This week’s door photograph was taken in the town of Silves, Portugal. Carved wood and curved metalwork make this quite an ornate door, yet the flyers casually shoved underneath add a prosaic touch, as do the jumble of wires overhead.
Located in the south of Portugal, Silves was a Caliphate from the 8th to 13th century, and one of the most important cities in the region. Now it is still a prosperous town, with shops, cafes, and one of the best preserved Moorish castles in the country. Winding streets slope towards a curving river – you can see the slope of the street in the door photo, cobbles descending while the doorstep is set straight into the wall.
One of the cobbled streets, flaking paint and soft colours adding to the texture of this ancient town.
A view from the 8th century city wall, looking over the rooftops.
This is my entry for this week’s Thursday Doors, courtesy of Norm 2.0. Head on over to his blog and see more doors, or add one of your own!
Helen Glynn Jones 
Doors with lots of character, stories and history inside.
Definitely 🙂
One of the most intriguing things about this Thursday Doors phenomenon is not how beautiful or ornate or ancient these doors are, but what goes on behind them; who lives there, what do they do, what does the inner space look like, or even is there anything beyond them at all, or is it just a facade…
Yes, it’s interesting to think about, isn’t it? And I’ve found, as I go back through my photos, that for some reason I take a lot of door shots – wonder if it’s because of all the stories lurking behind them? 🙂
I had noticed that 😁. I’m sure you’re right. It gets your writers imagination going.
It’s one of the things I remember about the first time I came to Dublin, all the lovely doors there 🙂
Ah yes, all the gorgeous Georgian doors in different colours.
Yes, those are the ones! With the little fanlight windows above 🙂
Exactly! They are simple and all the more beautiful for it.
Beautiful photos Helen. Portugal is such a fabulous country.
Thanks Jean 🙂 Yes, Portugal is lovely – I’m keen to go back again one day.
Some truly beautiful craftsmanship went into that door and I’m sure a walk through that lovely town netted you quite a few other wonderful shots as well.
Oh, it was a great day out – there was so much to see, including the castle and museum. At one point we were stood at the top of the 8th century city wall, watching herons flying across the roofs to their nests.
Beautiful photos!
Thank you 🙂
You’re so well travelled. Love these doors!
Thanks, Sacha 🙂
These photos are truly amazing!
Thank you! Silves is a lovely place 🙂
Helen, what a gorgeous door, but not for fat people! 🙂
janet
ha ha Janet, I hadn’t thought of that! Perhaps both can be opened for more access? 😀
They don’t look too wide even together.
True – perhaps they have a bigger door around the side 🙂