Vysehrad

It's perhaps a sad truth, but most of us are creatures of habit (well, perhaps not everyone is, but I think most of us are)...I am no exception to this rule. For example, in general, I tend to gravitate towards the centre of Prague within a certain radius of the Charles Bridge, but now that we have a dog, I have found myself trying to find new places (new to me, that is!) where there are also large green spaces as well. On one such occasion, my husband (a native Pragois) decided to take a walk in Vysehrad. Well, if any of you know Prague (and many of you certainly do!), Vysehrad is not just an area, but to be precise, it is the second castle in Prague. Until now (and even still) I have only made short visits to Vysehrad and all that is encompassed in castle's walls...which is A LOT! Vysehrad isn't far from Prague...it is right inside of it!! I have always thought of Vysehrad as the lesser sister of the two castles in this city since it doesn't receive the same recognition that the Prague Castle does (I guess having the president and the government there makes a difference), but that doesn't mean it is less interesting. It is very interesting, but in an entirely different way. I won't go into detail on that, but I will show you some photos of a small chapel that is in the castle grounds. The chapel/rotunda is interesting in itself, but it is, OF COURSE, the door that I was most interested in when the path I had taken lead me to it. A round building, a rounded door frame, round columns, lots of rounded shapes on and around the door...and look at that fabulous curvy wrought-iron work on the door...what spectacular hinges those are!! Wow, Wow and WOW!! One could say that all those loopty-loos and curly-cues might just be for decoration, but one could also think that maybe they were designed to help offer additional support for the door and even a bit of extra surface protection. Sure, the door is of wood, but with those hinges it might withstand a beating before giving in. Give into what? Well, churches have notoriously been sanctuaries for those seeking shelter...of all kinds. Maybe not so much today, but perhaps back when this building was initially constructed*.

*This chapel / rotunda is called Saint Martin and is the oldest of Prague's 3 surviving rotundas. It was probably built some time during the second half of the 11th century under the reign of the first king of Bohemia (yes, Prague is in Bohemia), King Vratislav.

A Gentle, Happy Door

On a gray day when the weather is cold and dreary, if you walk by this door, I'm sure you will smile. At first glance, it's beauty is subtle, but if you take a moment and let your eyes wander around this door, you will find that it is happy and seems to have the function not only of a door, but of making people smile. It's dainty flowers at the top of a simple trellis are always in bloom even if the sun is far, far away and snow is on the ground. It's soft green color caresses you eyes...giving them a chance to take a rest in a world that seems to be constantly in motion and often out of focus. I have to say that when I look at this door, I feel peaceful.

Batman! Save this Door!!

OK, OK, I know, you're looking at this door and thinking what a mess it is. Well, you're right, and I believe that the idiots that spray painted on and around it should be rounded up and forced to clean up their stupid actions, but that is beside the point right now.

At first glance, perhaps this door doesn't seem to merit too much attention, but take a longer look at it...start at the top and admire the uniquely shaped windows, then slowly move your eyes down and around the door...

What do you see?

A bird? A lion? Wait! Is that a BAT???

And some sweet, delicate flowers...

And a graceful Art Nouveau-ish design (though I'm not too sure exactly why it is here, but, well, here you have it!!).

Now that you've given this door some focused attention, you have to admit that if someone gave this door a bit of love and care, it could once again be a door that everyone would admire in their first glance at it.

A Solid Beauty

For your upcoming weekend* I offer you the above rose and the beautiful door it has 'grown' on.

This lovely door (and entry) has a quiet beauty that gives a heart strength...well, perhaps I'm speaking for myself here, but I find that when I look at this door I feel not only peace, but calm. Can a door really do that? Take a look for yourself and tell me what you think.

*The first photo is my contribution to 'Weekend Reflections', a meme by James of Newtown Area Photo. For more information please see here.

Simple but Effective!

We could call this an 'Emily' door...it is small, has charm, pretty details and above all character!! I like this X-shaped nail (?) where the door is hinged and the handle is quite ornate (though I have to admit that this handle is a bit TOO ornate for my tastes on such a door). The repetitive pattern around the door's inner squares are nice and do I spot a peephole?

A Door; a Shutter or a Shutdoor?!!?

I had a bit of a laugh when I first saw this door. Perhaps you are having one now as you look at it. Isn't this a funny door....or whatever it can be called? All I can guess and certainly you might guess the same, is that this was some kind of a store at one time and the low wall served as part of the store's front and display area. It is nice that it has stayed this way if it really was once this. Luckily the door is rather high and the arch is a tight one because if it were lower and the arch was different, it might be painful to walk through this door if you aren't paying attention! I like this little door/whatever...it makes me think of a three-legged table or even one of those half tables that only have 2 legs because the table is supposed to be placed against the wall. This door has no handle, so I'm guessing that access to it is from a different entrance...nevertheless, a peephole does exist!! What a fun door!!

Beauty

On the street called Parizska (Paris Street), there are some very chic stores and in between them, some nice doors, some ok doors and some wonderful doors. This door and it's gate are what I consider members of that last group - wonderful doors!! Just look at this beautiful wrought-iron work....so rich, so elegant, so charming...it suits my tastes perfectly because it is beautiful without being too rich or too anything but, well, to repeat myself, charming!! Notice the little cut-out hearts at the bottom? (That's my new puppy Ellwood peeking through one.)

As for the door itself, it is of a caramel-coloured wood that is rich and friendly. It's simplicity invites you in and it's rounded windows are like delicate kisses to your eyelids. On the floor of the tiny 'foyer' between the gate and the door is a delicate mosaic of polished stones while on the walls a similar pattern repeats itself as a sort of garland of warmth enveloping the welcoming space before you actually enter into the building. You can certainly guess that I like this door/gate combination. Or did I already say that?

Respectable

Personally, I find nothing more appealing in a door than a big, beautiful, intricately carved wooden door. Look at this one, for example...isn't it just stunning?! It is immediately flanked by two wooden columns then once again by even larger stone columns which, though unimposing, give it strength and mass. But the door all by itself is just so beautiful that it earned my respect all by itself!! Sure, the fan shaped window above the door also adds to the door's charm though the door would still be sufficiently charming if it wasn't there.

As for the details, check out this handle...we've seen one similar to this before (see here), but that doesn't bother me...I liked it then and I like it now!! And the key hole protector/embellishment is incredibly intricate and a real beauty.

I think I'm in love with this door!!

Quiet Lions

The lions on this door once roared, but have since gone silent... possibly as a result of the dust or the neglect or both. These majestic creatures that once made this beautiful door regal are waiting to be able to roar again, but until this door has been given some proper loving care, they will remain quiet. It really wouldn't take much though to help them find their voices...just a bit of soap and water, new door handles and a bit of paint!!

Waiting for Glory

If you take a walk around Prague, anywhere around the center, you will very probably come across one, if not several, buildings from the art nouveau period. Some of these buildings have been restored to impeccable beauty while others are waiting their turn to be brought back to their original glory. The building that owns this door is across the street from the Parliament Building so one would assume that it would be admired and respected, but helas such is not the case. Granted, the door is not in a state of decadence, but it isn't glowing in the glory of it's beauty either.

There are some very lovely details such as the sculptures over the door, the lamp, the leafy arch, the beautiful shape of the window over the door, the various elements on door which despite being simple, complete the overall look and feel of the ensemble.

Of course, the door's handle is the smallest detail that completes the art nouveau theme nicely. This is another door that I find truly beautiful...I do hope that one day it will be loved again and respected...and that someone will have the decency to at least move the garbage bins away from it!

Abandonned

Once upon a time, the man and woman standing over this door greeted many visitors daily to this grand turn-of-the-century building which housed the central post office for this part of Prague as well as the communications for much of the city. Now, the entire building lies empty and this door, which was once a main entrance, is shut and no one passes through it. Maybe one day people will once again use this warm, interesting door, but for now, it is there...alone...victim to the thoughtless, stupid acts of individuals who are unable to comprehend the value of something well-made and appreciable.

Though this is admittedly not from my favourite architectural period, I have to say in all fairness that I find all the elements of this door and its frame to be very agreeable..from the light fixtures above the door down to the round brass decorations on the door and, of course, the grills and the very simple, yet unique door handle.

Poor door, it needs to be loved...it wants to be loved...I do hope that one day again soon, it will find the love it deserves.

Colourful Door Monday

Yes, I know, it's almost Tuesday, but I'm sneaking in under the wire on this!!

This door isn't extraordinary, but I do like it...especially the colour. It is small and could even be considered an 'Emily' door...look how high up the handle is! I don't know, this just seems like a nice, happy little door...it would make me happy to come home to this every day.

Hello Pretty Blue Door!!

What??

From a distance, this door and it's arch and wrought-iron gate look really impressive and they are, but come in close and see some of the details that you might have missed when looking at the big picture...

A chain to keep the gate closed?

Two door handles (one old, one new)...is this a joke or what?!

But beyond those details, I do have to say that there are some nice things about this door. The lion's head carving is nice...

...as is the wrought-iron work that makes the gate...

...and the symbolism...a baby's head!!

The door itself is also interesting, but with all that is going on in front of it, it's a bit hard to focus just on the door!! It, too has a lot of style and the windows in it are quite interesting...just imagine how all of this would look if someone took the time to clean, repair and paint all of it. Wow!!

Stone Cold

I think this door and it's frame have a certain beauty and merit being discussed. The huge door is really very nice, but honestly, the ensemble leaves me a bit cold. No, I don't want to say I don't like this door, I guess I just feel a bit chilly when I look at it. Even though there are several figures and faces around this door, I just can't seem to find any warmth or cheerfulness when I look at it. Odd that I have this impression of the door because each element does have charm. Perhaps it is I that is the odd one..yes, this is quite possible!