Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: harbour

Pythagorion is one the most picturesque villages on the island of Samos. It is named after the famous philosopher and scientist Pythagoras. Pythagorion has a beautiful port where many beautiful old sailing ships, fishing boats and ferries to other islands moor. This harbour is maybe one of the oldest ports in the Mediterranean sea. The town with its traditional old houses with red-tiled roofs is built amphitheatrically around the bay, where the ancient town of the island was found during excavations..

The coastal town of Portofino is located in the heart of the Italian Riviera with a tranquil crescent harbour with a hill of olive groves and small vineyards in its background. The harbour cradled by a piazza which in turn is rimmed by pastel coloured houses. Portofino is one of the most iconic Mediterranean places. As one of the most renowned tourist resorts in the world the town attracts thousands of travelers, including artists, politicians and celebrities of international level. Portofino’s birth is dating back to the Roman era, when it was known by the name Portus Delphini (Dolphin’s Harbour). The Benedictines established a monastery in the 1400s, only to abandon it in the 1500s after repeated raids by pirates. The building remained an empty ruin until the 1800s, when a titled European family restored it as a summer villa. In the 1850s, British aristocrats began making Portofino popular, believing that relics of St. George, England’s patron saint, rested in the parish church. Only 500 people live in Portofino: fishing families, shop owners, people with hotels or restaurants and a few who work in Genoa. During our visit, we climbed to the viewpoint next to the Church of St. George. Unfortunately, the view of the picturesque harbour was spoilt by some ugly large yachts.

The Cinque Terre is a string of five old fishing villages perched high on the rugged coastline of the east end of the Italian Riviera in Liguria. Until recently they were linked only by mule tracks and accessible only by rail or water. Nowadays Cinque Terre is a UNESCO Heritage Site. It's also one of the most sought-after travel destinations in all of Italy. The five villages are no longer the isolated hamlets they once were, but there’s still a feeling of authenticity, with few roads and perfectly preserved architecture. Vernazza is the only village of the famous Cinque Terre (Five Villages) to be included in the list of borghi più belli d'Italia (most beautiful villages of Italy). It is the most prosperous village of the Cinque Terre, partly due to the somewhat larger harbour, guarded by a watch tower, which was once part of the impressive Castello Doria. Vernazza has a long history: the village was probably founded around the year 1000. It was ruled by the Republic of Genoa starting in 1276. One of the families that helped to found Vernazza is said to have given its name to the village: the Gens Vulnetia. Vernazza is said to be a corruption of this family name. The church Santa Margherita d'Antiochia, which was built in 1318, lies directly on the village square and harbour. The octagonal, 40-meters bell tower rises proudly, like a lighthouse for the colourful fishing boats. We were exploring Cinque Terre by train. Believe it or not, when we got out of Vernazza station we came across of Dutch acquaintances from our home town among the thousands and thousands of tourists.

The Cinque Terre is a string of five old fishing villages perched high on the rugged coastline of the east end of the Italian Riviera in Liguria. Until recently they were linked only by mule tracks and accessible only by rail or water. Nowadays Cinque Terre is a UNESCO Heritage Site. It's also one of the most sought-after travel destinations in all of Italy. The five villages are no longer the isolated hamlets they once were, but there’s still a feeling of authenticity, with few roads and perfectly preserved architecture. Manarola, the second village of the Cinque Terre coming from La Spezia is one of the most picturesque villages, made up of the characteristic perched and colorful tower-houses that overlook the alleys and the main street, where boats are on dry land, which creates an extra attractive image. Manarola develops around the main road that retraces the course of the Groppo stream, which is now covered and no longer visible. Numerous alleyways and stone alleys branch off from the main street, to reach the sides of the promontory and the houses higher up on the rock that reaches up to 70 meters above the Mediterranean Sea. The main road ends at a tiny harbour. Manarola was first mentioned in the second half of the 13th century. Passed under the dominion of Genoa, the town experienced a progressive development, becoming one of the major producers of oil and wine.

The Cinque Terre is a string of five old fishing villages perched high on the rugged coastline of the east end of the Italian Riviera in Liguria. Until recently they were linked only by mule tracks and accessible only by rail or water. Nowadays Cinque Terre is a UNESCO Heritage Site. It's also one of the most sought-after travel destinations in all of Italy. The five villages are no longer the isolated hamlets they once were, but there’s still a feeling of authenticity, with few roads and perfectly preserved architecture. Riomaggiore - the most eastern village of Cinque Terre is the largest of the five and acts more or less as its unofficial ‘headquarters’. The charming village is perched on a terraced hillside and its pastel coloured tower-houses march down to a tiny harbour. The village was originally founded in the 8th century by Greek refugees anxious to take advantage of the naturally rich soil and plentiful sea life surrounding it. Nowadays Riomaggiore however, actually dates back to the 13th century and was named for the stream, Rivus Major, that flows underneath today’s main road “Via Cristoforo Colombo. Only in the nineteenth century the village was reached by the railway, which first connected it to the other villages of the Cinque Terre and then to the rest of Italy. We visited the villages of Cinque Terre from our 'base' Levanto with the "Carta 5 Terre Treno". This card allows unlimited travel by train for one day in the Cinque Terre region.

Framura is on the official list of Italy’s prettiest towns ( Borghi più Belli d’Italia ). The old town is actually made up of four tiny villages clinging to a hillside, one above the other. At sea level is the pretty little harbour, or Porticciolo . The harbour is full of colourful boats and has a bar for a lunch, drink or aperitivo. We visited Framura from Levanto - where we stayed a couple of days - by a short bike trip. The biking/walking path runs through an old restored railway tunnel and is as flat as can be. It offers a couple of snatches of views of the beautiful coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Levanto has a number of bicycle rental companies. However, we were able to use the free bicycles of our hotel (Oasi Hotel).

In 1565 the city council of Harlingen received permission from Philips II to expand the city on the north side. This mainly concerned the widening of the northern canal to Noorderhaven (Northern Harbour) and the planned neighbourhood to the north of it. These activities were completed in the years 1579-1580 and Harlingen had approximately tripled in size. This tidal port accommodated many vessels that came from the Frisian hinterland and was connected to the sea. The port became a popular place to live for wealthy citizens and still has many monumental houses today. Warehouses were also built along the water. Some names of the warehouses recall the destinations of the merchants, such as Poland, Russia, Java, and Sumatra. In 1730, town architect H.J. Norel started with the construction of the new town hall , which is also located along the Noorderhaven .

Puerto Madero - also known as Puerto Madero Waterfront - is the easternmost district of Buenos Aires, occupying a significant portion of the Río de la Plata riverbank. At the end of the 19th century, businessman Eduardo Madero was commissioned to ensure that large cargo ships could reach the port of Buenos Aires. In 1897 this new harbour was opened, but already ten years later the slow development and the appearance of larger ships made Puerto Madero superfluous. Puerto Madero is not only the story of the port, but also the development that the area has gone through since the 1990s. Local and foreign investors made it into an innovative and attractive part of the city. World-famous architects were allowed to redesign the area. Skyscrapers, luxury hotels and restaurants, offices and exclusive culture centers were built in Puerto Madero. Puerto Madero still features the marina of Buenos Aires with luxury yachts from the jet set. Along the docks old harbour cranes recall the times when Puerto Madero was a port. The elegant Puente de la Mujer (Women's Bridge) is definitely worth a picture (PiP 2). Puerto Madero has two nautical museums, one of them is housed in the Sarmiento , built in the 1890s ad a training vessel for the Argentine Navy (PiP 3)

As early as 1289, Medemblik received its city rights and the end of the 16th century it has its own harbours. Four of them are located near the city centre. The Pekelharinghaven (Salt Herring harbour) is the largest and is situated adjacent to the Radboud Castle ( www.ipernity.com/doc/294067/48611904 ). The name refers to the old harbour that was in use during the 17th and 18th centuries. After the harbour had silted up, the location was used as a sports field for many years. Until 1988 when the construction of a new marina was started, which was inaugurated in 1989. Nowadays the harbour has a total of 220 berths for yachts up to 15 meters.

Plaka - considered being the sea port of Leonidio - is one of those quaint picturesque seaside villages on the Peloponnese. Plaka has a little harbour with some (fishing) boats, a couple of small taverns, cafes and shops adjacent to the clear water and a pebbled beach. At least during our visit it looks if tourism had not spoiled this authentic fishing village.

Heusden is located on the river (Bergsche) Maas. The history of the town began around the year 1200 with the establishment of an urban settlement. During the Eighty Years’ War ( Tachtigjarige Oorlog : 1568-1648) against the political and religious hegemony of of Spain, massive fortifications - with earthwork ramparts with bastions, moats and ravelins - were built on the orders of Willem van Oranje . Heusden became an important garrison town with thousands of soldiers. Towards the end of the World War II Heusden was seriously damaged. The fortress has been fully restored since 1968. The restoration of the town was based on the 17th century drawings made by the famous Amsterdam cartographer Joan Blaeu. The city harbour of Heusden was built during the construction of the fortifications after 1580. In 1904 the inner harbour was filled in to create a city park, but in the 1970’s it was restored to its original form. Nowadays it is one of the picturesque corners of Heusen with a white drawbridge and a black postmill (one of three on the ramparts).

With ‘only’ 196 metres above sea level Ascona is Switzerland's lowest lying city. The town is located on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore (also called Lake Langen), at the mouth of the Maggia River. Ascona is famous for its old town, the South European promenade (PiP 1) with its many terraces and its mild climate. In ‘Borgo’ - the old center of town - lies the San Pietro e Paolo basilica (PiP 2), dating back to the 16th century.. The high bell tower of the church is the landmark of this holiday resort. The many alleys in the old center lead to the car free promenade with its charming street cafés. In the past Ascona had four fortresses, of which only ruins are left. By the end of the 19th century, writers and artists moved to the attractive fishing village, later followed by tourists later. It is now a sophisticated holiday destination.

Desenzano - located on the south-western shore of Lake Garda - was already in the past a favourite vacation spot for the élite from Verona. And today it is till a popular Italian holiday destination, which attracts myriad tourists from everywhere in Europe. The peaceful ‘Porto Vecchio (Old Harbour) - already mentioned in 1274 - was expanded in the current configuration at the time of the Venetian Republic in service of the flourishing grain market. The ancient dock overlooks Palazzo Todeschini, with its arches it is dating back to the end of the 16th century. Nowadays little boats are moored in the harbour, which is lined with several cafes, bars and restaurants. The well restored business houses along the ‘Porto Vecchio’ are reminders of a glorious past of Desenzano del Garda.

The old harbour of Chania - situated next to the old city - was built in the mid 14th century by the Venetians during their occupation of Crete. It was an important center, serving the Venetian military ships, as well as one of the most important commercial ports of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. In the 16th century the harbour was included to the new fortification plans of the city of Chania. During the period of the Turkish rule, the port continued to be a trade center. Much later, in the19th - early 20th century, the largest ships at that time, had to anchor outside the harbor and reach the pier by boat. The port gradually abandoned and today the Venetian harbour offers moorage for fishing boats and other small boats and yachts. The promenade along the water is lined with cafes, restaurants, bars and tavernas (PiP). A little bit further away you will find the (former) Turkish Küçük Hasan Pasha Mosque (PiP) and the Venetian shipyards and arsenals (PiP). Another landmark is the lighthouse, built at the harbour entrance by the Venetians and restored between 1830 and 1840 in its present form by the Egyptians. (Four images stitched together for the main image)

Caernarfon Castle is probably the most impressive and famous of the many Welsh castles. The site of the castle wasn’t chosen by accident. It had previously been the location of a Norman motte and bailey castle and before that a Roman fort stood nearby. King Edward I started the construction of the castle in 1283, being part of city walls of medieval Caernarfon. It was not only a military stronghold, but also a seat of government and a royal palace. Standing at the mouth of the Seiont river, the fortress with its towers, battlements and colour banded masonry still dominates the walled town, also founded by Edward I. Edwards son was born in Caernarfon Castle. In 1301 he became the recreated title of Prince of Wales and it was the first time the eldest son of the King of England was invested as Prince of Wales. In 1969 the castle gained worldwide fame as the setting for the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales. In 1986, Caernarfon was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites as part of the "Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd

The first attempt to create a harbour in the bay of Heraklion (in that time called Chandax) took place during the Arab period (9th-10th century). Following the restoration of Crete to the Byzantine Empire in the year of 961, Chandax developed into a thriving city and its harbour was consequently fortified and improved. When the island fell into the hands of the Venetians (1204), Candia (as the Venetians called both Heraklion and the whole island) became "the other Venice of the East". Especially during the last two centuries of Venetian rule, it was the greatest harbour in the Eastern Mediterranean. Very few modifications were carried out to the harbour during the Turkish period (17th-19th century). In the 20th century the construction of a coast road demolished much of the Venetian harbour installations. Nowadays the old Venetian harbour is used by fishing boats and yachts. In the background of the image stands the Venetian fortress of Koules (Rocca al Mare), dominating the entrance to the old harbour. The PiP shows a Venetian lion above the entrance of the fortress.

Torekov is a small village at the tip of the Bjärehalvön peninsula. Originally it was a fishing village, but nowadays a well-known holiday destination due to its ideal location at the sea with some beautiful beaches.

Spakenburg (formally Bunschoten-Spakenburg since its fusion with Bunschoten) was a real fishing village located at the borders of the IJsselmeer (former Zuiderzee). The heart of the village still is its harbour with an active wharf and many heritage ‘botters’ (authentic fishing boats), although there is no longer commercial fishing done from this area. These smacks are now used for sailing trips. Spakenburg is one of he few villages in the Netherlands where mostly elderly women still wear traditional costumes.