Sanctuary - Boundaries and Borderlands 3 by brewgirlca
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Description
The third in my Borderlands and Boundaries project. As always, I value your critiques and invite you to explore and annunciate your own visions of the boundaries and borders that I present. Several of you have given fantastic insights that will add value to my lectures and planned picture book(s). Thank you all for taking the time to view and comment.
Ishak Pasha Palace, constructed between 1685 and 1784, sits on a small plateau on the edge of a mountain near the border of Turkey and Iran. This again is an obvious candidate for a borderland as it sits on the historical edge of conflict as well as being very close to a modern political boundary. The passes across these mountain ranges have been used by invading Persian and older armies into the fertile plains of Antalya. Although the flatlands look hot and barren in this photo, it was taken in the fall when the crops had been harvested and so the fields look rather bleak. However, it was no illusion that it was as hot as it looks!
Although the palace itself was gorgeous, and the view from this spot was magnificent, getting this shot was not a fun experience. A small group of us elected to walk up a dirt road heading east towards the border of Iran. We were not sure how close to the border we were and all the guide would say is that we were close, very close. That was not a good feeling. But the shot was worth the dare, I think.
The palace was a resting spot for rich trading caravans between Antalya and Persia. It was the five star hotel of its day. I love hearing the call to prayer, a powerful, auditory and ancient reminder that you are in a Muslim land, a very foreign culture for most westerners. I can imagine that the call to prayer from that particular minaret must have been especially haunting as it would carry over the entire valley and echo off the cliff faces. And only those with the best and most powerful voice would have been privileged to make the call from such an opulent palace.
In addition to the political boundary I think here we see a great geophysical boundary between an relatively cool mountain slope and the hot barren plains. To travelers this would have been a literal sanctuary, a place of food, water, rest and safety from marauding bandits before heading out onto the plains or scrambling up the steep mountain passes. I like the sharp contrast between the well-focused red rock building and the blueish, soft heat hazy mist of the background.
The rugged mountains in the background are remnants of volcanic plugs; part of the same volcano field that produced Mt. Ararat, which could be seen from the palace.
We were blessed with being there near sundown. After a long hot day's travel we were ready to crash out at our hotel, but our guide insisted that we see the palace as soon as we got to the city of Dogubeyazit (think Doggy Biscuits, as one of my Scottish friends pronounced it). For a photographer it was no less than a perfect suggestion as we caught an extended golden hour.
Whew, I need a beer just thinking about this spot!
Comments (16)
rhol_figament
We all have our own version of sanctuary, Some need an entire world, Others only a space of their own. Enjoying your series B, thanks for taking me along... :)
brewgirlca
Glad that you are on the journey, Rhol.
MineFujiko
Beautiful capture, Roxy-san! in the morning or evening?
brewgirlca
In the evening Fujiko-san.
Faemike55
Very beautiful scene, no matter the time frame of what is right and wrong Wonderful capture
renecyberdoc
if the midle-east crap is continuing the way its doing we might never see it again the way it was.too many different interests in there.you always present it so well.
KarmaSong
A fantastic view of this part of Eastern Turkey ; I felt completely 'absorbed' and enthralled by your narrative, which echoes recent memories I had of the same atmosphere in the same country !
giulband
Wonderful wiew also very very well taken with a great sense of image !!
Mondwin
Superbly image my friend!!!Bravissima!:DDD.Hugsxx Whylma
magnus073
This is truly an epic and awe inspiring view of this palace, Roxy. The boundaries and borders appear almost limitless here, and all the trouble you went through to get this capture was worth it. One might say you were testing the limits of the borders yourself.
drifterlee
What a beautiful shot!!!!!
shingleboot
I imagine the builders also saw a social boundary with the rich high upon the plateau looking down upon the common folk and their less fortunate lifestyle. It is a very impressive image.
brewgirlca
Excellent observation Nuisum! Indeed, the social divide would have been very evident, from both points of view. It would be so natural to "look down" on the poor and oppressed and to look up to the rich and powerful Pashas. I will certainly include this now you make it so evident.
mickuk50
It's a good thing to opt out of the safe shot sometimes and this image proves it 😊. Mick
photosynthesis
A beautiful shot of a magnificent structure & vista (for some reason, Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower" comes to mind). Like you, I really like the contrast between the sharp focus of the palace & the hazy background - it works perfectly. The structure itself is fascinating - the variety of domes, towers, arches, etc. as well as all the various colors, textures & patterns of bricks. Are those solar panel arrays on the roof? Seems like this would be an excellent location for maximizing the benefit of solar power...
brewgirlca
Not solar panels, but plexiglass roofing to protect the reconstructed palace interior. Orginal roof probably wood based and fallen away before reconstruction. Like much of Turkish Archeaological restructuring there is little to no attempt to recreate original structures. A major annoyance when you are photographing the site. Indeed Ishak Pasha Palace was delibertately built to include styles from the many cultures who lived in or passed through the area. I will show a detail of the interior in the next shot that shows this. The lower right is the main courtyard where the more lower class travelers would stay. Then you pass through a narrow gateway to an interior open area where the higher ups could camp out. You can see a large mausoleum against one wall with two smaller ones adjacent. That is the resting spot of the original builder and two wives. To the right of that is a rectangular inner dining hall with a now plexiglass roof for special guests. Finally on the far edge we have a Mosque on the right and an Armenian (Christian) Church on the left (with the pyramidal peak) - a testimat to the tolerance and accomodation of the Ottoman's during this time period when Christians and Ottomans lived largely at peace and intermingled with each other. Between them is the family living quarters and haram.
RodS
The full size version of this is absolutely breathtaking. There are so many borders and boundaries here it boggles the mind. I especially like the contrast between the warm colors and sharp contrast of the palace, and the hazy coolness of the distant village (even though it wasn't very cool). I certainly admire your determination to get this magnificent shot, Roxy - given the turmoil that seems to endlessly permeate this part of the planet. Glad you were able to get a chance to see - and photograph - these places while you could. Not a good place to be at the moment...
3dpoetry
Brilliant photography
sossy
gorgeous view and impressive country with stunning architecture! ;o)
adorety
Amazing shot! And beautiful place. The landscape looks amazing as it fades to the mountains. I think you covered all the border aspects thoroughly here. One person mentioned the difference in social class and that was the only other idea that came to me. Quite a place!