Lens-Artists Challenge #361: Looking Back to #20: Doors
The Serra do Pilar Monastery, located in Vila Nova de Gaia (across from the city of Porto), Portugal, is full of history. Its architectural importance, unique design, and strategic location overlooking the Douro River have made it a key landmark in the region’s history. Construction started in 1538 and was completed in 1672. The distinctive circular church and cloister are a rare design in Western Europe, reflecting Renaissance and Mannerist architectural styles.
When Sofia gave us the challenge to show doors, I was at a loss. I confess I do not photograph many doors — or at least I thought so! I highly encourage you to look at her post and photos. They will open your imagination, as it did for me. She wrote, “You can perhaps focus on the history or stories behind the doors and doorways you pick.” So, I’m concentrating on the doors I photographed during our trip across Portugal.
The Sé Catedral de Silves, or Silves Cathedral, located in the city’s highest point and near the city’s castle, is a gem of Gothic architecture in the Algarve. In addition to Gothic, the facade shows Baroque and Rococo elements after it was rebuilt following the devastating 1755 earthquake.
The Cathedral of Évora (Sé de Évora), located in Portugal’s Alentejo region, is one of the city’s most prominent and historically significant monuments. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the largest medieval cathedral in Portugal. Its architecture shows the transition from Romanesque to Gothic styles.
Also a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Convent of Christ (Convento de Cristo) in Tomar, Portugal, is a monumental complex with a rich and layered history tied directly to the Knights Templar and their successors, the Order of Christ. The convent is a fascinating blend of fortress, monastery, and church, reflecting centuries of architectural and historical change.
The Monastery of Alcobaça (Mosteiro de Alcobaça) in Portugal is a remarkable example of Cistercian Gothic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The monastery is famous for housing the elaborately carved Gothic tombs of King Pedro I and his murdered mistress, Inês de Castro.
Ann-Christine’s challenge last week was a lot of fun. I will find time to look at your responses after I’m back from vacation. The same goes for Sofia’s challenge this week. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when creating your post so we can easily find it in the Reader.
Next week, Beth returns with a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Churches, Évora, Lens-Artists, Porto, Portugal, Tomar, UNESCO World Heritage. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
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Pamela Zmija ~ Artist & Intuitive
Stunning! Beautiful old buildings, history captured!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Pam.
Yanaj *
An outstanding collection, Egídio! Each detail is overwhelmingly beautiful. – Have a fantastic vacation, stay safe, and enjoy to the fullest!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Yanaj. I appreciate your note.
Leya
Wow – a fabulous selection of ornate doorways Egidio! I must go to Portugal again to find them!
Happy travels!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Ann-Christine. I also want to go back.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Capolavori. Buone vacanze, Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Grazie, Luisella. Sei molto gentile.
Sofia Alves
I’ve seen so many Portuguese doors in this challenge it’s making my heart sing… that and we must have the best doors in the world 😀 Thank you so much for the memories, Egídio. These are places I know well but haven’t been to in many years. You captured them with soul.
Egidio Leitao
Sofia, it’s wonderful that you’re enjoying what you’re seeing. I hope to catch up after I’m back home. Thank you so much for this feedback. It means a lot.
Wandering Dawgs
Egidio, these doors are stunning!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Beth.
Toonsarah
A lovely selection of ornate doorways Egidio – it seems you DO photograph doors 😆 Have a great break and safe travels!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sarah. I was surprised how many doors and doorways I found in my library.
Steve Schwartzman
For the sake of these fine pictures we might modify the country’s name to Portagal.
Egidio Leitao
LOL I love the suggestion!
Steve Schwartzman
Em vez de fazer uma gala, faríamos uma Portagala.
Egidio Leitao
Well, something got lost in translation. Maybe my brain is affected by the altitude. Thanks for writing.
Steve Schwartzman
I was going one step further and riffing off the word gala (meanings 3–5 at https://dicionario.priberam.org/fazer%20gala) and the previously coined Portagal.
Egidio Leitao
I see.
Tina Schell
Amazing set of doors Egidio, so ornate and special from start to finish. Makes me want to get on the next plane!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Tina. Even after spending a month there, we still feel we “need” to go back for more.
photobyjohnbo
Egidio, your collection of cathedral and monastery doors is perfect for this challenge. Europe’s history and penchant for preservation of historic architecture is a lesson that we should learn in the USA.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John. Yes, preservation is so present in Europe.
philosophy through photography
Egidio, absolutely mesmerizing journey through Portugal’s doors!
Each cathedral and monastery not only opens into history but also whispers centuries of stories through architecture and design.
The circular church of Serra do Pilar, Silves Cathedral’s Gothic-Baroque blend, and the Cistercian elegance of Alcobaça—a visual poetry. Doors that truly lead into time itself. 🚪✨
Thank you, my friend.
Take care and enjoy your time.
Egidio Leitao
My friend, many thanks for your kind words. It warms my heart and soul.
philosophy through photography
Welcome, Egidio.
I. J. Khanewala
Superb. A collection of all the doors I didn’t see in Portugal. You give me many reasons to go back
Egidio Leitao
I.J., many thanks. We spent a month there and want to go back to see more.
Rupali
These doors are amazing with so much history. Sadly I don’t have doors in my recent hard drvie.
Enjoy your time away.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Rupali.
Marie
Incredible doors on incredible buildings. The monastery and church in Alcobaça is one of the most beautiful churches I’ve visited.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Marie. I agree with you, Marie. Alcobaça was the last monastery we visited, and we almost did not stop there after traveling 30 days through Portugal and seeing so many beautiful churches/monasteries. Alcobaça is amazing!
bushboy
Quite amazing buildings and doorways Egidio
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Brian.
JohnRH
Great selections Egidio. I hope you enjoy your time off L-A.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John. So far, Colorado has not disappointed at all.
Dawn M. Miller
Wow..these are gorgeous!
Enjoy your time away….take pictures!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Dawn. I’m in overload mode with so many beautiful views in the Pagosa Springs/Ouray areas. That camera card is filling up fast. 🙂
restlessjo
Superb photos and you couldn’t have a finer subject, Egidio. I haven’t been to the monastery in Gaia but it just moved up my list. Have a good break xx
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Jo. I think you’ll love that monastery.
Anne Sandler
Egidio, these doors are amazing and so is your photography of them. Have a great vacation!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Anne.
Writing to Freedom
I’m glad you found some doors to share Egidio. I couldn’t find any. Enjoy your time away.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Brad. Colorado is beautiful, but a tad warmer than in previous years.
Writing to Freedom
Yes, but at least cool in the evenings and less humid!
Egidio Leitao
Well, today we drove to Colorado National Monument, outside Grand Junction. It was 100F there in the afternoon. It was dry heat, but we could feel the burn!
sandyjwhite
Great doors! Enjoy your vacation!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sandy. Although it’s been a bit warm, Colorado is always enchanting.
boromax
Stunning architecture!
Egidio Leitao
Indeed it is. We were fascinated by it, too.