Imaging Germany 011: Basilica of St Martin, BINGEN AM RHEIN (RP)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

011: Basilica of St Martin

Bingen is a small town in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, where the Nahe River flows into the Rhine River. This confluence was an ideal location where first Gauls settled (Binge), followed by the Romans (Bingum). Here started the Roman road to the city of Trier. Bingen has suffered much from many wars and fires. However, some principal monuments have been preserved, like Burg Klopp (Castle), MäuseTurm (Mouse Tower, from where a legend tells about a cruel archbishop eaten by mice), and the Basilica of St Martin. There is proof that the Romans had their temple for Mercurius. On the same location, a crypt was built in the 8th century. In 1006, the church was mentioned for the first time in documents. Enlargement took place in the 15th century, and large-scale restoration was performed in the 19th century. The basilica became heavily damaged during WWII, and restored in 1958.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 1991-2001, 2017

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Imaging Brazil 361: Pine cone, BELO HORIZONTE (MG)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

361: Pine cone

When you think of Brazil, then you would imagine vast forests, idyllic beaches, extensive wetlands. Tropical rain forests with many exoctic, evergreen trees, plants, and colorful flowers, and large palm tree plantations. Some would think of the coffee and sugarcane plantations, but few would associate Brazil with pine trees. For those, it is quite surprise to meet the large pine trees in South Brazil, where the climate is moderate, with colder winters. In the state of Paraná, it is very common to meet the typical candelabra pine trees. Nuts from these trees are used for some local dishes. When talking about the ‘fruits’ from pine trees, you can also meet pine cones in the higher regions of Minas Gerais, like this pine cone that I found near the entrance of Mangabeiras Park. 

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2012, 2017