Stone wall with windows in old fishing village (ghost town) of Al Ghariyah on north-eastern coast, Ash Shamal area. Qatar, December 19, 2015
Stone walls with windows in old fishing village (ghost town) of Al Ghariyah on north-eastern coast, Ash Shamal area. Qatar, December 19, 2015
Stone walls in old fishing village (ghost town) of Al Ghariyah on north-eastern coast, Ash Shamal area. Qatar, December 19, 2015
Stone wall in old fishing village (ghost town) of Al Khuwair west from Lekhwair on northern coast. Qatar, June 6, 2015
Old stone walls in old fishing village (ghost town) of Al Ghariyah on north-eastern coast, Ash Shamal area. Qatar, September 12, 2015
Remains of a stone wall in old fishing village (ghost town) of Al Ghariyah on north-eastern coast, Ash Shamal area. Qatar, June 13, 2015
Structure of a stone wall in old fishing village (ghost town) of Al Ghariyah on north-eastern coast, Ash Shamal area. Qatar, June 13, 2015
Abandoned stone wall west from Old Quarry in Freetown/Fall River State Forest. Massachusetts, May 24, 2003
Graffiti on a stone wall in a school of old fishing village (ghost town) of Al Ghariyah on north-eastern coast, Ash Shamal area. Qatar, June 13, 2015
Pattern of stone placement in a masonry wall of old village of Jamilla in Al-Jumayliyah (Aljumileh). Qatar, March 3, 2012
Stone wall in a school of old fishing village (ghost town) of Al Ghariyah on north-eastern coast, Ash Shamal area. Qatar, June 13, 2015
Toppled stone walls in old fishing village (ghost town) of Al Ghariyah on north-eastern coast, Ash Shamal area. Qatar, June 17, 2016
Ruins of a stone wall of old village of Jamilla in Al-Jumayliyah (Aljumileh). Qatar, March 3, 2012
Obese female sea gull sitting on a stone wall in Bishop s Garden at Toom-Kooli 21 in Tallinn old town. Estonia, August 14, 2024
This view from Rataskaevu Street looks directly towards the imposing St. Nicholas Church (Niguliste kirik), creating one of the most picturesque and architecturally significant scenes in Tallinn s Old Town. The dominant feature is the massive tower of St. Nicholas Church, dedicated to the patron saint of merchants and sailors. The church, originally built in the 13th century as a fortress-church, showcases a mix of Gothic and Baroque elements. The current Baroque spire (added in the late 17th century) rises high above the street, while the lower sections reveal the heavy limestone walls typical of medieval defense structures. At the base of the tower, one can see the Small Chapel (Va"ike kabel) and the Clodt Chapel. The smaller, yellow-and-white structure with the arched entrance (left foreground) is the Chapel of St. Matthew (later St. George), adding a touch of color and intricate detail to the otherwise austere stone facade. Estonia, October 16, 2025
This view from the St. Nicholas Church tower focuses on the southwestern edge of the Old Town, dominated by medieval fortifications and the lush greenery of Toompea s slopes. The massive round tower on the right is Kiek in de Ko"k ("Peep into the Kitchen"), a 15th-century artillery tower. Its formidable stone walls, over 4 meters thick, were designed to withstand cannon fire, making it the most powerful defensive tower in the Baltic region during its time. Today, it houses a fortification museum. Below the tower, the cobblestone street running vertically is Ru"u"tli Street, historically home to the city s executioner and later a quiet residential area. To the left of Ru"u"tli Street, the large building with the expansive red-tiled roof is the Swedish St. Michael s Church (Rootsi-Mihkli kirik). Originally a medieval hospital and poorhouse, it was converted into a church for the Swedish garrison and community. Its simple, robust architecture contrasts with the more ornate merchant houses found elsewhere in the Old Town. Estonia, October 16, 2025
This picturesque courtyard is located at Ru"u"tli 28, tucked away near the medieval city wall and the fortifications of Toompea. The site features a charming, small white building with red doors and window frames, nestled directly against the limestone cliff and city wall fortifications. The lush ivy covering the stone walls turns a vibrant red in autumn, creating a "fairytale" aesthetic that contrasts with the defensive nature of the surrounding structures. The wooden walkway visible above the cliff is part of the Kiek in de Ko"k Fortifications Museum complex. This gallery connects the Maiden Tower (Neitsitorn), the Stable Tower (Marstall), and the Kiek in de Ko"k artillery tower, allowing visitors to walk along the old defensive perimeter. The courtyard below sits in the shadow of these massive fortifications, which once protected the city from invaders. Estonia, October 16, 2025
Mu"u"rivahe Street (Mu"u"rivahe ta"nav), specifically the section near the famous "Knit Market" wall. The name Mu"u"rivahe translates to "Between the Walls," referring to its historical location between the city s main defensive wall and a lower, secondary wall. This area is famous for the open-air market where local craftswomen sell traditional Estonian hand-knitted items like wool sweaters, mittens, and socks directly off the medieval stone wall. This specific spot (near Mu"u"rivahe 21) is close to the Viru Gate entrance to the Old Town and connects towards St. Catherine s Passage, another famous medieval walkway. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
A weathered, wooden gate at Tolli Street 8 (Tolli tn 8) in the Old Town of Tallinn. This short, historic street runs north from Pikk Street towards the harbor area. Its name (meaning "Customs") reflects its historical connection to trade and taxation near the old port. The gate likely leads to a private courtyard or garden behind one of the historic residential properties. The wooden gate is visibly aged, with uneven planks and temporary reinforcements, suggesting it is awaiting restoration or is part of a less polished corner of the Old Town. This "shabby chic" aesthetic contrasts with the meticulously renovated facades on nearby Pikk Street. The flanking limestone walls are covered in peeling plaster and graffiti, revealing the raw stone construction typical of Tallinn s medieval infrastructure. The presence of graffiti and the unkempt nature of the gate offer a glimpse into the "lived-in" reality of the city, distinct from the purely tourist-focused attractions. The autumn leaves visible above the gate add a touch of seasonal color to the otherwise gritty scene. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
A wooden double door set within a limestone portal at approximately Pikk 67 in Tallinn s Old Town. The door is framed by a round-arched limestone portal, a common feature in Tallinn s medieval Hanseatic architecture. The rough-hewn stone blocks (voussoirs) forming the arch are clearly visible where the plaster has fallen away, revealing the underlying construction technique. The surrounding wall features peeling stucco in shades of ochre and grey, exposing the limestone masonry beneath. This texture speaks to the building s age and the ongoing challenge of maintaining historic structures in the local climate. The door itself is made of diagonal wooden planks, a traditional style for utility or courtyard entrances in the Old Town. It appears to be a secondary entrance rather than a main portal for a wealthy merchant s house. The juxtaposition of the medieval stone arch with modern urban graffiti creates a stark contrast between the city s protected history and contemporary urban challenges. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
Old Town at the foot of Toompea Hill, specifically near Nunne Street 5. The illuminated stone staircase on the left is the start of the Patkuli Stairs. Built in 1903, these 157 steps connect the Lower Town (from Nunne Street) to the Patkuli viewing platform on the upper limestone plateau of Toompea. The striking street art on the wall to the right is titled "Okay, Queen...". Created by the artist Marie Soosaar in 2022, this stencil graffiti depicts a queen-like figure holding a lamb, flanked by a knight and a castle tower. It adds a modern, whimsical touch to the medieval surroundings and has quickly become a popular photo spot. The massive limestone wall in the background supports the Toompea hill. The buildings visible at the top (with the pink facade) are part of the complex of government and noble residences that historically occupied the Upper Town. The large trees on the left are part of the green belt (Snelli Park area) that surrounds the Old Town fortifications, providing a lush contrast to the stone architecture. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
