The cliff of Montefrio, a photo from Granada, Andalucia

Photographer's Note

After the birds of my previous post, it's time to show what this charming town is famous for. Located about 50km northwest of Granada, Montefrio sure deserves a visit for anyone that goes to see Alhambra and have a spare day.
On top of that cliff, is the Gothic church of La Villa which was once inside the walls of a moorish fortress. As you can see, there's almost no remains of those ruins which makes the church even more impressive on that spot.
The fields seen all around are filled with olive trees.

------------------

Lost in the rolling hills of olive groves in the north-western reaches of Granada Province, at 2,500 feet above sea level, the picturesque town of Montefrio, standing well away from the region's beaten paths, has conserved much of its traditional charm. It is famous all over Spain for the wedge-shaped cliff overlooking the village and crowned with the great Gothic church of La Villa, itself built on the dismantled foundations of the fortress built by the Moors of Granada, in their ultimately useless attempt to keep out the encroaching Christian armies of Isabel and Ferdinand.
(source:http://www.aboutgranada.com/granada/towns-montefrio.asp)

Other point of attraction is Montefrio's primary church which is the only round church in the whole of spain since its recapture from arabian control.
In fact, what remains from the ruins of the castle is a church.
Being built midway between the Sierra de Priego and Sierra Parapanda, and commanding the open valley between these ranges, it became one of the chief frontier fortresses of the Moors in the 15th century.
(source: Wikipedia)

I've heard recently that this town is famous among japanese people celebrating about 20 marriages a year, couples and guests coming all the way from Japan to visit this place.

cargus, dkmurphys, carlosmarin, jhm, JCG, Cricri has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Hellas (7123) 2010-05-31 3:37

Hello Ricardo,
you have to be proud of this picture as well as for the fact, as you said about Japanese tourists visiting your country for the attractions of this village. Well-framed image with natural colors and fine details!

Greetings from Greece,
Athanasios.

cargus (14004) 2010-05-31 4:12 [Comment]

Show Comment

giorgimer (35017) 2010-05-31 4:36

Olà Ricardo,

spectacular place. Once again we see how the church is always on top. Good POV and composition

TFS

G

m (0) 2010-05-31 6:55

What a spectacular place! The image is superb, I wish I could see it with my own eyes some time.

Greetings,
Marina

dkmurphys (79209) 2010-05-31 7:43

incredible view, what a great place. Good lights and colors, also the moment of coming storm. Well done.

jmdias (116511) 2010-05-31 8:09

ricardo

o que mais acho bonito nestas vilas espanholas do sul é que os moradores antigos pareciam ter o dom para enfeitar a paisagem, fazendo o casario e as igrejas e castelos se casarem bem com a paisagem grandiosa ao redor. aqui escolheram um lugar magnífico para pôr a igreja, a linha inclinada da encosta e suas árvores, e até as nuvens, criam a ilusão que até a igreja está torta. eis um lugar que eu gostaria de conhecer. se existiram vidas anteriores a esta eu acho que fui andaluz, adoro esta paisagem

abraços

jorge

Urs (14082) 2010-05-31 9:44

Ola Ricardo

Very good use of the sunlight to produce a very vibrant and attractive picture of the white sea of houses. Fine color hues with high sharpness. The church dominates the town like a castle. Interesting. Well done

Thanks for your critique of my Malay family. I do not know how these kids and women are related, but generally speaking they must be relatives e.g. you are looking at a small joint family.

Best regards
Urs

michael_sam (24) 2010-05-31 10:56

Hi Ricardo
that a really nice view .. building on the top of the mountain...nice color wit the smoke at the back..

Regard,
Sam

humayun (3129) 2010-05-31 19:18

hello dear.........
very nice pov........
Venice is such a beautiful, photogenic place............
You have done a wonderful job of capturing its essence.
daily life is well represented here......
well don..........
tfs............

carlosmarin (11954) 2010-06-01 5:05

Hola Ricardo,
bellísimo encuadre del pueblo de Montefrío, con la iglesia en lo alto de la peña. Excelente POV. Gran profundidad de campo. Bonitos colores y luz.
Buen trabajo.
Un abrazo,
Carlos

Docarmo (9767) 2010-06-01 8:18

Olá Ricardo,
Uma tomada magnífica, com um momento de luz muito especial, fazendo destacar esta elevação singular, rodeada de oliveiras. Uma imagem muito bem captada! Incrível, o acesso a estas casas e, sobretudo, à igreja, deve ser bastante difícil.
Imagino os grupos de japoneses com suas máquinas fotográficas e filmadoras em profusão ;-)
Parabéns pelo belo trabalho!
Docarmo

jhm (211738) 2010-06-01 11:35

Hello Ricardo,

What a show here with this wonderful image.
Almost a completely village against the slope of the mountain. .
What a depth and lovely perspective.
A very nice and very impressive sky well collected
Wonderful light and pleasant colors.
Splendid captured, and very well composition, TFS.

Best regards,
John

coco (30439) 2010-06-01 14:49

HI Ricardo.

Impressive view and landscape. The high POV and the composition and DOF and light are beautiful.

Regards.

chris04stop (6805) 2010-06-01 15:22

I know wery well the place. I was there for a work when I was a journalist of tourism. Bravissimo! The church and the rocks seem a ship ready to go in the sea! Oh...my fancy....!!!
Anna Paola

JCG (35153) 2010-06-02 10:45

Bonsoir Ricardo,

It is necessary to have much religious enthusiasm to be able to reach this church !!! Very pretty panorama on this superb area where the light gives much relief. I like the effect 3D with the background. A beautiful area, thank you Ricardo.

With all my friendships and a very good evening,

Jean-Charles

Bluejeans (64251) 2010-06-07 15:01

Oi amigo ,
Que lindo vila pintada de branco nesta colina com a igreja no alto da pedra , bonitos os olivais de fundo , belo ponto de visão , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Cricri (176) 2010-06-07 23:45

Ola Ric
Une vue magnifique de la ville avec l'église sur le sommet du rocher joliment entourer d'olivier, une visite qui doit être intéressante, excellent POV et lumière
Friendship
cricri