30 November 2012

Here he stood, here he saw

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I showed you yesterday that you have a good view over the river Waal from the Valkhof Hill. I'm not the first to find that out: medieval Emperors Charlemagne and Barbarossa chose this location as there home, and even the Romans had a settlement here.

The Latin inscription on the fence refers to the Batavi prince Gaius Julius Civilis, who, according to the inscription, stood here after the lost Revolt of the Batavi (69-70AD), looking at the approaching Roman troops:

"Hic stetit hic frendens Aquilas hic lumine torvo Claudius ultrices vidit adesse manus"

The text is from a poem by Dutch 17th century poet Constantijn Huygens, and roughly translates (correct me if I'm wrong) as: "Here he stood, here he saw, grudgingly, the eagles, here Claudius saw, with a grim look on his face, the revenging troops approach". Huygens mistakenly refers to Claudius in the poem when talking about Julius Civilis.

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28 November 2012

Barbarossa

Barbarossa ruins, Valkhof hill, Nijmegen

The Dutch city Nijmegen was once the home of emperors. Charlemagne (742-814) lived here for a while, and Barbarossa (or Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor (1122-1190)) build his castle on the remains of Charlemagne's home. Barbarossa's successor Henry VI was born there.

All that remains of these illustrious homes are the ruins of two chapels. On the photo you can see the remains of the St Martin chapel, also known as the Barbarossa ruins.

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27 November 2012

Floating pancake restaurant

Floating pancake restaurant on the river Waal in Nijmegen

The city Nijmegen is built on the bank of the river Waal (the river features in several photos that I'm planning to share this week). There are many bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a meal or drink while sitting outside on the river bank (weather permitting), but you can also enjoy your meal on the river itself, in a floating restaurant. For example in this pancake restaurant.

In the background you can see the bridge over the river Waal, I'll share more photos of this vridge soon.

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26 November 2012

Town hall

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The town hall of Nijmegen, built in 1555. It was heavily damaged in the second world war, but later restored to its former glory. The photo shows the entrance and part of the façade.

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22 November 2012

St Stephen's Church

St Stephen's Church, Nijmegen

This wall is part of the 13th century St Stephen's Church (Stevenskerk, in Dutch) in Nijmegen.

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20 November 2012

Lion

Lion statue, Kronenburger Park, Nijmegen

This lion statue was created in 1886, by Henri Leeuw Sr (1819-1909) and his son Henri Leeuw Jr (1861-1918). Leeuw is the Dutch word for Lion, by the way - not sure if it's a coincidence that this lion was created by Leeuw and Leeuw.

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19 November 2012

Fortification

Former city wall in Kronenburger Park, Nijmegen

Behind the fence you can see a part of the old city wall and fortification of Nijmegen, inside the Kronenburger Park. It looks like it's fenced in, but that is only on one side, if you walk around you can get on top of this structure.

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15 November 2012

Fountain

Fountain in the palace garden of Soestdijk Palace

A fountain in the gardens of the former royal palace Soestdijk. Note the beautiful autumn colors in the background!

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13 November 2012

Toadstool

Toadstool

A toadstool in autumn. I don't know much about toadstools and mushrooms, do you know what kind this is?

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12 November 2012

Dead leaves

Dead leaves on a tree branch

Dead leaves on a tree branch. It is autumn, but since all surrounding leaves are still green I suspect these are not normal autumn colors. Probably the branch is damaged and died, leaves and all.

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08 November 2012

Beetle

Chrysolina coerulans

A beetle crawling over the ground through a forest in autumn. I think it's a beetle of the kind Chrysolina coerulans, native to continental Europe and quite common here. I could not find an English name, but in Dutch it's known as blauw muntgoudhaantje.

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07 November 2012

Chestnut

Sweet chestnut

There's a lot more autumn beauty than just colored leaves. Chestnuts, for example. As a kid, I used to go to the forest in autumn, and return with a bag full of chestnuts. Hundreds of them, sometimes. The one on the photo is a sweet chestnut.

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06 November 2012

Another autumn leaf

Autumn leaf

We are enjoying the beauty of autumn this week. I have another beautiful autumn leaf for you.

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05 November 2012

Yellow autumn leaf

Yellow autumn leaf

Autumn, with its beautiful colors, is my favorite season. A season for photography, certainly, but I also enjoy the beauty of the season when I'm outside without a camera. I'll continue this week to share some autumn photos. Today: A yellow autumn leaf.

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02 November 2012

Autumn leaves

Autumn leaves

It's autumn where I live, and I'm sharing new autumn photography. Today's photo is a closeup of those beautiful autumn leaves. Stand by for more great autumn colors next week!

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01 November 2012

Autumn decay

Autumn decay

It's autumn in Holland, and I'm sharing the beauty of autumn this week. It's not only the leaves on the trees that change color and die in autumn, but also some plants on the ground, as you can see on today's photo.

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