Doors. To most people, doors are viewed as rather mundane, everyday objects that serve a practical purpose. But in my recent travels, I've become somewhat smitten by doors as objects of art. I know, I know... "doors as objects of art"? But I'm serious.
My fascination began during a visit to Tunisia. I had the opportunity to visit Sidi Bou Said, a picturesque blue and white village overlooking the Bay of Tunis. What caught my attention more than the scenery and the carpet and sounvenir shops was the doors. They were like works of art 'framed' by archways or door frames, accented by door knobs, rivets, paint.
Doors have an air of mystery to them. What or who lives behind them? I guess that's what makes them 'artistic' to me.
I will continue to add photos to this site... but should you have any you wish added, please drop me a note.
My fascination with doors began in Sidi Bou Said, a small village in Northern Tunisia. Like all doors in this village, this one also features the traditional blue and white colours for which Sidi Bou Said is famous. But what really caught my attention was how the door is perfectly framed by the marble and stone doorframe. The black irons rivets and door knockers are equally enchanting. In a village of amazing doors, this one stood out. 10 out of 10. The benchmark!
Another shot taken in Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia, this blue and black rectangular double door features a keyhole arch in the front entry, and lovely stone border around the door. I particularly like the blue ceiling in the front entry. It gives it a sense of balance and beauty. 8 out of 10
Roquebrune village is a picturesque medieval village on the Mediterrean in the south of France, between Monaco and Italy. The 'centrepiece' of the old village is an incredible 10th Century chateau -- with plenty of beautiful doors to admire. This door appears to be to a private residence, built into the chateau. The wooden door with antique glass is quite narrow, but is wonderfully complemented by the shrubbery and wrought iron fence. Lovely. 7.5 out of 10
Another lovely door to a private residence in the medieval village of Roquebrune Cap Martin, France. What makes this door unique is the stone basin/flower pot on the left (imagine banging your knee into that at night!!) and wrought iron handrails. The black iron door knocker and mail drawer look rugged and austere. A brilliant door. 8 out of 10
"The door to the sun" is actually an archway in the ancient village of Gerace in Calabria, which lies 470 m above the Ionian Sea. I love Gerace, its medieval history, its hundreds (!) of churches... and its many glorious doors!! Technically, it's not a door, but an archway... but the view is marvelous. 8 out of 10
As you can see in this picture, the original inhabitants of Gerace weren't tall!! Once again, Paola models this typical door found in Gerace. Plenty of craftsmanship in this piece -- antique glass, wrought iron, brass door knobs. 7 out of 10
The doors to the Pantheon in Rome are MASSIVE, perhaps 50 feet high. I took this shot of Paola in July 2003, during a heat wave in the midst of high season for tourists. What's truly remarkable about this particular shot is that we found a 3 second window of opportunity when no one was walking in or out of this Roman landmark. For their size alone -- 8 out of 10.
This photo, taken from a door in the Forbidden City in Beijing, is my first guest photo! This was taken by my colleague Marianne, who can't remember the temple, just the trip. The craftsmanship is superb, as one would expect in the Forbidden City. 9 out of 10
Taken of a door along a mud wall, close the Ksar Cha Bah. An excellent example of rustic, North African craftsmanship. Actually, how the hell would I know that? I liked the faded wood panels, contrasted by the iron work. The number of rivets alone is impressive! 6.5 out of 10
Taken along the same mud wall, this "door within a door" was also intriguing. The wood work along the outer panels is somewhat crude, but it gives it a rustic charm. 6 out of 10
What this door lacks in craftsmanship it more than makes up for in age. Discovered on a side street in Cortona, an ancient Tuscan village founded by the Etruscans more than 300 years ago, this door has certainly seen better days. But it earns a spot on 'Doors of World' simply for it's ability to survive. in 2008, it slips to a 6 out of 10. ;-)
Located in the heart of Tuscany, the ancient city of Arezzo is home to many wonderful doors. Samples of gothic churches and Romanesque architecture are abundant, but I selected this charming door, out of via delle Santucci for its well balanced proportions, and for its metal- and stone-work. 8 out of 10
While there is nothing terribly interesting about the actual door, the proportions are eye-catching -- a giant outer archway, a second inner archway, then a door, barely tall enough to enter.
In Arezzo, a wealthy city in the heart of Tuscany that offers many examples of elaborate gothic and Roman craftsmanship, this gate door caught my eye. While it may be a bit battered and bruised from age and use (it is a gate after all), it's charming in its ordinariness.
This is a side door to a home in an older Moroccan village, outside Marrakech. I loved the shape of this door, its the horizontal metal work, the sun-baked wood panels... Utilitarian, but with a certain flair. 6 out of 10
