Imaging The Netherlands 011: Valkhof Castle Ruin in NIJMEGEN (GL)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

011: Valkhof Castle ruin

The Waal River, branching from the Rhine River,  flows along the city of Nijmegen. On one of the hills along the river, now close to the famous Waal Bridge, are the ruins of once a mighty castle: the Valkhof. It were the Romans who built a castellum about two thousand years ago. It was Charlemagne who had the Valkhof built on the hill, as an imperial palace. It was destroyed by the Vikings, and reconstructed by Emperor Frederic Barbarossa. It eventually was extended and strengthened. The French invaders attacked the castle in late 1700s, and the castle became greatly destroyed. Almost one century later, the remains were destroyed save two chapels. In 1800, a park was created on the grounds of the former castle. Nowadays, both the park and the ruins are considered as national monuments. There exist plans of reconstructing the castle; these plans generate significant public resistance.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2010, 2017

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Imaging Brazil 325: Roofworks in Diamantina, MG (2011)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

325: Roofworks

When you view the historic center of Diamantina – located at about 300 km northeast of Belo Horizonte – from the air, you will soon notice that most roofs are covered with red roof tiles. By far most roofs have weathered pans, which are predominantly gray-red instead of bright red. Because of  the intense summer heat and intense summer rain, many pans can burst and even fall apart. It is therefore necessary to replace the damaged pans as quickly as possible during dry weather conditions, in order to prevent significant water damage caused by abundant rainfall. Therefore, this brave roof worker – he works without safety cables! – must have busy times in the sunny and dry winter season.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2011, 2017