Back in Black : photos of a Journey to TRANSYLVANIAN MUSEUMS

Radu Transylvanicus · 17th February 2005, 06:42 AM

As some of you might now by now, last two weeks I left California to journey back into my whereabouts homeland, Romania, more precisely Transylvania.
I did not mean to do much of a cultural visit but you cant avoid that neither, old school museums and Old World fashioned architecture are everywhere so I choused two museums , one in Oradea ( Hung. Nagyvarad / Germ. Grosswardein ) and one in Timisoara ( Hung. Temeschwar / Germ. Temesvar ). They are the city museums not arms and armor oriented so they are not the most representative but it will do for now until a further visit to the military museums or the former royal chateaux.
The main drawback in the museums of Romania remains the fact that you are forbidden to photograph exhibited artifacts in most museums as it was the case here which along with the fact I did not had a circular polarizing lens ( a ,,see trough glass window,, lens ) are the main factors that resulted into the almost disastrous pictures from inside as I was hiding my camera from any security guy and only some exhibit halls permitted that without risks.
Both cities of Oradea and Timisoara, like most places in Transylvania, besides Romanian, they have a strong if not equal historical influence of local Hungarian ( Szekely or Secui ) and German ( Sashi or Sachsen ) nations. Worth mentioning is the Turkish interference (no Turk minority ever) but as the omnipresent enemy and at times the conqueror they left their marks in social or material culture (certain weapons, pipe and tobacco, coffee and others). As you will see plenty of Ottoman blades lurking around the Austro-Hungarian ones.
As space permits I will do this photo-montage in two or more episodes due to the large number of photos. I hope you enjoy the architecture and statues too, I know I did ...
Mare Rosu, since you don’t travel much these days but I am sure you miss seeing the world outside the Georgian shell, its for you my kind friend :

Radu Transylvanicus · 17th February 2005, 06:56 AM

Ancient and medieval world

Radu Transylvanicus · 17th February 2005, 07:01 AM

more

Radu Transylvanicus · 17th February 2005, 07:10 AM

some more

Radu Transylvanicus · 17th February 2005, 07:14 AM

A morion and closeup detail

Yannis · 17th February 2005, 08:15 AM

Welcome back Radu

Thank you for sharing these images with us. You are very good photographer.

In post 3 picture 3 there is a shamsir with a brass “eye” in the hilt. I had always a question about this feature. I think it is late 19th but never found a quote about it. For sure it is not medieval.

What is very interesting is 2 photos below the shamshir with the brass scabbard. It looks very old and a kind of European.

Also I love this Schiavona in the hands of battle suit. One of the most beautiful swords ever made.

I wait for more pics

zelbone · 18th February 2005, 11:42 PM

Welcome back, Radu!!! It looks like you had a good time during your absence. Thanks for sharing those pics and giving us a glimpse of your homeland. Those pics are great!!!

17th February 2005, 06:42 AM	#1
Radu Transylvanicus Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 2008-2010 Bali, 1998-2008 USA Posts: 271	Back in Black : photos of a Journey to TRANSYLVANIAN MUSEUMS As some of you might now by now, last two weeks I left California to journey back into my whereabouts homeland, Romania, more precisely Transylvania. I did not mean to do much of a cultural visit but you cant avoid that neither, old school museums and Old World fashioned architecture are everywhere so I choused two museums , one in Oradea ( Hung. Nagyvarad / Germ. Grosswardein ) and one in Timisoara ( Hung. Temeschwar / Germ. Temesvar ). They are the city museums not arms and armor oriented so they are not the most representative but it will do for now until a further visit to the military museums or the former royal chateaux. The main drawback in the museums of Romania remains the fact that you are forbidden to photograph exhibited artifacts in most museums as it was the case here which along with the fact I did not had a circular polarizing lens ( a ,,see trough glass window,, lens ) are the main factors that resulted into the almost disastrous pictures from inside as I was hiding my camera from any security guy and only some exhibit halls permitted that without risks. Both cities of Oradea and Timisoara, like most places in Transylvania, besides Romanian, they have a strong if not equal historical influence of local Hungarian ( Szekely or Secui ) and German ( Sashi or Sachsen ) nations. Worth mentioning is the Turkish interference (no Turk minority ever) but as the omnipresent enemy and at times the conqueror they left their marks in social or material culture (certain weapons, pipe and tobacco, coffee and others). As you will see plenty of Ottoman blades lurking around the Austro-Hungarian ones. As space permits I will do this photo-montage in two or more episodes due to the large number of photos. I hope you enjoy the architecture and statues too, I know I did ... Mare Rosu, since you don’t travel much these days but I am sure you miss seeing the world outside the Georgian shell, its for you my kind friend : Attached Images

17th February 2005, 06:56 AM	#2
Radu Transylvanicus Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 2008-2010 Bali, 1998-2008 USA Posts: 271	Ancient and medieval world Attached Images

17th February 2005, 07:01 AM	#3
Radu Transylvanicus Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 2008-2010 Bali, 1998-2008 USA Posts: 271	more Attached Images

17th February 2005, 07:10 AM	#4
Radu Transylvanicus Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 2008-2010 Bali, 1998-2008 USA Posts: 271	some more Attached Images

17th February 2005, 07:14 AM	#5
Radu Transylvanicus Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 2008-2010 Bali, 1998-2008 USA Posts: 271	A morion and closeup detail Attached Images

17th February 2005, 08:15 AM	#6
Yannis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Athens Greece Posts: 479	Welcome back Radu Thank you for sharing these images with us. You are very good photographer. In post 3 picture 3 there is a shamsir with a brass “eye” in the hilt. I had always a question about this feature. I think it is late 19th but never found a quote about it. For sure it is not medieval. What is very interesting is 2 photos below the shamshir with the brass scabbard. It looks very old and a kind of European. Also I love this Schiavona in the hands of battle suit. One of the most beautiful swords ever made. I wait for more pics

18th February 2005, 11:42 PM	#7
zelbone Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: VISAYAS and MINDANAO Posts: 169	Welcome back, Radu!!! It looks like you had a good time during your absence. Thanks for sharing those pics and giving us a glimpse of your homeland. Those pics are great!!!