Category Archives: Photographs: Architecture

Photographs: Architecture, Photographs: Europe, Photographs: Spain, Photographs: Travel

Basilica Spires and Domes, Dusk

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“Basilica Spires and Domes, Dusk” — The spires and towers of the Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar, illuminated at dusk, Zaragoza.

This remarkable basilica stands next to the Ebro river in Zaragoza, Spain. Among its eye-catching features are the numerous towers and domes — from the four tall spires at each corner, to the large central dome, to the other smaller domes in between. It is quite a beautiful sight in the daytime, but is even more dramatic at night when it is illuminated by artificial lights. The photograph is from a bridge crossing the Ebro.

Zaragoza is perhaps not on the main tourist circuit in Spain, but we really enjoyed the place. During our visit in December there may not have been many tourists, but the town was very busy and crowded with locals — after all, it was the holiday season! The central area near this cathedral is an enchanting older part of the city, full of very narrow and twisting streets.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Photographs: Architecture, Photographs: Europe, Photographs: France, Photographs: Travel

Ma Maison en Alsace

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“Ma Maison en Alsace” — An old building in the quaint Alsatian town of Eguisheim.

I have written before that our “home base” in Europe is Heidelberg, where relatives live. (Hi Greg and Jan, and others!) We were based there for the first three weeks of our late 2024 trip — we traveled out to Nürnberg, Munich, and the Alsace region of France. This photograph comes form the latter adventure. This building is in the little Alsatian town of Eguisheim, where there are a lot of these old school structures.

I don’t count myself as an expert on Equisheim or Alsace, but this town is apparently known for its circular form (based on very old protective walls) and for maintaining a whole lot of these old buildings. Most have, of course, been fixed up — and some turned into shops and lodging — but many of them lean in charming and occasionally alarming ways.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Instagram | Flickr | Facebook | Threads | BlueSky | Email

Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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Photographs: Architecture, Photographs: Europe, Photographs: Spain, Photographs: Travel

Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar

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Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar
“Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar” — Dusk view of the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar and the Ebro River, Zaragoza, Spain.

As the new year begins we are still thinking about our travels at the end of the old year. In late 2024 we spent six weeks visiting in Germany, France, Spain, and New York City — and we’ve only been back a few days. This photograph comes from Zaragoza, Spain, one of the pleasant surprises of this trip. We spent several days there and we loved the place. Seen here is the Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar, a remarkable cathedral on the banks of the Ebro River.

Something about this church feels different from many other European cathedrals. Perhaps it is the numerous domes and tall, thin spires. From some angles these structures almost remind me of mosques. The setting alongside the river is beautiful, and especially so in the evening when the place is lit up.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Instagram | Flickr | Facebook | Threads | Post | Email

Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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Photographs: Architecture, Photographs: Europe, Photographs: Italy, Photographs: Travel

Duomo Facade, Orvieto

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Duomo Facade, Orvieto
“Duomo Facade, Orvieto” — The highly detailed facade of the Orvieto Duomo.

It seems like almost every Italian town has its duomo, or cathedral. All that I’ve seen are impressive, but some have especially notable features. This one is in Orvieto, a lovely hill town in Umbria. Oddly, even through we were dropped off very near this cathedral when we arrived, it wasn’t until later that we finally took the time to visit it. The inside is very interesting, but it seems to me that the ornate work on the exterior is the most impressive.

The detail is remarkable, from the sculpted shapes to the statuary to the beautiful mosaics. It is hard to imagine the amount of craftsmanship and artistic talent that must have gone into producing it. Almost any square foot of the exterior would be remarkable on its own, but the fact that it covers so much space is almost unbelievable.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Instagram | Flickr | Facebook | Threads | Post | Email

Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.