Photographer’s Note
In Roman gods' trace
Dougga or Thugga (Arabic: دقة) is a Roman ruin in northern Tunisia located on a 65 hectare site.
The Temple of Juno Caelestis
The Temple of Juno Caelestis, which was built on the outskirts of the city, was described in the 17th century CE, and excavated in the 1890s. Significant restoration work was undertaken between 1904 and 1914, and new studies were carried out between 1999 and 2002.
The temple is dedicated to Juno Caelestis, the successor of the Punic god Tanit. Its well-preserved temenos is demarcated by a wall, a large section of which has been very well preserved. The court is only partially tiled and has two symmetrical doors. A portico with 25 bays runs along the circular section of the temenos. The portico is topped with a frieze depicting the construction of the temple.
The temple in the strict sense of the word stands on a high podium that can be accessed via a series of eleven steps. It is a Corinthian hexastyle peripteros. The pediment features a dedication to Alexander Severus. The cella has been completely lost.
The temple, which was erected between 222 and 235 CE, was paid for by a certain Q. Gabinius Rufus Felix, who donated inter alia two silver statues of Juno Caelestis that cost 35000 sestertii.
The temenos, which is 52 metres in diameter, is reminiscent of a crescent moon, the symbol of Juno Caelestis.
Dougga
UNESCO qualified Dougga as a World Heritage Site in 1997, believing that it represents “the best-preserved Roman small town in North Africa”. The site, which lies in the middle of the countryside, has been protected from the encroachment of modern urbanisation, in contrast, for example, to Carthage, which has been pillaged and rebuilt on numerous occasions.
Dougga, or Thugga, is undoubtedly the most prestigious of Tunisia’s archaeological sites. Several factors contribute to its standing on the Tunisian archaeological scene: its location on a spur dominating the rich Mejerdah valley (Thugga, in the Libyc language means green), the size of the site extending over several dozen hectares and covering several historical eras, the vegetation – in particular the many centuries old olive grove surrounding it - and of course, the excellent state of conservation of most of its monuments, some of which, such as the capitol or the theatre, were “restored to their upright position” during a campaign undertaken just after the first world war by prisoners of war.Therefore, from the “dolmens” to the Byzantine fortifications, all the stages in the history of ancient Africa are illustrated on the site by outstanding monuments, buildings that figure amongst the most elegant and elaborate of the Mediterranean basin, such as the capitol, the theatre, the Lybico-Punic mausoleum, or the superb patrician villas. (Source: patrimoinedetunisie.com & wikipedia )
mikolaj_kawa, Gerrit, asajernigan, sandpiper, snunney, JanD, jlbrthnn, danos, ChrisJ, bobocortis, leonorkuhn, dareco, francio64, pablominto, Cretense, AiresSantos trouve(nt) cette note utile
Critiques | Translate
mikolaj_kawa
(31041) 2009-08-14 0:33
Hello George! Excellent ruins. Amazing weather. Good POV and composition. Perfect capture and exposure. Ideal light and colours. Very good sharpness. Well done!
Gerrit
(36157) 2009-08-14 0:48
A great place for a photographer, George.
This one could perfectly be the cover of a guidebook to this wonderful place.
Regards, Gerrit
jurek1951
(26076) 2009-08-14 0:49
Hi George,
a great capture, with superb POV, light, colours and details,another interesting architecture from you,
Georg
asajernigan
(14252) 2009-08-14 3:17
George,
This is a well composed shot of these fine ruins. The angle of the shot works well giving the scene depth and direction. The square in the foreground leads the eye through the scene nicely. The lighting and colors are great as is the sharpness and DOF. The deep blue sky is fantastic and provides contrast for the shot.
TFS,
Asa
sandpiper
(1635) 2009-08-14 4:05
Hi George
What a beautiful day you got. Great image, clearly somewhere I will have to go one day. Excellent composition and POV.
Chris
snunney
(35376) 2009-08-14 4:10
Hello George,
You have selected a good point of view to show us the remains of this temple with its tall neatly aligned columns. The paved area on the left makes for a good perspective as well as offering lead lines towards the temple. Good light and colours, fine clarity.
JanD
(15031) 2009-08-14 4:26
Howdy Budapestman!
Excellent colors, superb saturation, ideal lightness. Very interesting temple. Good perspective, very good composition. Nice exposure.
Regards.
jlbrthnn
(38775) 2009-08-14 6:07
Hello George,
Here is still a part of choice in your collection of photograph of Dougga. Impressive and captivating image perfectly carried out. Beautiful colors, good clearness, excellent framing. Congratulations.
Have anice day
Cordially
Joël
danos
(33126) 2009-08-14 7:11
Hi George,
as I see Romans had left a lot of temple and general monument that kept up throughout the centuries,almost in the best conditions.The result of course is the desert and the high temperatures.Well done.
Have a nice weekend,Danos
lousat
(15946) 2009-08-14 12:47
Hi George,just my compliments another time for your contribute at this interesting place that i like a lot...greatfull pic,all are whit sharpness and colors fantastics! Have a nice weekend,LUCIANO
ChrisJ
(70443) 2009-08-14 19:09
Hello George
Amazing that these ruins have stood for over 2000 years. Good color contrasts between the yellow ochre ground, & blue sky. Excellent sharpness & framing. Tfs!
bobocortis
(14144) 2009-08-15 1:52
Hello George.
Great sharpness and magical coupling of colors.
Excellent sky and good pov.
Best regards.
Bobo.
leonorkuhn
(13957) 2009-08-15 8:52
Hi George,
Excellent composition. The temple still keeps traces of its former magnificence. Great POV highlighting the beautiful columns. Nice colors, good details.
Have a nice weekend
Leonor
dareco
(17104) 2009-08-15 10:22
A very impressive group of pictures in this series. Such an interesting place!! Great composition and detail. TFS
francio64
(11608) 2009-08-15 14:01
Ciao George,
vedo che stai facendo un gran bel lavoro di divulgazione di siti romani in Tunisia.
Ottimo POV con vista in 3D. Eccellente la gestione della luce e lo sharp.
Well done! TFS!
Francesco
pablominto
(41200) 2009-08-15 22:34
Hello George,
A classical composition for a classical piece of architecture!
The remains of the temple gives an idea of the original design, and the harsh light is well managed...
Composition is balanced with fine details, great colour palette!
Greetings,
Pablo -
Cretense
(56888) 2009-08-16 7:00
Hello George!
Excellent capture of this impressive archaelogical sight, excelletn composition and framing, flawless light managment and beautiful colours! Very interesting note, too! Congratulations!
Hercules
AiresSantos
(42760) 2009-08-17 1:08
Hi George
Excellent perspective of the Juno caelestis Temple. Fine natural colours and details
Well framed and perfect light management
TFS and have a nice week
Aires
Photo Information
-
Copyright: George Rumpler (Budapestman)
(42694) - Genre: Lieux
- Medium: Couleur
- Date Taken: 2009-07-11
- Categories: Nature, Architecture, Oeuvres d'art, Ruines
- Camera: Pentax K10D
- Exposition: f/6.7, 1/180 secondes
- More Photo Info: view
- Versions: version originale
- Thème(s): Discovery of Dougga, francio64 (My favourite/5) [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2009-08-14 0:32








