Terra Incognita No. 1 – Guess the Country

Before I head off on my summer holiday, I’d like to launch a new series called “Terra Incognita”, in which I’ll be needing your help in identifying an “unknown land” on the basis of three photos. This time round the photos were sent to me by my friend Martin Broekhuis, who has abused my body for his photographic projects in the past and therefore owed me a favour.

Martin is a bit of an enigma, so I had expected a challenge, but I must admit these three photos had me stumped and left me wondering whether they were all taken in the same country.

Let’s look at them in the order I received them.

At first I thought: it’s just an old door. It could be France or Spain or Italy, maybe Eastern Europe, the Balkans? But then I took a closer look and saw that it is split vertically down the middle. I don’t recall ever seeing doors like this in France or Italy. There’s also a strange opening under the doorstep. Where does it lead? To a cellar perhaps? And is that a doorbell under the number 29? If so, why is it up so high? Could this be a country that gets so much snow that they have to keep the doorbell above the snow level? Switzerland maybe? But I don’t recall ever seeing a Swiss home with peeling paint and a dead plant beside the doorstep. I get the feeling this door isn’t used very often, but I’m not sure why. Maybe because the handle looks small and inoperable.

Too many questions. Let’s move on to the next photo.

A panoramic view of a mountain range. The wall and steps look neat and tidy and very high up. Could this be the upper station of a cableway? The Austrian Alps maybe? It could also be central Norway, where I recall seeing mountains like this rolling off into the distance. I wish I could identify the type of stone that has been used for the wall and paving. Maybe that’s a clue.

“It’s a salmon farm!” said my wife. “Like the one’s we saw in Norway.”
“No way,” I said. “Look at that concrete pillar supporting the footbridge. This is part of a much firmer and stronger structure than some flimsy salmon farm!”  The round platform in the water looks like it gives access to something under water. Could it be a viewing station for spotting monsters? Could this be a Scottish loch?

An intriguing series of photos, but I’m no closer to the truth. Taking a wild guess, I would say this is Austria. What do you reckon?

(Photo credits: Martin Broekhuis)

Posted by:   Richard de Nooy  | 
Join the conversation Show comments

T Tromp

The first one is Santorini Greece

T Tromp

The first one is Santorini Greece

Schuu80

altijd weer minder stress als er KLM op die motren staat……:-)

Schuu80

altijd weer minder stress als er KLM op die motren staat……:-)

Sir GeorgeV

when one country consists of all cultures ….. and you take a tour to one of the countries that are in yours,, believe it or not you still learn from the individual people you meet.  

AND THAT IS A NEVER ENDING EDUCATION!!

Sir GeorgeV

when one country consists of all cultures ….. and you take a tour to one of the countries that are in yours,, believe it or not you still learn from the individual people you meet.  

AND THAT IS A NEVER ENDING EDUCATION!!

Muur

I would say Andorra. Mountains, Spanish influence and snow high house numbers :)

Muur

I would say Andorra. Mountains, Spanish influence and snow high house numbers :)

Ivana Raicic

I think this is Andora!

Ivana Raicic

I think this is Andora!

Guillaume Leclanche

That’s Switzerland.
3rd picture is the Klöntalersee (that is 100% sure)

Guesses for the other pictures :
2nd picture is probably Bellinzona seen from a moutain overlooking its valley
1st picture is coming from one of the Italian-culture valleys in Ticino or Graubunden.

What do I win ? :)

Guillaume Leclanche

That’s Switzerland.
3rd picture is the Klöntalersee (that is 100% sure)

Guesses for the other pictures :
2nd picture is probably Bellinzona seen from a moutain overlooking its valley
1st picture is coming from one of the Italian-culture valleys in Ticino or Graubunden.

What do I win ? :)

Anonymous

i would say andorra to!!

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