(Bamberg Germany)
Europe is full of exquisite antique doorways.
(Budapest, Hungary)
These doorways to the past,
(Budapest)
are testaments,
(Nuremberg, Germany)
to artistry,
(Regensburg, Germany)
attention to detail,
(Regensburg, Germany)
craftsmanship,
(Budapest)
and love of beauty.
(Passau, Germany)
They represent a respect for artistry too often missing in our modern world.
(Passau, Germany)
Hoping these portals to the past,
(Marksburg Castle, Germany)
bring beauty and cheers to you~
that last door Cindy what is behind that door, it is the one that catches my eye…
Good eye. This is the really old Marksburg castle on The Rhine in Germany. I will do a post on the castle itself soon as it had many original features like this decorated door. It is so old, and truly amazing.
Doorways to thoughts long vanished. How delightful it would be to have architecture and finely crafted buildings close by. Appreciate your beautiful post
So glad you do and thank you. I don’t know what is sadder, that we build glass box buildings and cookie cutter suburbs, that art is only in stuffy musuems, or that all the talented artisans, artists and craftspeople go unemployed. Can you imagine living in a time when the people that make these creations were actually employed and maybe even appreciated?
Modern and sleek had its’ place, too, but does it have to replace all the beautiful older styles? (Of course the older architecture took some dedicated skills – and often took much much longer than people have patience for now….but those things are still standing and functioning while the modern? Too easily outdated, wrecked, and replaced. Strange focus, that. Not very environmentally friendly.
I like door pictures. These doors are so beautiful!
So glad you see them as I do my friend, but that is no surprise. Hope you are well~
lovely images, great series
Merci beaucoup mon ami~
Such incredible craftsmanship and artistic prowess! These details are things I miss about Europe. Thanks for sharing them with us, Cindy!
Yes, all the detailed art and craftsmanship, on every old street, around every corner. Utterly charming~
I love old doors and windows as well as door knockers. Some of the latter are the cats meow.
That would be a wonderful series wouldn’t it. Old locks and knobs have been done, but door knockers would be fascinating~
Pinterest have some nice ones
I will look, thanks for the lead.
Beautiful photography
Incredibly beautiful, so well described. Reminded me the doors we saw in Nuremberg. Thank you so much, Cindy for giving us an opportunity to appreciate the magnificent craftsmanship!
Yes, Nuremberg had many amazing doors. I included only one. It was very hard to narrow them down!
Doors are irresistible.
They are! They are full of mystery and promise~
beautiful doors Cindy…thanks for sharing this lovely post…:-)
Thank you much more for the very kind appreciation!
They are spectacular … and beautifully captured Cindy!
You are very kind Val. Thank you & cheers too~
All that detailing, Cindy. Unbelievable.
Leslie
There is so much of this artistic detail every few steps in these amazing medieval towns. We think we’ve advanced as people and civilizations, but spending time in these old towns makes me question this. There is so much left to see and explore.
To think of a simple doorway with all that adornment. We’ve lost the art of detailing in modern buildings.
Leslie
It’s sad isn’t. It’s like we are regressing. Thank goodness these old art pieces are being preserved.
We can add our own touches. Maybe they won’t be so impressive but still we can do that.
Leslie
That is an excellent point and they make such a difference. Cheers to us, the artists of our spaces! <3
Hi Cindy, It’s good to know that portals are once again open. I’m happy to be able to use them again.
If only we could use them to travel back and forth in time!
Simply aDOORable! ໒( ͡ᵔ ▾ ͡ᵔ )७⁎⚈᷀᷁▿⁎
This is exactly what you are! <3 aDOORable! ໒( ͡ᵔ ▾ ͡ᵔ )७⁎⚈᷀᷁▿⁎
Oh, I do love me some doors. These are gorgeous, Cindy.
I am mentally imagining your next trip to Europe Carrie and I can’t wait to read about it!
Ha, you and me both.
They are all amazing and I agree they do represent art that is no longer represented! Each unique and special!
I broke my own rule of trying to stick to no more than eight photos per post. I had to cut out so many, and Europe has so many, many more! Thank goodness they are wise enough to preserve them~
Yes!!! I love old structures and these have such amazing work! It is a shame when not preserved! There was an old mission near us that we saw each time we went to the lake- one summer it was gone! So sad!
That is truly sad. Old missions are so beautiful and historic.
I don’t get to travel so it is so much fun seeing the beautiful places through your camera lens! Wonderful architecture! I love that ornate gate! Hugz Lisa and Bear
Those old wrought iron pieces are just stunning. So glad you noticed them & cheers~
Beautiful series, Cindy. I noted the detailed architecture as well when I visited Europe. I think it all boils down to the end of cheap labor. No longer does one spend a lifetime carving a single great work or a year of their life creating a door. We’ve been left with the merely functional.
Sad, isn’t it. I know that craftsman were not paid enough for their labor in the past, but now, hardly anyone employs them at all, which is a loss for everyone.
Precisely!
These are fabulous doors. They are truly portals to past conversations, historic events, secrets that will never be revealed. They are a lost art.
Have you been to Charleston, SC? There are many beautiful and unusual doors in Charleston with secrets of their own.
I need to go to Charleston and St. Augustine, Florida and The Great Smoky Mountains. I have only been to New Orleans which I fell head over heels for. I need to go!
Absolutely!! I love St. Augustine, and Charleston. Never been to the Smokies.
Places to go, people to see~
Hard to believe any of those doorways are still standing after WW2….
So much very old “living” art is left in these medieval towns which is a blessing.
I’m impressed… I really enjoy the foto tours you do!
Thank you! This is what makes me want to do them. <3
Old world craftsmanship, nothing like it. An art that cannot be taught. Beautiful, Cindy 🙂
So glad you see it as I do Dorinda! <3
Great doors.
Mil grazi~
Never can pass up a beautiful door, Cindy. Apparently I am not alone. 🙂 –Curt
Yes, they so beg to be opened!
I know, and the more mysterious, the more I want to know what is behind them. If they are old and cracked, I dare a peek! 🙂
Glorious choices Cindy.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
You are very kind and most appreciated David!
That’s an interesting collection. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for stopping by~
I love doors and the stories behind them. Wonderful collection Cindy!
So happy you enjoyed Mary and cheers to you my friend~ <3
Thank you, I love doors and doorways and whats behind them 🙂
I know EXACTLY what you mean! Thank you~ <3
The doorways in Colombia are pretty impressive too! They’re so colorful. I liked them so much that the one souvenir I bought myself was a miniature painted door with hooks for keys.
Columbia is spectacular. I wanted to go for so long because one of my closest friends lived in Cartagena and she told me so much about it. She really was the person who took me from speaking primitive spanish to actually finding myself dreaming in spanish. When I went to Cartagena and Columbia, it exceeded my expectations. I love Latin America. Columbia was a visual dream scape. I went to Cartagena in Spain too and am going back in two months. Such warm, brilliant cultures.
I had no idea there’s a Cartagena in Spain, too! My spanish has vastly improved over the last 6 months and its been so cool to see that I can understand things now that were once complete gibberish to me.
Cartagena in Spain is very, very old. They have ruins there I need to see again Roman, of course, and Carthage and the Punic wars. Artifacts older even than this.
Getting fluent in a language is wonderful, all of a sudden it is as if your brain opens up to new concepts.
The world is an incredibly remarkable place.
What a beautiful series, Cindy, Particularly love the color offsetting the stone.
It’s kinda remarkable to me to think of the craftsmen who made these so long ago. It is wonderful that people valued it and maintained so we can actually see it, and use it, outside of a museum. I mean you can open these doors! <3
Boy, those of us who weren’t living in that time when more things were made with care really missed out! Those intricate wrought iron doors remind me of the old carved teak furniture my family has here from another era, which includes huge coffee tables and couches – all carved by hand! It takes time and patience to create works of beauty, and time is difficult to come by nowadays too when the focus is on quickly pumping out identical widgets. ~Lynn
I know you Lynn. So I am thinking about about the carved teak furniture, and what that means and represents. I have only a sense of your culture’s history, so much older than I can comprehend.
Thank goodness your parents, and other people, value those who came before. They have so much beauty to give us.
They fill us up, in ways living people cannot.
<3
Reblogged this on Herman van Bon Photography and commented:
Craftmenship of the past. Beautiful series of Cindy Knoke
You do know how cool blogging is, I get to meet people like you, who I never otherwise, would have ever met.
I love, love, love-am charmed to my innermost core by this collection of doors!!! Your pics r once again, pristinely beautiful. U have a great eye, Cindy..thanks ever so much for sharing!!!
What a thoughtful and lovely comment. People like you are why I blog and why I enjoy it so much. Thank you and cheers to you~ <3 <3
So fascinating… 🙂
So very pleased you enjoyed and thank you!
They promise wonderful worlds inside. A nice collection, Cindy. Thank you. n.n
They do, don’t they. You are an optimist which is a lovely character trait. <3
Portals to the past, and some lovely windows, too. Who is that peeking from the window in the first photo? A ghost?
Love it, you are the first to notice, clever Mandy. <3 He does look rather spectre-like doesn't he, poor man. Maybe he is a ghost. If so, I have the world's most clear ghost photo. I could enter it in a contest, but then, the real man might see it, and expose me as a huckster. Ah well, there goes my chance at photographic fame. You have good observational skills my friend~ <3
Indeed, he does look far too real to be a ghost, but it’s a lovely juxtaposition of old and new, and gives a hint of what may lie behind the portal.
It does, doesn’t it, and I love that you see this Mandy, because you helped me to see in a new way!
Wunderbare Portale und Sehenswürdigkeiten von unserem Europa! Danke Cindy Ernst
Vielen dank mein lieber Freund Ernst! <3
If doors are your bag, get yourself over to Stonetown on Zanzibar Island in Tanzania. One of the poorest countries in the world, but they do know about doorways. 🙂
OOOh, sounds fascinating. I would love to visit. I will google image it in the meantime.
If you get there, beware. It’s a real den of thieves. But the pickpockets are te most inept in the world, and the most apologetic when you catch them at it. Trust me. I know. 🙂
Wonderfull! Et in Regensburg ego!
My husband and I want to go back and rent an apartment for two months either in Passau or Regensburg. There is so much more beauty to explore! <3
Very interesting and beautiful creations. It’s a pity that such beauty is (almost) a thing of the past. Thanks for sharing your finds, Cindy.
Thank you more for your appreciation my friend and be well~ <3
Your photographs are awesome Cindy, thank you for sharing. 🙂
You are an awesome virtual friend Ranu. Thank you for visiting. <3
Beautiful, indeed, Cindy 🙂
Vielen dank! <3
🙂
These are absolutely beautiful. I love the architectural acumen and the intricate details. 🙂
You have a lovely blog.
Here’s hoping you’ll check out my blog too at https://thewhimsicalandwanderingsoul.wordpress.com/
I will check out your blog and look forward to doing so. Cheers to you and thank you too~
Such beautiful portals, Cindy… 🙂
Thank you Marina and be well my friend~ <3
Unquestionable elegance … and in so many styles!
I had to make tough decisions and eliminate some doors like the more simple, but still elegant doors in the Netherlands. I love them all and very glad you do too!
Europe provides bountiful opportunities for windows, doors, balconies, arches, and more.
Yes!! And more! <3
A wonderful and might I say diverse collection. Obviously you have a keen eye in your travels!
Visa versa 2 U X 2!
I love doors! Delightful tour Cindy! Reminds me of Revelations 2:20. Jesus said Look, I’m standing at the door knocking. If anyone opens the door I’ll come in and eat with you and you with me. Pretty amazing invitation to tea time! I love looking at doors and wondering what’s inside. Isn’t that an amazing thought that we’re on the inside and the one knocking to come in is Jesus?!
There is something spiritual about doorways and many have written about it before us. CS Lewis opening the cupboard door and entering the mystical world of Narnia for example. There is the symbolism of the door representing a passageway from one world to another, from life to death, from the secular to the sacred. So yes, Jesus could be knocking on our door, just waiting for an answer.
Yes!
Lovely! And I like the title! That is indeed what they are, portals to the past… 🙂
I am so grateful they are still here for us to step through!
Yep! So am I! 🙂
<3
Having never been to Europe, I’m always fascinated with friends’ trip photos, as I am with yours. In the U.S. we think a few centuries is old, and that’s infancy in Europe. Also, we tend to think old needs to be replaced with new, closing our “portals to the past.”
Beautifully felt, written and expressed. And I do so agree with you!
I love those ostentatious and decorative doors, but the one that most fascinates me and makes me want to look beyond it, is the more simple one belonging to the castle.
Yes, and it is the oldest as well. I will post the castle for you Sarah, and open that door for you! It is a world you will want to step into. <3
Oooo, I’m looking forward to seeing that. I love castles.
The last door is breathtaking.
Tis the castle door and a wondrous castle lies beyond. I will post it for you soon! <3
I love doors, Cindy, and you’ve captured some splendid ones! Our manufactured, pre-fab doors just can’t hold a candle to these artistic, ornate ones.
No they can’t and this is our loss. I love doors too, and our front door is handmade of cut glass. We can each at least try to add beauty. You certainly do. <3
Beautiful Cindy! We do have some lovely doors here as well… 😉 xx
Yes, you certainly do and I hope you post some soon! <3
Thank you Cindy. Alas, things happen that one does not choose to put in the posts… xx
sieht ja super aus, genieße den Abend
Ich bin sehr glucklich, Sie ihnen mein Freund mag und danke.
Talk about beautiful street art! Gorgeous post, Cindy!
Yes!! This is exactly what I think when I am in these medieval towns!
There’s a scary-looking seemingly suspended in mid-air face in the upper left window of the first photograph. Looks like a ghost!
Hah! My husband and I were waiting to see who noticed. He does look rather like an unhappy ghost!
Does that mean I’m the first to spot it?
You came in a very close second out of a n of only 3! You did very well.
Beautiful doors and door ways…I love the wooden door and surrounding art work of the last one 🙂
That is in Marksburg Castle and is the oldest of the lot. The castle was fully furnished and incredible. I will post photos of it soon.
🙂
Super, the man behind the window looks like a voyeurist
He looks rather sinister doesn’t he. I think he was just a little pertubated with my taking photos. I stopped when I saw him.
Frustrated voyeurist. One must ask pasteur Roland DALO how to deal with his frustration.
Lovely, spectacular, heavy, dark, intrigue
All those things, yes! I am happy you have the imagination to see and feel this.
“Portals to the Past” is such a perfect title here ~ each of these doors are so different in design and history ~ it does not take much to get the mind wondering of its past. My favorite is the brilliant and simple Marksburg Castle portal. To spend just a day back in those times…with a camera of course 🙂
Yes, and I hope you see what lies behind that castle door. The castle was furnished with original pieces. You would be fascinated by the inside Randall. It sets one imagination soaring. I will post it soon my friend and thank you as always for your perceptive perceptions~
Wonderful Cindy!!! “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” Sometimes looking back is finding new paths… Have a great day!
Yes looking to the past to find our path in the present! <3
There are a lot of wonderful doorways in Europe – so ornate
Yes, so many more than anyone could post. It would be an interesting pinterest page, European doors! There probably is such, I will look.
Really so beautiful art Cindy and you are right, it is very nice, when some countries do more to protect and show the art.
Yes, one immediately notices the increase in charm and beauty and it makes one feel at peace, a feeling modern architecture certainly doesn’t elicit for me.
I love the first one. Looks like a face about to wink at me. 😉
The colors and design are so HAPPY. I agree with you Graham!
From the past to the PRESENT
Yes, it is wonderful isn’t it!
It is absolutely. For example, Armani is producing in Hangzhou/China
Jetting to Hangzhou by aircraft is cheaper than producing in Italy 🙂
Loved the “Door” series. they have opened the portals to magnificent architecture and impeccable sculptures…. 🙂
Lovely sentiments, beautifully expressed! <3
What a wonderful array of portals, Cindy — each one so very unique. Lovely post.
Sharing with a friend like you makes the world seem somehow right~
So much beauty was included in buildings of the past. A pity they are so plain now. I hope all those builldings are preserved forever
I hope so too. We are a destructive species, so it is heartening to see some things that are being preserved for almost ever. This year I am going to see the olderst living trees in the world, the ancient bristle cone pines, the oldest is 4600-4900 years old. They are living in a part of The Sierras few people visit thank God. They do not live in a national park. They survive because most people don’t know about them. That is a sad statement I think. If people knew about them, they might carve their initials in them or cut them down for coffee tables. I will post photos of them for you and Jack. I will be in awe that there are living things in this world that predate the pyramids and humans haven’t destroyed them.
Those trees sound awe inspiring Cindy, just to see them in your photos will be a privilege. Did you know about the Wollemi Pine? It is a fascinating story of rediscovery. http://www.wollemipine.com/news/Found_Tree_from_the_Dinosaur_Age.php Hundreds of cuttings were created and the seedlings sent to every botanic garden, then put on the market for home gardeners so it is a real success story of a tree though to be extinct now thriving. The original trees location is a very close kept secret.
No I didn’t know. Thank you for the link. I will need to study this.
These are just gorgeous Cindy. Please feel free to come over and share this post on Thursday Doors if you like. Wonderful post on my favorite subject 🙂
Thank you for the kind offer and I am honored you like them Norm.
Thanks for this little journey into a time when craftsmanship and artistry was more valued (or seems to have been anyway).
Alison xox
We travel so well together Alison! <3
Great photos with caption. Loved it.
wow.. nice blog…
So many doors, yet none of the same 🙂 Great images collection, Cindy! (and awesome title!)
So happy you enjoyed Inday & cheers to you~
I am always amazed at the old architecture. I often wonder how they did it. I would like to go back in time and watch it being done. I don’t think we could do it today, Thanks cindy
Yes, the fantasy of time travel is extremely attractive~
Can you imagine the history and stories behind the many that may have passed through those doors.
It is mind expanding to imagine it isn’t it! Incredible really~
Yes it is.
Cindy, I just adore photos of doors, and windows, too! Your choices are wonderful but I must say the first one is my favorite, for the brilliant color and the geometric design. 🙂
Yes, plus it is a very happy door! 🙂
Amazing doorways, indeed! I imagine such stories behind their creation 🙂
All the people, over time, who have opened and closed them!
These photos are stunning. Amazing doorways inviting me to enter in to the world hidden behind them. I love that!
It is mysterious, intriguing and so irresisitibly tempting!!
Love these grand entrances Cindy– so imposing. I have a collection of much humber doorways from the years we lived in Spain. I don’t know– but I think, doorways are intriguing for the possibilities that lie beyond… thanks for the beautiful post.
Yes they represent mystery and possibility and we are curious to see what is beyond. I would love to see your Spanish doors and am looking forward to seeing some more myself in Spain soon!
Oh where are you traveling Spain Cindy?!! We lived there 12 years, the first 8 down in Andalusia and that is really the heart of Spain for us– less cosmopolitan, more “Spanish.” I can’t wait to see those pictures whenever you go!…
We are going to Seville, Malaga, Madrid, Cartenga, Barcelona, Mallorca and Valencia. Very excited about it of course! We have only been to Cartagena and Barcelona before.
Oh you’re going to have such beautiful travels Cindy!! We never crossed over to Mallorca– but love Madrid for the art, Barcelona for the architecture and Seville for the history and ambience. And everywhere for the food!– so many tapas and breakfast churros with thick thick hot chocolate! Que aproveche!
Estoy muy emocionado y me encanta tapas!! Tengo ganas de practicar mi espanol. Eras tan afortunados de vivir en España! <3
I love the blue door !
I do too, it seems a happy door!
Adieu 🙂 😉 <3
🙂
It bothers me to no end how these old architectural aesthetics have become lost arts in North America.
I hear you and I agree with you.
Wonderful, Cindy. I love to take photos of doors and windows – also (a quirk maybe) dates carved in stone on ancient buildings.
Oh the date idea is clever and unique!
Exquisite artistry in these doorways! A beautiful collection, Cindy.
I am very pleased you enjoyed them and cheers to you Patti~
You too, Cindy. Have an inspiring week. 🙂
Hello again Cindy, love these photographs, always have been intrigued by entrances !!!
Hoping you are well, where ever you are 🙂
Happy Saunday to you Kenny and thanks for the thoughtful sentiments~
Excelent photos, Excelent presentation, Excelent Author – Cindy – Write a book and I will be your reader… You have the feeling for detail, for the right word and for Beauty! Bravo!
Awwww, you are so kind and most appreciated. Thank you & cheers too~ <3
The Regensberg, Germany two elaborate and intricately detailed “portals” were exquisite and fine examples of craftsmanship, Cindy. Just enjoyed these photos so much.
Then I am very glad I posted Robin. Cheers to you my friend~
Such beautiful workmanship!
Yes and so ubiquitous!
I love old fashioned grand doors. Except when I have to open them — they are often stuck or heavy. Opening them is a moment, a ritual, not a casual act. 🙂
Yes it is a moment, the hand on the knob, the pressure to open, freeze frame. A moment of unknown anticipation, like a metaphor for life, which may be why doors resonate so much with us preconsciously. Our preconscious is so smart, which you know well since it writes your poems and whimsical tales so beautifully.
Yes, I collect those moments for my writings. I look for things that have always been important to us, like “chair” as a title and as an object. Those themes are the most interesting.
I agree with you. They are archetypal.
That’s one reason why I just love the old architecture and features. So magnificent. They certainly don’t make them like they used to!
No they don’t and we are lesser for it. This craftsmanship and love of beauty was a celebration of life which we all need.
I love these old doors, fabulous pics Cindy!
I am happy you enjoyed them and thanks for stopping by!
Doors can be fascinating. These are beautiful!
Thank you Maria. They define the building they open to~
Particularly love the last one, the others are a tad overwhelming!
The last one is the oldest door. It is in a castle on The Rhine.
Really like the last doors paintings:)
This is so old. It was in Marksburg Castle on The Rhine.
I can imagine what stories the doors could tell us.
Yes, forget walls, imagine if doors could talk!!!!
I love doorways the gold ones I saw in Florence are my favourite, I especially like the blue one above that’s like a face.
Yes I love that one too and I love the doors, and everything else in Florence! <3
Cindy, Cindy….I can’t wait to show Inion these pics. She is going to flip!! If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I pray I come back as you!! 😉 You are such a gifted artist and true adventurer. God luv ya for allowing us a peek into your beautiful world and letting us share the journey!! <3 xoxo
A comment from you is like a rainbow on a cloudy day. It brightens the world! :star: Be well my dear friend and cheers to you~ <3 <3
Just fabulous, aren’t they? Soft spot for that last one but there are so many beauties. 🙂
The last door is by far the favorite so most people agree with you! . I can’t choose, but I do love the happy colors on the first.
Reblogged this on Random Ramblings; Myriad Musings and commented:
Some beautiful doorways in Budapest and various German towns…lovely photography from Cindy!
🙂
Awww, you are a thoughtful friend and person. Thank you~ <3
Cindy, very interesting post. Beautiful doorways. Thank you! Hugs! Veraiconica
It is so wonderful to hear from you Veraiconica. I have missed you. I hope this means you are back and that we stay in touch. Hoping you are well my dear friend~ <3 <3
Thank you Cindy. I have missed you too. Had a lot of fun last night looking at your so interesting blogs with all the beautiful images. Find you blog very inspiring. Sending you hugs! Veraiconica
Visa versa 2UX2!
Great pictures and theme !
http://www.mahdiaridjphotography.com/en/regensburg-autumn/
Door are to be a work of art and these are incredible, brought to life, perfection and beauty by your lovely photographs!
Doors are such invitations. Will they open?
That’s the mystery…