Green Doors
by Alan Socolik
Title
Green Doors
Artist
Alan Socolik
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
I was exploring the back streets and alleyways of the wonderful hilltop town of Pitigliano, Italy when I became intrigued by the wonderful bright green doors and spiral stone staircase.
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When you see Pitigliano, it's like turning the pages of a book of fairy tales set in the Middle Ages. This Tuscan town is built on a promontory surrounded by bright green valleys, grooved by the Lente and Meleta rivers. The high tufa cliffs are chiselled with a thousand caves and tower-houses. The houses are built on a tufaceous drum in the same jutting vertical as the sheer cliffs which make the city wall almost superfluous.
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This, however, in no way detracts from the splendid military structures such as the 13th Orsini palace. The town takes pride in its heritage: the Prehistoric period, with its tombs discovered along the city wall and in the surrounding area; the Roman period that left behind the town's name, Gens Petilia; the Medieval period of the Aldobrandeschi, lords of the Maremma for almost five hundred years; the Renaissance grandeur brought by the noble Roman family, the Orsini; and, after a brief Sienese interlude, the Medici and their heirs, the Lorraine who stimulated a phase of modernization.
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Another key to the appreciation of Pitigliano is the famous Jewish ghetto. This extraordinary town has been called "Little Jerusalem" because of its large and active Jewish population which settled there beginning in the 15th century. Today the Sinagogue is once again open to the public, both for worship and a visit, after extensive restoration.The interesting Jewish Cemetery, the unleavened bread oven, the cellar carved into the rock where Kosher wine is produced, the Kosher butcher, the cleansing baths for women and the cleaners are all open to the public.
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The town is surrounded by important archaeological sites, from the ancient vie cave to the various necropoleis and primitive villages. Without doubt, the most important necropolis is Poggio Buco, the largest Etruscan centre on the Fiora. In addition to the remains of the original city, numerous varieties of tombs have been discovered, among which the monumental cliff tombs such as the Tombadelta Regina (the Queen's Tomb). The wine production is another good reason to visit this land. The vineyards, fertilized by volcanic tufa and thousand year old humus, produce prestigious white DOC wines. The caves and tombs cut into the tufa rock are used as cellars for the wines' preservation and aging. The olive oil as well, produced by cold pressing, has few rivals on the national and international scene.
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Where is Pitigliano: is located in the west of Grosseto province, on the border with the Lazio region.
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much of the text above is quoted from abcTuscany.com
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FEATURED PHOTO, USA Artist News, 12/6/2012
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FEATURED PHOTO, Fine Art America Beauty of this World, 1/5/2013
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FEATURED PHOTO, FAA Old World European Cities, 2/17/2015
First Place Winner! - FAA Old World European Cities, Images of Europe Contest, 3/5/2015
First Place Winner - FAA Contest - Italy Staircases, 8/9/2015
Uploaded
October 28th, 2012
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Viewed 4,502 Times - Last Visitor from Fairfield, CT on 04/18/2024 at 7:15 PM
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Comments (77)
Holly April Harris
This image has such beautiful flow! Lovely capture! Congratulations! I’m am very pleased to feature your beautiful image in the group Covered Bridges and Historical Buildings. It’s a wonderful addition to the group! Please add it to the “2022 Second Quarter Featured Images Collection” thread in the discussions area for a permanent record of the feature. Thank you!
Jane Selverstone
Congratulations on your 3-rd place finish in the Forgotten By Time contest - great image! l/f
Nina Silver
Outstanding Photography! Congrats on your 3rd place in 'Forgotten by Time - Stairways'. F/L/P
Caroline Stella
Thank you. One of these days. Can't believe with the number of trips that I have made to Italy and its hidden and less traveled areas that I missed Pitigliano!
Caroline Stella
Beautiful! It reminds me of the Sassi dwellings in Matera, Italy. Your included explanation was very informative. I may have to put Pitigliano on my next Italian itinerary.
Brooks Garten Hauschild
Congratulations on your SECOND place win in 'Made of Stone or Rock', Alan! Super shot! My pleasure to host the contest. L/v.
Karyn Robinson
This one has it all, great title, great lines, great texture and wonderful composition! Not bad. v.
Andy Prendy
Hi Alan - beautiful movement in this image with the graceful curves of the steps. Very nicely composed I guess is the main point. (V;F)