This appeared to have been built as a mosque in some distant past. Today it seems to be a museum, housing a single exhibit of the stack of shoes (you'll have to enlarge to make them out). It was actually quite powerful to be in the empty domed center, with the line of shoes leading to the stack -- all gray women's heels. It was serene and open to so many interpretations.
Oh I love it when you go travelling - we get to see so many parts of the world, beautifully presented and with a story. Thank you! I really like the shapes in this image and they way they keep going inwards.
A wonderful and lovely old building --,superb architecture and the simplicity of the mono tones The light in the far doorway lead your eyes through the arch way and to the pile of shoes . All so beautifully composed --fav
This is a fabulous shot, Taffy. It has the 3D effect like in other photos of yours, like I am there looking at it. I love the detail you captured so well. FAV
PS When you get back home and start working on these beauties, you might consider trying a crop, cutting out the side arches and just keeping the central elements...
Those arches do have Moorish elements, and your photograph really draws the eye in to that shoe exhibit in the far back.....I wonder what the meaning of that is! Is this taken in Crete, or is it from your Athens shots? The Ottoman empire had quite the stronghold in both regions, so I am not surprised to see a former mosque here...
@panthora Thanks Osia! This was taken in Crete, in the old town part of Rethymno, on the north coast. It's also where the university is and more modern amenities, in addition to the 'tourist' part. Crete is such a large island, with several main cities. Plus just gorgeous mountains.
@taffy Crete is one of my absolute favorite islands in Greece, and I would just love to revisit some day!! It is a pretty magical place, and its people are also known for being strong and independent! So glad you had a chance to visit, and hopefully you will get back there someday. Did you get to see any of the Minoan ruins?
@panthora The conference speakers were treated to a private -- and fantastic -- guide to the Palace of Knossos, which was quite impressive. There's so much on the island to see, we barely scratched the surface.
@joansmor@salza@ceilidh@rosiekerr
Thanks for the visit! I did some checking and finally found the link to the exhibit. It seems to have a range of symbolism in it -- here's the link of interested: http://www.cca.gr/index.php?id=74,1055,0,0,1,0
Ranges from journey of life to 'doing penance' (walking in heels!) to other symbols of different eras.
Besides your beautiful photo, I was drawn to this one art instillation inside! I'm fascinated by cryptic artistry...loved studying art history in college! I read through all the comments and am so pleased to see you've found a link to share. Off to have a look...and thanks!
Thanks for the visit! I did some checking and finally found the link to the exhibit. It seems to have a range of symbolism in it -- here's the link of interested: http://www.cca.gr/index.php?id=74,1055,0,0,1,0
Ranges from journey of life to 'doing penance' (walking in heels!) to other symbols of different eras.