Inner Sanctum- Boundaries and Borderlands 4 by brewgirlca
Close
Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.
Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.
Description
This is taken in the dining hall of Ishak Pasha Palace near the border of Iran in eastern Turkey. This is where the rich merchants would gather for their meals while staying at the Palace. Well perhaps not immediately evident, what we see here is in fact a perfect example of architecture that positively reflects the best of a meeting of cultures at a political border.
It reflects all we could hope for when diverse cultures meet. For here we see a superb amalgamation of Seljuk, Georgian and Armenian cultures all blended in a gorgeous synthetic architectural style. Think that this palace was built by three generations of Ottoman, i.e. Muslim, Pashas and yet they beautifully and respectfully incorporated Georgian and Armenian Christian elements into their palace. Here I show you Seljuk Turkish triangular stonework and buttresses, Armenian floral and knot work reliefs, and Georgian columns and arches. Here, everyone could feel at home, everyone could point out some element of the palace that their culture had contributed.
In the west we think of the violent overthrow of the Eastern Roman Empire by the Ottomans, the fall of Constantinople, and visualize a collapse of culture that was dominantly Christian. In fact this is not entirely the case. For several centuries before the Ottomans completely over ran what is now Turkey, Muslim and Christian people peacefully intermingled and lived together. And after the conquest, for a long period of time the Muslim rulers protected their Christian citizens and allowed worship in the Greek and Armenian Orthodox Churches. The Pasha''s who built this palace respected their Christian neighbors as valued friends and traders.
We could only wish that our modern leaders, both Muslim and Christian, could look into the not so distant past and realize that for long periods of time Christians, Jews and Muslims peacefully lived intermingled as friends, neighbors and traders.
Please share your own impressions of whatever boundaries you see here.
Comments (18)
ysvry
great foto and story.
giulband
Great sense of image......
Faemike55
I can imagine that the ceiling, when covered in cloth or whatever would provide a boundary between the heavens and the earth Great capture
Faemike55
The walls of this complex also provides a boundary of sorts between the rich and successful merchants from those who are struggling to keep food on their table and shelter for their families
eekdog Online Now!
splendid info and marvelous photo, Roxy. thanks for sharing..
MineFujiko
Beautiful blue sky,Roxy-san!
magnus073
Roxy, this is one breathtaking capture for sure. I really love the intricate detailing on display here.
drifterlee
Gorgeous building, shot and POV!!!!!!
photosynthesis
Without the context of your written comments, I honestly wouldn't get a feeling of boundaries & borders from this, but it is a wonderful photo. I love the rich architectural details, the stone textures, the light & shadow & the contrast of that deep blue sky...
mickuk50
Excellent details !
RodS
It's truly a shame that those days have given way to the hardline radicalism we see so much these days. I've just about had my fill of fundamentalist radicalism no matter what religious flavor it represents... I have almost as much disdain for those radical "Baptists" an hour west of me in Topeka (and I'm a Baptist) as I do for the fundamentalist idiots that go around cutting off peoples' heads. It's all needless stupidity. Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox, and say this is another lovely photo in your series. The contrasts of the arches and straight lines of the supports above, the dappled light, and the warm tones of the stonework against that blue sky are just breathtaking. Brilliant as always, Roxy!
rhol_figament
A great view of the classic arch, a fine touch in the history of our human tech quest... ;)
maiden_of_darkness
You captured the theme beautifully with this shot :) What about the boundaries of time? Of the past & present...Of Humanity...not respecting the past and learning from it....I guess I'm saying the boundaries & borders we have in our minds.......sorry, I'm probably way off topic....Anyways, its a beautiful shot :)
3dpoetry
Stunning
sossy
excellent lighted architecture! ;o)
adorety
Awesome composition. Understanding the history of this actually brings to mind a blurring of borders, at least cultural and spiritual. "A place where all could intermingle." If only that were so today. The combination of architecture is beautiful to see. And there is a border between the old and modern as we see that plexiglass ceiling behind the very old construction. Great addition to this series.
mtdana
Very artistic – a delightful image!!!
Cyve
WOnderfully captured.
KarmaSong
I appreciate the conclusion of your narrative as much as this fabulous photo to illustrate it . Superb work and traveller's memories!