Monday, February 10, 2020
Olana State Historic Site(Hudson, Columbia County)
Headed south this afternoon to visit the Olana State Historic Site, a 19th century estate under pretty dreary conditions. The mansion was the home of famous Hudson River School landscape painter Frederic Edwin Church and was built in 1872. Church and his wife named the estate "Olana" after a similar estate in Greater Persia, which also overlooked a wide river valley.
There are many old carriage roads on the grounds, which are now used as scenic walking trails. Benches are placed in particularly scenic spots for people to soak in the views. This view faces northeast with the city of Hudson to the left and rural Columbia County sprawling beyond.
By far the most dramatic views at Olana are the ones facing west towards the Catskills and Hudson River. Thick fog at the foot of the Catskills made for quite an amazing scene.
Pull up a seat..enjoy the vista.
A carriage road, formerly known as Ridge Road was built in 1884, and makes for very pleasant walking.
Circling back towards the mansion through wide open fields which offer up incredible Hudson valley views to the south.
A nice and easy 2 mile walk under cloudy, overcast conditions.
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Neat place. Never heard of it before. Only about 45 minutes from Albany. Plan to visit. Wikipedia says : "Church's paintings put an emphasis on realistic detail, dramatic light, and panoramic views." My kind of painter.
ReplyDeleteYes, very convenient to the Capital District and historically relevant! Great views to boot!
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