Medieval Castle

Yet another walk around the ancient fortress. I love its air of shabbiness — such places always make me feel at ease. Now think what kind of emotions shabby modern builidngs call forth.

Ancient castle prison. (© 2012 LightColourShade. All rights reserved)

Ancient Fortress. Turrets and Merlons

Old architecture was and is intrinsically in harmony with nature, while modern architectural forms in most cases clash with or are clearly antagonistic to the nature. Apart from the styles and shapes, in large part it's due to the fact that ancient architects used natural building materials — the only substances that are 100% biodegradable, recyclable and environmentally friendly. That's why even ancient ruins look beautiful and magnificent, in contrast with ugly and toxic debris of modern buildings. No synthetic chemicals will ever meet these conditions, much as technocrats try to fool themselves and us.
Mind that, for some reason, we usually turn to old architecture for a picturesque and romantic air...

Turret and merlons
(© 2011 LightColourShade. All rights reserved)

Medieval Fortress.

Wandering about an old castle  you can discover curious nooks and crannies.
The walls of this gloomy old crypt must be soaked with sighs and prayers.

Inside an old crypt
(© 2011 LightColourShade. All rights reserved)

Old Fortress. Gates and Doors.

I love those massive wooden doors with a lot of ironwork that today can only be found in old houses and castles. Their impregnable and at the same time warmlook always give me a sense of cosy security.

Old shutters
(© 2011 LightColourShade. All rights reserved)

Old Buildings. Stone Walls.

Sometimes roaming off the beaten track you can stumble upon ancient ruins or cosy medieval buildings that aren't major tourist attractions, which means you won't have to elbow your way through the throng and no one will block your view.
Stone buildings are probably the only truly sustainable structures — they keep heat in winter, stay cool in summer, last centuries and are pleasing to the eye unlike modern perforated boxes. That's how I conceive architecture. This of course clashes with our single-use mentality society. If I could afford to build my own house it would certainly be a stone house.

What attracts me most to such places are the details rather than the whole since modern surroundings all too often break the spell.

A wooden door in a dry stone wall.
(© 2011 LightColourShade. All rights reserved)