Saudi Arabia - Guardian of Masmak fort in Riyadh
The Masmak (Qasr al-Masmak قصر المصمك) is a clay and mud-brick fort, with four watch towers and thick walls, founded on stone blocks, lying in the center of Riyadh, in the old quarters. This building played a major part in the kingdom's history, as it was here that the recapture of Riyadh, led by Ibn Saud, occurred on 14 January 1902. This building was built around 1865 under the reign of Mohammed ibn Abdullah ibn Rasheed (1289-1315 AH), the ruler of Ha'il to the north, who had wrested control of the city from the rival clan of Al Saud. In January 1902 the young Amir Abd al-Aziz ibn Abd al-Rahman ibn Faisal Al Saud, who was at the time living in exile in Kuwait succeeded in capturing the Masmak fortress from its Rashid garrison. The event, which restored Al Saud control over Riyadh, has acquired almost mythical status in the history of Saudi Arabia and has been retold many times, but has as its central theme the heroism and bravery of the future King Abd al-Aziz.
Today the fort is one among several buildings that form the King Abd al-Aziz Historical Centre, a series of restored buildings in Riyadh. Centennial celebrations were held in 1999. It's palm tree gate is of 3.65m high per 2.65m wide. There is an opening on the center of the door, called al-Khokha, which is just big enough for one pass to pass at a time, and is a feature design to enforce the security by allowing people in and out without opening the door. The castle also encloses a mosque and a well. The watch towers are circular and 18m high. The walls are 1.25m thick, pierced with narrow cylindric openings used to fire from inside for defense. The square-base shaped Al-Murabba tower in the center dominates the building.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II, f/9.0, 0.006 sec (1/160), ISO 1600, 28 mm
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Comments and faves
Paula Marina, ` Andrew PL, Piero Molinari, guillephil, and 122 other people added this photo to their favorites.
© Lucie Debelkova / www.luciedebelkova.com (39 months ago | reply)
zamzurizainol® non-pro (39 months ago | reply)
Great shot, Lucie! :)
Dougie.C (39 months ago | reply)
beautiful light, great shot
SFB579 (39 months ago | reply)
This is a good picture, well done. Have a good week
Steve
Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one. ~Stella Adler
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Musti Mohsin (39 months ago | reply)
great shot!
How do you compare the k20D to the 5D MII?
guillephil (39 months ago | reply)
Amazing !
Justin Smith - Photography (39 months ago | reply)
Wonderful lighting, and I love the casual look as he enters the building.
wojtt (39 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
ico_nico (39 months ago | reply)
very cool shot!
Styrmir Kári (39 months ago | reply)
Great work... really nice light!
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aldo_visto (39 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Geometric Tonal Vision, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Franz-62 (39 months ago | reply)
Wonderful pic.
The light is great.
Joe Rainbow (39 months ago | reply)
Wonderful as ever.
Dani℮l (39 months ago | reply)
Wow, light and perspective perfect ly in harmony here!
Luca Cesari (luca_eos) (39 months ago | reply)
Lucie, another fabulous moment captured! Stunning shot. Perfect balance.
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Pepelahuerta (39 months ago | reply)
!Excelente!!!
Luis Javier Arrillaga (39 months ago | reply)
simply_noom (39 months ago | reply)
beautifull light beautifull angle ..love this one
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
bratjerm (39 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Drama!, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Patrick Mayon (39 months ago | reply)
amazing light and great composition.
Colourful as usual in your stream.
Shutter_Dad (39 months ago | reply)
wonderful use of the light!
meelki (39 months ago | reply)
Vos photographies sont vraiment superbes. Je ne m'en lasse pas.
Elles me transportent et me font voyager dans vos lumières qui sont magnifiques.
Bravo !
Abdullah Alhuzimi - www.huzimi.com (39 months ago | reply)
love the photo; I used to live in Riyadh but it didn't come to my mind to visit Almasmak. Now, I think I would do as soon as I will go there
Uljmanski (39 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
gabirro (39 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Jim Patterson Photography (39 months ago | reply)
Impressive use of light and dark here. An excellent exposure and composition. Very nice indeed.
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alessandrogiraldi (39 months ago | reply)
very nice capture of light!!
Messi.82™QTR (39 months ago | reply)
nice shot..
photocillin (39 months ago | reply)
you are a lichtmeister
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Slim Letaief [deleted] (39 months ago | reply)
Another wonderful shot ! love the lighting and tones..Well done Lucie :)
reurinkjan (39 months ago | reply)
Again super shot
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romvi (39 months ago | reply)
magnifique
Cristo Bolaños (39 months ago | reply)
Excelent, simply excelent work.
raed al-sane (39 months ago | reply)
Interesting shot beautiful composition with portrait .
scifitographer (39 months ago | reply)
gorgeous!
BamaWester (39 months ago | reply)
Another masterpiece of light and composition.
nkgux (39 months ago | reply)
Great shot!!!
Graham Cormie (39 months ago | reply)
Stunning image.
Graham
OlivioDuarte (39 months ago | reply)
Great moment!
carlosfalci (39 months ago | reply)
fantastic moment.............
isahilo (39 months ago | reply)
it's a great picture
@ires (39 months ago | reply)
classic!!!
r a r a r a j | fotography (39 months ago | reply)
Brilliant lighting captured perfectly...
urbaguilera (39 months ago | reply)
Outstanding scene, so powerful and intense, congrats!!!
Ali Al-Jumah علي الجمعه (39 months ago | reply)
amazing
Nick Coyne (39 months ago | reply)
Stunning light, stunning colours. Do you ever produce a bad shot? :)
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Requiescence (39 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
dimarcantonioeric (39 months ago | reply)
wonderful light
DEVENDRA PAL(AWAY) (39 months ago | reply)
Splendida
A.Alwosaibie (39 months ago | reply)
wonderful shot!!