I’ve been taking photos for many years. Over the years, I’ve realized that I enjoy photographing places, whether deserted or crowded—because in them, like in people, there’s a soul that speaks to their history.
One of my favorite places as a photographer is this one. It’s an abandoned Austrian fortress that offers highly photogenic perspectives. It’s located overlooking the Adige Valley in northern Italy, in a position that allows you to see for several kilometers. But despite the breathtaking view it offers, this abandoned architecture remains the protagonist of the photos.
Years ago, when I learned about this place, I remember being overcome with enthusiasm and visiting it with a Rolleiflex, taking numerous shots with black and white film. At the time, I worked in a printing factory that printed Koudelka’s books, and I asked my colleagues to post-process and print those photos in the style of the great artist. I had seen his work taken with a panoramic camera and fell in love with his framing and the depth of black he achieved.
The result I achieved was much more modest, but for me, as a novice photographer, it was exceptional: this ruined fortress, captured on a cloudy day, was for me a visual metaphor for our times. I was happy with the result.
Proud of that work, I sent it to a photography contest. After a few months, the Koudelka-style duotone prints were returned: a sign that the work wasn’t worthy of being shown. No reason given, just an unwritten no.
Since then, this place has been a symbol of the fact that only I understand my photos. And since then, I haven’t entered any more photography contests.
It’s no coincidence that the place where this fortress is located is called “Monte,” and in Italian “mandare a monte” means to interrupt a planned project, to fail to complete something…
Despite everything, I haven’t lost my love for photography, and I return every now and then because this place remains an excellent photography training ground. These photos were taken with a Nikon F2 with an 18mm lens and Fomapan 100 film.
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Sergio Palazzi on Andato a Monte
Comment posted: 20/12/2025
Geoff Chaplin on Andato a Monte
Comment posted: 20/12/2025
Spectacular site and your photos demonstrate its power very well.
Charles Young on Andato a Monte
Comment posted: 20/12/2025
Chuck
Miguel Mendez on Andato a Monte
Comment posted: 20/12/2025
Sigue haciendo lo que te gusta para tu propio placer , si a ti te gustan es mas que suficiente.
Keith Drysdale on Andato a Monte
Comment posted: 20/12/2025
Danai on Andato a Monte
Comment posted: 20/12/2025
Eric Rose on Andato a Monte
Comment posted: 20/12/2025
Eric
Peter Roberts on Andato a Monte
Comment posted: 20/12/2025
I agree totally with all the above comments. If others don't understand your work it's their loss. Suffice to say what you've shared with us here certainly captures the atmosphere for me. I would love to see more.
Gary on Andato a Monte
Comment posted: 21/12/2025
HAMISH A REID on Andato a Monte
Comment posted: 22/12/2025
What a wonderful series and insight on your process.
The concept of a training ground for the photography is such a impactful sentiment. VERY into the idea of an interruption to completion and a failure to complete something, this struck such a cord. Doing it for yourself, sometimes strengthened despite others rather than for them, is feel is such a signifigant practice in any artfom an one that I think only Photography gives. One person behind lens and one person able to capture it however it might change. There is no perfect. Only the present and the process. The shots are sublime but my opinion pales in contrast to your own. Keep working and shooting it for yourself. Thank you so much for sharing and keep on seeing it for yourself.
Ham