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Pablo

@pavlou.bsky.social

1.5K followers 780 following 2.4K posts

Photography, art, history, archaeology, classic cars/bikes and random other stuff. Not here for politics, or to chat. All photos mine except reposts.

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Pablo @pavlou.bsky.social · 11d

Lots of new followers lately, mostly posting about #politics. I'm sure you're all lovely people, but I don't want a feed full of politics. So please don't be offended if I don't follow back.

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Peachykeeen @peachykeeen.bsky.social · 11h

Luxurious lustre and lace from a 1754 portrait

#WeekOforOpulent
#AlphabetChallenge 📷

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Dr. Peter Paul Rubens @peterpaulrubens.bsky.social · 13h

Splendid triptych for the cathedral in Moulins, 1498, by Jean Hey. Also known (because of this work) as the Master of Moulins. Today is his day.

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Albert Ibars @albert-ibars.bsky.social · 19h

Dia de pluja. Aigua a dojo.
#Fotografia #Monochrome #ClassicMono #HumansOfBlueSky #EastCoastKin

Pluja intensa a Camprodon. Es veu la porta d'un hotel amb gent que mira com plou a bots i barrals i un home caminant sota un paraigües enfilant un carrer desert.

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THE FAR SIDE DAILY @bot.cowtools.org · 6d

“I tell you, a crib is just plain worthless—what we need around here is a good cardboard box.”

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THE FAR SIDE DAILY @bot.cowtools.org · 1d

Water buffaloes at home

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THE FAR SIDE DAILY @bot.cowtools.org · 17h

Some wolves, their habitat destroyed and overwhelmed by human pressures, turn to snorting quack.

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monicapelger.bsky.social @monicapelger.bsky.social · 18h

Doorwerth Castle, situated slightly elevated on the banks of the Lower Rhine river. I live in the village so I visit it often. When it’s misty, there’s a nice spooky feeling, but I never knew any of the ghost stories that are connected to it. See alt text. #Palaces&Gardens #Myths&Legends

Doorwerth Castle is reportedly haunted by several spirits, including a girl who starved to death, a thieving servant, a murderous castellan, and a witch-like woman in a carriage with headless horses.
The British paranormal TV show Most Haunted investigated these claims in 2004, noting the alleged sightings and phenomena.

Reported Ghosts
The Starved Girl: A recurring phenomenon in the hunting hall of the north wing is attributed to a girl who supposedly starved to death within the castle walls.

Black Jack: A mischievous spirit that plays pranks on guests, such as moving belongings and sliding glasses off tables.

The Lady in the Carriage: A witch-like woman is said to ride in a carriage pulled by headless horses.

Other Spirits: Some accounts mention the ghosts of a thieving servant, a murderous castellan, a lady beekeeper, and a woman searching for her baby.

Most Haunted Investigation
In 2004, the team from the British paranormal television show Most Haunted investigated the alleged hauntings at Doorwerth Castle.
During their investigation, a guide reportedly went into a trance and broke down in tears, an event the team attributed to the emotionally charged nature of the tragic history of the castle.
doorwerthinfo.nl also mentions that scientific observations and proof of these phenomena were gathered in 2004.

History of the Castle
Doorwerth Castle was built around 1280 and was significantly damaged during World War II but later restored.

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Maria V Schiefer @mariavschiefer.bsky.social · 21h

St. Giles Cathedral
Edinburgh, Scotland
Sept 2025
#AdoorableThursday
#IronworkThursday
#Photography
#Travel #Outdoor
#TravelPhotography
#OutdoorPhotography
#PhotographersOfBlueSky
#EastCoastKin

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Sparty® @young-spartacus.bsky.social · 21h

For #PalacesAndGardens theme #Myth&Legend;

Jervaulx Abbey, the original birthplace of Wensleydale cheese in 1150 made by Cistercian monks!

Sparty 🙏🏼

#EastCoastKin #Photography #AltText #ColorADay #YellowThu #Travel #Architecture #ArtYear #PhotographersofBluesky #Art #BlueSkyPhotography #BlueskyArt

The image depicts the historical ruins of Jervaulx Abbey, a Cistercian monastery located in the Yorkshire Dales of England.
It was founded in 1156 and is a Grade I listed building. The buildings were largely constructed during the 12th century when the Cistercian order was at its peak. The photo captures a significant portion of the remaining structure, showcasing the weathered, honey-coloured sandstone walls against a dramatic sky.
The main body of the ruin rises from a meticulously maintained green lawn, which is bordered by neatly trimmed hedges in the foreground. The stonework is heavily eroded in places, with some of the larger archways and windows missing their original tracery and glass, exposing the bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds behind them. Several tall, arched windows line the upper section of the wall, with their original frames now gone, creating a sense of openness. The arches at the lower level are larger and more robust, with some still framing small passageways or alcoves. Lush greenery and small trees have taken root in and around the ancient stones, adding to the romantic and serene atmosphere of the site.
The contrast between the vibrant green grass, the rich yellow-brown stone, and the deep blue of the sky creates a visually striking image.
The abbey's history is intertwined with the region; its name, Jervaulx, is a French derivation meaning 'the Ure valley'. The monks at Jervaulx were historically renowned for breeding horses and are credited as the original producers of Wensleydale cheese, initially made with ewe's milk. The site is a protected ancient monument, but it is currently run by the Burdon family, who purchased it in 1971 and rely on donations for its upkeep. The ruins are open to the public from dawn to dusk, offering a peaceful and reflective setting for visitors. The image captures this sense of timeless tranquility, blending the majesty of the historical architecture with the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.

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Mamady @mamady.bsky.social · 20h

Am I cool? Well, I got up at 5 AM, spent 10p & rode most of Tashkent’s Soviet-era metro system for 5 hours straight. So yes, I am cool, ACTUALLY!

#photography #urbangaze #humansofbluesky #eastcoastkin #art #scape #travel #uzbekistan #architecture #classicmono #monochrome #blackandwhite #b&w #trains

A black and white photo of the Alisher Navoi metro station in Tashkent featuring grand arched columns, patterned floor tiles and geometric ceiling patterns, creating a symmetrical, cathedral-like underground space of light and stone. Almost empty and still, the station waits for the daily rhythm of city life to begin.

A blue subway car waits at the platform under a ceiling adorned with intricate star-shaped and floral designs outlined in blue, reflecting elegant geometric artistry above urban transit.

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Rob Ralley @robralley.bsky.social · 20h

Abbey Gate, Carlisle.
#Thursgate #UrbanGaze 📷 #photography

View through a gatehouse, from one archway to another (both in dark shadow), out onto a street. The buildings outside are old red brick and red sandstone, and the street is paved with setts.

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Mira🌺 @deepgreens.bsky.social · 19h

Bonding... #Photography #HumansofBlueSky #BeachLife #Nature #Sunset

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Mick Lister @listermj.bsky.social · 22h

#PalacesAndGardens theme #Myth&Legend
Carlisle Castle,Carlisle,Cumbria
In 1568 it was the prison of Mary Queen of Scots.
Legend has it she looked out from her cell and saw people playing football,20 a side - 1 of the earliest on record.
#carlisle #castles #cumbria #history #photography #eastcoastkin

A view of Carlisle Castle, Carlisle, Cumbria on a sunny June day. A red sandstone building from the 12th Century. The main turreted entrance and the keep building can be seen, with red stone walls running alongside them.
Built in the 12th Century, it was a frontier fortress between England and Scotland. It survived 7 sieges from the Scots between 1174 & 1461.
In 1568 it was the prison of Mary Queen of Scots. Legend has it she looked out from her cell and saw people playing football, 20 a side - one of the earliest records of people playing football.
Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite army seized the castle in 1745 on their way south to take London (so they hoped) but only got as far as Derby.
The castle was operational well into the 20th Century. Today it hosts Cumbria's Museum of Military Life, exploring the Border Regiment's 300 year history.

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Alison Fisk @alisonfisk.bsky.social · 21h

The Royal Game of Ur is the world’s oldest playable boardgame!

Played by Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia about 4,500 years ago!

It is a two-player race game, the rules of which have been deciphered from a cuneiform tablet.

Game from the Royal Cemetery of Ur. 📷 British Museum

#Archaeology

British Museum photo showing a two-player board game with gaming counters known as the Royal Game of Ur. Dated c. 2,500 BC.

The game board is composed of a hollow box made of wood adorned with shell plaques. There is a drawer at one end for storing game pieces and dice. The top of the board is covered with twenty square-shaped off-white shell plaques, each bordered with dark-blue lapis lazuli. The shell squares are intricately decorated with blue inlaid patterns including dots inside circles and eye-shapes. Five squares are inlaid with flower-shaped rosettes with red limestone and blue lapis lazuli petals.

The game board is roughly rectangular in shape. Viewed from above in the photo, on the left side of the board is a block of 12 squares made up of 4 across by 3 down. On the right side of the board is a block of 6 squares made up of 2 across by 3 down. The two blocks are joined by two squares extending between the second square down on the end row of the left block and the second square down on the first row of the second block.

Dimensions H: 2.40 cm, L: 30.10 cm, W: 11 cm, (W 5.70 cm at narrowest part)

Beneath the board are 14 disc-shaped gaming counters. On the left are 7 white pieces, inlaid with 5 spots of blue lapis lazuli. On the right are 7 black pieces inlaid with five white spots.

Between the game pieces are three tetrahedron-shaped dice. L to R: Dark blue, brown, cream.

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misheleneous Handmade Gifts | Home & Hound @misheleneous.bsky.social · 20h

#WeekOforOpulent #AlphabetChallenge

A close up of some of the opulent and ornate details of Manchester's China Town Arch in the city centre

#UrbanGaze #Manchester

A colour shot looking up underneath the opulent and ornately detailed arch in Manchester's China Town in the city centre

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Luxury Nomad Club @luxurynomadclub.bsky.social · 1d

Library of Congress, Washington, DC #WindowsOnWednesday #AlphabetChallenge #WeekOforOpulent #EastCoastKin #Photography

Part of the ceiling of the Library of Congress, Washington,DC

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Dr. Peter Paul Rubens @peterpaulrubens.bsky.social · 20h

Today’s artist without a (known) birthday: Jean Hey, aka the Master of Moulins. Here, Madeleine of Burgundy, who’s not looking all that pleased to be presented by Mary Magdalene in 1490.

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Pablo @pavlou.bsky.social · 20h

#AlphabetChallenge #WeekOforOpulent
Palais Royale, Brussels.
📷 #photography #travelphotography #belgium

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Miss History G, Linda @misshistoryg2.bsky.social · 22h

Courtyard Garden, Seville from 2018
Opulent pink flowers in this beautiful #courtyard #garden in #Seville from our travels in 2018.
#AlphabetChallenge #WeekOforOpulent #gardens #architecture #Spain #PalacesAndGardens

A colour photograph in landscape format. It shows a courtyard garden with beds within low hedges, and lollipop lemon trees. All the flowers are a bright fuschia colour, quite stunning!

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Els Herten @elsherten.bsky.social · 21h

Two posh oldtimers in my garage.
(just kidding... photos taken during Oldtimer Rally in Brussels)

#AlphabetChallenge #WeekOforOpulent
#photography #oldtimers #cars

Close-up image of an oldtimer MG car featuring a gleaming chrome grill.

Close-up image of an oldtimer Triumph car featuring a gleaming chrome grill and headlights.

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Bert Thomson @westcoastsmirr.bsky.social · 21h

#TheBeatles A wee thread on some Beatles books I wouldn't swap for a gold pig.
1.'The Man Who Gave the Beatles Away' Alan Williams and William Marshall. Just a great wee read about the early days in Liverpool and Hamburg. Thick with atmosphere, it seems absolutely real. 'I laughed a lot' John Lennon