THEthe Boccale Castle in Livorno and the Corigliano Calabro Castletwo Italian architectural jewels, win the podium of Wiki Loves Monuments 2024The largest photography competition in the world dedicated to cultural heritage That celebrates the beauty of monuments through photography. But not only that: it also promotes the free sharing of images, making them accessible to everyone.
The Italian Castles triumph in the Wiki Loves Monuments 2024 photography competition
Wiki Loves Monuments it’s not just a competitionbut a celebration of image and culture. «The fundamental difference between a classic photography competition and one that publishes photos with a free license, in fact, it is only one. The most inclusive diffusion that allows everyonetoday and tomorrow, to enjoy the heritage produced”, explains Alessio Melandri, president of Wikimedia Italia.
The awarded photos: the Boccale Castle of Livorno on the podium
Since its first edition, the competition has helped document millions of monuments in 93 countries, with over 3 million images uploaded by more than 111,500 participants. This year, in Italy, the general category saw the triumph of Boccale Castle in Livorno, immortalized in a sunset shot by Pamyd85. The photo, which shows the sea waves crashing against the castle walls, is a perfect example of how the warm light of sunset can transform a landscape into a work of art.
The Boccale Castle is the winning photo of the competition (official site)
Places of culture: the spiral staircase of the Castle of Corigliano Calabro
But it is not only the beauty of the structures that emerges in this competition. Among the “Places of culture” took first place the helical staircase of the Castle of Corigliano Calabro, photographed by Abbrey82. The award came thanks to a compositional skill that makes the most of the grandeur of the frescoes and the particular shape of the staircase. «The vertical framing and the use of a wide-angle lens allow the author to emphasize the charm of the already prestigious historic residence», we read in the motivation for the award.
With Wiki Loves Monuments between emotions and traditions
The competition does not limit itself to rewarding aesthetic beauty, but also celebrates the emotions and stories that each image brings with it. The Como Cathedral, captured in a night view by Maurizio Moro5153, and the Grand Canal of Venice with its fireworksphotographed by Alessioterzo, are examples of how photography can freeze magical moments.
Free sharing of images
The success of Wiki Loves Monuments it is based on the collaboration between public administrations, cultural and religious bodies, private owners and an army of volunteers who make this celebration of our heritage possible. From 2012 to today, the Italian version of the competition has seen 284,000 photographs uploaded, with the 2024 edition recording almost 42,000 photos uploaded from 615 participants, of which 346 were new.
A bridge between past and future
The competition also aims to represent a bridge between the past and the future, combining tradition with the modern art of photography. Just look at the image of the Margherita Theater of Bariphotographed in black and white by Salvatore Gianfrancesco, and the Civic Museum of Bassano del Grappa by Silvana Gallio. Two full testimonies of how photography can capture not only the aesthetic aspect of monuments, but also their soul.
Like all photography competitions, Wiki Loves Monuments also has an underlying message to promote. Which is to remind everyone, the importance of preserving and sharing our cultural heritagein a world where beauty and culture are often overshadowed.
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