Like most of us, because of the lock-down, I find myself with some time on my hands and thought it might be a good opportunity to catch up on some of the posts that I have been intending to write, but just haven’t gotten around to. Since many of you have some extra time right now too, maybe some fun pictures of doors can add a little diversion to your day.

Since we moved to Italy (hard to believe that it has been almost 4 years), I have been fascinated with the doors here and have taken pictures of them everywhere we go. With the long history of architecture in Europe, there is an amazing array of types, colors and styles; from the grand entrances of palaces, churches and castles, to tiny dilapidated doors to cellars, and gates that seem to lead to secret gardens. I am especially fond of the old and sometimes deserted. Since many of the buildings were constructed at a time when they needed to be fortresses, the doors are right on the street with private courtyards inside. For some houses, the door is about the only thing visible to the street and are fancy to show off the wealth of the occupant. Abandoned ones (and even new ones sometimes) become the target of graffiti, some artistic and some just senseless.

There are a lot of pictures of doors (and some gates and windows) below because I did not want to be too much the arbiter of what you might like. If you do not like doors, this may not be the post for you, but if do like them, as I do, this should be a treat. In case you don’t already know it, if you click on any image, it will open a slide show of larger images.

Hope you enjoy!