Stairway to....? by brewgirlca
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Description
I turn around from my last shot and face the last obstacle to Sumala. To me it was just a long climb on a narrow staircase but was this in fact a stairway to heaven?
It must have seemed that way to many ancient pilgrams who had survived a long and brutal journey through a countryside filled with bandits, thieves and murderers. Now they were just a few hundred meters from sanctuary!
The stairway could also serve as a last ditch defensive measure, for only two people could pass by at a time and then only if the person against the wall half turned to let the other one by. And then at the top there was an even narrower entrance. Any attackers would have to do it one at a time and it was a long drop over the edge!
The Russian army did in fact use the Sumala Monestary as a fort during the First World War. And they did leave their mark on the place, as you shall see later.
This will be my last post for maybe a week as I am leaving for fieldwork in the Canadian Rockies. It's supposed to be rainy and cold the entire time so I am bringing some wee heavies and a bottle of Quarter Cask Laphroig to see me through. I do hope interest in the site picks up again soon, it is so sad to see so little interest for everybody posting here.
Comments (21)
magnus073
What a sensational capture, Roxy. I very much enjoyed your thoughts behind the image
SidheRoseGraphics
That IS a very narrow stair and a precipitous looking fall over the edge! Great defensive building there! A very interesting journey so far, Roxy! Stay warm up in those Canadian Rockies and stay safe!
photosynthesis
Like your POV & the bright, luminous look of this b&w image. Enjoy your trip - I'm off to Canada as well this week - Vancouver & the Sunshine Coast...
vyktohria
Absolutely GORGEOUS B&W capture, Sweetie!! Have fun on your trip!
barryjeffer
Good trip Roxy.. get some great shots while you're there. I like this one a lot, maybe because of the history behind the image. see ya when you get back. Seth
ToniDunlap
Really something Roxy......yeah up those they to what? Great intrigue here. Bravo.
mtdana
From a distance the Monastery is impressive but this stone work is amazing and I’m only now beginning to recognize the massive undertaking for construction at what looks like a very remote and rugged location - Great capture and information Roxy!!! Stay warm on your trip!
renecyberdoc
to me it would be a stairway to hell as i have only 30% lung volume of an average man. i can very well walk on flat grounds but stairs kill me.
Chipka
Stairs. Ancient stairs. Historical stairs. Stairs with the foot treads of ancient (well...near ancient) people going up and down and down and up, living lives we can scarcely imagine. There are times when I find humans of another age far more alien than any science fictional contrivance...but that's a ramble for another post. As for this post, I'm quite happy to see it and to catch glimpses of yet another world I know so little about, and it's a fantastic photo as well. I love the details of the stonework and the mystery of people I simply don't know. There are stories all over this image and I suspect it was taken in the footprints of very interesting, old stories. That's a large part of the other appeal this image has. I like it quite a lot.
shingleboot
Looks like a steep climb and very defensive.
Rainbowgirl
Again a wonderful shot and story told! Must find the time to track the whole series...
Faemike55
are you a member of the Laphroig society? Great capture of the stairway to massive and killer leg cramps Have a safe and fun trip
whaleman
Very nice shot!
ronmolina
Interesting and nice shot!
eekdog Online Now!
love how old this place is Roxy, always most interesting history and a excellent shot.
Tracesl
my bucket list is getting longer with every picture you post, excellent
Cyve
Amazing capture... wonderfully done !
3dpoetry
Looks like hard work climbing those stairs.
Nonsolum
Stairway to... ...the hospital if you did not train as well and did not warm up previously ! :-D If someone asked for a PoV, here is THE PoV of the week !
JuliSonne
A staircase with history and she also seems to me infinitely. Great info and capture. Super in b/w because I'm visually closer to the sky.
vaggabondd
cool shot my friend