Brunch with Battutah
Remains of Villa Jovis
Posted by Michael Skorulski (Cigel, Slovakia) on 11 September 2008 in Architecture and Portfolio.
Part of the ruins of Villa Jovis on the Isle of Capri, Italy, the imperial residence of Roman Emperor Tiberius in 27 A.D. The use of flat bricks is the same building method used on houses in Pompeii which was destroyed by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
It took us about an hour to walk upward to Villa Jovis from the main square through the lanes of Capri town.
Steve Rice from Olympia, United States
This is an interesting ruin. The arch at the top of the window seems to be good and solid after all these centuries. You got lots of good exercise on your holiday.
11 Sep 2008 5:21am
@Steve Rice: We did. Thanks, Steve. They really knew how to build arches.
Marion from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
Wow, still standing after all these centuries. Wonderful brick work ..sometimes I wish I could see back in time. This gives us a little idea.
11 Sep 2008 5:23am
@Marion: Thanks for your great comment, Marion.
@Ricardo: Thank you very much, Ricardo.
sherri from Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
I'd want to climb through that little arch:-) Such a beautiful wall it was.
11 Sep 2008 5:34am
@sherri: It was quite possible to climb through. Many thanks, Sherri.
Angelique from Netherlands
I love decayed buildings and subjects.
Beautiful details in this one, I wonder how long it will take before nature takes over...
11 Sep 2008 5:59am
@Angelique: Hard to say really. But they are doing what they can to preserve what is left. thanks, Angelique.
P.J. from Delhi, United States
Absolutely crazy to think about how long these have stood the test of time.
11 Sep 2008 6:47am
@P.J.: I agree. thank you, P.J.
Craig from Vacaville, California, United States
It is amazing what time does! Cool capture of the ruins!
11 Sep 2008 9:20am
@Craig: Thanks, Craig. I appreciate that.
@Veronelle: Merci, Veronelle.
Betty from New Jersey, United States
Amazing to me that the ruins are that old! Excellent light showing the brick detail. Beautiful shot.
11 Sep 2008 10:03am
@Betty: Thank you very much, Betty.
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Incredible textures in the brick work, Tiberius picked a fabulous place to live.
11 Sep 2008 10:58am
@MaryB: Yes, it's up on a cliff. thanks Mary.
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
Compared to residential buildings of today that looks like a rather modest entrance for me...
11 Sep 2008 12:17pm
@MadScientist: I think it was just one small part of the villa. Many thanks, MS.
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
Not many of us get the opportunity to see antiquity like this. Thank you and your wife for doing the work for us, but you're the more fit and educated for having done it. The brick and stone work are phenomenal - great image, Michael!
11 Sep 2008 12:22pm
@Judy: Yes. but it took us quite a while to feel in shape. We were really puffing from exertion at first. Many thanks, Judy.
@Lorraine: Thank you, Lorraine. Glad you found it interesting.
Kevin from OrganicPIX.com from DFW, Texas, United States
Wow, terrific detail and explanation on the history - also like the perspective of looking in to what 'once was'.
11 Sep 2008 1:32pm
@Kevin from OrganicPIX.com: Many thanks, Kevin.
Rags from Plano, United States
It is amazing that people they made such amazing looking structures back in the day.
11 Sep 2008 2:53pm
@Rags: Yes, and so well made. thank you, Rags.
MJ from Delaware, United States
great shot... I bet it was a great view also.... It looks like the hike was worth it....
11 Sep 2008 3:11pm
@MJ: Yes, it was a cliff straight down to the sea. Many thank, MJ.
Stephen Phillips from San Francisco, United States
Thanks, Michael - for sharing this amazing masonry. Nicely done.
11 Sep 2008 3:53pm
@Stephen Phillips: thanks very much, Stephen.
Rui from Leiria, Portugal
Excellent image. The light is perfect showing the details. Great capture Michael
Good explanation too.
11 Sep 2008 4:04pm
@Rui: Thank you, Rui.
dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States
i just love this masonry! didn't realize it was so old! we have some of it here on our campus at work -- mainly as touches of superior design -- but wow, entire houses and buildings of this would just be grand indeed! wonderful shot! must have been awesome to see in person!
11 Sep 2008 4:05pm
@dj.tigersprout: Yes, it was fascinating. many thanks, Jaycee.
Peter Miller from Lichfield, United Kingdom
Nice bit of history with this detailed capture
11 Sep 2008 7:54pm
@Peter Miller: Thank you very much, Peter.
@Still: thanks very much, Still.
Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom
Wonderful snip of history, and the ruins still look great.
12 Sep 2008 12:07am
@Observing: thanks so much, Mike.
John Maslowski from Dallas,PA, United States
Great capture of this old structure. Really like the details in the brickwork and nice tones. Excellent composition.
12 Sep 2008 12:38am
@John Maslowski: Many thanks, John. Kind of you to say so.
@Zygene: Merci beaucoup, Zygene.
Jonas from Vitória, Brazil
Your shot gives us the opportunity to understand how it's working and why it's still standing. Nicely done!
12 Sep 2008 1:25pm
@Jonas: Thank you very much, Jonas.
Sony DSLR-A300
1/125 second
F/11.0
ISO 100
27 mm (35mm equiv.)