Colonia Ulpia Traiana, a photo from Nordrhein-Westfalen, West

Photographer's Note

Colonia Ulpia Traiana

Lets stay in Germany. A couple of weeks ago, I showed a photo of the Roman settlement in Las Vegas, heres a photo of a Roman settlement in Germany, although the difference is of course, that this German one was once actually a real part of the Roman Empire.

This is the Archäologischer Park Xanten (Archaeological Park Xanten, APX), located near the German town of Xanten at the site of the Roman settlement Colonia Ulpia Traiana. APX was opened in 1977 and consists of original ruins as well as reconstructed buildings. Colonia Ulpia Traiana was one of the most important towns or colonias in the province of Germania Inferior. It was named after Emperor Trajan, who gave the settlement the status of colonia, the highest urban status in the empire. Founded in 98, it was located near the Rhine, the northernmost border of the Roman Empire, the so-called limes. At its height, about 10,000 people lived in the colonia. After 350, the Romans left the area and the town became a ruin.

Seen here is the Hafentempel (Harbour Temple), a Corinthian temple, whose size and details have been reproduced on the basis of numerous excavations. It is not known to which deity this temple was dedicated.

There are two more photos in the Workshop. One showing the reconstructed Roman hostel and its herb garden, the other showing a panoramic view of the colonia, seen from the top of the amphitheatre.

Click here for a larger version.

Exif data:
Make: SONY
Model: DSC-HX400V
Software: PaintShop Pro 16,00
Exposure Time: 1/2000 sec
F-Stop: f/3.2
ISO Speed Ratings: 80
Focal Length: 567/100 mm
Date Taken: 2017-07-07 10:45
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: Flash did not fire, auto mode
File Size: 1102 kb

papagolf21, macjake, snunney, ikeharel, Fis2, ChrisJ, holmertz, gervaso, rychem, clic, jhm, PiotrF, pierrefonds, adramad, mcmtanyel oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

emka (157280) 2018-04-18 23:14

Hello Lars,

I much prefer this Roman settlement to the one in Las Vegas :). Nice view of this well-preserved corner of the temple, with wonderful Corinth columns. Excellent composition. I like also the more general view in WS.

KInd regards MAlgo

papagolf21 (152605) 2018-04-18 23:20

Bonjour, cher ami Lars,
Ma passion pour l'architecture et son histoire me comblent de joie;
La qualité de ces ruines est tout simplement superbe;
Merci pour la note d'accompagnement trčs intéressante.
Amitiés.
Philippe

jemaflor (146206) 2018-04-18 23:29

Hi Lars,
Nice architecture and columns, well framed, good effect with the soft light and the perfect sharpness, tfs.

pajaran (114821) 2018-04-18 23:47

Dobar dan.
Lep pogled, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Dobar rad sa lepim fotografijama u radionici, dobar kontrast i ostrina, lepe boje, lepo uhvacen trenutak. Lepa stara arhitektura, lepa rusevina.
Dobar tekst o koriscenoj tehnici i elementima snimka.
Zelim vam lep i uspesan dan, sve najbolje.
Paja.

macjake (98260) 2018-04-19 0:27

Hi Lars
its still amazing to think this has been standing since the year it was abandoned in 350, simply incredible. the workmanship and detail in the stone is also incredible. so impressive. its funny how the scene looks, its as if the building has been photo shopped hahaha
excellent shot. cheers
Craig

snunney (130967) 2018-04-19 0:31

Hello Lars,
This reconstruction is very impressive and well seen from this angle. The people glimpsed between the columns supply scale. Optimal technical quality.

ikeharel (112395) 2018-04-19 0:46

Hello Lars,
Evidently the Romans conquered Europe as far north as Germany, something I learnt long ago - but still a nice surprise near the Netherland border, that is a fact I did not know.
WS #2 shows how the place beautifully with its surrounding, yet, main photo rightly chosen - impresses me a lot.
Fine distinct photo, scale by the three figures at the foot of the pillars.
Have a nice new day,
Ike

abmdsudi (95869) 2018-04-19 0:52

Hi Lars
Very interesting reproduced structures and a well balanced exposure, you've managed to capture the detail on both sky and the temple complex. Congrats
Best regards

Fis2 (169635) 2018-04-19 1:06

Witaj Lars!
A very interesting building (ruins).
Excellent frame, colors and sharpness.
Columns add flavor to this composition.
I like it.
Curious place.
Well done.
Nice day.
Krzysztof

ChrisJ (171146) 2018-04-19 1:40

Hello Lars,

An interesting symmetrical reconstruction of the ancient Roman ruin. I like the pyramid shape from this angle. The people add scale and animate the scene. Tfs!

Royaldevon (85606) 2018-04-19 2:11

Hello Lars,

The real thing is more interesting!
This ruin suggests its magnificence when it was in operation!
The details of the pillar terminals, supporting the upper parts of the temple are so beautifully designed and implemented.
The amount of high quality building, so long ago, by the Romans, is staggering!

The villa, in your w/s, reminds me of one that was built in Wroxeter, by the Time Team, using only materials and techniques that were available in Roman Times.

Thanks for sharing this,
Bev :-)

Silvio1953 (220495) 2018-04-19 2:30

Ciao Lars, great view of fascinating ruines, excellent perspective, good clarity, splendid light and wonderful colors very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

holmertz (101930) 2018-04-19 3:55

Hello Lars,
This is a very elegant and aesthetically attractive photo, and these "ruins" look quite authentic - as we are used to seeing Greek or Roman ruins - in spite of being reproduced. It's a well balanced photo and the few persons seen between two pillars show us the impressive size of the temple. The two additional photos are quite interesting by giving us an idea of what Roman buildings may have looked like. The colours certainly upset our usual ideas.
Best regards,
Gert

dkmurphys (79209) 2018-04-19 4:00

Hello,
Nice capture of this rebuild temple. It's good to see for real how those ancient structure were. Good shot.

Daniel

gervaso (28177) 2018-04-19 4:08

Hello, Lars!

So now these are real Roman ruins, which makes them a much more interesting place, full of history! The details of the columns were captured with perfect light and sharpness, and the presence of the people is a great scale to the image! Beautiful job!

Nicou (193806) 2018-04-19 4:55

Hlelo

quelle vue sur ces colonnes de la petite ŕ la grande en passant par la moyenne quelle vue et captage et ces cannelure quelle cadrage latéral quel rendu sur la pierre et belle hauteur sueprbe compo.
bravo et amitié
Nciou

Sergiom (117241) 2018-04-19 6:49

Bonjour Lars,

On dirait bien que les romains ou les grecs sont allés faire un petit tout en Allemagne pour y laisser de trčs beaux vestiges. Le cadrage est parfait ainsi que la lumičre sur les colonnes.

Amicalement

Serge

rychem (72187) 2018-04-19 7:46

We could think that this is Rome, but it is Germany. I was there too, but I didnt take photos, excellent photo, very nice presentation
regards Ryszard

clic (76) 2018-04-19 8:23

Dag Lars These are a very interesting piece of ancient roman relic and related note which even I had never heard of! Despite its old age it appears as a sturdy monument topped of a protective tin coating to withstand worsening. An impeccable technique enhances it's majesty. Tot ziens

Ilonka1974 (10275) 2018-04-19 11:03

Hi Lars,
A very interesting antic architecture.
Sharpness,natural colours and clarity are superb.
Best regards
Janusz

lousat (138551) 2018-04-19 12:20

Hi Lars,something of original and something new made by a perfect replica,3 beautiful pics from this curious historical place,isn't Las Vegas but reminds a bit the perfect copy of what you seen in your american trip,great perspectives and quality. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

jmdias (114196) 2018-04-19 13:00

lars

nice idea to recreate part of the sceneries of the past, sometimes they give us more details and sense of space and scale. but, off course, the original has its own soul.

nice view.

take care

jorge

PiotrF (54246) 2018-04-19 14:24

Hello Lars,
Interesting picture from Archäologischer Park Xanten. Interesting and unique place.
Very good picture with nice composition, beautiful colours and good quality.
Very well done.
Regards
Piotr

alvaraalto (42804) 2018-04-20 4:35

Dag Lars
Zoals alles hier recht afgewerkt is lijkt het ook wel een namaakt tempel. Kennelijk met Duitse grondigheid gecultiveerd. Een leuk antwoord op de kitsch uit Las Vegas.
Groet Rob

jhm (211734) 2018-04-20 6:16

Dag Lars,

De kolommen op zich zijn mooi.
Maar de kapitels spreken me echt aan.
Ze zijn echt mooi nagemaakt.
Heel mooie scherpe foto, bedankt.

Groeten uit een mooi en zomersedag Oost-Vlaanderen,
John

Cricri (176) 2018-04-20 10:33

Hi Lars
Bel effet de lumičre sur les colonnes, l'angle de prise ,, intéressante et belle présentation
Belle soirée
cricri

pierrefonds (113512) 2018-04-22 4:39

Hi Lars,

The trees are framing well the ruins. The point of view is showing the details of the ruins. The sharpness is very good. Have a nice day.

Pierre

adramad (72532) 2018-04-22 7:58

Hi, Lars.
A surprise to discover this place of the ancient Roman, I did not know of the existence of these ruins, here this corner of the temple looks fantastic and its view makes me enjoy.
Excellent POV, with very good lighting, color and sharpness to enjoy the details.
Very good work. I like it
Enjoy a happy Sunday.
Very best regards.
Luis.

mcmtanyel (67555) 2018-04-27 21:52

Hello Lars,
Even with most of the building missing, it still looks majestic. Very nicely shown!
Regards,
MT

Miguel82 (47110) 2020-08-26 12:35

Lars, that temple reconstitutes a ruin with broken columns and a section of building still standing. The archeological park is dedicated to the visitors who are interested to learn the history of this region. The Roman hostel gives an idea of the atmosphere centuries ago. Fine colors, good sharpness, regards.

mkamionka (73256) 2020-11-24 5:11

Hi Lars,
this is another very surprising to me view from Germany. I didn't know that there is anything preserved there from ancient times. This is a nice corner as if they started to build and were in the progress.
Excellent capture. I have to remember this place for the future,
M