Knobby

OK, so this door isn't in perfect shape, but you can't disagree that it is a really cool door. Seriously, look at it...see all those little knobby things all over it? Are they not interesting? You could appreciate this door even if you couldn't actually see it...all you would have to do is run your hands over it. And all those textures allow your eyes to feel the door without even having to touch it with your hands.

No one will disagree that this door needs a bit of t.l.c., but compared to a lot of the other doors in this city, it looks pretty good considering not only the damage from time and weather, but you can see that it has also managed to escape (so far) the loathsome spray painters. If I am allowed one gripe, I would say that I'm disappointed a bit about the door handle because in my opinion it looks rather common and definitely does not have the character that a door like this deserves in a door handle. Otherwise though, I think this door and all its parts are a real treat to look at. The wrought-iron work is delicate, intricate, unique and appears to be sufficiently solid. The style of door makes me think of a door from a city much, much farther south than Prague, but maybe one of you knows more about this than I do. If so, please do tell!!

A last item that I find worth mentioning about this door is the two flowering plants hanging on either side of the door...their presence makes the door approachable and even a bit light-hearted. Actually, I have to admit that every time I see this door I smile...it offers the admirer so much to appreciate that one can't help but smile when they see it.

Sandwiches for Sale

You are probably thinking I've lost my mind having put such an odd title for this door, but believe it or not, next to the door there is a rather large sign that says just that 'Prodej Baget' - Sandwiches for Sale!!

Perhaps they do sell sandwiches there, but what is really behind this door is a school. As you may have guessed, we are looking at yet another building that was built for the church, evident by the religious sculptures above the door. A bird's eye view of this building would show you that it is part of a church complex where the main church entrance is on Narodni Street (and is just a few doors up from the National Theatre). This entrance is on a side street, and may or may not still have access to the rest of the church complex, but I don't know. As I have mentioned and shown before, there are so many (and I do not exaggerate) buildings and complexes that belong or used to belong to the church, it is hard for the man (or woman!) on the street to attain any-on-the-spot information on these less important buildings. What we can do is look at what is in front of us and appreciate it or not.

As for the door itself, I do like it despite it's apparent use (and some abuse), but I am wondering if it isn't relatively new. It has a nice 'chatting-grill', a simple, but not awful handle and has metal pegs in wood which I always like, but if you look at the style of the door and compare it to the style of the ornate statues above (and with the columns on each side of the door), it just seems out of place. One thing the door does do is with the aid of the inverted V slats on it it manages to send the eye upwards...towards the cherubs, the ladies, the bishop and the Madonna and Child. I just feel there is so much richness above and around the door that one of those metal-fronted doors that we have seen on other church buildings (for example see here) would be more appropriate.

Circles and Swirls

So maybe you are asking yourself (and me via the computer screen) where all those fabulous, incredible Prague doors are. Well, don't worry, we'll get to more of those soon, but before we do, there are a lot of doors that may not look perfect, but are surely worthy of being given their day (or two) here on my humble blog. Why? Because the doors that I'm talking about are also fabulous and because there is a whole army of them, there are plenty to share with you. These are doors that are on side streets or back streets or in other parts of town (rather than smack in the centre). These doors receive little consideration and admiration. In silence (or, perhaps a bit of rusty squeakiness!!) they hold the cold out and the warm in; they keep the things behind them protected not only from the elements, but from certain unkindnesses of this world.

Here is such a door. A wonderful example of Art Nouveau. It is looking lovely for those who have the eyes to see it's beauty; smiling at those who have the spirit to feel it's kindness; and being strong for those who believe in their hearts that a door is not just a collection of wood and metal, but a force that uses it's combined energies to protect the occupants of the house to which it has been given the duty of guarding.

This door has pride despite the fact that it's owners lack the ability to show it kindness. Small things like destroying the door's center line will not ruin the heart of the door, but it does make a heart sad.

At least the flowers, circles and swirls in the wood, the wrought-iron and in the stone-work above the door have survived. In fact, they seem almost determined not to be bothered by whatever life throws at them...they remain strong, beautiful and intact. Bravo beautiful door, bravo!!