I’ve never been the type of person to collect dolls, coins, stamps, teapots, or beanie babies. “Less is more” for me. However, I’ve taken to collecting the amazing and mysterious old doors I’ve stumbled on while walking through the streets of Europe.
I love taking photographs of them because each has its own peculiar personality. My favorites have been found in medieval city centers and ancient hill towns. They’re creaky, ornate, and quirky.
Who walked through them centuries ago and what went on behind them when the doors were closed? You’ve got to wonder how most of the old doors survived during wars, conflicts, disasters, and even poop thrown down at them from upstairs chamber pots.
Living in Southern California, we have very few old doors. I guess that’s why I’m so enamored with them.
My travels have taken me to some amazing old cities, but there are many more I’d love to see. You can bet I’ll be adding them to this collection in the future.
Old doors I found in Poland, Hungary, and Austria
My first old door photos were shot when I had the privilege of visiting the medieval city center of Krakow, Poland. Krakow is a city you don’t often hear about, but also don’t want to miss. It has the largest medieval market square in Europe with historical houses, palaces, and churches and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is one of the few in Poland that wasn’t destroyed during WWII.
After Krakow, we flew to Budapest to begin a River Cruise on the Danube. Below are some of the doors I found there. Please share them on Pinterest if you have the urge.
Old doors in Spain, Italy, and France
Another trip we took was to Italy and the Mediterranean. It yielded a smorgasbord of creaky old doors. They ranged from medieval to provincial with a little Middle Eastern and Asian thrown in. We spent 3 weeks traveling through Rome, Tuscany, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast before departing on a cruise of the Mediterranean on the Cunard Queen Elizabeth.
Check out these wonderful doors.
Barcelona Seville Moorish Arch Iglesia de Santa Cruz – Old Synagogue Montecatini Alto Montecatini Alto Montecatini Alto Positano Sorrento Montecarlo di lucca Montecarlo di Lucca Montecarlo di Lucca Montecarlo di Lucca Montepulciano Montepulciano Montepulciano Montepulciano Montepulciano Montepulciano Montepulciano Siena Siena Siena Siena Siena Siena Siena Siena Siena Lucca Lucca Lucca Lucca Lucca Florence Florence Florence Florence Sorrento Saint Tropez Saint Tropez Saint Tropez Saint Tropez
Oh, if those old doors could talk. . . What would they say?
When you’re traveling, what do you love to photograph? Please leave a comment below. If you’re on Pinterest please follow my old doors board here.
I LOVE THIS!! This is a beautiful virtual collection and such an interesting way to remember and commemorate a trip without accumulating useless stuff. Thank you so much for joining the #REASONS2TRAVEL linkup, feel free to add any other posts throughout the month and hope to see you next month.
Angie from Reasons to Dress
Thanks so much Angie. I’m glad you liked my doors. Thanks also for the opportunity to link up on #reasons2travel. I so appreciate it.
Can you believe that my sister does exactly the same? You’ve found some great doors (especially those in Italy, but I’m biased :), keep up the search and I’m looking forward to seeing some new ones! Thanks for joining the #Reasons2travel linkup!
Thanks Margherita,
I’m glad you like the doors and glad to hear that your sister collects them too. I just found them fascinating and can’t wait for more adventures. I appreciate the link up opportunity. So fun!
Glad that someone else loves photographing doors as i do. I have a large collection of them.
Thanks Paula,
Yes, I really do love doors and would love to see yours too. I will definitely check out your blog.
Rebecca
I have doors and gates – not intentionally, they just seem to capture my attention. I always got music boxes from that shop in Paris but the kids have broken them…c’est la vie!
I’ll have to try more gates. They’re really interesting too. Too bad about the music boxes. I bet they were pretty
This is great! Have you seen the #damngooddoors on Instagram? There are great photos of doors there!
Thank you for linking up with the #REASONS2TRAVEL linkup!
Hi Elizabeth. Glad you like the door and NO, I haven’t seen the doors on Instagram. Thanks so much for the hashtag. I will definitely check them out and add some doors. I appreciate it!