Tens of thousands of monuments loved; members of new funding body announced: The world's largest photo competition, Wiki Loves Monuments, is entering its final two weeks. The month-long event, of Dutch origin, is being held globally for the first time after the success of its European-level predecessor last year. During September 2011 more than 5000 volunteers from 18 countries took part and uploaded 168,208 free images. This year, volunteers and chapters from 35 countries around the world have organised the event. The best photographs will be determined by juries at the national and finally the global level.
An entry in the 2012 Wiki Loves Monuments competition: the ruins and the palace of Merkenstein at Gainfarn in Lower Austria. The palace is thought to have been constructed in the 12th century; in 1683 it was occupied by Ottoman troops and destroyed. Beethoven dedicated two songs to the ruin.
