Photos and the City

Author: Ursula Schmitz

Agropoli

T-17 days until my adventure in Northern-England and Scotland and I just realized there are quite a few posts missing from my road trip around Southern Italy two years ago. Perfect timing to write them now!

After cruising around Puglia and Basilicata Agropoli was my last stop before the Amalfi Coast. And I spent those two days in one of the best Airbnb apartments ever! Cosy, a beautiful shower, amazing views, recycling (!) and cute gecko neighbours.

Agropoli is situated in the province of Salerno, in Campangia, right on the Cilentan Coast. It´s only a short drive to Paestum and the perfect base to explore Cilento´s coastline and the national park.

And it´s also a lovely town, that must be quite busy in the summer! Inhabited since Neolithic times Agropoli lies nearby Poseidonia (c. 625 BC) and had a lively trade between the local hunters & fishermen and the Greeks.

During the Greco-Gothic war (6th century) the Byzantines needed a secure and protected harbour south of Salerno, so they fortified it, and called it Acropolis, meaning “high town”.

The Angevin-Aragonese castle was built on Byzantine foundations and stands on top of the hill (rock) – it offers great views over the surrounding areas and the sea!

It´s a lovely walk strolling around the Old Town, narrow cobbled streets with old churches and so vibrant.

The old town is seen from below, the coast. At Greek times there used to be a temple on top of the rocks – on the site of today’s castle.

03/07/2018
Sankt Ursula

It was super hot when I registered for this Instawalk by the IgersAustria – and visiting the “cold rooms” of the University of Music seemed like a dream. And then there was something about visiting the St. Ursula Church as well – until then I didn´t even know there is one in Vienna. And whenever something bears my name, I have to visit it! And even so, the heatwave is on a break at the moment it´s always nice to get to know new places and “cool rooms”.

From 1666 to 1745 the cloister was built with several yards and spacious buildings. The nuns came to Vienna in 1660 on an invitation of the empress Eleonore and opened a school. The adjoining church was built from 1673 to 1675.

Filled with baroque elements, stucco and some stunning chandeliers. Even so, the convent building was sold to the Republic of Austria in 1960 the church is still in use as a church. But also as a classroom and concert location. Organist Hans Haselböck saw the nuns moving out (to Liesing where their school still exists) and convinced the rector of the University of Music to use the buildings and the church as their Institut of organ music and ecclesiastical music.

A new organ was installed and the rooms adapted for their new use. Do you recognize the city on the painting on the right? It´s a portrait of Vienna!

Our walk had started with a little organ concert by one of the students and after visiting the catacombs and the church we went back to another room and another organ – number 5 by now. It´s the most modern one, built in Vorarlberg with about a thousand pipes.

Big thank you to the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst and the Igersaustria.at!

26/06/2018
[TRAVELNOTICE] Northern England & Scotland

This summer I will be travelling around Northern England and Scotland and would love to photograph you!

Together we will design your own bespoke photo shoot in your desired style or styles if you want more. If you´ve always dreamed of being glamorous like a movie star we will make it happen. Or if you feel more like the girl next door and prefer a more natural look or want to be inspired by your favourite fairytale, movie or tv show. You can be as casual as you want or as glamorous or can be both and more – we will design the perfect photo shoot for you!

Find all the information on my portraiture website or shoot me a message!

19/06/2018