Three Crusader Castles

[Manfred M]

When we think of the crusades, we normally think of the wars in the Holy Lands. There was another crusade that occurred in the 1200s, the Northern Crusade, where the goal was to Christianize the pagans in the Baltics. We had lovely weather for visiting three of the ruined castles in Northern Latvia that were built by the Northern Crusaders. The castles are named after the towns where they are located.

All are partially restored ruins.

The weather was lovely for being outside, but the cloudless skies and bright sunshine made photography rather difficult.

1. Cesis Castle - built by the Teutonic Order warrior - monks





2. Sigulda Castle - built by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword warrior monks





3. Turaida Castle - Another castle built by the Livonian Brothers; this one was made of bricks rather than stones. This shot was taken from Sigulda Castle; the two were not all that far apart, but on opposite sides of the Gauja River.

[Shadowman]

Nice captures.

[Jim A]

They are interesting, Manfred, but in photographic terms they seem a bit flat. Not to your usual very high standard! Nice remembrances.

[Manfred M]

They are interesting, Manfred, but in photographic terms they seem a bit flat. Not to your usual very high standard! Nice remembrances.

As I mentioned in my preamble; the light was not good. Sunny and warm days are great for touring around, but the photography is marginal. Hard and contrasty light is not great for this type of work.

There was limited opportunity for interior shots, as the light levels were generally abysmally low, but they turned out better in these two rooms where there was some light to work with.


1. Grandmaster's chamber at Cesis Castle






2. Bishop's work room - Turaida Castle

[mugge]

Manfred, I think you've done pretty well given the light problems in your last two pictures. From what I can see all you could have done in the 'castle pictures' was showing what they looked like.
Cheers Ole

[JohnRostron]

Manfred, I think you've done pretty well given the light problems in your last two pictures. From what I can see all you could have done in the 'castle pictures' was showing what they looked like.
Cheers Ole

I agree here with Ole. The castle pictures are good, but the interiors are much more interesting. They had me thinking how I could have got such a good exposure balance.

John