Pragser Wildsee 1, a photo from Bolzano, Trentino Alto Adige

Photographer's Note

The Pragser Wildsee (Italian: Lago di Braies) is a true natural beauty. Nowadays its quite well-known because an Italian TV-series, staring Terrence Hill, the 'One step from heaven' (Italian: Un passo dal cielo) was set there.
In the past, the area witnessed darker things, however: according to the Wikipedia, in the final weeks of the Second World War 139 high profile prisoners of the Nazi regime (including the former Austrian chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg) were transported from various concentration camps to the Dachau Concentration Camp in Bavaria. On 27 April the prisoners began their final journey to Hotel Pragser Wildsee (see WS!). Alongside with this, the SS commander got his final orders, which stated that in case the Allied forces got close, all prisoners - including children - should have been executed.
Making its way over the Brenner Pass the convoy entered the Italian Tyrol through the Puster Valley and eventually stopped, the following morning, just outside the small village of Niederdorf (Italian: Villabassa 70 km north-east of Bolzano. On Sunday 29 April Wehrmacht Colonel Bogislaw von Bonin, who had been imprisoned for disobeying Hitler by authorizing his soldiers to retreat from Warsaw in January 1945, approached the local Wehrmacht (the regular army) liaison office in Niederdorf and contacted his old friends at the army, who rang back two hours later to say that a Wehrmacht unit was on the way to provide safe custody for the hostages. After tense negotiations, the SS and SD troops realized that they were outnumbered by the Wehrmacht and accepted the offer to leave. The convoy, now being under the supervision of the Wehrmacht, went further to its ultimate destination. The hostages were finally released on the 4 May, when the American troops arrived to the place and the Wehrmacht soldiers surrendered.
- As an addition to the Wikipedia article: I saw a documentary in which one of the former hostages said that even it was strange to feel like this she was very happy, when von Bonin, who arranged the Wehrmacht action stated that from that time they were prisoners of the Wehrmacht. She knew that von Bonin won't execute them, but handle to the Allies as soon as they arrive.
*
Nikon D700, Nikon 24-70 AFs

jimmyjimmy, holmertz, alvaraalto, pajaran, papagolf21, johnjmoe, jhm, worldcitizen, macjake ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (103642) 2020-01-06 8:47

Hello György,
I have a slight suspicion you didn't stay at that hotel. Only 3 stars but still quite expensive. This hut on stilts makes for a more interesting photo anyway. You placed it well to the side with a good view of the mountains in the background and a few boats nicely included. This is one of those cases where a tight crop means so much. The colours are good and there are some nice reflections too. The long note is fascinating. Nice postcardish WS photos.
Best regards,
Gert

Tue (93458) 2020-01-06 9:51

Hallo Gyorgy,
Wow, what a view across the lake towards the impressive and steep slopes of the mountains. The calm water adds some fine reflections and the boats make a great addition too. The cabin at right is also well included and balances the shot nicely.
Lars

alvaraalto (42804) 2020-01-06 9:54

Hello Gy,
Nicely composed photo with the rickety old building on stilts in the foreground and the lake and the rugged mountains in the background.
Well done.
Have a nice day. Groet Rob

kasianowak (17676) 2020-01-06 10:20

Hi Gyorgy
It looks like an idyllic place with people spending holidays walking the mountains and rowing boats. Maybe not so idyllic after reading your note...
I really like the composition with the wooden hut filling the foreground.
Best wishes
Kasia

jimmyjimmy (6164) 2020-01-06 10:23

Hello Gyorgy

Love the POV of this place. Looks to beautitful to have such craziness going on. But I guess looks can be deceiving. I see myself having a nice strong cup of coffee on the porch enjoying some quiet time. Your image evokes a sense of peace. nice

jimmy

P.S. what kind of camera do you use.

Gerrit (62042) 2020-01-06 15:52

Hello Gyorgy.
excellent view over the lake in very good light. I like the way you cropped it showing the high walls but not the sky and the beautiful weathered wooden hut on poles.
Thanks and regards,
Gerrit

jemaflor (148260) 2020-01-06 23:25

Hi Gyorgy,
Beautiful landscape with a well made frame, well balanced between lake and wooden houses, nice sharpness, good details with people and boats, tfs.

papagolf21 (152607) 2020-01-06 23:33

Bonjour, cher Gyorgy,
La mise en image est de toute beauté, et je prends plaisir à la découverte de ce lieu magique et merveilleux.
Un grand merci du partage;
Bonne journée.
Amitiés.
Philippe

emka (158860) 2020-01-06 23:56

Hello Gyorgy, wonderful view. It reminds me the lakes in Germany in the Alps. Must be great to go for a ride by boat. I like this wooden hut on stilts. what a terrible story behind this beauty. Fantastic composition.

Kind regards MAlgo

lousat (139992) 2020-01-07 2:31

Hi Gyorgy,back in Italy after the beautiful pics of Zakopane region,with this lovely view of Braies lake in my country,the composition is great with a perfect use of zoom to create this lovely perspective,2 useful WS too showing the big hotel. Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

abmdsudi (95869) 2020-01-07 3:47

Hi Gyorgy
Excellent in depth narratives guiding us thru this image. Indeed a great lake for relaxation! Good framing leading the eye deeper beyond backed by the majestic green mountain and I find that the boats is a fine focal point of this shot. Nice range of colours, shiny water reflection and superb overall contrast. A peaceful secluded sight so thoughtfully taken. Congrats
Best wishes

jhm (211738) 2020-01-07 5:59

Hello Gy,

I like this nice pile house.
Quiet nice panorama view about the area.
Excellent sharp and clear.
Nice composition and excellent presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Ilonka1974 (10307) 2020-01-07 12:06

Hi Gyorgy,
I have been there
Amazing and beautiful lake,
I like it a lot.
Best regards
Janusz

worldcitizen (16226) 2020-01-07 13:06

Hello Gyorgy,
What a beautiful Alpine setting, and I really like your composition. Having that rustic structure jut out over the water, with the majestic mountains in the background, is breathtaking. It must be even more amazing in person. Thanks for the historic info, too.

macjake (98544) 2020-01-12 16:59

Hi Gy
there are a number of good shots in your recent gallery posts.
but i had to choose this one. I like that its full frame, no empty or dead spaces. and the old cabin looks to be falling apart but its clearly not - that's its allure. smart compo
cheers
Craig