Moni Dolianon, a photo from Trikala, Thessaly

Photographer's Note

Somewhere, in the "middle of nowhere", deep in the heart of a forest, in beautiful Aspropotamos region, Trikala, lies one of the most beautiful churches I have seen in my life. It is the church of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) near the village of Doliana, which is wrongly known as Moni (monastery) Dolianon, while it's not a monastery it's just a church, that "belonged" to the nearby monastery of Timias Zonis (Holy Belt).

It was constructed around 1770 and restored twice in 1840 and 1900. The monastery of Timia Zoni was destroyed by the Nazis the year 1943, the same year that the most brutal and barbaric army in the history of mankind burned all (!) the villages of Aspropotamos region.

The church impresses with its excellent architecture, the use of stone everywhere, even on the roof and of course the 13 (!) domes.

*** Some of the TE friends that allready wrote a critique about this photo, have mentioned that they can't understand the size or the scale of the church, and I think that a lamppost on the lower right part of the photo could be some help***

portmanndominic, fayeulle, rigoletto, isabela_sor, indoka28, Budapestman, dareco, lilimih33, asajernigan, Bruno40, dmarizz, azaf1, besnard, bostankorkulugu, daddo, Traczewska, marjan, anes_lc, steliosk, doubay, zo_tos, tehanu_f, pasternak, Fiddlee, xavshot, stelli, LamCam, quillo, kiwi_explorer, edytungkal, delkoo, Butterflyka, Greg1949, belido, ChrisJ, danos, clio, diafani, Emile, CRATEOS, aimiliospet, coco, enedimd, JCG, MLINES, oko oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

fayeulle (27827) 2007-11-19 3:16

Hi Hercules, my neighbour today.
Very interesting architecture for this monastery. Also good framing with the red trees of the autumn
Cheers
JP

rigoletto (34279) 2007-11-19 3:16

Woooh!
Irakli, this architecture is BEAUTIFUL!
Hidden in the middle of nowhere, you were the luckiest to find it and photograph.
How perfectly it is restored after that brutal plunder...
Light is perfect, quality as well. Congrats!
Rigo

isabela_sor (47748) 2007-11-19 3:17

The architecture and the location of this church are wonderful .Also your POV was perfect
Have a nice week
Isabela

portmanndominic (2400) 2007-11-19 3:18

Hercule Yassas

its a brilliant autumns shot , beautiful Church , Good POV , light and contrast optimun

Dominic

indoka28 (5261) 2007-11-19 3:20

Hello hercules,

Wonderful architecture you have captured here..with a great background

Very good POv and composition..the colours are also very soft with lots of clarity..!!!

Regards,

Indro

Budapestman (82620) 2007-11-19 3:24

Hi Hercules,
Wonderful architecture image and the environment is picturesque. The Composition is very attractive, details are very fine. Clarity and sharpness is excellent, Great shot, indeed. Have a nice week
George

dareco (17136) 2007-11-19 3:32

WOW! This looks like something out of a fairytale!! Very beautiful church!!! Very beautiful stonework, and you've shown it with great detail and sharpness!! Also lovely surrounding scenery. TFS

lilimih33 (9918) 2007-11-19 3:33

Hello Hercules!
Very beautiful monastery and very good composition!
Nice colours, light and detail!
Excellent done!
Best regards!
Lili

[workshop] [compare]

Bruno40 (6658) 2007-11-19 3:35

Wonderful photo Hercules!!
Todos los elementos están perfectos: nitidez, composición, colores, etc.
Solo falta una figura humana para darle una escala de tamańo.
Saludos
Jorge

Buin (42580) 2007-11-19 3:36

Hallo Hercules!
What an impressive, venerable and multiform building! This architecture nearly is breathtaking and destroying religious gems like this truly must be called barbaric ... A wonderful building and photo as well!
Greetings from Germany!
Frank

asajernigan (21427) 2007-11-19 3:41

Hercules,
Wonderful architecture shot with great landscape included. Your composition is great here with a nice POV. The lighting and colors are great with excellent sharpness and detail.
TFS,
Asa

dmarizz (2796) 2007-11-19 3:44

Hi Hercules,
very interesting story of this "in the middle of nowhere" church. From your POV it is difficult to guess how large and tall is it and this fact underlines further the "fairy tales" characteristic of this picture. Congratulations, Dario.

izmirli (3989) 2007-11-19 3:49

kalimera dear hercules
wonderful architecture picture.wonderful interesting monastery and composition.well done.
best regards.
gürkan akçakır.

besnard (59196) 2007-11-19 3:49

Bonjour Hercules
Trčs belle composition de cette église tout en rondeurs. Son architecture est trčs intéressante et ton cliché nous permet d'en voir tous les détails.
Bravo - merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

pablominto (53746) 2007-11-19 3:56

Hello Hercules,
This is an interesting piece of ancient architecture!
Amazing details, and the design doesn't look like anything I have seen before...
The subject is well framed and presented in a fine composition, where I notice the great autumn colours in the surroundings!
Greetings,
Pablo -

carper (96) 2007-11-19 3:56

beautiful place Hercules,
very good photo you show us here, the pov is great even as the good light and thed fine composition, very good photojob here, have a nice day and thanks for sharing.
gr. jaap

bostankorkulugu (42832) 2007-11-19 3:57

i ve seen this beautiful church before here on TE but this must be the best shot of it so far... impressive architecture on a stunning setting... reading your note i remembered a novel i read called "icon"... about an icon with supernatural powers that was stolen from a village churh burnt down by the nazis...

good job as always giritli mou...

b.

daddo (28728) 2007-11-19 4:15

Hi Hercules.What a beautiful church, so compact, such beautifully coloured stones used for its construction. It looks so safe in this idyllic looking landscape. Wonderful PoV and I particularly like how the warm tones of the church are echoed in the autumn colours of the trees. I can see why you love this church. Regards. Klaudio.

mesutilgim (0) 2007-11-19 4:34

Hi dear Hercules,
Simply great ! But as an amateur art historian I can not classify this building in any of architectural groups. İt's a nice melange of byzantine, romanian orthodox and egyptian coptic architectures. İt looks like a mixture of to groups of 3 narthexes, crossing each other. Again the main shadow is a cross figure.
Very good pov and soft nice colors.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Traczewska (14) 2007-11-19 4:38

Impressive architecture! Church as children's toy with hundred of towers :)Everything is great here besides cropping which I would suggest to make with more ground.. I have some problem with proportions here..
Never mind.. Extremely original.. nice to watch!
with regards, Agnieszka

marjan (7) 2007-11-19 5:03

hi hercules, excelent shot , fine coloure and good POV. It look like small house in some park.
Marjan

partha (14023) 2007-11-19 5:25

perfect architectural view. Great pleasing colourtone and brilliant angle of view.
partha

stefanocer (10642) 2007-11-19 5:25

Beautiful architecture and quality Hercules , fine composition too and also great autumn colours a perfect mix , compliments.
Stefano.

steliosk (4802) 2007-11-19 5:41

Ekplhktikh f8inopwrino-xeimwniatikh syn8esh, me omorfous xrwmatikous kai fwtistikous tonous opws epishs ekplhktikos einai o tropos pou strimwkses ena toso megalo 8ema sto kadro sou, me enan fako pou paramorfwnei arketa logw eurous.

Ena apo ta stoixeia akoma pou 8aumazw stis fwtografies sou einai h apsogh gewmetria, pou dior8wnetai me to pinch kai barrel sto PS alla kostizei ligo se quallity nomizw, sth periptwsh sou omws de kostizei tipota :)

Oso afora to mege8os pou anafereis stis shmeiwseis, h eklhsia mporei na sygri8ei kai me tis rodies apo ta lastixa sta deksia, ka8ws h lampa einai arketa pisw, kai logw ogkwn se ypereurygwnious fakous deixnei pio mikrh.
Proswpika ektimw oti h ekklhsia einai arketa megalh

Filika
Stelios

barrufeto_77 (28888) 2007-11-19 6:17

Hola Hercules.

Sencillamente encantadora fotografía esta de hoy. Grandes los detalles así como las montańas detrás.

Un saludo, Oscar

masquerade (0) 2007-11-19 7:23

Symmetry in the building, symmetry in the nature, symmetry in the colours, symmetry on your POV...
If it is as quiet and peaceful as it looks and feels in this picture, could be the most beautiful church in Greece...
Breathtaking...
masquerade

andante (7092) 2007-11-19 7:35

Hola Hercules, Bella composicion clasica que has usado para presentar la vista del castillo. Me gusta mucho el hecho que habeis empujado la saturacion de colores y contraste al punto que resalta todos los detalles de todos los elemento de la foto. Excelente trabajo!!
Un saludo,
Enrique

doubay (674) 2007-11-19 8:02

Gia su Irakli!
Pragmati, prokete gia architektoniko diamandi. I ekklisia afit den ine mono panemorfi (opos ke i fotografia su aloste), ine ke prototipi. Ego tulachiston den echo xanadi paromia tis. Mipos xeris pies ine i architektonikes epiroes edo?
Chereto
Andreas

brandstaetter (15915) 2007-11-19 8:28

Hi Hercules,
indeed a beautiful architecture, the church seems to be very small...to be seen on the trees and the traces of the car..
nice capture
Yassu´file´, christian

ifanik (21679) 2007-11-19 8:43

Kalispera Hraklh
Einai pragmati mia apo tis pio omorfes ekklisies sthn Ellada kai h foto soy to epibeabaiwnei
Einai rithmoy Basilikhs meta troylwn
Perisoteres plhrofories mporeis na breis
http://www.kalampaka.com/gr/othersights/timioystayrou.asp
Xairetw
Nikos

zo_tos (1084) 2007-11-19 8:53

geia sou irakli,
aporw, posa pragmata tou topou mas den gnwrizoume akoma???
thanx for sharing,
stratos

chrisnet (23062) 2007-11-19 10:09

Hello Hercules,
Very nice and interesting architecture, you have captured a marvellous light and wonderful autumn colors, very pleasant image.
Regards

tehanu_f (6896) 2007-11-19 10:27

Even though I see the lamp post, I still can't perceive it as quite a big building - it looks like a toy house! It is indeed one of the most interesting architectures I've seen and also rather unusual for a church. It could easily be a castle in a fairy tale. Another queer aspect of it is that there aren't any windows on the 1st floor and only a few on the second. Isn't it strange? I wonder why.
Such photos of fascinating places and architecture as this one is one of the main reasons why I love this site. Thanks!
Fusun

xavshot (69835) 2007-11-19 11:17

Bonsoir Hercules
superbe architecture et bonne mise en valeur par la lumičre que tu as pu avoir. J'aime beaucoup le cadrage choisi avec cette église plein centre. Bravo.
Xavier

stelli (3009) 2007-11-19 13:10

This looks like a toy-church!!! Absolutely realistic colors and great sharpness! Personally, I don't mind the tire tracks! Thank you for sharing! ΦΙΛΙΚΑ Στέλλα

LamCam (3717) 2007-11-19 13:44

Hello Hercules
The autumn tints of the trees are the perfect background for this honey-coloured church.
It is a remarkable building. I do not think I have seen so many domes in such a small space before - difficult work for the roof builders. There is a lot of detail in the stonework. The gentle light has helped to show the colours well, with no dark shadows.
Best wishes Maggie

quillo (11858) 2007-11-19 14:59

-

Hola Hércules, preciosa postal y bonitos colores, la luz de un día nublado le da una luminosidad uniforme que hace de la foto aun más vistosa, me gusta.

Un saludo amigo y gracias.

-

kiwi_explorer (12209) 2007-11-19 16:17

Hi Hercules,
Unusual church architecture ... I noticed that it has small windows ... probably good for insulation. Very good image and color quality. Well composed with lovely autumn colors as the background. Well composed ... excellent work! tfs
Cheers,
Renier

Gerrit (59968) 2007-11-19 16:57

Hi Hercules,
very impressive church and so well catched in its fantastic autumnal environment. Great work.
Groeten Gerrit

edytungkal (4551) 2007-11-19 18:30

Wow...what a beautiful architetures, this is looks like a fairytale building from somewhere, at first i can not imagined the scale and your last note really help. Very well image with nice autumn colours around. Great one Hercules, thanks alot :-)

daniel

Graal (103040) 2007-11-19 23:28

Hi Hercules,
amazing place in the forest, beautiful church. I like the architecture. Good colours and composition. Interesting informations. Well done photo.
Gr., Aleksander

anes_lc (14968) 2007-11-20 0:36

i just discover your new post thanks to liliana ws :).beautiful church ,great architecture .well framed and a great POV
Maybe next year i will visit also this place
thanks sharing,anes

meltemi (0) 2007-11-20 1:31

Γειά σου Hercules,
excellent composition that accentuates the texture of the walls and the church old domes. Fine exposure control to keep detail and color throughout the picture. I like the delicate colour combination and the many interesting architectural lines of this great structure. Very impressive and beautiful.
Kind Regards.
Stella

delkoo (68) 2007-11-20 1:32

hi hercules
very fine shot, lovely light on the church, this is enough good technically to produce a great effect on my eyes, such a powerfull scene, soft and serenity

ta leme
didier

azaf1 (15929) 2007-11-20 1:41

Irakli kalispera
Apla sigxaritiria!
H foto milaei apo moni tis ki o fotografos grafei istoria!
Evge!
Argiris

Butterflyka (518) 2007-11-20 1:52

Hi Hercules
This is wonderful and extraordinary church that I have ever seen.When I saw it at first I thought it was a little castle.Great architecture u captured.Light and sharpness r good too.Thank u for sharing it
Compliments
Karina

pasternak (15185) 2007-11-20 1:54

Hi Hercules, excellent architecture shot, the POV from a higher ground is just fantastic, and the wide angle lens foes a good job here as the church can be put into frame in all its entirety, and the composition is balanced by the inclusion of the hill with a splash of autumn colour...

Cheers
Alexander

Greg1949 (9011) 2007-11-20 2:42

Hercules, AWESOME!! What a great place, looks like one could spend a long time capturing this enjoying the solitude of the surroundings. Great color and detail. Great capture.

Greg

marietom (34611) 2007-11-20 4:08

Bonjour Hercules,

Il est magnifique, ce château !
Belle image bien composée.
Marie

belido (19934) 2007-11-20 4:14

Hi Hercules,

very effective compo in the purpose of showing this beautiful and impressive church. I say that because the details are just perfectly visible thanks to the efficient sharpness. One more point for the natural colors and dark tones. Great work!
Regards,
Carlos

danos (110407) 2007-11-20 4:30

Ηρακλή καλησπέρα,
πραγματικά ανακάλυψες ένα φωτογραφικό θησαυρό!Αυτή η Μονή μοίαζει με μινιατούρα εξ'αιτίας της γωνίας λήψης,με το αποτέλεσμα να είναι συναρπαστικό.Οι τοίχοι έχουν ένα γήινο χρώμα με συνέπεια να ταυτίζονται με τον περιβάλλοντα χώρο.Έξαιρετικό καδράρισμα και τοποθέτηση μέσα στο κάδρο.Το σημείωμά σου κατατοπιστικό.Μπράβο

Σε χαιρετώ,Δάνος

clio (27961) 2007-11-20 7:52

geia sou Hrakli,
Which extraordinary treasure you present us with this church.
This architecture is magnificent. The colors of the stone of walls get married perfectly to those of the trees in autumn and colors of the stone on roofs with the grey of the sky.
Please make us discover this unknown region of your country.
Filika
Diane

vincz (19113) 2007-11-20 8:10

Top quality. I love the light, I love the tones. The autumnal colours are so beautiful here behind the building in such a warm light.

delic (6735) 2007-11-20 8:12

Hello Hercules,
This is a really special picture. It's as if the church will jump off the screen. The contrast and depth give a 3-D impression. Very impressive! Regards,
Hakan

sacavem (18620) 2007-11-20 8:31

Impressive Church, Hercules
The architecture on this facade is glorious. Your very sharp photo shows the detail up very clearly. Thank you for sharing.
Regards,
Filipe

evanrizo (462) 2007-11-20 9:07

Γειάσου Ηρα-κλη, δεν έχω ξαναδεί τέτοια εντυπωσιακή εκκλησία, η μεταφορά της από εσένα γίνεται με πλύ καλό τρόπο και καθαρότητα.
Χαιρετώ σε.
Ευάγγελος
Θα ξαναγυρίσω

diafani (1143) 2007-11-20 14:47

It's really a miniature, almost a toy church. The details belong to a much bigger structure, which is what makes it so interesting. Good solid image, grounds the building in the earth. Thanks for another fascinating look at an unknown corner of Greece.

Emile (20352) 2007-11-20 21:14

Hola Hercules.
No hay ninguna duda de que es una preciosa iglesia y tu la has captado en su maximo esplendor, tiene excelentes colores, detalles y lindos alrededores. Me gusta mucho tu POV, esta muy bien encuadrada y al mismo tiempo has conseguido una magnifica iluminacion. Felicitaciones.
Abrazos desde Miami.

CRATEOS (7278) 2007-11-20 23:23

epidi exo pai eki ..distixos eixa mono videokamera..kathisame ap exo ke trogame vlaxotiri me psomi..jejejeje poli nostimo...ke exo gnosi toy xoroy i gnomi moy eie oti ekane ekpliktiki apotiposi.....to de fos piso ston orizonta ton mikro ayton orizonta ola dixnoyn telia file....ego prosopika se euxaristo giati tora exo ke fotografia toy filoy moy toy Hra apo eki na eise kala file

nf

batalay (41261) 2007-11-21 0:48

Hello Hercules,

I had never heard of this site that you've exposed us all to it's like a perfect miniature structure, surrounded by miniature trees. Of course, it is a substantial stone building nestled deep in the woods. The note is highly informative. Warm regards from across the ocean,

Bulent

ChrisJ (160138) 2007-11-21 0:51

Hi Hercules

A superb gold & green backdrop, to this unusual stone house. Superb sharpness & framing. I like the graphism of the 3 pine trees at right. Tfs!

smarcell (19965) 2007-11-21 4:41

This church look like a little toy ! It is just perfect. Colors and sharpness are amazing.
I also wish to thank you for your words on my gallery !
Cheers Stefano

giorgimer (35017) 2007-11-21 4:55

Hi Hercules,

perfect architectural shot! Details are simply perfect. Also great colors saturation and excellent POV.

Very well done!

Gio

sayan (2617) 2007-11-21 23:31

Hi Hercules, This is indeed wonderful my friend. The church seems to be like a toy house. The fall colors are wonderful too. Nice work.

regards

Sayan

coco (30439) 2007-11-24 2:34

Kalimera Hercules.

Ti kaneis simera?

Me gusta mucho la foto y la iglesia. El entorno es magnífico y la foto es capaz de capturar toda esa magia.

Las 13 cúpulas no son moco de pavo y... voy a intentar ir a Atenas un par de días en diciembre... y sino pediré vacaciones para enero.

Ta leme file mou.

(sigo con problemas con mi ordenador... a ver si hoy se pueden arreglar y mańana me voy dos días a Burgos)

enedimd (1532) 2007-11-25 12:38

Hi Hercules,
Interesting and very beautiful old church architecture ( really so good and impressive architectureal view ), autumnal colors and view, superb POV, background view are wonderful. Well done job my dear friend. TFS,
Emir Nedim

JCG (35153) 2007-11-27 0:30

Hi Hercules,

A very interesting architecture. I am surprised by the little of openings for the light on the building, the interior one must be dark or to have a very particular environment. Superb development of the building, the trees with the colors of autumn create a pretty contrast. I like much. Hercules cheer and thank you for the instructive note.

With all my friendships and a good evening,

Jean-Charles

MLINES (12516) 2007-11-29 1:45

Hi Hercules. It is indeed a very unusual and beautiful structure. Your series show what a varied and interesting place Greece is, both ancient and modern. TFS. Murray.

Morac (27725) 2008-01-12 13:32

Hi Hercules,

Its a brilliant autumns shot , beautiful Church .
Wonderful architecture image and the environment is picturesque.
Regards
Marc

yigithan (151) 2010-04-25 3:19

Good picture!

oko (239) 2010-04-25 4:25

Hi Hercules,

This church looks much smaller than it is, and it adds to its charm. Excellent elevated point of view, and good 'framing' of the church with white stone, a dirt road, contrasted colored woods, and clouds.

It does look as a cake with white frosting. Congratulations!

Irena