November 1, 2009

One-half

THEME DAY: DOORWAYS • The current Manila Cathedral in the old walled city of Intramuros was finished in 1958. It is the eighth church and sixth cathedral to stand on the site since 1581. Its main doors, over which a magnificent arch rises, each has four bronze panels created by the Italian sculptors Alessandro Monteleone (1897–1967) and Francesco Nagni (1897–1977). According to the Manila Cathedral website, the eight bronze relief panels represent important episodes in the history of the cathedral. I wish it had more information than that—I would love to know what events these panels depict.

one of the main doors of the Manila Cathedral

Doorways of the world from City Daily Photo bloggers. It's going to be another wonderful tour this month! Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

45 comments:

  1. LoisNovember 1, 2009 at 5:06 AM

    Oh Hilda, it is so intricate and beautiful! That's a great Theme Day picture.

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  2. LowellNovember 1, 2009 at 5:50 AM

    Wonderful photo for theme day! These are fascinating, and it would be interesting to know what is behind each of the panels.

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  3. JamesNovember 1, 2009 at 5:50 AM

    What a wonderful way to tell a story. This is so beautiful. I love it.

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  4. marleyNovember 1, 2009 at 5:53 AM

    What a stunning door! Amazing!

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  5. Chattahoochee Valley DailyNovember 1, 2009 at 6:50 AM

    beautifully carved portal. Nice shot.

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  6. LachezarNovember 1, 2009 at 7:03 AM

    Absolutely beautiful. Great choice, congratulations!

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  7. GunnNovember 1, 2009 at 7:08 AM

    unique and very beautiful!

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  8. Lisa WilsonNovember 1, 2009 at 7:26 AM

    That's an amazing work of art! This theme day is turning out to be one of the most interesting ones yet!

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  9. VPNovember 1, 2009 at 7:31 AM

    Excellent! You really have some fine reliefs there...

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  10. AnonymousNovember 1, 2009 at 8:10 AM

    ...hopefully finding the other half after opening the door and walking inside.

    A wonderful picture, a Sunday as nice to you.

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  11. Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.comNovember 1, 2009 at 8:30 AM

    this is truly an epic door for theme day. such stories and images on this door

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  12. Joan ElizabethNovember 1, 2009 at 9:27 AM

    Hilda, this a beautiful door, you have captured every detail beautifully.

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  13. Leif HagenNovember 1, 2009 at 10:51 AM

    A heavenly door for theme day! What an absolute work of art and lots of labor!

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  14. Clueless in BostonNovember 1, 2009 at 11:40 AM

    Beautiful and intricate door. I guess they followed the idea used in Medieval Europe that the purpose of a cathedral was to instruct as well as to awe.

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  15. GeorgeNovember 1, 2009 at 11:40 AM

    The panels on this door are absolutely beautiful. Can we look forward to seeing the otehr four panels?

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  16. GreensboroDailyPhotoNovember 1, 2009 at 11:41 AM

    Yay! Another Sacred Sunday + Theme Day combo! Father Adam at Monastery Daily Photo will be prooud of us!!!!!

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  17. slimNovember 1, 2009 at 12:09 PM

    What treasures! I want to touch them. Great choice. Happy theme day!

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  18. UrselNovember 1, 2009 at 12:49 PM

    Great picture for the Theme Day and great art. I always admire artist who create such fine art.

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  19. Elaine YimNovember 1, 2009 at 1:14 PM

    I guess it takes some fine craftman skills and a lot of patience to create such beautiful carvings.

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  20. escapeNovember 1, 2009 at 1:44 PM

    i like that door design too. similar to the ones in sto nino church in cebu and boac church in marinduque.

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  21. LessieNovember 1, 2009 at 2:16 PM

    I agree! It really spikes the curiosity to know they represent specific events -- and not know what they are!

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  22. tapirgalNovember 1, 2009 at 2:19 PM

    This art is outstanding. It's nice when they tell a story this way, but as you said, it would be even nice to really know what it says!

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  23. JulieNovember 1, 2009 at 2:20 PM

    The bronze relief on the current doors are fascinating to pour over, Hilda. Interesting that the poor cathedral has had so many incarnations and so many doors. This particular set of doors must weigh a tonne.

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  24. JillyNovember 1, 2009 at 2:46 PM

    How stunning, Hilda. A work of art on a door. Beautiful choice for today's theme. Love the light and gleam on the lower part of the image.

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  25. arabesqueNovember 1, 2009 at 5:43 PM

    the reliefs reminded me of a church in florence,very detailed...
    love ur post!

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  26. cieldequimperNovember 1, 2009 at 5:57 PM

    Ah Hilda, this is sooooo beautiful. Thank you for showing it. I also loved yesterday's post!

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  27. NefertitiNovember 1, 2009 at 6:28 PM

    What work of precision!

    Good Sunday

    I've put a translator on all my blogs made; O)

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  28. KaoriNovember 1, 2009 at 8:14 PM

    beautiful details! there must be a story behind this :)

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  29. EG CameraGirlNovember 1, 2009 at 8:48 PM

    How come the cathedral has been rebuilt so many times? The doorway is truly incredible. The workmanship is amazing especially given the history that cathedrals don't last forever in this spot!

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  30. Cezar and LéiaNovember 1, 2009 at 9:15 PM

    wow this cathedral is outstanding!
    I loved these details!
    Magnificent!
    Léia

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  31. CopenhagenNovember 1, 2009 at 10:08 PM

    What an amazing detail work! Thanks for sharing :)

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  32. VirginiaNovember 1, 2009 at 10:46 PM

    Amazing doors. The light is so nice on them. Nice shot Hilda.
    V

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  33. JudyNovember 2, 2009 at 12:52 AM

    Wow! A beautiful "doorway". So elegant.

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  34. AndreaNovember 2, 2009 at 1:32 AM

    Great doorway!!!
    love it!!!!
    Thanks for your comments in my blog, I'll try to post what you ask soon :)

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  35. brattcatNovember 2, 2009 at 1:51 AM

    What an amazing work of art!

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  36. DinaNovember 2, 2009 at 2:07 AM

    A history book on a door.
    Wonderful!

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  37. Laurie AlleeNovember 2, 2009 at 2:15 AM

    This is glorious!

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  38. Rob SiemannNovember 2, 2009 at 2:40 AM

    Wonderful, absolutely wonderful!

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  39. UnknownNovember 2, 2009 at 3:30 AM

    Wonderful door, Hilda!

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  40. HalcyonNovember 2, 2009 at 4:14 AM

    Excellent choice for the theme day! You always come up with something great.

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  41. BuckNovember 2, 2009 at 7:26 AM

    What a wonderful door. I pray they will hold back the terrible weather.

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  42. HildaNovember 2, 2009 at 9:36 AM

    EG Tour Guide:
    Earthquakes and fires, mostly. But the last one was destroyed during WWII.

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  43. SharonNovember 2, 2009 at 12:07 PM

    Wow, this door is truly amazing.

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  44. KeithNovember 2, 2009 at 12:24 PM

    Amazing theme day photo. Stunning panels.

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  45. AnonymousNovember 10, 2009 at 4:48 PM

    Storm doors protect the primary door, reducing maintenance costs, and may lend an added level of security against break-ins

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