At the Blue Lion

'U Modreho Lva' - which is what is written above this door - literally translates as 'At the Blue Lion' though, unless there is a blue lion statue somewhere higher up on the wall of this building, I'm a little confused because I don't see any blue lion anywhere in the door frame or it's ornamentation!

Granted, the door is very charming and the sculptural work above it is fabulous...but WHERE IS THE BLUE LION?! I'll just have to go back and see if I can find that blue lion, but until then, take a look at the richness of this door, it's frame, it's wrought-iron work and, of course, the arch above it. I would be happy to walk through this door each day!

Fantasy and Beauty

When I look at this door, it makes me think of a children's story; a fairy tale about a modest king. I seriously doubt that a modest king lives behind this door, but there is a modest king that lives above it. And there above him is his coat of arms to show what his lineage is...if you are familiar with coats of arms! This door and frame is all rather fun and fantasy filled...even the king's hair (or is that a sort of hat?) is all curly-cues!!

But let's get to the important part here...the door...well, in this case we have the wrought-iron gate which is lovely and effective. The flowing lines of the gate are gentle and easy-going, but they don't let you forget the gate's function. We see the gate a second time in the door's reflection and it repeats elements that render it so endearing. The door itself, is unfortunately lost in the dark depths of the foyer, but I am so mesmerized by the 'show' in front of it that I can't believe that the door itself is anything but lovely as well. It need not be too complicated since the show is (and our eyes are) centered on the wrought-iron gate that protects the door!!

Colourful Door Monday

This door is a looker!! There she is (yes, it is a she...it must be...look at the face over the door), lovely in her pretty red dress; partially in the shade, partially in the sun...smiling. You can't help but smile, too when you see her.

(Just too bad that the camera planted in the middle of the door frame has to ruin the privacy of it all!)

Church Door Sunday- what once was

I found this on a dead-end little back street...the backside of a church (that I can't seem to find the name of!)...it was there, looking so sad, unloved and forlorn...it isn't really a door, but out of respect, we will pretend it is, since it once was.

Sad Door Saturday

A broken window AND crap all over the babies.

Is this not sad???

But it could be so nice!!!

Why-oh-why?

An 'Emily' Door

When my dear Canadian friend Emily was visiting Prague (where she used to live and work) recently she was kind enough to go door hunting with me. When we came upon this door and another one very similar to it (which I will post later), Emily, who is about 5 feet 3 inches tall, was delighted...the doors were just her size! Thus, they were immediately deemed - by us - 'The Emily Doors'!! Thanks, Em!! Miss you!!

This door is all smiles!

At the Stone Ram

The name of this building comes from the relief sculpture at the top right of the above picture. Actually, the ram has just one horn so apparently the building has also been called At the Unicorn since not too many rams have just one horn!!

Nevertheless, the rest of the door is what I'm most interested in...especially the carved pillars and the stonework at the top of them. The archway is heavy and strong and probably once framed a magnificent wooden door, but sadly, the present door might be very boring if it weren't for the wrought-iron work, but luckily the iron work is the saving grace. The building is early 16th century, so I am guessing that the door frame is from the same period though it is possible that various renovations occurred over the centuries resulting in changes to the original design of the pillars - that is just my guess though.

The stonework at the tops of the pillars is fabulous!

Simple but Lovely

Once again, I have been charmed by a door's accessory. And once again, it is the little grill that is used for chatting through the door. Normally, I am charmed by a door's handle, but it seems that lately I have been coming across more doors with a 'chatting grill' and I have to say that I have been charmed by nearly every 'chatting grill' (is there an official term for this thing?) I have seen. Sure, this door is lovely and very respectable (but maybe a bit dark in colour) and even if you don't go to look at it from up close, you would probably say it is a nice door. However, I am convinced that if you do go up to it and check out the chatting grill, you'll come to the same conclusion as I did - that it is a very nice door!!

Charming

I like this door a lot. When I came across it, it called out to me. I had to photograph it and I had to share it. No, there's nothing terribly special about it, but it does have character and charm. It is simple yet inviting and it has nice accessories.

Call me superficial, but I have to say that the little grill (for chatting through the door) above the mail slot, sealed the deal for me....isn't it just so pretty?

Colourful Door Monday

I like this door! No, the door itself doesn't have a LOT of character, but the frame has a story to tell which I would like to know, but don't...and the light blue color of the door is like a summer sky...light, cheery and uplifting. I like how the six square windows in the door are complimented by the 12 squares above the doors. The lions watching over the playing babies actually inspire confidence...well, they make me feel confident!

Church Door Sunday

As is often the case with church entrances, this door is huge! This church entrance also has a small enclosed courtyard in front of it (some of it's wrough-iron work is framing this picture), which seems to make the door appear even bigger! When seen from up close, one can appreciate the beautiful and incredibly complicated metal work on the door. I think I could sit and just study the door for a few hours!!

Sad Door Saturday

This is an absolute pity. Pitiful. Horrible. The people who allowed this door to devolve into what it is today should be punished for extreme and absolute cruelty. This poor, poor door deserves respect, but what does it get? Graphitti. Horrible signs posted on it. AND a metro station planted RIGHT IN FRONT OF IT!! (Thus the reason the whole picture is taken from the side...I couldn't stand in front of it because the metro station stairs are located about 2.5 meters from the door!) This was once upon a time a beautiful example of what Art Nouveau's charming style is all about. When I see what it has become, I just want to cry. Where-oh-where is the SPCD? Someone call for help quick...PLEASE!!

Simple yet Beautiful

And here we are back in my favourite era....Art Nouveau. This is a rather confusing door because it is so non-typical for an entry directly to the street. But that's just what it is. I can't tell you anything about what is behind this door (though just a few days ago I did see someone using it). It is possible that these doors open up completely to allow a car or large vehicle to pass through and into a courtyard, but somehow I just have a hard time imagining it. In any case, the door (or set of doors) is in great shape, has lovely wrought-iron work on it and the Art Nouveau designs above the door are simple yet beautiful.

Rybism

This very unique and very rare door is a perfect example of a little-known period called 'Rybism'* which was between 1210 and 1290. When I saw this door, I immediately wanted to know more so I did a little bit of research and found that it was recently discovered buried behind a wall of a palace and that it's beauty has remained intact thanks to the plaster work that covered it.

*Rybism: translated 'fishism'

Out of Prague

Today's door is very far from Prague. This door is in Neufchatel, Switzerland. In itself, the door is nothing exceptional, however, I just had to share the ensemble because of the well-done trompe l'oeil paintings on the wall next to the door.

Hey! Cheer Up!

As you can imagine, I am always on the look-out for doors, but for some reason I tend to be immediately attracted to doors that are made of wood...especially wood that isn't painted.

When I saw this door and went up close to it, I couldn't help but laugh when I saw the faces on it. They don't look terribly happy, but they do provoke one to smile due to their expressions!

I can't say what epoque this door is, but it is a rather interesting mixture of carvings...geometric, floral and figurative..at least the handle is simple and sober.

Colourful Door Monday

A red door and a lion to watch over it...what else can you ask for?

Church Door Sunday

And here we are...back in front of another church! This particular door is not used to enter the church (and no, that is not graphitti on it - just chalk indicating that the 3 kings passed on the day of the 3 kings), but I like the looks of it and the view up to it so I'm sharing it with you! Enjoy!

Interesting handle!

Sad, but Kind of Funny Door Saturday

I saw this and just had to photograph it though I'm not really sure it counts as a door like the others do. I don't quite know where it goes or what it is for, but it does have a handle, a lock and so forth so it counts as a door. I like the flower decorations on it and for once, the fact that it is really quite small...I think even I might have to stoop to walk through it! It is awfully sad though...definitely a case for the S.P.C.D. And that eye-sore of an extension cord (?) above it?? What is that??

Note: I am in Switzerland now (I have pre-posted this) for a week and will try to keep posting while here, but please forgive me if I miss a day. I do have a stock of photos to use so that isn't the problem...finding the time to post is. I will be back!!

A Door with its own Angel

This beautiful and well-cared for big door doesn't enter directly into a building, but into a courtyard...and this time I was lucky enough to have been walking by it when the smaller door was open (because yes, the whole thing does open...that car didn't get in there through the small door, afterall!).

Here is a peek at what is behind this wonderful door. I like the open sky places, the repetition of the arches and to have a tree and some garden area smack in the center of the old part of Prague? That IS heavenly!! And speaking of heaven, I like the angel above this door...even if you aren't a big fan of angels you have to admit that this one just might charm you!