I’m sure that somewhere, photographic essays – yes, probably entire books, have been assembled on doors and their similes. After all, for being such a simple, utilitarian building element, they are ascribed huge symbolic importance; hope, opening, opportunity, passage, transition from one state (or world) to another… and so on. Doors signify protection and shelter. Same thing with gates. An open door or gate is said to denote both opportunity and liberation. In addition to its heavy symbolic meanings, from a purely social perspective, a door has the power to convey intent (as in “welcome” or “stay out”), communicate social and societal status, and prompt proper behavior in those who pass through. I find them fascinating! On a recent trip to Sweden, which was filled with other agendas, I couldn’t help myself, but happily snapped away at passages of one sort or another, whenever I got a chance. The shots I got are nowhere near a comprehensive display of the rich abundance, but they do make for a small start of a minor travel obsession.

Stringing lights between two buildings made for a wonderful wintertime approach to the Rörstrand Design Center, where ceramics were made for hundreds of years.

Very nice example of functionalist architecture. The City Hall, in the small town where I grew up, whose politicians sadly have made some terrible decisions in the last few years, eroding decades of thriving arts and music. From having been a cultural hotspot, it has now become more of a cultural desert. So very sad to see… 😦

Another shot of the central courtyard. I can just hear the sound of horses hooves on cobble stone, hastily galloping through that portal, and the rustle of weaponry.

A couple of shots from the museum interior. The interior walls are no less impressive than the exterior.

A replica of a medieval door. If I recall correctly, the iron rose is a symbol for Biskop Bengt, the bishop responsible for beginning the construction of the Linköping Cathedral.

These doors, leading in to the nave from the “Weapon House” or narthex are of a scale intended to impress and humble visitors.

A lovely old barn, located between the Castle and the Cathedral in Linköping, glowing in the low winter light. Not sure what its use is nowadays.

This fabulous cross- timbered barn is the King’s Barn near Läckö Castle. Again, you have those diagonal patterns on the doors.

A long arbor covered street near the Linköping library. Would love to see what it looks like in summer when it’s all leafed out.

This photo is included more for the color that for its doors. I love how each individual, identical unit has a different, yet harmonizing color.

Quaint street scene from Old Linköping. If you go through that gate, you will likely come to an interior courtyard.

A glimpse of the other side of the door. Note that diagonal herringbone pattern again. Obviously, it is found just about everywhere. If you’re interested, you can read more about its symbolism here.

Here is that diagonal pattern repurposed into a new format. Also, note the green color – it’s a popular one.

Building codes did not exist back when this was built, and I’m glad. If they had, we wouldn’t be able to see these charming solutions.

This was still intact at Brahehus. Or, if it was added later – I don’t know. It made me wonder. Was it a jail cell? Or some kind of protected storage?

The entrance to Husaby Church. The towers are original and stem from the 1100’s. Before the stone church was erected, there was a stave church in its place. The tombs in front are said to be from the 900’s.

Another church that has seen centuries of people walk through its doors. Its hard to see in the photo, but if you look closely, you will see that diagonal pattern – again.

The Old Fire Station in Linköping. It too has a portal and a wall surrounding it. Now, the building houses KomVux – an organization offering continuing education classes.

Fantastic example of adaptive reuse, where the arches have been infilled with modern building materials, and are now offices. Love the brickwork, too.

Here is an arched portal from a different time period. It is much beefier, and serves as the entrance to the garden surrounding the Bishop’s Manor. The Manor itself is from the early 1700’s, but was likely built on medieval foundations. Not sure how old the surrounding wall is – it somehow seems older, to me, but I don’t know for sure.

There are two matching cottages near Trädgårdsföreningen’s entrance. Both have very ornately decorated porches, framing doors of a stricter, more simple elegance.

The Orangerie at Adelsnäs in Åtvidaberg, have wonderful glass expanses that overlook the fountain and gardens. There are often summer concerts offered here.

Across the street, is a tiny, basement door, in one of the oldest remaining buildings in Åtvidaberg – the little town where I grew up.

I’ll end in the same region this post began. This is a small service door in the Old Courthouse in Lidköping. Originally, this was a hunting lodge for Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie – proprietor of the nearby Läckö Castle. It is a wonderfully unique structure. You can see more photos of it here, if you like.
Temperatures are supposed to go up to over 100F degrees today. In Celsius, this is nearly 40 degrees, and makes people like me completely miserable. I had been thinking of writing this post for a while, and I’m glad I waited. It felt really nice to hole up in our basement, and remember the wintry days of my trip home. A mental cool-off, so to speak. Stay cool out there, friends!
This was a real treat, so enjoyable looking at these. Thank you, and stay cool – your basement sounds great. We have now had the warmest Rochester, NY summer on record.
I think, compared to many other parts of the US, we have been lucky up here in the NW corner, this summer. Which makes the heat-spike this weekend so much more tolerable. But yes, I am very grateful for our basement. Spoke with my father in Sweden this morning. He was making food to feed his bees. When I asked if that wasn’t a little early, he told me that they have had such a dry spring and summer that everything has dried on its roots, and there is nothing else for his bees to eat. I guess we aren’t the only place with odd and unusual weather patterns. The honey harvest was good, though – they got 280 kilos!
How fascinating! Not good about the bees, I guess, but the life he lives there seems so different. We have a cool basement, too. BTW we’re still hoping at some point to make a move your way. We just had a family reunion in Florida and saw our relatives from Portland.
Yeah, hopefully the rains return at some point. Well, whenever you can make it out here, you are welcome! 🙂 And, what a coincidence – we just had a nephew visiting from Miami stay with us for a few weeks! He wants to move here too.
What a visual treat Anna! Back in my early 20’s I had an entire wall in my apartment dedicated to framed pictures of doors and windows, it was a great collection.
Thanks Loree – I bet it was… What did you do with it? Do you still have it?
Oh…I miss the old world !
Me too… 😦
When I think of Swedish architecture, I usually think of post war mid century modern. I guess I never really considered that there are hundreds of years worth of architectural heritage in the shadows of those buildings. It’s interesting that some of the beautiful spaces in your photographs feel almost Mediterranean.
The most interesting juxtapositions happen when the two are integrated, or right next to each other. As far as the Mediterranean feel goes – you are right. The northern countries were sometimes heavily influenced by their southern neighbors – in all kinds of fashions. You can often see it in depicted clothing. Often, there was a bit of a backlog . By the time the fashion had traveled that far north, people of the south had moved on to something else. You can read more about that here, if you’re interested. 🙂 https://thecreativeflux.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/magic-and-mysticism-in-scandinavian-vernacular-or-how-the-gods-really-were-in-the-details/
Great pictures! I want to go to Sweden!
Thanks, Jason! What’s stopping you? 😉
Sigh … time and money.
A fascinating tour. Thanks for sharing
You are welcome – so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by, Karen. 🙂
Very Fascinating. Doors…… from one to another 🙂
Thanks Calle! And, thanks for stopping by!