Photographer's Note
Where The Window Once Stood
Some time ago I promised to post a picture of the place where the famous Azure Window once stood, before it collapsed in 2017. It was the end of the day and around the time of the first sunset of 2019 at the western end of the island of Gozo.
The Azure Window (Maltese: it-Tieqa Żerqa) was a limestone natural arch, located in Dwejra Bay. It was probably formed after an earlier collapse of a sea cave in the 19th century. The rock formation ultimately collapsed entirely in stormy weather on March 8, 2017, so I think that also justifies the category 'ruins' for this photo.
Click here for a larger version.
Exif Data:
Make: SONY
Model: DSC-HX400V
Software: PaintShop Pro 16,00
Exposure Time: 1/80 sec
F-Stop: f/3.2
ISO Speed Ratings: 80
Focal Length: 784/100 mm
Date Taken: 2019-01-01 16:49
Metering Mode: Pattern
Flash: Flash did not fire, auto mode
File Size: 1775 kb
jemaflor, Fis2, papagolf21, ktanska, holmertz, pierrefonds, johnjmoe, PaulVDV, PiotrF, jean113, mcmtanyel, annjackman, worldcitizen, macjake, ikeharel, COSTANTINO, alvaraalto, cornejo has marked this note useful
Critiques | Translate
abmdsudi
(88597) 2019-07-14 22:45
Hi Lars
That's geological limestone formation sculptured by nature and that's erosion in process on the fragile coastline. The figs in an appropriate position in order to demonstrate the scale. Nice grab.
Best regards
jemaflor
(135484) 2019-07-14 23:01
Hi Lars,
Nice cliffs but I was lucky to visit this coast before the collapse of the famous arch Azur window ... so lovely and impressive ! Well framed, good presentation with people to give a scale at your photo, tfs.
pajaran
(102720) 2019-07-14 23:07
Dobar dan.
Interesantan i lep pogled, dobar tekst ...
Lepo pokazano, dobra perspektiva i kontrasr, lepe boje.
Lepe litice i obala, lepa priroda.
Zelim vam lep i uspesan dan, sve najbolje u novoj nedelji koja je pocela.
Paja.
Good day.
Interesting and beautiful look, good text ...
Beautifully shown, good perspective and contrast, beautiful colors.
Beautiful cliffs and coast, beautiful nature.
I wish you a nice and successful day, all the best in the new week that started.
emka
(152314) 2019-07-14 23:24
Hello Lars, I was waiting for this photo :0. How strange to see this ruin. You chose the strange place for the New Year. Impressive cliffs even without the window.
KInd regards MAlgo
Fis2
(155699) 2019-07-15 0:37
Witaj Lars!
A very interesting place, view makes impression.
Good framing, colors and sharpness.
Well done.
Good morning.
Krzysztof
Silvio1953
(205826) 2019-07-15 1:11
Ciao Lars, lovely sea view with fantastic cliffs, wonderful natural colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio
papagolf21
(152599) 2019-07-15 1:19
Bonjour, cher Lars,
Une composition de toute beauté. J'apprécie comme il se doit, et mon regard a du mal ā se détacher de cette prise de vue.
Amitiés.
Philippe
Nicou
(193806) 2019-07-15 2:00
Hello
quel rendu sur la roche et de tons différents avec de l'ocre ā droite et la grande falaise en fond superbe et ce contraste avec le bleu profond de la mer fantastique
Bravo et amitié
Nicou
ktanska
(40125) 2019-07-15 2:09
Hi Lars,
It is amazing to see this place and compare it to Malgo's shot where the Window was still there. Collapse of the arch is not such a big miracle, but the fact that over there water there are no signs left of it is really surprising. Underwater erosion must be really strong.
You have excellent low angle light on this.
Kari
holmertz
(92898) 2019-07-15 2:21
Hej Lars,
Det är fortfarande en vacker plats med dramatiska klippor, trots att "kronjuvelen" störtade samman för ett par år sedan. Det varma ljuset från solnedgången har skapat väldigt vackra toner på de skrovliga klippytorna. Först efter en stund upptäckte jag att det står några personer på ett par av klipporna. De ger oss en bra bild av dimensionerna.
Hälsningar,
Gert
Royaldevon
(75510) 2019-07-15 2:48
Hello Lars,
This photograph confirms the power of nature, the effects of the sea are difficult to control! The coastline is constantly under bombardment and eventually, the prominent features change. I'm pleased to say, I saw the window but ... have no permanent record!
The rough, textural details make a fine f/g pavement leading to the taller details of the cliffs. The changing hues lay testament to the different rock types, some showing as stripes in the cliff profile.
Have a lovely day,
Bev :-)
BennyV
(32570) 2019-07-15 3:41
Ook zonder de beroemde "window" is dit een mooie locatie. Knappe foto, trouwens. Ik vind ook de aanwezigheid van de mensen (klein) hier heel mooi.
Benny
pierrefonds
(103621) 2019-07-15 4:56
Hi Lars,
The length of the shore line is giving depth to the composition. The point of view is showing the details of the cliffs. The light is enhancing the beauty of the colours. Have a nice day.
Pierre
GyurMaster
(21375) 2019-07-15 6:23
Hello Lars,
Even without the window, it is a very impressive view. The lights were really good, when you took the picture.
Best Wishes,
Gy
ChrisJ
(160104) 2019-07-15 6:51
Hi Lars
We can clearly see the sequence of sedimentary rocks in layers in the bg cliff. Good sharpness and I like the rough texture of the eroded and pitted fg rocks. Tfs!
rychem
(72179) 2019-07-15 8:13
Great photo of the formation of limestone cliffs, the geological layers look like a cake with cream, I have seen the photos of the former arch on TE years ago, it was an impressive formation
regards Ryszard
clic
(23804) 2019-07-15 11:47
Dag Lars I presume that people are standing right on a pillar of the arch where it was secured before the storm. According to the size of its pedestal it could had been rather delicate and sensitive to the waves rages in such an apparent no man's land. Thanks for the interesting point. Tot ziens
PaulVDV
(54909) 2019-07-15 11:56
Hallo Lars,
Ik heb de Azure Window nog gezien. Er liepen toen nog enkele toeristen over alhoewel er duidelijk een verbodsbord stond.
Toch blijft deze kust ongelooflijk mooi, zowel de klippen als de enorm uitgeschuurde rotsen op de voorgrond.
Ik zie dat je een heel drukke dag had op nieuwjaar.
Vele groeten, Paul
jmdias
(102982) 2019-07-15 12:35
lars
I remember of the malta's arch.
I have a similar view from peru seashore with a special stone destroyed by a terrible earthquake few months after my visit.
anyway it is a nice view of the sea. excellent photo.
take care
jorge
PiotrF
(52330) 2019-07-15 12:39
Hello Lars,
Unique place, interesting view of beautiful cliffs.
Good picture with excellent composition and beautiful colors.
Azure window, however, was beautiful ...
Fine presentation.
Regards
Piotr
Miguel82
(47108) 2019-07-15 14:40
Lars, the impressive rocky arch created by the erosion of the waves and the salt finally collapsed two years ago. It s a pity that natural curiosity doesn t exist anymore. Nice view showing the cliffs and the rocky coastline.
jean113
(22077) 2019-07-15 14:43
Hello Lars, a beautiful scene. The various colours and textures of the rocks and cliffs are wonderful, my kind of scene. The pale sky and the blue sea complement the colours of the rocks, beautiful!
Regards Jean.
mcmtanyel
(58830) 2019-07-15 20:11
Hello Lars,
This is a fantastic photo even without the Azure Window. I think they should build an observation tower like the one at Niagara Falls in its place. 👍🏻👍🏻
Regards,
MT
ifege
(32361) 2019-07-15 21:12
Hi Lars
A great photo of this spectacular and rugged coastline (even without the window).
cheers
Ian
mkamionka
(61306) 2019-07-16 7:00
Hi Lars,
as said as the story is, it is very interesting to be able to see this place after the famous structure has collapsed.
In fact I have added your photo to the theme which I created on TE to gather all photos of this famous arch.
Here is the link to the theme.
Your photo being taken at the late evening has a sad mood which goes well with the situation.
Beautiful picture, great contribution,
M
annjackman
(23019) 2019-07-16 11:36
Hello Lars,
The 'ruins' are magnificent with the lovely light falling on the rocks and cliffs. Good to have some people in shot. I didn't know about the Azure Window so thanks for sharing that information.
Kind Regards, Ann
fabianoleite
(13575) 2019-07-16 12:17
Excellent view, amazing sunlight colors on the rocsk, great balance and wonderful natural shapes. Amazing place, well done.
worldcitizen
(14308) 2019-07-16 17:05
Hello Lars,
Even without the famous arch this is still a scenic spot. It's too bad that the structure is gone, but you can't argue with Mother Nature. :-) I see that some people have managed to climb onto the rocks. It looks a bit risky, but they were rewarded with an amazing view.
macjake
(96157) 2019-07-17 3:39
Hi Lars
wow - what a difference. I was here i think 1 year BEFORE the arch collapsed. Thank goodness nobody was on it at the time, that would have been a disaster. It looks so different now, so plain. I wonder how it has affected the tourism here. When i was here there were soooooooo many tour buses every hour, what about now???? I still love the views, and the rocks, just not as fun without the arch.
cheers
Craig
carlo62
(81265) 2019-07-18 23:13
Ciao Lars
nonostante il crollo della "Finestra azzurra", la costa č ugualmente bellissima e richiama turisti e curiosi, come si puō notare dalla tua foto.
Eccellente qualitā e splendidi colori.
Saluti
Carlo
maloutim
(13617) 2019-07-20 1:48
Dear Lars,
Very sad indeed ! Dear Malgo who could post such a beautiful photo of what it used to be like .
Incredible that the collapsed rocks have completely disappearted into the sea !
I remember well the big storm of March 2017( We had it here too in western Brittany ; we were witout electricity for 5 days :-(
I did read about this unfortunate event in Malta. I suppose it would be impossible to consolidate all these precious sites in danger ?
And unfortunately, this kind of accident will happen more and more often because of global warming :-(
Your picture is nice though, with the rosy colours of the rocks on the right and the deep blue sea on the left.
TFS and kindest regards.
Marie-Louise.
ikeharel
(105953) 2019-07-20 1:54
Hello lars,
Most beautiful afternoon golden glow, "painted' the imposing cliff around this island seafront rocks.
Good scale with the people on the one famous broken rocks, fine clear shot.
Wish you a nice weekend,
Ike
Periko
(8387) 2019-07-20 11:40
Hi Lars
I can see some people there, giving an idea of the size of this rocks.
Amazing landscape.
Regards
COSTANTINO
(104245) 2019-07-20 23:02
Hello dear Lars and have a nice Sunday
fantastic wild and dynamic landscape
dedicated to the wild Nature
and the title????it is unique indeed...
where the window once stood....
that geologicacal limestone formation
regards
Costantino
alvaraalto
(42318) 2019-08-05 8:59
Dag Lars,
Dit soort rotspartijen hebben we de laatste weken wel vaker gezien,maar nooit bij zo'n mooie blauwe zee vol kleine golfjes.
Dit laat mooi de andere kant van Malta zien.
Groet Rob
Ilonka1974
(9401) 2019-08-06 13:53
Hi Paul,
Wow ,great lanscape.It's my dream place , sea and cliffs.i wish i were there.Thanks for sharing.
Janusz
cornejo
(61504) 2019-09-12 4:06
Hello Lars, very good view of these interesting cliffs, very well composed and captured in this good and beautiful photograph. An interesting image with good sharpness, light, color and quality. Very good and beautiful work perfectly done, my congratulations my friend. Thank you for sharing this interesting work.
Good afternoon and happy weekend.
All the best from southern Spain.
Angel.
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Lars Zwemmer (Tue)
(82306)
- Genre: Places
- Medium: Color
- Date Taken: 2019-01-01
- Categories: Nature, Ruins
- Camera: Sony DSC HX400v
- Exposure: 1/21 seconds
- Map: view
- Photo Version: Original Version
- Theme(s): Azure Window is lost and gone forever [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2019-07-14 22:28