Welcome to the first Thursday on my new blog. We shall celebrate this occasion with a Rome’s basilica and its particular couple of doors.
Thursday has spelled doors for so long now that I must resume blogging for this reason alone, if not for any other. I’m in the habit of showing you my doors on this day and the force is strong.
On Boxing Day or St. Stephen’s Day or whatever you call it, amore took me to the city. In this case, the city was Rome and we had a stroll around the Termini station, the main train station in Rome. I suppose that’s why this basilica right next to it, called The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs, is a popular tourist spot.
It is a fascinating place, built in the 16th Century in the swimming pool of the Baths of Diocletian following the designs of Michaelangelo Buonarotti. Its entrance is particular and since 2006 guarded by bronze doors designed by Polish-born sculptor Igor Mitoraj.
However, when our Norm the Door Inspector visited his overseas provinces, it was closed for reconstruction. Somebody wishes him to return.
And don’t get me started on the grand beauty once you enter. It will have to wait for another post.
It was one of those slaughtered blue sky days, as mom calls them. 
To me it looks a bit like an amusement park entrance. 
I saw immediately that the doors are on a special side. The left one was in the sun… 
…whereas the right one was lurking in the shadow. 
I suppose this is the Martyr. 
Details above. 
Details below. 
All together. 
The neighbouring door. 
The neighbour of the neighbour. 
Let’s go into the shadows now. I suppose these are Mary and the Angel… 
She is just sleeping… right? 
Apologies but my first thought was: Surf’s up! 
Both together. She is dreaming of him. 
Oh, I know these two! My angel and martyr! 
We went around the Baths of Diocletian. 
Past this door. 
On the other side we found another entrance. 
Basilica’s office door. Nothing special but still stylish. All in all, I was glad to visit it.
Manja Mexi Moving (closed) 
Truly fascinating. I haven’t been to Rome yet. Shame on it. I keep putting it off.
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Thank you, Bojana. Well, people keep calling it eternal and then one gets a feeling it will be around forever… There is a supervolcano boiling underneath though. But we still have 1000 years or so.
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True. So true. But still, shame on me.
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We spent a week in Rome a few years ago and I remember a tour guide saying that you could spend a lifetime studying the city and still not uncover all her secrets. It’s such a fascinating place with interesting details literally everywhere … and this basilica is another one. The faces embedded in the door are eery. They give me the impression of eternal suffering, however I doubt that was the intent.
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Thank you, Joanne. The guide’s words sound just what I feel sometimes too. So I’m taking it easy. Might feel like suffering from the outside but to enter is a revelation. I was in a hurry but the impression is lasting.
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Aaah, Beautiful Rome. Spectacular doors, and I am fond of the shabby looking one with the frayed bottom. Note to self…find a way to get back to Italy asap.
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Hehhe, that’s the right kind of note, Scooj. I wish you that it comes true. Thank you!
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You got some great shots. When we were there we saw from a distance that it was all fenced off. Now I wish we had gotten a little closer so I could have gotten some shots of those amazing doors through the fencing. But it was hot and I was tired…well, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it 😉
I’m glad you got to see it up close.
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Oh, Norm, the first and only spam was this comment of yours! I quickly rescued it to teach WP some manners. 😉 Your excuse is more than valid, I know how hot it can be in Rome. Anyway, you’ll be back. 😉 Welcome to my new blog!
Also, I just realised that in this theme my captions are not visible if you watch the photos in the gallery. That’s bad! Nobody will read them now! And I can’t make nice collages. :p
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Love the new blog, Manja, and of course, the amazing doors.
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Thank you so much, Jean. I’m glad you followed me here. I wish you a great year in all kinds of ways!
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Those two doors with the people embedded are quite something!!
janet
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Thank you, Janet. I thought so too. Never a dull moment in Rome doorwise. Welcome to my new blog.
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There are some great captures! A great series.
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Thank you, Amy. It was quite a discovery. I don’t remember seeing these doors anywhere online before.
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I haven’t seen anywhere. Thank you for sharing with us!
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It does look a bit like an amusement park entrance! Is there a haunted house inside? 😛
The neighbour of the neighbour is my favourite though, especially after I noticed the little pigeon posing next to it. It amazes me that the same pigeons are found all over the world.
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Thank you, Pistachios, good to see you on my new blog. Yes, I left that pigeon in on purpose. They certainly get around. 🙂 As for the church, once you enter you are completely blown away by the aesthetic, serenity and beauty. And that is if you are not religious, I can’t even imagine how it must be for believers.
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Haha I’ll be waiting for your next post about this church then!
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Hi Mexi, it must be from the same artist. lovely gallery of doors. they’re all beautiful! 🙂
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Thank you, Lola! 🙂
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