the panoblogus

the panoblogus http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog VR and panoramic imaging, virtual tourism. Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:11:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 en Subscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with My AOLSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with PageflakesSubscribe with The Free DictionarySubscribe with Live.comSubscribe with ParticlsAdd to Any Feed Reader Having a beer at Caru’ cu bere. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/qc29RIqMwkE/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/having-a-beer-at-caru-cu-bere/#comments Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:48:01 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/having-a-beer-at-caru-cu-bere/ Caru’ cu bere (literally The Beer Wagon) is a famous Bavarian style restaurant placed in the very heart of Bucharest, built in 1879 and renovated in 1992.

One hundred years ago the Caru’ cu Bere was where the old aristocracy of Bucharest gathered. Famous men of letters, playwrights, poets and actors met here.

This sparkling environment was later recreated and so the restaurant has preserved its atmosphere and reputation over the years.

The Caru’ cu Bere is open seven days a week. It has live music every day and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings a well known folk-song and dance ensemble serenades customers wdh tradidonal Romanian music and entertainment. Appetizing traditional dishes are on offer, local wines are served and, of course, there is beer, plenty of beer.

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/having-a-beer-at-caru-cu-bere/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/having-a-beer-at-caru-cu-bere/ Christmas lights in Bucharest http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/uIW3icmetOg/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/christmas-lights-in-bucharest/#comments Mon, 24 Dec 2007 16:56:09 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/christmas-lights-in-bucharest/ Sunday night I went to a photowalk in Bucharest, with a fellow panoramic photographer from Timisoara. This time of year there are nice lights downtown, expecting the Christmas and the New Year party. We went around Universitatii Square where we’ve seen a stage in front of the National Theater where a choir were singing carols. Next to it, a nice tree and Santa’s sled with gifts. And lots of lights

After that we went to Unirii Square and took a few panoramas around the tallest Christmas tree in Europe (this year, so they say…).

My camera was unavailable so I had to use my friends gear. Oh and it was very very cold, and foggy.

That said, I wish to all my visitors a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

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]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/christmas-lights-in-bucharest/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/christmas-lights-in-bucharest/ A walk trough the Botanical Garden of Iasi http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/hnqLV_GLfVg/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/a-walk-trough-the-botanical-garden-of-iasi/#comments Fri, 14 Dec 2007 21:53:25 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/a-walk-trough-the-botanical-garden-of-iasi/ Dating from 1856, Iasi’s Botanical Garden is the oldest and largest in Romania, conserving and exhibiting a rich collection of local and exotic plants from Europe and other continents. An educational and scientific laboratory, the garden houses a precious and rich collection of trees and plants. It also offers numerous shady lanes to explore, rose and orchid gardens, a collection of tropical plants, cacti, carnivorous plants, natural springs and a lake. It was established by the doctor and naturalist Anastasie Fatu, a great patriot, philanthropist and cultivated man. The garden is organized into many sectors, each with it’s own flora and vegetation, covering today almost 100ha.

The first set of panoramas were taken at the end of august 2006:

The next set were taken in october 2006, during the autumn exhibition of flowers and cucurbitacae.

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/a-walk-trough-the-botanical-garden-of-iasi/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/a-walk-trough-the-botanical-garden-of-iasi/ “Sixtine Chapel of the East” - Voronet Monastery http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/3L3So28bPMw/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/sixtine-chapel-of-the-east-voronet-monastery/#comments Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:43:50 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/sixtine-chapel-of-the-east-voronet-monastery/ The Church of St. George of the Voronet Monastery is possibly the most famous church of Romania. It is known throughout the world for its exterior frescoes of bright and intense colours, and for the hundreds of well-preserved figures placed against the renowned azurite background. The church of Voronet that Stephen the Great built included the chancel, the naos with its tower, and the pronaos.

Voronet Monastery is probably the most accomplished sample of artistic achievement in Moldavian architecture and painting. The monastery was built at a time of peace with the Turks, when Stephen the Great had centralized the state, giving a new impetus to its economy and culture. Its inside and outside paintings were made between 1534-1535, during Prince Petru Rares’s rule and at the behest of Metropolitan Grigore Rosca, a salient scholar of his time. The paintings on the church walls have a distinctive chromatic harmony, a special manner of composition, nerve and clarity. The artistic approach of painters has a warm humanism, as religious scenes depict Moldavian living people of those times. Thus the angels of the frescoes have the sweet faces of Moldavian women, the archangels blow the bucium - a Romanian shepherd’s musical instrument similar to an alpenhorn - the souls carried to heaven are wrapped in Moldavian towels, whereas the souls doomed to the fire of hell wear turbans just like the Turks - Moldavia’s fierce enemies at the time.

The church strikes by its blue coloration, due to the use of lapis lazuli. The paintings on the north and, to a lesser extent, the west sides of the church have suffered damage, but those on the south and west wall are beautifully preserved. The Tree of Jesse is a harmonious composition in which white scrolls and details stand out against the blue background and red-toned figures. The door is surrounded by scenes from the lives of St Nicholas and St John.

West wall, featuring the Last Judgment painting:

The southern side:

Eastern side:

North side view:

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]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/sixtine-chapel-of-the-east-voronet-monastery/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/sixtine-chapel-of-the-east-voronet-monastery/ Internetics 2007 festivities @ Bamboo Club http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/WxFw2jN-9G4/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/internetics-2007-festivities-bamboo-club/#comments Sun, 04 Nov 2007 15:52:23 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/internetics-2007-festivities-bamboo-club/ The Internetics is the most important internet festival on the local scene, awarding the best web sites in various categories and as I was saying last year, in a similar post, is also the most controversial. At each edition, there are a lot of pro and cons, some happy people and some not so happy. But since it’s the only one so far, and has no real competition, it counts.

This time I got awarded for the best personal blog, participating into the competition with the blog you’re reading now, The Panoblogus. I admit, I was really surprised, wasn’t expecting this, and I participate only because I saw an opportunity to make me and my services known to the scene and also hoping to spread the use of panoramas and virtual tours into websites.

I’m showing you some panoramas I took in the Club Bamboo, where the award giving festivity was held in the night of 1st of November, 2007. I know the quality suck, I shoot the pictures handheld and the light conditions were awkward, so don’t expect top quality…

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]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/internetics-2007-festivities-bamboo-club/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/internetics-2007-festivities-bamboo-club/ A short trip trough Sibiu (Hermannstadt) http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/U7s2ULUpx6A/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/a-short-trip-trough-sibiu-hermannstadt/#comments Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:15:44 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/a-short-trip-trough-sibiu-hermannstadt/ Sibiu, or Hermannstadt - in German, is one of the European Capitals of Culture of 2007 (the other one is in Luxembourg). The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for a period of one year during which it is given a chance to showcase its cultural life and cultural development.

Sibiu is the most important city in the county of Sibiu. It is situated near the geographical center of Romania, in the Cibin Depression, near the Fagaras Mountains (about. 20 km), Cibin Mountains (12 km), and Lotrului Mountains (about 15km), which border the depression in the southwestern part.

Ancient citadel, Sibiu has been established on the foundation of a Roman settlement at the beginning of the second millennium (1190) by German settlers.

Sibiu is perceived as a city of art and culture, having a great number of cultural monuments, a diversity of museums, and various artistic and cultural events, that make up the pillars of a complex cultural profile.

Sibiu has one of the best-preserved, medieval city centres in Europe. Here comes a little glimpse of the historic part of the city, as seen in july 2007, with the help of the 360 degrees panoramic views.

The Large Square is the historic center of Sibiu, where the public executions and public meetings used to be held. A lot of architectural monuments can be seen, like the the Brukenthal Palace, the Blue House, the House of generals, the Hecht House, the Lutsch House, the Catholic Church and the Council Tower.

The Small Square is the second largest historic place of Sibiu and one of the most beautiful square in town. This square is a magnificent place surrounded by preserved medieval buildings and it is connected to the Large Square through narrow passages. Among the many architectural monuments, we can see here the Council Tower, the Arts House, the Liars Bridge, and the funny looking mushroom/squid/jellyfish/whatever yellow device, it’s a funny thing that when kicked by visitors will speak.

The Liars Bridge making the connection to the Huet Square, is the first iron-cast bridge in Romania built in 1859 over the way of acces that connects the upper town to the lower town, opened in 1851. Built after the demolition of the houses spreading almost the Council Tower, the bridge was inaugurated in 1860.

The Huet Square, dominated by the Evangelic Cathedral, is surrounded by historic monuments built in gothic style. The Brukenthal High School, as seen here, is on the place where in 1380 it used to be the Old German School, the first school in town. The actual building is dated 1786 and it was named after the governor of Transylvania between 1777-1787, Samuel of Brukenthal.
In the center of the square is the statue of the bishop Georg Daniel Teutsch, one of the most significant personalities of the Saxons community at that time. And of course, the Evangelic Church…

The Evangelic Church was built in 1520 on the place of an old Romanic basilica from the 12th century. With five pointed towers it is one of the most impressive buildings in Sibiu, the tower is nearly 74m high, the tallest building in Transylvania.

Inside the Evangelic Church:

Inside the tower of the Evangelic Church, the highest level.

The cityscape of Sibiu, as seen from the tower of the Evangelic Church.

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/a-short-trip-trough-sibiu-hermannstadt/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/a-short-trip-trough-sibiu-hermannstadt/ The 15th Medieval Festival of Sighisoara - part 2 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/9rlr1o7QBgs/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/sighisoara/the-15th-medieval-festival-of-sighisoara-part-2/#comments Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:35:08 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/sighisoara/the-15th-medieval-festival-of-sighisoara-part-2/ In a previous article, I presented you a series of 360 degrees panoramic images from the 15th Medieval Festival of Sighisoara. Now I’d like to show you the rest of the panoramas.

Next to the Church of the Dominican Monastery, looking at the Clock Tower

A typical street in the old city

The Duck’s Square and the Tinsmiths’ Street

Entrance to the covered stairs leading to the Church on the Hill

Around the Church on the Hill

Street in Sighisoara and two citadel towers

Artists performing on the street, during the medieval festival

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]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/sighisoara/the-15th-medieval-festival-of-sighisoara-part-2/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/sighisoara/the-15th-medieval-festival-of-sighisoara-part-2/ The Bucharest International Auto Show (SIAB 2007), virtual tour http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/F3YdbeBrfjM/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/the-bucharest-international-auto-show-siab-2007-virtual-tour/#comments Sat, 13 Oct 2007 13:23:33 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/the-bucharest-international-auto-show-siab-2007-virtual-tour/ This year’s Bucharest International Auto Show (SIAB) is taking place near the International Henri Coanda airport, in Otopeni, from October 5 to 14, 2007. SIAB gathered together all important automotive producers and importers on the Romanian market, being the largest automotive event in Romania and one of the most important exhibits of 2007.

We can see almost 40 carmakers, more than 50 models for the first time, as well as four concepts and design studies. Tiriac Auto will also participate after a six-year absence. Previously, Tiriac Auto organised a similar event independently. It is the Romanian importer of Ford, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Land Rover and Mitsubishi.

The official website: www.siab.ro

Panoramas from the stands of the carmakers, sorted by brand.

Brabus stand:

Chrysler stand:

Citroen stand:

Harley Davidson bikes:

Honda stand:

Jaguar stand:

Mercedes stand:

Mitsubishi stand:

Renault stand:

Skoda stand:

Suzuki stand:

Volvo stand:

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]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/the-bucharest-international-auto-show-siab-2007-virtual-tour/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/the-bucharest-international-auto-show-siab-2007-virtual-tour/ The 15th Medieval Festival of Sighisoara - part 1 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/OsFPj4nEjW0/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/sighisoara/the-15th-medieval-festival-of-sighisoara-part-1/#comments Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:40:40 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/sighisoara/the-15th-medieval-festival-of-sighisoara-part-1/ The Middle Ages came to life in Sighisoara this year, between 27th to 29th of July 2007, with the occasion of the 15th Medieval Arts Festival.

Thousands of visitors flocked into the town, who is the best preserved and still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe. The event, featuring performances of medieval music and a variety of other activities, ended on Sunday (July 29th) with a parade and fireworks.

You have now the chance to experience a view of this amazing citadel during this festival. Please enjoy the 360 degrees panoramic images and let me know your thoughts.

In the part 2, will be more panoramas from the festival.

Young music performing on street in front of the Cityhall

In front of the Sighisoara’s Cityhall

Citadel Square

Vlad the Impaler’s house and the Clocktower

Costumed artists performing on streets of Sighisoara

Statue of Vlad Tepes (the Impaler)

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]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/sighisoara/the-15th-medieval-festival-of-sighisoara-part-1/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/sighisoara/the-15th-medieval-festival-of-sighisoara-part-1/ Sighisoara (Schäßburg or Segesvár), a medieval city in Transilvania http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/h1moHf9TlDA/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/sighisoara/sighisoara-schasburg-or-segesvar-a-medieval-city-in-transilvania/#comments Fri, 24 Aug 2007 14:00:07 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/08/24/sighisoara-schasburg-or-segesvar-a-medieval-city-in-transilvania/ Founded by Transylvanian Saxons during the 12th century, Sighisoara still stands as one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. Designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this perfectly intact 16th century gem with nine towers, cobbled streets, burgher houses and ornate churches rivals the historic streets of Old Prague or Vienna for atmospheric magic. It is also the birthplace of Vlad Dracula, also known as Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler), ruler of the province of Walachia from 1456 to 1462. It was he who inspired Bram Stoker’s fictional creation, Count Dracula.

Sighisoara is the venue for Romania’s most remarkable street festivals: The Festival of Medieval Arts and Crafts. Re-creating a medieval atmosphere, complete with troubadour music and costume parades, street entertainers and handicraft displays, open air night concerts and medieval ceremonies, this event will allow you to immerse yourself in the lore and legends of medieval Transylvania. For a unique experience have lunch in the house where Vlad Tepes (the real Dracula) was born.

So, at the end of July, I was at the 15th Medieval Sighisoara Festival and I made many panoramas. I will present you the images in a series of posts…

I’ll show you now a couple of panos made in the city, next to Tarnava river. The big white church is the orthodox cathedral, and on the other side the historical center of the city, with it’s specific architecture.

The next posts will present panoramic images taken in the citadel during the festival.

Here’s a partial pano, it’s a horizontal 360 degrees view from the Clocktower:

Location of Sighisoara:

More to come, stay tuned!

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/sighisoara/sighisoara-schasburg-or-segesvar-a-medieval-city-in-transilvania/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/sighisoara/sighisoara-schasburg-or-segesvar-a-medieval-city-in-transilvania/ The Neamt Fortress (Cetatea Neamt) http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/74MDDOVeh-Y/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/the-neamt-fortress-cetatea-neamt/#comments Fri, 03 Aug 2007 17:30:46 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/08/03/the-neamt-fortress-cetatea-neamt/ Among the most representative historical monuments from Romania we find the fortress of Neamtz, an objective situated in the city of Tirgu Neamt in the subcarpathian zone of Moldavia.

The fortress was built during Petru I Musat ruling (1375-1391), in the period of the consolidation of the Moldavian feudal state. First document about the fortress is from 1395, the year in which the King of Hungary, Sigismund de Luxemburg, before was defeated by the army of Petru I Musat at Hindau (today Ghiodaoani, Neamt county), emits an office act “ante castrum Nempch”. In its initial form, composed only by the central fort which closed a precinct bordered by 4 towers at the corners, the fortress fulfilled well its duties until the middle of the 14th century, when the fire arms were more used.

The fortress from the Plesului Hill had its years of glory during the ruling of Stefan cel Mare (1457-1504), the military organizer and leader of exception, understanding well the role of the fortifications in the growth of the defense capacity of the country, fortifying all the fortresses and building new ones, whole Moldavia being bordered by a strong defensive system (Suceava, Hotin, Soroca, Orhei, Tighina, Alba, Chilia fortresses).
The works made during Stefan cel Mare, here at Neamt fortress, were overraising the old walls, building the 4 bastions of the exterior yard and making the bridge in the form of an arch, sustained on 14 stone pillars. Fortified so, in 1476, the fortress stands up against the siege of Mohamed IInd, after the battle from Valea Alba-Razboieni. About this siege, Angiolello, the sultan secretary, writes “those from the fortress did not want to speak with us all were defending them with the artillery and did not care about us”.

As the Turkish occupation hardened and the progress made by the fight technique, the role of the Moldavian fortresses is diminishing starting with the second half of the 14th century. After the partial destroying of the interior building during Alexandru Lapusneanu (1564) and the restorations ordered by Ieremia Movila, in 1600 the fortress opens its gates for Mihai Viteazul, who is the first who makes the political union of all the Romanians. Transformed in monastery by Vasile Lupu and next partialy destroyed by Dumitrascu Cantacuzino in 1675, another page of heroism is “written” in 1691, when, defended by a hand of men, have resisted to the siege of the Polish army leaded by Ioan Sobietski. After its destroying by Mihai Racovita in 1717, Neamt fortress looses its political and military importance forever.

In the two following centuries the fortress of Neamtz knew a continue degradation due to the people and to the weather, which made the fortress at the middle of the XIXth century look pale, contrasting with the impressive image of the citadel it was once.

Consolidated and restored partially, nowadays, the fortress represents one of the most visited objectives of the region.

The location of the fortress:

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]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/the-neamt-fortress-cetatea-neamt/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/the-neamt-fortress-cetatea-neamt/ Varatec Monastery http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/8XdXZey6YNY/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/varatec-monastery/#comments Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:41:42 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/07/25/varatec-monastery/ Located in Varatec village, 45 km far from Piatra Neamt, in Neamt Depression.
Built by noble Ieremia Movila.

The Varatec Monastery is a rather recent monastic settlement. A skete, bearing the same name, was set up in 1781-1785 by an outstanding nun, Olimpiada, together with some other nuns, upon the spiritual advice by Abbot Paisy from Neamt and with the blessing of Metropolitan Gavriil Calimachi.

The first church at Varatec was a small church built in wood. As the number of nuns increased, the church was also enlarged by adding a porch.
The second church, chronologically speaking, to be built as from 18008 was “the Assumption of our Lady”. It was known and named by the community “the larger Church”.

Its architecture preserves certain features taken up from the old church architecture and that of thee 18th century in Moldavia.

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/varatec-monastery/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/varatec-monastery/ Agapia Monastery http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/3MQfMmbjpqg/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/agapia-monastery/#comments Sun, 22 Jul 2007 10:27:00 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/07/22/agapia-monastery/ The history of this monastery starts with the old settlement - Agapia din Deal (Agapia from the hill) - founded probably, by Petru Rares and his wife Elena, between 1527-1538 or 1541-1546. The high place, hardly accessible, were Agapia din Deal is located, makes that at the beginning of the 17th century all the annexes to be moved on the place that it is today at Agapia din Vale (from the valley). Ruined and again built, burned and remade again, Agapia din Deal become a very charming hermitage. On the place of the church, built at the begining of the 17th century, hetman Gavriil, the brother of Vasile Lupu (Moldavian ruler), and his wife Liliana, raise at Agapia din Vale, in 1642, the Agapia Monastery.

Agapia, attacked and robed many times, was restored radically during 1858-1862. Is a period in which the great painter Nicolae Grigorescu makes here some masterpieces. The painting of the great maestro, that had not suffer much in the fire from 1903, are an important treasure of the monastery.

The monastery has a museum with an important collection of objects having great historical and artistic value. There old icons from XVI-XVII and XVIII centuries or signed by N. Grigorescu, textures and embroideries, crosses, other religious objects etc. There are also old manuscripts, carpets in Moldavian style made in the monastery workshops.

Learn more by visiting the official website.

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/agapia-monastery/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/agapia-monastery/ The Neamt Monastery http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/7jFINeVObQE/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/the-neamt-monastery/#comments Sun, 15 Jul 2007 14:16:31 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/07/15/the-neamt-monastery/ Surrounded by old forests, at the foot of the mountains, rises the oldest monastery in Moldavia - Neamt Monastery. Founded in the 14th century, Neamt monastery witnessed many historical events of the nation. Jewel of 15th century architecture, the church was built by Stefan cel Mare and finished in the year when the Moldavian army won the battle against King Ioan Albert (1497).

Sumptuous, with delicate colour effects, the monastery shows the maturity of the Moldavian architectonic style, which matured during Stefan cel Mare’s period. The façade of the church is covered with the decoration characteristic of Stefan cel Mare’s time: Gothic windows and friezes with enamelled disks, coloured in greeen, yellow and brown.

In the chamber of the tombs, which appear for the first time at this church, is the tomb of Stefan the 2nd, son of Alexandru cel Bun and uncle of Stefan cel Mare.

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/the-neamt-monastery/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/the-neamt-monastery/ Bucovina Off-road Challenge 2007 @ Gura Humorului - 27th May http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/iFEitrfWv_A/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/bucovina-off-road-challenge-2007-gura-humorului-27th-may/#comments Mon, 04 Jun 2007 09:12:31 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/06/04/bucovina-off-road-challenge-2007-gura-humorului-27th-may/ As all good things must come to an end, this is the last day of the Bucovina Off-road Challenge. It was a short day, because it was only the last trial, longer than all that have been before and after that the awards giving festivities. Then, all the contestants spread on the roads towards their homes…
Until the next time… I give you the last panoramas:

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/bucovina-off-road-challenge-2007-gura-humorului-27th-may/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/bucovina-off-road-challenge-2007-gura-humorului-27th-may/ Bucovina Off-road Challenge 2007 @ Gura Humorului - 26th May http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/Pe6eD-Jufg4/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/bucovina-off-road-challenge-2007-gura-humorului-26th-may/#comments Sat, 02 Jun 2007 12:41:48 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/06/02/bucovina-off-road-challenge-2007-gura-humorului-26th-may/ I’m continuing the series of posts about the Bucovina Off-road Challenge 2007 event, with some panoramas from the day of 26th, when the challenge was made of one trial and three specials. Was a very exciting day, with lots of funny and not so funny events involving the cars and the competitors.
Stay tuned to my flickr account for non panoramic pictures from there.

As usual, all panoramas where made handheld so please excuse the stitching errors…

I hope you will find them interesting and I’m awaiting for your feedback!

And some flat panoramas:

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/bucovina-off-road-challenge-2007-gura-humorului-26th-may/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/bucovina-off-road-challenge-2007-gura-humorului-26th-may/ Bucovina Off-road Challenge 2007 @ Gura Humorului - 25th May http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/Ovw2R0tjAoI/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/bucovina-off-road-challenge-2007-gura-humorului-25th-may/#comments Wed, 30 May 2007 12:30:10 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/05/30/bucovina-off-road-challenge-2007-gura-humorului-25th-may/ On the next day of the off-road event, all the competitors gathered and together with the organizers, we all left in an exciting all day long trip around the area. The trip started north of Gura Humorului, close to the monastery and ended near Frumosu village. After that we all went to a sheepfold close to Voronet where we head a feast full of local country food.
Here I present you some spherical panoramas and more of the partial flat panoramas taken on this trip.

Another break at a deserted sheepfold, what’s left of us. Almost half of the cars that started the trip, had to go back for various reasons… (they couldn’t keep up actually :D)

From this point we started to descent towards Frumosu village.

Some locations on the map:

More pictures taken that day, you can find on my flickr account.

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/bucovina-off-road-challenge-2007-gura-humorului-25th-may/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/bucovina-off-road-challenge-2007-gura-humorului-25th-may/ Bucovina Off-road Challenge 2007 @ Gura Humorului - 24th May http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/FqnpQdN0ILk/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/events/bucovina-off-road-challenge-2007-gura-humorului-24th-may/#comments Tue, 29 May 2007 12:35:55 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/05/29/bucovina-off-road-challenge-2007-gura-humorului-24th-may/ Last week I had the pleasure and excitement to participate for the first time on an off-road competition. Actually I participated with my photo camera, I don’t have an 4×4 car…

Anyway, my goal was to take photos and panoramas, and I’ve been photographing for the Bucovina Off-road club, who organized this competition.
This are the panoramas I made in the pre-competition day, when I had a ride with the guys from the club to check the “road” for the special trial of the challenge.
There will be more panoramas from this event, I’m just starting to show them chronologically. More pictures from this event are published on my Flickr account.

Those panoramas were taken in this location:

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/events/bucovina-off-road-challenge-2007-gura-humorului-24th-may/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/events/bucovina-off-road-challenge-2007-gura-humorului-24th-may/ Tiesto @ Cosmote Party, 17th May 2007 - Bucharest http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/nhI-D4m7e4c/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/tiesto-cosmote-party-17th-may-2007-bucharest/#comments Fri, 18 May 2007 14:18:57 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/05/18/tiesto-cosmote-party-17th-may-2007-bucharest/ Tiesto came again in Bucharest at the Revolutiei Square, for the fourth time, at a party organised by Cosmote, who launched it’s i-mode mobile data service in Romania. Tiesto mixed in premiere for the Romanian audience Elements of Life, his latest album, released internationally only a month ago, on April 10th.

The show was opened by DJ Raoul.
In my own personal opinion, this show was Tiesto’s best show in Romania. I really loved the tracklist, he played new and old stuff, and I felt really great.
Unfortunatelly, I wasn’t in a very good position to take panos. I tried a quick one, while Raoul was still mixing and a few other pics from the Tiesto’s show.

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/tiesto-cosmote-party-17th-may-2007-bucharest/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/tiesto-cosmote-party-17th-may-2007-bucharest/ Sihastria Monastery http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/tCxD9lux3Co/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/sihastria-monastery/#comments Wed, 16 May 2007 17:45:26 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/05/16/sihastria-monastery/ The holy establishment is situated at a distance of twenty two kilometers from the town of Targu-Neamt, standing in a Sub Carpathian Valley, on a location that was formerly called “Atanasie’s Meadow”. The monastery derives its name from the name of an anchorite who constructed a skete around which there were living several other anchorites.
The founder of the monastery was Ghedeon, Bishop of Husi, who completed the construction of church (which was built of wood), a group of monastic cells and a belfry in 1655. In 1734 Ghedeon had a bigger church erected and placed it under the direction of the Secu Monastery.

The Church of the Birth of the Holy Virgin is surrounded by the monastic buildings and the peaceful compound of Sihastria. Besides the 19th century Church of the Birth of the Holy Virgin, there is a much larger church in the compound. This is the Cathedral of St. Theodora, built in 1998. The cathedral has an open exonarthex with gilded icons on the façade, and three towers.

Here are the panos, shooted handheld as usual, so please excuse the stitching errors…

And the location of the place:

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/sihastria-monastery/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/sihastria-monastery/ roblogfest 2007, event panos http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/1tjRznJoHBI/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/roblogfest-2007-event-panos/#comments Mon, 05 Mar 2007 23:56:38 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/03/06/roblogfest-2007-event-panos/ Last friday, I had the chance to go to the party organised at club Spice in Bucharest, for the award festivities of the roblogfest 2007. This is a local competition for blogs. Something like Internetics… categories, votes, notes, jury, happy people, sad people, good and bad things.

Whatever… I entered my blog in a couple of categories, but it seems that is not so popular. I had only 6 or 7 visits from the official site, and only one vote!
Maybe next time…

Anyway, I grabbed my camera and took some shots in there, hoping to make some panoramas. After some work and not so successfuly stitching, I not so proudly presents you the images from the event. Gosh, I think these are my worst panoramas… yet! As usual, these are handheld shots. Or maybe it was from the beer that shaked my hands… hmmm…
In case you’re wondering, the guy with the notebook is Eros

So, there are quite a few errors in there, and I did all I could do… I’m saving my breath and time for comercial works

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/roblogfest-2007-event-panos/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/roblogfest-2007-event-panos/ Secu Monastery http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/G-aiBIQTnBM/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/secu-monastery/#comments Wed, 28 Feb 2007 13:59:48 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/02/28/secu-monastery/ Situated on the valley of the river with the same name, it was built in the year 1602 by the magistrate Nestor Ureche (the father of the chronicler Grigore Ureche), on the place of an older wooden hermitage.
The interior painting, of the Renaissance style, dates from the year 1850. In the exterior there is the grave of the metropolitan bishop Varlaam, former apprentice and Superior at this monastery, who printed in Iasi in 1643 “Cazania”, known also under the title “Romania´s teaching book”. It is the first book written in Romanian, which contributed to the consolidation of literary language.

This is the first monastery visited in my trip to Moldavia, unfortunatelly it happened on a rainy day, as you can see in the panoramic images.

The location on google map:

More on this subject, here.

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/secu-monastery/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/monasteries-of-moldavia/secu-monastery/ Bicaz Canyon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/u_ncS1SYWqo/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/lanscape-and-scenery/bicaz-canyon/#comments Sun, 18 Feb 2007 16:10:33 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/02/18/bicaz-canyon/ The Bicaz Canyon (Cheile Bicazului in Romanian) is one of the most spectacular places in Romania, located in the north-east part of the country, in Neamt and Harghita counties. The canyon was dug by the waters of Bicaz River and it serves as a passageway between historical Romanian provinces Moldova and Transylvania.

So, in my last summer vacation, after I left the Red Lake, I went trough the pass to out next targets… the Churches of Moldavia. Soon I will start posting panoramas from the monasteries and churches we visited.

The location on Google Maps:

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/lanscape-and-scenery/bicaz-canyon/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/lanscape-and-scenery/bicaz-canyon/ Panoramic images from Lacul Rosu http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/IRpmSQBCmlw/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/panoramic-images-from-lacul-rosu/#comments Sun, 11 Feb 2007 17:42:47 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/02/11/panoramic-images-from-lacul-rosu/ The next touristic target I had in the last summer vacation, was a natural lake named Lacul Rosu (The Red Lake). It’s one of the most wonderful lakes in Romania. It formed about 160 years ago, as a result of a rockslide, followed by an earthquake. Today you can see tree trunks rising from the lake, remnants of the forest that populated this place.

This interactive panorama I made on one end of the lake, standing on a small bridge over a swamp.

And this is taken from the other end of the lake, I really entered the swamp until the ground couldn’t hold me and I was risking to take a bath…

This is a 100% zoom of the above picture, to see the tree trunks rising from the lake:

More trunks rising, this time the photo was taken while sailing on the lake with a small boat:

And some of the local population…

And the location of the lake, thanks to google map:

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/panoramic-images-from-lacul-rosu/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/panoramic-images-from-lacul-rosu/ On the road to the Lacul Rosu http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/MOit6WbynkY/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/lanscape-and-scenery/on-the-road-to-the-lacul-rosu/#comments Sat, 10 Feb 2007 16:58:08 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/02/10/on-the-road-to-the-lacul-rosu/ This is a panoramic image I took from the road, almost at the middle of the distance between Gheorgheni and Lacul Rosu.

The approximate location:

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/lanscape-and-scenery/on-the-road-to-the-lacul-rosu/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/lanscape-and-scenery/on-the-road-to-the-lacul-rosu/ Gheorgheni, panorama from the center of the city http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/Jbs14Cs09CU/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/gheorgheni-panoramic-from-the-center-of-the-city/#comments Sat, 10 Feb 2007 15:44:02 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/02/10/gheorgheni-panoramic-from-the-center-of-the-city/ On our way to Lacul Rosu (Red Lake) and Bicaz, the road took us trough the Gheorgheni city, still in Harghita county. We didn’t spent much time there, just a small stop to buy some food and stuff, but since the weather was so fine and the surroundings looked pleasant to me, I couldn’t helped myself and I quickly shot a panoramic in the small park from the center of the city.

I don’t remember who is the statue guy, but it must have been an important religious figure of the city.

And the location on the map:

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/gheorgheni-panoramic-from-the-center-of-the-city/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/gheorgheni-panoramic-from-the-center-of-the-city/ Marosfö - Sándor Panzió aka Sándor Pension in Izvorul Muresului http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/9kVDPnZxy6A/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/lanscape-and-scenery/marosfo-sandor-panzio-aka-sandor-pension-in-izvorul-muresului/#comments Sat, 10 Feb 2007 14:19:11 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2007/02/10/marosfo-sandor-panzio-aka-sandor-pension-in-izvorul-muresului/ Izvorul Muresului or Marosfö in Hungarian, is a small mountain resort in Harghita county. And it was the next stop in my last vacation after we left the Muddy Volcanoes.

We spent a night in this beautyful place, after the previous night we spent in a tent. The Sándor Pension looked great, it has a nice garden full of flowers and fruit trees. After a really good night sleep, and a relaxing morning in the garden at a coffe with the owners we hit the road to our next target. But about that, in the next post…

Here’s a pano I took in the garden, in that morning. As usual is handhelded, I even left a little bit of my shadow to prove that. Or maybe I was too lazy to remove it…

A few photos from the restaurant we ate when we arrived in Izvorul Muresului:

And a few photos from the garden of Sandor Pension:

Yes, they do have fruit trees, here’s apples in an appletree

Modern means of transportantion:

The aproximated location of the place, since I don’t have the precise coordinates:

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/lanscape-and-scenery/marosfo-sandor-panzio-aka-sandor-pension-in-izvorul-muresului/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/lanscape-and-scenery/marosfo-sandor-panzio-aka-sandor-pension-in-izvorul-muresului/ Tiesto @ Bucharest, 20 october 2006 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/3eyMhPOO-nk/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/tiesto-bucharest-20-october-2006/#comments Fri, 20 Oct 2006 20:59:31 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/2006/10/20/tiesto-bucharest-20-october-2006/ Show of lights & sound and almost 10000 people! That’s what happened last friday on Sala Polivalenta from Bucharest, when Tiesto come back in Romania for the 4th time! His performance was good. I can’t say “great” or “extraordinary”, because I’ve seen many of his shows from other countries and… those were GREAT! I still don’t get it, why he does not play the same music or mixes in the same style, like in the Arnhem concert, or elsewhere!

Ok, he’s great, and I love it’s music. I’m dying to go at his shows, but it’s kinda boring when he starts playing broken sounds, noise, and gratuitous effects only to excite the people who scream hysterically. Anyway, after a few moments like this, he played some of his music style. And the atmosphere and feeling were so cool. I almost got tears in my eyes, when he played Adagio for strings, this piece moves me every time.

Now, for your viewing pleasure, I present you some photos and panoramas from the show.

More flat panoramas from the event:

The location of the event:

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/tiesto-bucharest-20-october-2006/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/tiesto-bucharest-20-october-2006/ OCS Live @ ING Cafe & Terrace on 20th october - Superparanoia launch! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/sqZOB_TitMU/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/ocs-live-ing-cafe-terrace-on-20th-october-superparanoia-launch/#comments Fri, 20 Oct 2006 12:56:12 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/?p=67 For those of you who don’t know, OCS aka Omul cu sobolani, is a romanian alternative rock band. They started in 1999 with the album Razna and until now they released 5 albums. The 6th album, named Superparanoia, was launched with a rock show in ING Cafe & Terrace, Bucharest.

All right, since I’m not so good with words, let’s cut the crap and let’s get to the panoramic images from the show. As usual, I made them handheld, in a dark environment, so you know… some noise, some blur, hands shaking, bass vibrating, heart pounding, shaking… shaking…
The panos are partial, it was no point in shooting the walls, I tried to cover the most interesting part.

The location of the event:

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/ocs-live-ing-cafe-terrace-on-20th-october-superparanoia-launch/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/ocs-live-ing-cafe-terrace-on-20th-october-superparanoia-launch/ Internetics, 2006 edition http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/kUWZ4Po3QUU/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/internetics-2006-edition/#comments Wed, 18 Oct 2006 20:11:43 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/?p=60 Internetics is the most well known but also the most controversed festival of the internet, of the Romanian scene. And in spite of all the pros and cons, it reached the age of 6th (edition). And since I haven’t missed one, I went the other evening to the award giving festivities and the after party. Nice location, a fancy club in Bucharest, named Kristal Glam Club. Personally I wasn’t very happy with the location, because it was a “clubbing” atmosphere, not the best place for me to meet and talk with new people and/or old friends. Of course, I carried the camera with me, hoping to take some pics, and I managed to make these panos. I’m sorry for the lack of quality of the pictures, but I shot the pictures handheld, in extremely low light conditions.

The location of Kristal Glam Club in Bucharest:

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/internetics-2006-edition/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/internetics-2006-edition/ The centuries old oak tree from Botosana http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/qQ8f0jq2kMc/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/the-centuries-old-oak-tree-from-botosana/#comments Sun, 17 Sep 2006 19:33:52 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/?p=59 Wandering trough the villages of Suceava county, we stopped at Botosana where we rested a night. Very nice place, very quiet… Among other things we visited there, like the wooden church from Botosana (panos will come soon), we saw this extremely old oaktree. Some people said it’s almost 600 years old. Maybe… maybe not really 600, anyway… it looks impressive and the picture won’t show the real greatness of it.

9 pictures stitched, and here it is:

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/the-centuries-old-oak-tree-from-botosana/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/the-centuries-old-oak-tree-from-botosana/ A few landscape panos http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/c1vw193hJ7k/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/a-few-landscape-panos/#comments Sun, 17 Sep 2006 19:17:51 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/?p=57 I don’t remember exactly the places, because these landscape partial panos were shot on the roads (they were taken around the Bicaz Canyon). We just pulled over the car, take the shots and drive on. Anyway, I think it worth showing them. Of course, all pictures are reduced in size.

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/a-few-landscape-panos/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/flat-panoramas/a-few-landscape-panos/ Basilica Minor Saint Mary of Cacica (Dom Polski) http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/5QN7Ho4Vvw8/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/basilica-minor-saint-mary-of-cacica/#comments Mon, 11 Sep 2006 14:56:50 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/?p=51 The Cacica church, originally carved in the salt mine opened in the region in 1791 following order by empress Maria Theresa to grand land plots and facilities to people willing to settle down and work the quarry, was opened to believers until 1947 when the public display of religion was banned in the area by the then communist authorities.

The ground Catholic church, consecrated in 1904, the only building in the neogothic style in Moldavia, used to to the pilgrimage place of Catholics in entire Europe and was declared in 1997 a national sanctuary.

Location:

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/basilica-minor-saint-mary-of-cacica/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/basilica-minor-saint-mary-of-cacica/ Life underground - Cacica salt mine http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/JlliqARX3Xk/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/life-underground-cacica-salt-mine/#comments Mon, 11 Sep 2006 13:23:47 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/?p=37 Situated 18km away from Gura Humorului, the Cacica salt mine represents an important tourist attraction of Bucovina region. Begun by the order of Empress Maria Theresa, the salt mine were manually dug out and opened in 1791. There are 8200 galleries that were all manually dug out, reinforced with wood and in a perfect condition today.

In the first room, 25 meters deep, was built a chapel. It’s called the Church St. Barbara (Varvara), and was a praying site for all the miners who worked there, and even today service is held. To reach the chapel, you have to go down a ladder with almost 200 steps.

Further below, more steps… and another gallery (35 meters deep) that leads to a small salty lake (38 meters deep), manually dig by miners, where some time ago, people were putting their rafts to use.

Next comes the Ball room, or festivities room (44 meters deep), today tennis and volley course.

Location of Cacica:

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/life-underground-cacica-salt-mine/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/life-underground-cacica-salt-mine/ Memories of my boyhood… http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/O4ynOVOu-iI/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/memories-of-my-boyhood/#comments Thu, 07 Sep 2006 18:02:22 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/?p=36 … well, not exactly mine. But the ones of Ion Creanga, Romania’s greatest story teller. He spent his boyhood in his native village, depicted in his masterpiece Memories of my Boyhood. That village is named Humulesti, and is located in the foothills of the Eastern Carpathians, in northern Moldavia.

During my recent one week vacation, I passed trough this village and couldn’t help not to stop at the Creanga’s memorial house.

Unfortunatelly, it was almost raining, not a very good time for photos. But I managed to shoot quickly (again from hand, not tripod) the pictures for these two panoramas. The house exterior and the main room (not very happy about the room pano…)

Here’s the location of Humulesti:

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/memories-of-my-boyhood/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/memories-of-my-boyhood/ The mausoleum of Marasesti http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/qGJy4RlMTaQ/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/the-mausoleum-of-marasesti/#comments Thu, 07 Sep 2006 13:08:57 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/?p=33 In the July-August of 1917, during the First World War, the German army began a huge offensive in the Marasesti area, trying to cross the Romanian-Russian front and to occupy the Romanian territories between Siret and Prut rivers. Great battles were fought. Even they were inferior as numbers, the romanian soldiers pushed back the German attack. The Mausoleum from Marasesti was built to commemorate the Romanian victory.
In the impressive Mausoleum, are burried the remains of 6000 soldiers, in crypts and common tombs.

I present you, another 4 handheld panos (so, try to ignore the few stitching errors)

And here is the location of the monument. Too bad Google does not have more detailed pictures of Romania…

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/the-mausoleum-of-marasesti/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/the-mausoleum-of-marasesti/ The Muddy Volcanoes of Romania http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/jspGosNLduM/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/lanscape-and-scenery/the-muddy-volcanoes-of-romania/#comments Sun, 03 Sep 2006 20:46:14 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/?p=20 One of the best known geological reserves of Romania, the Muddy Volcanoes site, was my first objective of this summer trip around the country. We (as in me and 2 friends), arrived at the site after spending about half a day wandering on country roads and trying to find the good one

Finally, we arrived but in the mid day, about 2pm, under a cruel sun who melted our brains. It was 40 degrees Celsius in the shade. This happened on 19th august, this year.

A very strange place I must say… arid and hot, if you can ignore the surrounding hills, you could swear you’re on another planet.

Ok, enough with talks… If anyone is interested in finding more about this subject, go to these websites:
The moon or the muddy volcanoes?
The muddy volcanoes
Here comes the panoramas!

Here is the location:

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/lanscape-and-scenery/the-muddy-volcanoes-of-romania/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-romania/lanscape-and-scenery/the-muddy-volcanoes-of-romania/ Got Peleng! :) http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ThePanoblogus/~3/2JhAwluED4U/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/got-peleng/#comments Sat, 02 Sep 2006 21:47:34 +0000 Andrei Zdetovetchi http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/?p=26 Well, on 15th August 2006, I finally got my Peleng lens

And on the next day, I went out in the evening, to see what I can shoot with it in Bucharest. I made only two panoramas, almost in the same spot, and here there are. The place is Revolution Square in Bucharest. And the strange monument, well… it’s like an egg on a stick

So, these are my very first panos taken with a Peleng. It’s not perfect, and I was shooting handheld. And I also had a HDR approach. Enjoy!

]]> http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/got-peleng/feed/ http://www.csvd.ro/panoblog/360-bucharest/got-peleng/