RECENTI DATI DI PALAZZO VALENTINI.”
www.pont-ara.org/index.php?module=Pubblicazioni&func=...
--- Paola Baldassarri (2016), “Indagini archeologiche a Palazzo Valentini. Nuovi dati per la ricostruzione del tempio di Traiano.” RM 122, pp. 171-202 [in PDF]. (Abstract in English).
--- Paola Baldassarri (2015), “Le indagini archeologiche a Palazzo Valentini (Roma) e il tempio dei divi Traiano e Plotina,” pp. 1689 - 1756 [in PDF], in: Paola Ruggeri et al., L’Africa romana Momenti di continuità e rottura: bilancio di trent’anni di convegni L’Africa romana. Vol. II., Rome: Carocci editore (2015).
www.academia.edu/32087781/Paola_Baldassarri_Le_indagini_a...
--- Paola Baldassarri (2013), “Alla ricerca del tempio perduto: indagini archeologiche a Palazzo Valentini e il templum Divi Traiani et Divae Plotinae.” Arch.Cl. 64., pp. 371–481 [in PDF]. (Abstract in English).
www.academia.edu/29206723/Alla_ricerca_del_tempio_perduto...
--- Paola Baldassarri; Antonella Lumacone & Luca Salvatori (2012), “Nuove indagini archeologiche a Palazzo Valentini. Il tempio dei divi Traiano e Plotina.” Forma Urbis, XVII, 5 (May 2012): 45-52 [in PDF]. wp.me/pPRv6-2ab
For a brief summary by Dr. Baldassarri research on the Temple of Trajan in English (2011, 2014 & 2015), see:
--- ROMA ARCHEOLOGIA e RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA. ROMA – rinvenimenti sotto Palazzo Valentini – l´esistenza e una porzione di un edificio che potrebbe essere l´introvabile Tempio del Divo Traiano. LA REPUBBLICA (19/05/2007) & Luisa Napoli & Paola Baldassarri, RESEARCH ARTICLE – Palazzo Valentini: Archaeological discoveries and redevelopment projects. Frontiers of Architectural Research, Vol. 4.2 (June 2015): 91-99. wp.me/pPRv6-4VP
--- ROMA ARCHEOLOGICA & RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA: “Roberto Del Signore & Paola Baldassarri, Provincia di Roma, “The multimedia museum: an original meeting between antiquities and innovation in the Roman domus of Palazzo Valentini,” Conference – ATHENS, GREECE (2 OCT. 2014) [PDF], pp. 1-81. [And Foto: Dott.ssa Arch. Maria G. Ercolino (2014)].
--- Paola Baldassarri (2011), “Archaeological Excavations at Palazzo Valentini: a residential area in the shade of the Trajan’s Forum,” pp. 43-67 [in PDF], in: Mustafa Sahin et al., 11th INTERNATIONAL COLLOQUIUM ON ANCIENT MOSAICS, Bursa October 16th–20th 2009, Istanbul : Uludağ University (2011).
www.academia.edu/29207218/Archaeological_Excavations_at_P...
III). Rome, the ‘Il Foro di Traiano’ and the ‘il Tempio di Traiano e Plotina’ and the Sovrintendenza Capitolina / “Il Foro di Traiano / Il tempio che non c’è.” (April 2019) (re-accessed March 2020).
Sometime in March and or April 2019, after nearly a decade of providing no new useful information on the Imperial Fora (2008-19), the Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali's webpage for the Fori Imperiali (Roman Antiquity [and now thru through the Modern era]) finally updated its website with the new information as listed here below:
--- Sovrintendenza Capitolina (April 2019 [March 2020]) = “Home » Patrimonio » Roma antica » Aree archeologiche » Fori Imperiali.” =
www.sovraintendenzaroma.it/i_luoghi/roma_antica/aree_arch....
“L’area prima dei Fori, Il Foro di Cesare, Il Foro di Augusto, Il Templum Pacis, Il Foro di Nerva, Il Foro di Traiano, Mercati di Traiano e Museo dei Fori Imperiali, La Terrazza domizianea & I Fori Imperiali dal Medioevo ad oggi.” And “Bibliografia essenziale” & “Fori Imperiali - Dati archivio.”
In the section of the Sovrintendenza’s website devoted to the Forum and Temple of Trajan, now listing the following information =
1.1). Sovrintendenza Capitolina / “Il Foro di Traiano / Il tempio che non c’è.” (April 2019 [March 2020]). www.sovraintendenzaroma.it/content/il-tempio-che-non-c%E2...
‘Il tempio che non c’è - Nel Foro di Traiano mancava il tempio, edificio che abbiamo visto invece costantemente presente negli altri Fori Imperiali. In passato si riteneva che un gigantesco tempio dedicato a Traiano e Plotina divinizzati (e comunque non a una divinità “tradizionale”, come era sempre accaduto) fosse stato edificato dal successore di Traiano, ossia Adriano (117-138 d.C.) al limite settentrionale del complesso, in un’area sostanzialmente corrispondente a quella in cui oggi si trova Palazzo Valentini. Le ricerche effettuate in tempi recenti nei sotterranei del Palazzo hanno invece riportato alla luce resti, anche consistenti, di edifici d’abitazione, ridimensionando o escludendo così la presenza di un tempio in questo punto.’
An alternative website, the 'fori-imperiali.info' (April 2019), re-publishes the same information from the Sovrintendenza's website: "Roma antica » Aree archeologiche » Fori Imperiali »", with the exception of providing an English Language version, as follows:
'The temple that isn’t there - Within Trajan’s Forum there is no temple, a building which is present in all the other Imperial Fora. In the past it was believed that an enormous temple had been built to celebrate the deified Trajan and Plotina (and not as a “traditional” divinity as had always been the case). This temple was believed to have been built by Trajan’s successor Hadrian (117-138 A.D.) at the northern edge of the complex, in an area that is essentially where Palazzo Valentini stands today. Recent researches carried out in the basement of that building has brought to light ruins of private habitations, some quite substantial, which would appear to exclude the presence of such a temple in that area or at least reduce its possible size.'
Additional information in English on the Forum / Temple of Trajan in English, cited from Fori-imperiali.info “I Fori Imperiali” (April 2019) = fori-imperiali.info/ & “Il Foro di Traiano / Il tempio chenon c’è” .http://fori-imperiali.info/005-2/ (Accesssed April 2019) (re-accessed March 2020).
The Sovrintendenza's website on 'il foro di Traiano » il tempio che non c’è' offers no attribution to the source of the photograph (i.e., digital reconstruction of the Forum / Temple of Trajan); while the 'fori-imperiali.info' website cites, the following information:
"Ipotesi ricostruttiva del Tempio di Traiano (J. Packer)." This image of the Tempio di Traiano (i.e. J. Packer), was originally published in the following work: “Fig. 15 - Conjectural reconstruction of the Temple of Divine Trajan and the temenos (J. Burge)”, facing page 112; see: J. E. Packer, with John Burge (2003), “TEMPLUM DIVI TRAIANI PARTHICI ET PLOTINAE: a debate with R. Meneghini.” JRA 16 (2003): 109-113.
Note: Just recently Prof. Packer was kind enough to allow me to republish online a copy of his following 2003 work [in PDF] (see below in section # IV):
--- James E. Packer, with John Burge (2003), “TEMPLUM DIVI TRAIANI PARTHICI ET PLOTINAE: a debate with Roberto Meneghini.” JRA 16, pp. 109-136 [now in PDF].
The revision of the Sovrintendenza Capitolina / “Il Foro di Traiano / Il tempio che non c’è.” (April 2019), might be based upon a series of recent articles published by Dr. Eugenio La Rocca (2018) & Dr. Roberto Meneghini (2018) on the Forum and Temple of Trajan. In the former article by Prof. La Rocca basically dismisses the interesting research and will argued conclusions for the ‘traditional’ location and architectural design of Temple of Trajan (similar to that of J. E. Packer [2003]), as then published in Dr. Baldassarri RM 122 (2016 ): 171-202 (as cited above) (5).
--- ROMA ARCHEOLOGIA e RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA: Eugenio La Rocca, Il tempio dei divi Traiano e Plotina, l’arco partico e l’ingresso settentrionale al foro di Traiano: un riesame critico delle scoperte archeologiche. Veleia, No. 5 (2018): 57-107 [in PDF]. wp.me/pPRv6-4LR
Abstract: The temple of the divi Trajan and Plotina, the Parthian arch and the northern entrance to the Trajan forum: a critical review of archaeological discoveries. There is some reliable evidence from antique sources about the templum divi Traiani, thanks to which it is known that the templum was connected with the column of Trajan, although they do not clarify neither the morphology of the building nor its actual location. The recent excavations carried out in the foundations of the palazzo Valentini have not shed some light on the problem. The reproduction of the gigantic temple, with 8 × 10 (or 9) Egyptian granite columns of 50 feet height, is still based on the hypothetical reconstruction of the northern area of the Trajan forum drawn by Guglielmo Gatti [= based on his grandfather’s notes] and by Italo Gismondi. Something the results of new investigations do not actually allow it. Furthermore, the proposed solutions do not take into account the Parthian arch of Trajan, whose placement at the southern entrance of the Trajan forum, as suggested by Rodolfo Lanciani and Italo Gismondi, can no longer be sustained. It is likely that the arch, whose construction was started in May of 116 A. D. and it was still ongoing at the time of Trajan’s death on the 7th of August of 117 A. D., was instead the main entrance of the forum, that is, the northern one, in an area affected by the building interventions of Hadrian, whose entity and motivations, unfortunately, fly from us. The existence of the Parthian arc in the area partially occupied by the templum divi Traiani, at least according to the most recent proposals of reconstruction, compels to revise the Hadrian’s setting of the Trajan forum to the north of the columna cochlis.
--- ROMA ARCHEOLOGIA e RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA: Lucrezia Ungaro, Traiano e la costruzione della sua immagine nel Foro | Trajan and the construction of his representation, Veleia, No. 5 (2018): 151-177 [in PDF]. wp.me/pPRv6-4LF
Abstract – The discovery of a new colossal portrait of Trajan occurred during the preparation of the exhibition «Trajan. Building the Empire, creating Europe», gave a renewed reading of the complex figurative program wanted by the emperor in his Forum. In the framework of his political, military and social action, the Forum is in fact the highest representation of his virtus imperatoria and of the maiestas populi romani. In particular, the portraits of the Traianus Father and of the so-called Agrippina / Marcia are reconsidered, in the light of a possible gallery dedicated to Trajan’s genetic family and his models, such as Julius Caesar. Equal attention is devoted to the distribution of sculptures and reliefs discovered in forensic spaces, to their hierarchical relationship in the huge space of the square. Finally, the proposal to recognize the porticus porphiretica in the three-segmented hall is reconsidered, examining preliminarily the known porphyry sculptures attributable to the Forum, and some fragments preserved in the deposits of the Museum of the Imperial Fora, thus getting new interest.
--- ROMA ARCHEOLOGIA e RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA: Roberto Meneghini, L’Arco di Traiano partico nel Medioevo. Veleia, No. 5 (2018): 180-188 [in PDF]. wp.me/pPRv6-4LV
Abstract: The hypothesis, put forward by Eugenio La Rocca in this same volume, of the presence of the Arcus Parthicus of Trajan in the area immediately to N of the Trajan’s Column seems to be confirmed by the medieval tradition. In fact, in the area are cited from historical sources and archives, the Arch of the Foschi di Berta (in reality cannot be precisely positioned), and an Arcus Traiani Imperatoris that would be exactly in correspondence with the structures found in the recent excavations of the subsoil of Palazzo Valentini, now of the Provincia or the Città Metropolitana di Roma.
Likewise, Dr. R. Meneghini and Dr. L. Ungaro in published a series of conference presentations on the Forum and Temple of Trajan for the recent Traiano exhibit in Rome (2017-18), see:
--- Roberto Meneghini, I Fori Imperiali / Il Foro di Traiano, pp. 1-20 [in PDF], in: Traiano: Costruire L’Impero, Creare L’Europa (Trajan: Constructing the Empire, Creating Europe), Mercati di Traiano, Museo dei Fori Imperiali, Rome (08/05/2018), 29 November 2017–16 September 2018. wp.me/pPRv6-4LF
--- Lucrezia Ungaro, Dai frammenti alle ricomposizioni, dai depositi ai nuovi progetti di allestimento, pp. 1-76 [in PDF], Traiano: Costruire L’Impero, Creare L’Europa (Trajan: Constructing the Empire, Creating Europe), Mercati di Traiano, Museo dei Fori Imperiali, Rome (08/05/2018), 29 November 2017–16 September 2018. wp.me/pPRv6-4LF
For a review of the Traiano Exhibit (2017-18) and additional information, see:
Traiano: Costruire L’Impero, Creare L’Europa (Trajan: Constructing the Empire, Creating Europe), Mercati di Traiano, Museo dei Fori Imperiali, Rome, 29 November 2017–16 September 2018, curated by Claudio Parisi Presicce, Marina Milella, Simone Pastor, and Lucrezia Ungaro.
--- ROMA ARCHEOLOGIA e RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA: Online Museum Review – Jeremy Hartnett, Marketing Trajan at the Museo dei Fori Imperiali. AJA 122.4 (Oct. 2018): 1-6 [in PDF], s.v, Roberto Meneghini | Lucrezia Ungaro (2018) [in PDF] & s.v., Prof Arch. P. Martellotti / Dott.ssa Arch. B. Baldrati (1999-2002).https://wp.me/pPRv6-4LF
IV). ROMA ARCHEOLOGIA e RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA: Update - The Forum and Temple of Trajan in Rome (2018-20): "L’evidenza archeologica ha dimostrato che il tempio c’è.” With New Comments & New Information Courtesy of Prof. James E. Packer (18 March 2020).
Rome, the Temple of Trajan: “…La scoperta non è sensazionale perché anche in passato si era parlato della possibile esistenza del Tempio di Traiano sotto Palazzo Valentini. La presenza della domus aveva fatto passare di moda l’ipotesi. L’evidenza archeologica ha dimostrato che il tempio c’è. Un impulso alla ricerca viene anche dallo scavo di Roberto Egidi (Soprintendenza statale) che messo in luce l’Athenaeum e che non è famoso come [Prof. Andrea] Carandini e [Prof. Eugenio] La Rocca! Peccato che verrà presto ricoperto. La situazione nel complesso frena gli entusiasmi.”
Comment Former Senior Director with the MIBACT and Italian archaeologist,
personal communication to M. G.Conde (08 December 2011) (6).
Since the fall 2019 and up-to the 30 January 2020, with having access now to Dr. Baldassarri’s recent work on the Temple of Trajan in Rome = the notice of the "LA TOPOGRAFIA DELL'AREA A NORD DEL FORO DI TRAIANO", Rome Conference in Jan. 2020; her conference video presentation in Caen, France in mid-December 2019 and several of her recently published articles, notably the RM 122 (2016 ): 171-202.
I would like to offer a personal comment on Dr. Baldassarri’s recent work on the Temple of Trajan (2018-20), as noted in her RM 122 (2016 ): 171-202, she fundamentally completely ignores the invaluable previously work conducted on the Forum of Trajan by Prof. James E. Packer (2006, 2003, 2001 & 1997)? In her reconstruction of the history of the excavations and studies of the temple in the 19th, along with her new digital reconstruction of the temple itself. With the exception of the few architectural remains of the Temple brought to light underneath the Palazzo Valentini (2005 onwards), her work is fundamentally continuing the work and similar design plans of Prof. Packer’s earlier work on the Temple?
For the benefit of the non-Italian independent researchers, university students and scholars interested in the research and studies of the Forum and Temple of Trajan (2017-2020), after discussing with Prof. Packer the recent work of Dr. Baldassarri, Dr. La Rocca and Dr. Meneghini (2017-20), although he is currently engaged in his forthcoming book on the Theater of Pompey in Rome. He found the new research on the Temple of Trajan very interesting. As for his recent and past work in Forum of Trajan, see the following:
--- James E. Packer [on Facebook] (15 May 2015). Personal comments in reference to: “I FORI IMPERIALI – “Un marmo sopra l’altro così rialzeremo le colonne del Foro di Traiano.” LA REPUBBLICA (15 May 2015). wp.me/pPRv6-2Y1
--- James E. Packer (2013a), [Review of] “The Atlante: Roma antica revealed,” ANDREA CARANDINI (a cura di) con PAOLO CARAFA, ATLANTE DI ROMA ANTICA. BIOGRAFIA E RITRATTI DELLA CITTÀ (Mondadori Electa 2012). 2 vols. Pp. 1086, pls. XVII + 276 + 37 map
sections. ISBN 978-88-370-8510-9. EUR. 150.” JRA 26 (Nov., 2013), pp. 553-561.
(Abstract). doi.org/10.1017/S104775941300041X & wp.me/pPRv6-1S5
--- James E. Packer (2013b), interview with J. E. Packer, in: T.E. Watts, “Rome Walk: Imperial Fora II-Trajan’s Forum and Market,” Rome: You-Tube (22 Nov. 2013), [1:00:13]. Interview with J. E. Packer, during a school group tour visit to the Forum of Trajan & the Forum of
Caesar. Rome: You-Tube (22 Nov. 2013), [1:00:13]. wp.me/pPRv6-2pu
--- James E. Packer (2008a), “Italo Gismondi and Pierino Di Carlo: ―Virtualizing Imperial Rome for 20th-Century Italy.” AJA Online Review Article, 112.3 (July), pp. 1-6 [PDF]. AJA Online Edition.
www.ajaonline.org/online-review-article/254 & PDF = wp.me/pPRv6-2GB
Prof. James E. (2008b), “The Column of Trajan: the topographical and cultural contexts.” JRA 21, pp. 471-478 [PDF]. (Abstract) doi.org/10.1017/S104775940000478 & PDF = wp.me/pPRv6-1sv
--- James E. Packer (2006), “Digitizing Roman Imperial architecture in the early 21st century: purposes, data, failures, and prospects,” pp. 309-320; in: L. Haselberger and J. Humphrey (eds)., Imaging Ancient Rome. Documentation – Visualization – Imagination. Proceedings of the Third Williams Symposium on Classical Architecture, 2004. JRA Supplementary Series 61 (2006). Index summary, JRA Supl. 61 (2006).
--- James E. Packer, with John Burge (2003), “TEMPLUM DIVI TRAIANI PARTHICI ET PLOTINAE: a debate with Roberto Meneghini.” JRA 16, pp. 109-136 [in PDF] (7).
--- James E. Packer (2001a), The Forum of Trajan in Rome: A Study of the Monuments in Brief. University of California Press (2001), pp. 1-235. (Preview & abstract in Google Books).
books.google.com/books?id=Tn7zf3ecm2wC&source=gbs_nav...
--- James E. Packer (2001b), Il Foro di Traiano a Roma: breve studio dei monumenti. Rome: Edizioni Quasar (2001), pp. 1-256. (Tradotto in italiano da Elisabetta Ercolini [translated into Italian by Elisabetta Ercolini]). (Abstract and summary) =
www.edizioniquasar.it/sku.php?id_libro=481&bef=1638&a...
--- James E. Packer (1997a), “Report from Rome: The Imperial Fora, a Retrospective.” AJA 101 (Apr., 1997), pp. 307-330 [PDF]. (Abstract) www.jstor.org/stable/506512 & PDF = wp.me/pPRv6-2oq
And for two important peer-review articles in English and Italian on Prof. Packer’s work on the Forum of Trajan (2001 & 1997), see:
--- Tom Stevenson (2002), [Review of] “James E. Packer & John Burge, The Forum of Trajan in Rome: a Study of the Monuments in Brief (2001).” PRUDENTIA Vol 34, No 1, pp. 101-105 [PDF]. prudentia.auckland.ac.nz/index.php/prudentia/article/view...
--- Francesco Ferretti, (2001), “Foro di Traiano – Notiziario bibliografia”: J. E. Packer, Forum of Trajan Vol. I-III; R. Meneghini, F. di Traiano, RM 105 (1998); & E. La Rocca, F. di Traiano, RM 105 (1998); in: Notiziario bibliografico di Roma e Suburbio, 1997-2001. BCom Vol. 102 (2001), pp. 399-400 [PDF]. wp.me/pPRv6-4BX
Hope the readers will have found this brief notice of the Forum and Temple of Trajan useful.
Thank you Martin G. Conde
Washington DC, USA (20 March 2020).
A special thank you to Prof. James E. Packer and also Dr. Arch. Barbara Baldrati, Gianni De Dominicis & Alvaro Di Alvariis of Rome, Italy; all being very kind and contributing and sharing their important and invaluable work on Rome with me.
Their various works on Rome can be accessed via a search on the following website:
ROMA ARCHEOLOGIA E RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA 2010-20.
ROME – THE IMPERIAL FORA: SCHOLARLY RESEARCH & RELATED STUDIES.
rometheimperialfora19952010.wordpress.com/
Notes and Additional Information:
For a collection of research materials (in PDF’s and images) on the recent and past excavations and studies of the Forum, Temple and Markets of Trajan (1998-2020), see:
ROMA ARCHEOLOGICA & RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA. Il Foro di Traiano: Tempio di Traiano - Colonna di Traiano - Basilica Ulpia - scavi (1998-2020, 1989-1997, & 1928-33). | The Forum of Trajan: Temple of Trajan - Column of Trajan - Basilica Ulpia - excavations (1998-2020, 1989-1997, & 1928-33).
-- Forum of Trajan =
www.flickr.com/photos/imperial_fora_of_rome/sets/72157600...
--- Temple of Trajan =
www.flickr.com/photos/imperial_fora_of_rome/sets/72157594...
1). This brief summary on the Forum and Temple of Trajan (2018-20) is part of my forthcoming paper entitled:
ROMA ARCHEOLOGICA & RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA. The Temple of Divine Trajan in Rome, 2010-20. A Review of the Italian & International Studies - "L’evidenza archeologica ha dimostrato che il tempio c’è,” (2011). With Additional Contributions by Dr. Arch. Barbara Baldrati, Gianni De Dominicis & Alvaro Di Alvariis. Versus the Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali - ‘Il tempio che non c’è,’ (2019); 1-25 [in PDF]. By Martin G. Conde, Independent Researcher. Washington DC, USA. (March 2020) mgconde@yahoo.com
2). For news of the restoration of the New Spanish School of History and Archaeology on the Via di Sant'Eufemia in Rome, see:
--- Valencia, a 15 de abril de 2010, Cleop reformará la nueva sede de la Escuela española de Historia y Arqueología del Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas en Roma (2010) [in PDF].
www.cleop.es/media/pdf/ESCUELA%20DE%20HISTORIA%20Y%20ARQU...
--- Salvatore Nicoletti, “SCUOLA SPAGNOLA DI STORIA E ARCHEOLOGIA, ROMA
INTEGRAZIONI SPAZIALI.” IOARCH 68, Jan. & Feb. (2017): 50-52 [in PDF].
3). List of the presenters at the ‘La topografia dell’area nord del Foro di Traiano’ - Conference (30/01/2020).
ORE 9,15 - INTRODUZIONE (Presiede Eugenio La Rocca)
ORE 9,30 - Antonio Pizzo, Massimo Vitti, Il Pomerio, i sepolcri e il Foro di Traiano.
ORE 10,15 - Francesca de Caprariis, Traiano tra Campidoglio e Campo Marzio
ORE 11,00/11,30 - PAUSA
ORE 11,30 - Rossella Rea, Gli auditoria di piazza Venezia.
ORE 12,15 - Paola Baldassarri, Il Tempio dei divi Traiano e Plotina e i suoi disiecta membra: novità dalle indagini a Palazzo Valentini.
ORE 13,00/15,00 PAUSA PRANZO (Presiede Domenico Palombi)
ORE 15,00 – Elisabetta Bianchi, Roberto Meneghini, Il Foro di Traiano a nord della Basilica Ulpia.
ORE 15,40 - Eugenio La Rocca. L’arco Partico di Traiano
ORE 16,20/16,50 PAUSA
ORE 16,50 - Claudio Parisi Presicce, Una nuova proposta per la localizzazione del Tempio di Plotinae del divo Traiano.
ORE 17,30 - Lucrezia Ungaro, Per un abaco delle sculture del Foro di Traiano
ORE 18,10 – Marina Milella, Resti marmorei di architetture di grandi dimensioni.
4). Rome, News of the Forum of Trajan and Via Alessandrina excavations (2019-20).
Since 2019, Dr. Arch. Federico Celletti working on the Via Alessandrina site (2017-20) has been kind enough to share with me his personal photographs of the ongoing excavations at the site (see references cited here below). While recently on 21 Feb. 2020, during an official visit by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Rome, the administration of the City of Rome exhibited several of the architectural elements and decorations recently recovered from the Forum of Trajan excavations (see below). While the only news in English on the recent Forum of Trajan excavations is the “Dagli scavi ai Fori Imperiali riemerge la testa del dio Dioniso,” in: NOTES FROM ROME 2018-19; PBSR 87 (2019): 309-316 [in PDF] (see below).
--- ROMA ARCHEOLOGIA e RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA: Foro di Traiano / Via Alessandrina – Gli scavi e le scoperte in corso. Foto: Dr. Arch. Federico Celletti / Facebook (09/03/2020). S.v., Virginia Raggi & President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (21/02/2020). wp.me/pPRv6-5cR
--- ROMA ARCHEOLOGIA e RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA: Raggi riceve il presidente della Repubblica Azerbaigian – esposti i reperti archeologici provenienti dagli scavi archeologici dell’area di i Fori Imperiali & via Alessandrina. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan [English & Italiano] (21/02/2020). wp.me/pPRv6-5cH
--- ROMA ARCHEOLOGICA e RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA: “Dagli scavi ai Fori Imperiali riemerge la testa del dio Dioniso,” in: NOTES FROM ROME 2018-19; PBSR 87 (2019): 309-316. Foto: Dr. Arch. Federico Celletti / FACEBOOK, Rome (24 May 2019). wp.me/pPRv6-59q
5). ROMA ARCHEOLOGIA e RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA: ROME – “Trajan’s Temple, Column and Forum / Templum Divi Traiani” in: VR Back To The Past. CARLO CESTRA DIGITAL PRODUCTIONS 2010-19 (04/2019). For an alternative digital reconstruction / video of the ‘Templum Divi Traiani’ see the following work of Carlo Cestra, Senior CG Artist = ROME – Trajan’s forum: This is part of the project named VR Back To The Past, a collection of virtual reality tours I am working on. Here is the digital reconstruction of the north-western part of the Trajan’s Forum in Rome (beside the “Basilica Ulpia”) with the Trajan’s Column and the Temple. The Temple of Trajan (Templum Divi Traiani et Plotinae), Trajan’s Column area.
Fonte | source:
— Carlo Cestra, Senior CG Artist – Trajan’s forum (04/2019).
6). Also see: ROMA ARCHEOLOGIA e RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA: Andrea Carandini, Paolo Carafa, & Fabio Cavallero, Il TEMPIO dei DIVI TRAIANO e PLOTINA ROMA ANTICA – ESCLUSIVO, ARCHEOLOGIA VIVA, Rivista: N. 149 / mese: Sett.-Ott. 2011, pp. 47-54 [PDF pp. 1-5].
7). For the earlier and recent discovery of the Trajanic inscriptions in the Forum of Trajan and the L’Athenaeum di Adriano, see:
--- ROMA ARCHEOLOGIA e RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA: Rome, the Metro C Archaeological Surveys – the Piazza Madonna di Loreto, Sector (# S14/B1). The Discovery of New Inscriptions & Architectural Elements of the Temple of Trajan? (January 20th, 2011).
www.flickr.com/photos/imperial_fora_of_rome/5374055767
--- ROMA ARCHEOLOGICA & RESTAURO ARCHITETTURA: Dott.ssa Paola Baldassarri – Nuovi dati per la ricostruzione del tempio di Traiano, (2015-16), Dr. Antonio Lopez Garcia, L’Athenaeum di Adriano (2015) & Marmo – Dedica ai divi Traiano e Plotina, MUSEI VATICANI (2017).
The Isle of Mull is the second-largest island of the Inner Hebrides (after Skye) and lies off the west coast of Scotland in the council area of Argyll and Bute.
Covering 875.35 square kilometres (338 sq mi), Mull is the fourth-largest island in Scotland and Great Britain. From 2001 to 2020, the population has gradually increased: during 2020 the populace was estimated to be 3,000, in the 2011 census it was approximately 2,800, and in 2001, it was measured at 2,667 people. It has the eighth largest Island population in Scotland. In the summer, these numbers are augmented by an influx of many tourists. Much of the year-round population lives in the colourful main settlement of Tobermory.
There are two distilleries on the island: the Tobermory distillery, formerly named Ledaig, produces single malt Scotch whisky and another, opened in 2019 and located in the vicinity of Tiroran, which produces Whitetail Gin. Mull is host to numerous sports competitions, notably the Highland Games competition, held annually in July. The isle is home to four castles, including the towering keep of Moy Castle. On the south coast, a stone circle is located in the settlement of Lochbuie.
The Isle of Mull has probably been inhabited since shortly after the end of the last Ice Age, around 11,000 years ago. This is evidenced by radiocarbon dating done in a mesolithic hut at Crieth Dubh on the northwest coast of the island. Later, Bronze Age and Iron Age inhabitants built brochs at Dun Nan Gall and An Sean Chaisteal, and a stone circle at Lochbuie along with numerous burial cairns. Two crannogs there have been dated to the Iron Age.
In the 6th century AD, Irish migrants invaded Mull and the surrounding coast and established the Gaelic kingdom of Dál Riata. The kingdom was divided into a number of regions, each controlled by a different kinship group one of these, the Cenél Loairn, controlled Mull and the adjacent mainland to the east.
Dál Riata was a springboard for the Christianisation of the mainland; the pivotal point was in AD 563, when Columba, an Irish missionary, arrived on the island of Iona – just off the southwest point of Mull – and founded a monastery there from which to start evangelising the local population.
In the 9th century, Viking invasions led to the destruction of Dál Riata and its replacement by the Norse Kingdom of the Isles, which became part of the kingdom of Norway following Norwegian unification around 872. The Kingdom of the Isles was much more extensive than Dál Riata, encompassing also the Outer Hebrides and Skye. The island kingdom became known as the Suðreyjar, meaning southern isles in Old Norse. The former lands of Dál Riata acquired the geographic description "Argyle" (now "Argyll"): the Gaelic coast.
In the late 11th century, Magnus Barefoot, the Norwegian king, launched a military campaign which in 1098 led the king of Scotland to quitclaim to Magnus all claim of sovereign authority over the territory of the Kingdom of the Isles. However, a coup some 60 years later, led by a Norse-Gael named Somerled, detached the whole of the Suðreyjar from Norway and transformed it into an independent kingdom. After Somerled's death in 1164, nominal Norwegian authority was established, but practical control of the realm was divided between Somerled's sons and the heirs of Somerled's brother-in-law, the Crovan Dynasty. His son Dougall received the former territory of the Cenél Loairn, now known as Lorn, of which Mull formed part.
Meanwhile, the Crovan dynasty had retained the title "king of the Isles" and control of Lewis, Harris, and the Isle of Man. After a few decades, they acknowledged the English kings as their overlords, so Dougall's heirs (the MacDougalls) complained to Haakon, the Norwegian king, and in 1237 were rewarded by the kingship being split; rule of the Hebrides was transferred to the MacDougall line, and they were made the "kings of the Hebrides". They established the twin castles of Aros (in Mull) and Ardtornish (on the mainland, opposite), which together controlled the Sound of Mull.
Throughout the early 13th century, the king of Scots, Alexander II, had aggressively tried to expand his realm into the Suðreyjar, despite Edgar's earlier quitclaim. This led to hostility between Norway and Scotland, which continued under Alexander III. King Haakon IV of Norway died shortly after the indecisive Battle of Largs. In 1266, his more peaceable successor ceded his nominal authority over the Suðreyjar to Alexander III by the Treaty of Perth in return for a very large sum of money. Alexander generally acknowledged the semi-independent authority of Somerled's heirs; the former Suðreyjar had become Scottish crown dependencies rather than parts of Scotland.
At the end of the 13th century, a violent dispute arose over the Scottish kingship between King John Balliol and Robert de Bruys. By then, Somerled's descendants had formed into three families: as well as Dougall's heirs (the MacDougalls), there were also the heirs of his nephew Donald (the MacDonalds) and those of Donald's brother (the MacRory or MacRuairi); the MacDougalls backed Balliol, while the MacDonalds and MacRory backed de Bruys. When Robert I defeated his Scots enemies, including the Comyns and MacDougalls, he declared their lands forfeit, dividing them between his friend, Angus Og Macdonald, Lord of the Isles, and Christina MacRory, King Robert's kinswoman. The latter acquired Lorn and some of the smaller Isles, but Angus Og, who fought beside King Robert at Bannockburn, was given the lion's share: The Isles of Islay, Jura, Gigha, Colonsay and Mull, and the mainland territories of Duror, Glencoe, Ardnamurchan, Lochaber, Morvern and Kintyre. After Bannockburn, Alexander Macdonald, Angus Og’s eldest son, then still alive, was granted Mull and Tiree. Angus Og's younger son John of Islay, became Lord of the Isles after his father's and his elder brother's deaths. He first married Amy MacRuairi of Garmoran, the heiress of the MacRory family, thereby consolidating the remains of Somerled's realm.
In 1354, though in exile and without control of his ancestral lands, John, the MacDougall heir, quitclaimed any rights he had over Mull to the Lord of the Isles. When Robert's son David II became king, he spent some time in English captivity; after his release, in 1357, he restored MacDougall authority over Lorn, effectively cancelling Robert's grant to the MacRory. The 1354 quitclaim, which seems to have been an attempt to ensure peace in just such an eventuality, took automatic effect, splitting Mull from Lorn and making it subject to the Lordship of the Isles.
In 1437, the Lordship was substantially expanded when Alexander, the Lord of the Isles, inherited the rule of Ross maternally. The expansion led the MacDonalds to move their centre of power from Islay to the twin castles of Aros and Ardtornish.
In 1462, the most ambitious of the Lords of the Isles, John MacDonald, struck an alliance with Edward IV of England to conquer Scotland. Civil war in England prevented this from taking effect and from being discovered until 1475, when the English court voluntarily revealed its existence. Calls for forfeiture of the Lordship naturally followed, but they were calmed when John quitclaimed most of his mainland territories. However, John's nephew launched a severe raid on Ross, but it ultimately failed. Within two years of the raid, in 1493, James IV of Scotland declared the Lordship of the Isles forfeit, transforming the realm into an intrinsic part of Scotland rather than a dependency.
Throughout this time, the descendants of the Cenél Loairn retained their identity; they were now the MacLeans. Now that John MacDonald was exiled, James IV restored the authority of the MacLeans over Mull. An earlier chief of the MacLeans had married the daughter of the first Lord of the Isles and received Duart Castle as the dowry; this now became the stronghold of MacLean control of Mull. The cadet branch of the family constructed a tower house at Moy on the southern side of Mull, while the senior branch retained Duart Castle.
Legend has it that the wreck of a Spanish galleon, laden with gold, lies somewhere in the mud at the bottom of Tobermory Bay. By some accounts, the Florencia (or Florida or San Francisco), a ship of the defeated Spanish Armada fleeing the English fleet in 1588, anchored in Tobermory to take on provisions. After a dispute over payment, the ship caught fire and the gunpowder magazine exploded, sinking the vessel. In her hold, reputedly, was £300,000 in gold bullion. Other sources claim the vessel was the San Juan de Sicilia (or San Juan de Baptista), which carried troops, not treasure. According to that account, the island's chief, Lachlan Mor Maclean, struck a deal with the Spanish commander to re-provision and refit the ship in return for military intervention on the side of the MacLeans in their feud with enemies on nearby islands. There have been numerous searches for the wreck and its rumoured treasure from the mid-17th century to the end of the 20th century. No significant treasure has been recovered in Tobermory Bay.
Following the Scottish Reformation, the MacLeans became supporters of Protestantism. By the mid-17th century, they had become promoters of conventicles, opposed to king Charles II's repudiation of the Solemn League and Covenant and supporting acts of civil disobedience. Though personally opposed to persecution of such people, Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll, was specifically ordered by the Scottish privy council to suppress conventicles within his lands, which included Lorn. The atmosphere of hostility soon spread to Mull, where opponents of the conventicles felt emboldened, leading to outbreaks of violence between the two religious factions.
In 1678, Campbell was specifically instructed to seize Mull and suppress both the violence and conventicles. It took Clan Campbell until 1681 to gain possession of the whole island. Campbell took charge of Duart Castle and ejected the MacLean leadership from Mull; they moved to Cairnburgh Castle in the Treshnish Islands off the north-west of Mull. Campbell's own position was somewhat undermined when he instigated Argyll's Rising against the reign of James VII. The loyalty of subsequent Campbell leaders ensured the Campbells retained possession of Duart (it was only after the Campbells sold it, and it had spent a century under other owners, that the MacLeans were able to recover it by purchase). Under Campbell pressure, shrieval authority was established under the sheriff of Argyll, which they controlled.
Following Jacobite insurrections, the Heritable Jurisdictions Act abolished comital authority in Mull and Campbell control of the Argyll sheriffdom; the Campbells could now only assert influence as landlords. Many castles that had been in the hands of the MacLeans (such as Moy) had been slighted by the Campbells or fallen into disrepair, but more comfortable homes were built nearby.
During the 18th century, the island was home to a Gaelic Bard, whom Father Charles MacDonald describes only as "The Mull Satirist." The Satirist is said to have been a vocal enemy of the Jacobite Bard Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair and to have attacked the latter in many poems that have survived. When the Jacobite poet converted from the Calvinist Church of Scotland to the Roman Catholic Church, the Mull Satirist accused him of doing so, not out of serious conviction, but to curry favour with the exiled House of Stuart.
In 1773 the island was visited by Samuel Johnson and James Boswell during their tour of the Western Islands. Farming, fishing, and burning seaweed for kelp ash (used in the manufacture of soap and glass) were the main economic activities on the island until the 19th century. Tobermory was built by the British Fisheries Society in 1788 as a planned settlement to support the fishing industry.
The Highland Clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries resulted in people being evicted to make space for sheep and the Highland Potato Famine (1846–1847) encouraged mass emigration. These factors caused the population to decline from 10,000 to less than 4,000 and then to 3,000 by the 20th Century; this had a serious impact on the economy. Despite this, several grand houses were built on Mull in the period, including Torosay Castle.
In 1889, counties were formally created in Scotland on shrieval boundaries by a dedicated Local Government Act; Mull therefore became part of the newly created County of Argyll.
The whole island became a Restricted Area during World War II. The bay at Tobermory became a naval base commanded from HMS Western Isles. The base and the Restricted Area were under Commodore (later Vice Admiral) Sir Gilbert Stephenson, whose strict discipline and ferocious temper earned him the nickname "The Terror of Tobermory". The base was used to train Escort Groups in anti-submarine warfare. 911 ships passed through the base between 1940 and 1945. Following late 20th century reforms, Mull is now part of the wider area of Argyll and Bute.
According to a July 2020 article in Country Life, "The Benmore Estate occupies 32,000 acres of the Isle of Mull" and includes Knock House, a Victorian hunting lodge where tourists can stay. Guests can book rides on the estate boat, the Benmore Lady. Much of the lodge was built by the ninth Duke of Argyll for his wife, one of the daughters of Queen Victoria; they married in 1871. Reports indicate that the Queen stayed there, as did others including Wordsworth, Keats, JM Barrie and Sir Walter Scott.
According to the 2011 Scottish census, the Isle of Mull had a usual residents population of 2,800 with 1,271 households. Including the offshore islands, the population of Mull was 2,996.
In Mull and the adjacent islands Gaelic had been the traditional language since the early Middle Ages. However, the 20th century in particular saw a reduction in the number of speakers, with a significant fall (20%) in Mull after the Second World War. This was associated with strong emigration and abandonment of the language by the younger generation. In the 1951 census only 10 people said they could not speak English.
The following decades saw the beginnings of a revival. Gaelic medium education was introduced in 1996 after a long dispute with the authorities. A Gaelic-medium unit was introduced in Salen Primary School, followed by a second unit at Bunessan Primary School; the language began to be taught in the first two years of secondary school; and Gaelic playgroups were introduced. By 2006 it was found that, though only 10% of the working-age cohort spoke or understood Gaelic, language ability at school age was much higher. There was great local variation in the number of speakers, from around 25% in Craignure (Creag an Iubhair) to 4% in Aros. It has been argued, however, that in terms of language survival, there is reason for optimism in Mull.
There is a small amount of farming, aquaculture, and fishing, and Forestry and Land Scotland has several plantations on the island. Tobermory also has one whisky distillery (Tobermory distillery) and from 2005 to 2009 had a brewery (Isle of Mull Brewing Company). Tiroran is home to the island's other distillery (Whitetail Gin) which was established as the isle's first new distillery in over 220 years in 2019.
Tourism is definitely significant. The economy began to revive when the construction of Craignure Pier in 1964 started to bring tourists. Tourism is now the mainstay of the island's economy. Ecotourism became popular from the 1990s, and the reintroduction of white-tailed eagles in 2005 became a particular ecotourist attraction. The island is one of the few places to see sea eagles; there were at least 22 pairs as of April 2020.
Isle of Mull cheese is Scottish cheddar cheese made from raw cow milk produced on the Isle of Mull.
Apart from traversing the Ross of Mull on the way to Iona, visitors typically spend time in Tobermory, visit Glengorm Castle[citation needed] and then enjoy one of the beaches. One report states that "the south-west holds more white beaches, famous for their pink granite skerries and stunning sunsets, that are also perfect for kayaking". Accommodations for tourists include self-catering holiday cottages, a few hotels, and some campsites.
Tourism was negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 and into 2021. A September 2020 report stated that "The Highlands and Islands region has been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to date, when compared to Scotland and the UK as a whole". The industry required short-term support for "business survival and recovery" and that was expected to continue as the sector was "severely impacted for as long as physical distancing and travel restrictions". A scheme called Island Equivalent was introduced by the Scottish government in early 2021 to financially assist hospitality and retail businesses "affected by Level 3 coronavirus restrictions". Previous schemes in 2020 included the Strategic Framework Business Fund and the Coronavirus Business Support Fund.
Tobermory – with just over a thousand people, the largest settlement on Mull – is home to the only whisky distillery on the island.
Ferry links to Mull from the mainland include:
The most-used ferry, from Oban to Craignure (approx. 45 minutes),
Kilchoan to Tobermory (approx. 35 minutes)
Lochaline to Fishnish (approx. 15 minutes).
Advance bookings are not required for the Kilchoan or Fishnish ferries; access to those two ferry terminals on the mainland side is via single-track roads.
There are also ferry links from Fionnphort on Mull to the neighbouring island of Iona and from Oskamull to Ulva. In past years there were direct sailings to Oban (calling at Drimnin, Salen, Lochaline, and Craignure), and to Barra, Coll, and Tiree from Tobermory. During the summer there was also a sailing to Staffa and Iona from Oban that called at Tobermory.
Buses
Buses are operated by West Coast Motors Ltd. There are routes from Tobermory to Calgary via Dervaig (Service 494), Tobermory to Craignure via Salen (Service 495), and Craignure to Fionnphort via Bunessan (Service 496). Limited services operate to Lochbuie and Gruline. West Coast Motors also provide guided tours around Mull, Iona, and Staffa, including boat transfers from Oban.
A minibus service also operates seasonally from Craignure to Duart Castle.
There is also a community-run service from Calgary to Salen via Ulva Ferry.
There is a landing strip for private light aircraft near Salen. There was a seaplane that linked Tobermory with Glasgow and Oban. The regular scheduled service terminated in 2009. Loganair operated a scheduled service to Glasgow in the 1960s from Glenforsa airfield, a 780-metre-long (2,560 ft) grass airstrip constructed by the Royal Engineers in 1965 near Salen. The airstrip has been operated since 2014 by Brendan and Allison Walsh, owners of the adjacent Glenforsa Hotel.
Tourist railway
The Isle of Mull Railway ran from Craignure to Torosay Castle but closed in 2011.
There is one secondary school on the island (Tobermory High School) and six primary schools. Salen Primary School has a Gaelic medium education unit. Secondary pupils (age 11–18) from Iona, Bunessan and Fionnphort in the south-west attend Oban High School, staying in an Oban hostel from Monday to Thursday.
Mull was connected to the mainland by a submarine telegraph cable between Oban and Grass Point in 1871. There were telegraph offices at Tobermory, Dervaig, Calgary, Craignure, Pennyghael, Tiroran, Fionnphort, Bunessan, and Iona.
The Post Office built an experimental wireless telegraph station on Meall an Inbhire near Tobermory in 1892.
In 2014, fibre optic cables for support of high speed internet were laid between Kilchoan (in Ardnamurchan) and Tobermory and between Dunstaffnage (near Oban) and Torosay. In February 2015 additional cables were laid underground between Tobermory and Torosay to complete the link.
AM radio, broadcast from Oban, came to the island in 1930 and television in 1954. New AM radio and UHF television transmitters were constructed on Druim Mòr, one mile (1.6 km) west of Torosay Castle, in 1978. Digital transmissions commenced on 15 November 1998 and analogue transmissions ceased on 27 October 2010. The digital transmitters have 22 relays on Mull, surrounding islands, and parts of the mainland, collectively the Torosay Transmitter Group.
Mull Theatre is a professional theatre company based in a 2008 theatre production centre on the outskirts of Tobermory. The company commissions plays, tours throughout Scotland and beyond, and runs an education and outreach programme. It started at the "Mull Little Theatre" at Dervaig in 1966 and was the "Smallest Professional Theatre in the World" according to the Guinness World Records. The National Theatre of Scotland were in residence at the Mull Theatre in April 2009.
An Tobar ("The Well"), based in Tobermory, is the only publicly funded multidisciplinary arts centre in Argyll. Established in 1997, it is a centre for visual arts, crafts and music. With effect from 1 April 2013, An Tobar and the Mull Theatre were brought together as Comar.
The Isle of Mull is a popular destination for naturalists and photographers for seeing some of Britain's more elusive species.
Mull has over 800 species of vascular plant (684 native and 171 naturalised) including 33 species of fern, at least 18 species of orchid and 22 native species of tree. There are about 700 species of lichen, 571 liverworts and mosses, and 247 marine algae (seaweeds), making a total of 2,388 species of plant recorded from the island. In addition, more than 2,000 species of fungi have been recorded on Mull: Dennis and Watling write, "When one speaks of the Inner Hebridean fungi one is referring to the floras of Mull and Rhum".
The island has 261 different bird species, including the white-tailed eagle, which was reintroduced to the nearby island of Rùm and migrated to Mull, where it now has a stronghold. Basking sharks, minke whales, porpoises, and dolphins are among the sea life nearby.
The island is home to a population of otters that live in coastal habitat, hunting during the day. The Mull Otter Group was established for the conservation needs of otters on the Isle of Mull.
The island also has several birds of prey, such as hen harriers, golden eagles, and short eared owls, all difficult species to see throughout the rest of the UK. Pine martens have also recently become established on Mull; based on sighting records and from resulting modelling exercises, it is believed the species arrived in 2004 through accidental transportation on timber boats from the mainland. It is unlikely that pine martens have ever been native to the Isle of Mull.
The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust was established in 1994 and is a marine conservation charity that takes action through community based research and education. The Trust carries out long-term monitoring programmes on cetaceans in the Hebrides, by collating sightings reported by the public and running live-aboard research expeditions on their sailing yacht, Silurian. The Trust covers the west coast of Scotland, and is based in Tobermory, where it has its main office, Discovery Centre and the mooring of their research vessel.
There are also a number of invasive species on the island, including plant species such as Japanese knotweed and animals such as feral cats and American mink that are believed to be causing damage to the indigenous species populations through competition and predation.
Lochdon Free Church, built in 1852
The Tour of Mull is a road-closing rally around the island every October. It has been sponsored since 2005 by Tunnock's, the Lanarkshire teacake and biscuit manufacturer. A five-year sponsorship deal with Beatson's Building Supplies started in 2015.
There are several shipwrecks around the shores that offer scuba diving.
There is an Isle of Mull Cycling Club.
The Cross at the Castle cyclocross event is held annually at Glengorm Castle near Tobermory and features the World Santacross Championships and the Scottish Singlespeed Cylocross Championships.
Mull Runners organise a half marathon and 10K run each August between Craignure and Salen.
Rugby is played at Garmony (beside the Craignure to Salen road 6+1⁄2 mi or 10.5 km north of Craignure). The Mull Rugby 7s Competition takes place annually in May at The Isle of Mull R.F.C's rugby club.
There are golf courses at Tobermory (Erray Park), Craignure (beside the Craignure to Salen road 1 mi or 1.5 km north of Craignure) and on Iona.
Mull Highland Games are held each July in the grounds of Tobermory Golf Club (Erray Park). Events include Heavy Weights, Light Field, and Highland Dance.
The swimming pool at the Isle of Mull Hotel, Craignure is open to the paying public.
Tobermory has some free tennis courts.
Football is played, mainly in the south end. Bunessan F.C. play a number of games during the summer, most notably against arch rivals Iona FC, the island just off the south west end. Bunessan F.C. also hold an annual 5-a-side tournament in July.
Following research and community consultation in 1996/97, a development trust was created to identify key goals for the communities of Mull and Iona. Mull & Iona Community Trust was formed in 1997 and published a "Community Regeneration Strategy" for the islands. They purchased the only butcher's shop on the island (closed February 2010), created a community-run Countryside Ranger service, instigated various recycling initiatives, and provide a fundraising and training consultancy.
Martyn Bennett (1971–2005), Canadian-Scottish musician, lived on Mull, buried in Calgary Bay cemetery
Peter Bonetti, (1941–2020), English footballer (goalkeeper)
Major General Colin Gubbins, head of Special Operations Executive during World War II
Duncan Livingstone (1877–1964) Scottish Gaelic Bard, born at Torloisk, emigrated to South Africa in 1903. Continued to write Gaelic verse in Pretoria until his death.
Agnes Maxwell MacLeod (1783–1879) poet and minister's wife
Colin MacIntyre (b. 1971), Scottish musician who frequently goes under the name "Mull Historical Society"
Margaret McKellar (1861–1941), medical missionary
John McLean (1799–1890), Canadian-Scottish explorer and one of the chief traders of the Hudson's Bay Company
Norman Maclean (1902–1990), acclaimed Scottish-American author from Missoula, Montana, who explored the alcoholism and gambling addictions of his ancestors, Scottish Gaelic-speaking Presbyterians on the Isle, in the 1976 novella A River Runs Through It and Other Stories
Mary Macleod, 17th-century poet said to have been banished to Mull
Lachlan Macquarie, (1762–1824), Governor of New South Wales, born on the nearby island of Ulva[
~TITLE OF PIECE~
~ Darkness Found~
AERNI TAPE SERIES
ARTWORK CREATED ON: Video Cassette
APPROXIMATE SIZE: 4" x 7" inches
Media: Acrylics
* This piece is Signed Dated & Titled
for authenticity by the artist.
Created in September 2011.
ABOUT THIS PIECE
The darkness thrived deep inside his
heart. It would be suicide to rip it out and cast it away but that doesn't mean he didn't try..
AVAILABLE HERE--> cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130571040835
More of our friend Jenny's cache of found photographs. Jenny bought a suitcase of old photographsand documents in Brighton that had belonged to Ann Spencer an artist. I will fill in more details when I discover them
A cabinet card portrait with imprint from Woodstock, Ontario. I would say these two are brother and sister. The young lady's hair is her crowning glory.
Hair: Analog Dog - Analise | Inworld
Body: Maitreya
Outfit: AMITOMO - Endless Summer Gacha | Marketplace
Puppy: * [BLACK BANTAM] Shar Pei V2 Pup Oatmeal | Marketplace
I found two rolls of developed 16 mm film in Mamiya Enlahead which I bought on ebay. They look as early 70th. I suppose they are shot on Rollei 16 - single perforation, 12x17mm, very consistent intervals between frames.
found on trenton street
"View from Berthead Pass June 1948" I think she meant Berthoud Pass and didn't know how to spell it and I think it is still one of those windy curvy narrow 400 feet straight down over the edge Colorado roads to get this view
Found this little guy just on the wall infact found loads of these guys this year and not alot of Butterflies ???
Found this floating in the marina/Puerto at Puerto Banus! It seemed too beautiful to be discarded like a piece of old rubbish, so I had to commemorate it with a photo! I liked the way it also produced a lovely reflection, and I had to give this one some special treatment to finish the shot off! I thought this poor flower deserved it!!
Rotterdam, Europort en derde Maasvlakte (under construction)
Creation
It was created in the 1960s by reclaiming land from the North Sea through dykes and sand suppletion. The sand for the suppletion was largely taken from the North Sea and the Lake of Oostvoorne. This lake was created by the construction of the Maasvlakte. Fossils were (and can still be) found in the sand.
Before the completion of the Maasvlakte it was a sandbank which was hazardous to shipping.
[edit] Sections
[edit] Bulk Handeling
In 1973 EMO[1] started as first company at Maasvlakte, they are the biggest bulk terminal in western Europe located at the Mississippi-haven. In 1989 Frans Swarttouw start building a deepwaterterminal at the Amazonehaven in 1990 it was sold to EMO.
[edit] Container terminals
The Maasvlakte features various big companies and some smaller ones. Maersk, Europe Container Terminals (ECT) [a member of the Hutchison Port Holdings group (HPH)] and Euromax are three big container terminals located here. They can all accommodate the world's largest ships.
[edit] Distribution centers
A special section has been reserved for big distribution centres, the Rotterdam Distribution Centre. The biggest are by the Reebok, DHL and Kloosterboer[2] companies. The Reebok Distribution Centre takes care of the distribution of shoes and apparel for entire Europe. Kloosterboer stores mostly fries from the nearby Farm Frites company.
[edit] Slufter
On one side of the Maasvlakte is the Slufter.[3] Inside the Slufter, a very deep pit shielded from the surrounding areas, toxic waste and polluted sand is stored. When it is filled it will be covered and left there. It was expected to be fully filled around the year 2000, but by now it is only about 50% filled.
[edit] Power plant
A power plant located in the area is run by the E.ON company.
[edit] Dutch Customs
Also a big office of the Dutch Customs is on the Maasvlakte. This is a special office as it incorporates a special X-ray container scan.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maasvlakte
Port of Rotterdam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Port of Rotterdam
Location
Country
Netherlands
Location
Rotterdam
Coordinates
51.8850°N 4.2867°E
Details
Opened
14th century
Size of harbor
5,257 ha (12,990 acres)
Land area
5,299 ha (13,090 acres)
Size
10,556 ha (26,080 acres)
Employees
1,207 (2008)
Chief Executive Officer
Hans Smits
Statistics
Vessel arrivals
36,315 sea ships (2008)
Annual cargo tonnage
430 million tons (2010)[1]
Annual container volume
10.8 million TEU (2008)
Annual revenue
€ 525 million (2008)
Net income
€ 151 million (2008)
Website
The Waalhaven by night
Satellite photo of the Port of Rotterdam
The Port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe, located in the city of Rotterdam, South Holland, the Netherlands. From 1962 until 2004 it was the world's busiest port, now overtaken by first Shanghai and then Singapore. In 2009, Rotterdam was the world's tenth-largest container port in terms of twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) handled (2008: ninth, 2006: sixth).
Covering 105 square kilometers (40.5 sq mi), the port of Rotterdam now stretches over a distance of 40 kilometers (25 mi). It consists of the city center's historic harbor area, including Delfshaven; the Maashaven/Rijnhaven/Feijenoord complex; the harbours around Nieuw-Mathenesse; Waalhaven; Vondelingenplaat; Eemhaven; Botlek; Europoort, situated along the Calandkanaal, Nieuwe Waterweg and Scheur (the latter two being continuations of the Nieuwe Maas); and the reclaimed Maasvlakte area, which projects into the North Sea.
St Johns Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, UK.
#45 "See the characters but create your own plot" - Martin Kollar
In response to the instruction above for the Street Photography Now Project: streetphotographynowproject.wordpress.com/
date stamped on slide, November 25, 1986. Handwritten on slide: "Mildred, Isabelle, Florence, eating in the dining room -- Phoenix"