January 05, 2005

Doorways of Antigua Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala was the administrative capital of Spanish colonial Central America. It was a city of stunning wealth, dazzling architecture and art, and great sophistication. Guatemala was an important post for Spain and ranked just below Mexico in terms of desirability for fortune seeking sons of the Spanish nobility and other scoundrels. It was pretty much destroyed in an earthquake and flood in 1773 and the Spanish ordered it pulled down as they moved the capital to what is now Guatemala City. The people of Antigua, known as Panzas Verdes, or Green Bellies because of all the avocados they eat, refused to pull it down. And they attempted to rebuild. Today, Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an exceptionally charming and beautiful place. I've been there now about 4 or 5 times and I love it.

It is also a good excuse to post some architectural element photographs and innaugurate a new category of the same name. This category will include pictures of pieces of buildings, architectural sculpture or ornament or just something on a building that catches my eye. It happens to me all the time and I've decided to start bringing my camera along with me more often.

I hope you enjoy the following shots of doorways and door knockers (with one excellent wall mounted wrought iron light to kick things off and light the way)!

2004_1230Image0067.JPG


2004_1230Image0054.JPG


2004_1230Image0080.JPG


2004_1230Image0081.JPG


2004_1230Image0090.JPG


2004_1230Image0092.JPG


2004_1230Image0093.JPG


2004_1230Image0094.JPG


2004_1230Image0096.JPG

Posted by Random Penseur at January 5, 2005 04:02 PM
Comments

For a minute there, I was pretty excited...and then I saw you actually wrote "door" knockers. Oh well...

Posted by: Howard at January 5, 2005 05:06 PM

Wow, those are amazing pictures, and most likely in fairly old neighborhoods too. Amazing what great craftsmanship there used to be

Posted by: Oorgo at January 5, 2005 05:43 PM

Love the lion knocker! WOW! Back when craftmanship meant something.

Posted by: Amber at January 5, 2005 06:04 PM

i think...the second picture is my favorite. but they are all pretty cool.

Posted by: standing naked at January 5, 2005 07:23 PM

I see that Howard thinks a lot like I do.

"Nice knockers."

"Ooooh. Sank you."

You do take very beautiful pictures, RP.

Posted by: Margi at January 5, 2005 11:14 PM

I'm glad that you all enjoyed the pictures! It was a lot of fun taking them. Although, it was a lot of fun writing the word "knockers" in a post, too.

Posted by: RP at January 6, 2005 08:39 AM

Great pix, RP. Nice knockers!

Posted by: GrammarQueen at January 6, 2005 10:26 AM
Post a comment









Remember personal info?