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Isfahan is located on the main north-south and east-west routes crossing Iran, and was once one of the largest cities in the world. It flourished from 1050 to 1722, particularly in the 16th century under the Safavid dynasty, when it became the capital of Persia for the second time in its history. Even today, the city retains much of its past glory. It is famous for its Islamic architecture, with many beautiful boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, mosques, and minarets. This led to the Persian proverb "'Esfahān nesf-e jahān ast" (Isfahan is half of the world).

The Naghsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan is one of the biggest city squares in the world and an outstanding example of Iranian and Islamic architecture. It has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The city also has a wide variety of historic monuments ranging from the Sassanid to the Safavid dynasties. Remaining Islamic architectural sites were built from 11th to the 19th century, while older, pre-Islamic monuments date back to 1000 B.C.

Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II; Lens: EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM; Focal length: 28.00 mm; Aperture: 13; Exposure time: 20.0 s; ISO: 125

All rights reserved - Copyright © Lucie Debelkova www.luciedebelkova.com

All images are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed, written permission of the photographer.

Tags:   Iran Esfahan Isfahan Spadana Spahan Sepahan Espahan Persia Middle East blue hour water reflection square Naghsh-e Jahan Imam میدان امام Shah شاه Sheikh Lotfollah mosque islam architecture muslim Iranian Persian world travel color shot cupola dome exterior horizontal islamic architecture ispahan middle east open air outside photographs sheikh lotfollah mosque www.luciedebelkova.com lucie debelkova illuminate illuminated illumination night night time long exposure evening light lights dawn dusk twilight building built structure color image composition grand religion prayer pray house of worship believe god

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The Nasīr al-Mulk Mosque (Persian: مسجد نصیر الملك - Masjed-e Naseer ol Molk) is a traditional mosque in Shiraz, Iran, located in Goade-e-Araban place (near the famous Shah Cheragh mosque). The mosque was built during the Qājār era, and is still in use under protection by Nasir al Mulk's Endowment Foundation. It was built by the order of Mirza Hasan Ali Nasir al Molk, one of the lords of the Qajar Dynasty, in 1876 and was finished in 1888. The designers were Muhammad Hasan-e-Memar and Muhammad Reza Kashi Paz-e-Shirazi. The mosque extensively uses colored glass in its facade, and displays other traditional elements such as panj kāseh-i (five concaves) in its design.

To get this photo, I had to visit Shiraz for 4 times. First time I missed this place completely. Second time I made sure I find it and was amazed by the play of light and colors. Third time I only had abaya (which doesnt give same nice movement as chador) with me, so this last time I made sure I have also chador (Iranian Islamic cover for woman). It was actually a surprise that those colors reflected on the chador but it was a great surprise and I'm very happy with the result. I have purposely chosen 1/8s shutter speed to give it feeling of movement.

Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II; Lens: EF17-40mm f/4L USM; Focal length: 17.00 mm; Aperture: 7.1, Exposure time: 1/8 s, ISO: 200

All rights reserved - Copyright © Lucie Debelkova www.luciedebelkova.com

All images are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed, written permission of the photographer.

Tags:   Iran Persia Iranian Middle East Orient Oriental Shiraz world exploration trip vacation holiday place destination location journey tour touring tourism tourist travel traveling visit visiting www.luciedebelkova.com lucie debelkova sight sightseeing hijab chador

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Bagan, more popularly known as the city of four million pagodas and temples, the Birth Place of Therabardha buddhism is located on the eastern bank of Majestic Ayeyawaddy River. It is only a forty two square kilometers land which is confined by over 2500 Pagodas and temples. In former days as well as now, the pilgrims are allowed to climb on the top vestibules or terrace from where view the mystical panorama of Bagan. Some of the biggest pagodas were closed for climbing, but there is still sufficient number of them to enjoy the view from.

I was updating my web with some new and old photos, Myanmar was one of those countries. I was pleased to found some hiddent gems, this is one of them. Greetings from Luang Prabang in Laos, absolutely fascinating place, luckily under UNESCO heritage as well. More photos from here will follow soon.

Camera Model: Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL, Lens: 18.00 - 200.00 mm, Photo Focal length: 200.00 mm, Aperture: 6.3, Exposure time: 2.5 s, ISO: 100

All rights reserved - Copyright © Lucie Debelkova - www.luciedebelkova.com

All images are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed, written permission of the photographer.

Tags:   Myanmar Burma Bagan world travel exploration tourism trip vacation holiday Indochina Asia Far East asian Asian cultures mainland Southeast Asia Burmese Bamar Myanmar landscape outdoors view vista paysage magiclight sunset scenic panorama www.luciedebelkova.com lucie debelkova place destination location journey tour touring tourist traveling visit visiting sight sightseeing

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Prague (Czech: Praha ) is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Nicknames for Prague have included Praga mater urbium/Praha matka měst ("Prague – Mother of Cities") in Latin/Czech, Stověžatá Praha ("City of a Hundred Spires") in Czech or Zlaté město/Goldene Stadt ("Golden City") in Czech/German. Situated on the Vltava River in central Bohemia, Prague has been the political, cultural and economic centre of the Czech state for more than 1100 years. For many decades during the Gothic and Renaissance eras, Prague was the permanent seat of two Holy Roman Emperors and thus was also the capital of the Holy Roman Empire.

At the present time the city proper is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 1.9 million. Since 1992, the extensive historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, making the city one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, receiving more than 4.1 million international visitors annually, as of 2009.

It is very difficult to come up with new angle and view on such a photographed city as Prague surely is. I have remembered one view I always liked when I could not find parking at any area I was planning to go. I'm really happy with the result.

Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II; Lens: EF17-40mm f/4L USM, Focal length: 20.00 mm; Aperture: 8.0, Exposure time: 32.0 s, ISO: 250

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All images are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed, written permission of the photographer.

Tags:   Czech Republic Czech Ceská republika Cesko Ceska Republika Bohemia Czechoslovakia Ceskoslovensko country Europe Central Europe chek European Union EU Praha Prague world exploration trip vacation holiday place destination location journey tour touring tourism tourist travel traveling visit visiting photography photo image shot www.luciedebelkova.com lucie debelkova Prag Praga Hlavni Hlavní mesto město Ceská Ceska Republika Praga mater urbium Praha matka měst Prague – Mother of Cities Stověžatá Praha City of a Hundred Spires Zlaté město Goldene Stadt Golden City Vltava River water waterscape bridge light blue hour Čechy Böhmen Czechy Bohême UNESCO World Heritage Site beautiful landschaft landscape

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Asia - Brunei Sultanate - Borneo Island - Bandar Seri Begawan - Capital City - Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque - Kiarong mosque - Largest mosque in Brunei & One of the grandest monuments to Islam in the whole region - Major landmark & tourist attraction

Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II; Lens: EF17-40mm f/4L USM; Focal length: 17.00 mm; Aperture: 13; Exposure time: 6.0 s; ISO: 100

All rights reserved - Copyright © Lucie Debelkova - www.luciedebelkova.com

All images are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed, written permission of the photographer.

Tags:   Brunei Sultanate of Brunei Nation of Brunei Brunei Darussalam Borneo Island Asia Far East Southeast Asia Southeastern Asia religion religious faith pray prayer believe belief beliefs sacred history meaning of life origin of life morality ethics holy places god gods meditation spirit spiritualism spiritual spiritual practice worship pilgrimage Spirituality Spiritualite Spiritualitat Espiritualidad Theological Virtue Islam Muslim wonderful fantastic awesome stunning beautiful breathtaking incredible lovely nice best perfect world exploration trip vacation holiday place destination location journey tour touring tourism tourist travel traveling visit visiting sight sightseeing

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