According to a guide book, this building - the Clam-Gallas Palace - located in the centre of Prague's Old Town, dates back to approximately 1714. The portal of this door, by Matthias Bernard Braun, shows four giant statues of Hercules straining to support the weight of this massive Baroque portal. There are, in fact, two very similar looking portals/doors to this palace and they are about 50m apart.
This particular door is the one which acts as the entrance to the City of Prague's Archives.
The portal is magnificent and the door itself is big and strong, but I must say I am a bit disappointed by the door 'accessories'...the handles and the other ornament are more recent additions. Also, from what I have seen in my door hunting around town, this metal - which is some sort of aluminium mix - seems to be more and more common on doors like this. You may remember seeing them on doors in my earlier posts. I find their design and feel has nothing to do with the rest of the door and that it is a shame that they have found their way to such a nice door.
I happened to be standing in front of the door when someone came and walked in so I was able to get a behind-the-door shot which shows a courtyard with a bit of a garden.
6 comments:
You're coming back with a great door! i'm always suffering when I see such statues having to carry a building for eternity! they are so beautyful!
I think you 're very severe with the door accessories; i agree, the metal itself is maybe not the best choice, but its shape matches with the door; it could have been much worse with a modern something.
And i like the door behind the door...
This is an amazing door. I really like the statue that is holding Medusa's head (I think that was one of the labors of Hercules but I don't remember enough to know for sure.) I agree about the ornaments - it looks like they chose a metal which doesn't tarnish but it looks a bit out of place.
Great photos of stunning doors! Is the mesh wire to keep out nesting birds maybe or some other reason? The gate through the open doorway is a lovely view!
Our mama loves doors and always enjoys your posts here. xxxxxxxx
What a grand door and what good timing to be there for the 'inside' shot!!!
Madi and Mom
Those guys look to be getting a bit tired of carrying the weight!
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