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:

Lois said...

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

Lowell said...

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

James said...

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

marley said...

What a stunning door! Amazing!

Chattahoochee Valley Daily said...

beautifully carved portal. Nice shot.

Lachezar said...

Absolutely beautiful. Great choice, congratulations!

Gunn said...

unique and very beautiful!

Lisa Wilson said...

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

VP said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

A wonderful picture, a Sunday as nice to you.

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

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

Joan Elizabeth said...

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

Leif Hagen said...

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

Clueless in Boston said...

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.

George said...

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

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

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

slim said...

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

Ursel said...

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

Elaine Yim said...

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

escape said...

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

Lessie said...

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

tapirgal said...

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!

Julie said...

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.

Jilly said...

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.

arabesque said...

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

cieldequimper said...

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

Nefertiti said...

What work of precision!

Good Sunday

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

Kaori said...

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

EG CameraGirl said...

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!

Cezar and Léia said...

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

Copenhagen said...

What an amazing detail work! Thanks for sharing :)

Virginia said...

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

Judy said...

Wow! A beautiful "doorway". So elegant.

Andrea said...

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

brattcat said...

What an amazing work of art!

Dina said...

A history book on a door.
Wonderful!

Laurie Allee said...

This is glorious!

Rob Siemann said...

Wonderful, absolutely wonderful!

Unknown said...

Wonderful door, Hilda!

Halcyon said...

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

Buck said...

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

Hilda said...

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

Sharon said...

Wow, this door is truly amazing.

Keith said...

Amazing theme day photo. Stunning panels.

Anonymous said...

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