Bronzed – Haiku 2022 #ThursdayDoors

Posted bySuzette BenjaminPosted inPoetry
Main West Entrance, Gate of Gratitude, Siena Cathedral, Italy – Image credit: Bailey-Cooper Photography | Alamy

standing on the word

testimony in mosaics

gratitude bronzed

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Built atop the ruins of a temple, some reports claim, that had worshipped Minerva (Athena in Greek), stands the Duomo Siena (Siena Cathedral) built from 1215 AD to 1348 AD in a mix of Gothic and Romanesque styles.

Following the liberation of the city by allied forces at the end of WWII in July 1944, the Bishop of Siena called on the city to renew its devotion to Mary, Mother of Jesus by commissioning bronze doors for the middle door of Siena Cathedral’s West Entrance.

These doors (featured above) were offered in thanksgiving to St. Mary to whom the city had prayed for salvation from the bombardments that had afflicted neighboring Tuscany cities, a fate from which Siena somehow had been miraculously spared.

Wasting little time these bronze doors were completed in two years and installed on August 16, 1946 (see closeup details below).

Taking a Picture of Bronze Portal of Cathedral of Siena (Duomo di Siena), Tuscany, Italy – Image credit: Petr Svarc | Alamy

Trivia: Siena Cathedral’s Piccolomini Altarpiece’s designer took a chance on a young artist and allowed him to sculpt the altar’s figure of David. The world will come to know that young artist later in his life as Michelangelo.

Siena Cathedral is famous for its gobsmacking mosaic marble inlay on its entire floor—the work of over 40 Sienese artists over countless centuries (see photo below). The pattern is meant to look like a massive intricate carpet.

The mosaics depict incredibly cohesive narrative scenes/stories from the Old Testament. The floor is protected under cover. Some portions are put on display from August 18 to the end of October, each year.

Siena Cathedral – mosaic floor – Image credit: terredisiena.it

Siena Cathedral, Italy wider angle:

Siena Cathedral- Image credit: © Raimond Spekking | Wikimedia CC4.0

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For #ThursdayDoors – Hosted by Dan Antion – No Facilities

Published by Suzette Benjamin

Positive thinker, inspirational, writer, faith

69 thoughts on “Bronzed – Haiku 2022 #ThursdayDoors”

  3. Biscuit, Green and Beige in one place are optically beautiful

    Bronze as a symbol of gratitude
    Taking its place on the podium with silver and gold looks absolutely stately in the setting of your haiku.
    Perserverance; standing on the grounds of your faith is paramount and a testimony to your endurance.
    Gratitude is everything.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, to all your marvelous points! Indeed the value of bronze to symbolize an emotion such as gratitude is a powerful metaphor.
      And standing on faith, even the symbolism of standing/walking on the mosaics inlays of the scriptures…amazing.
      Gratitude is yes indeed, as you well said…”is everything”

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us; sound and encouraging.
        It is courage we need in this appointed time
        To stand upon the mosaic of God’s word
        No matter what, gratitude and courage are our shields.

        Times are Tough.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. 🥉Following the liberation of the city by allied forces at the end of WWII in July 1944, the Bishop of Siena called on the city to renew its devotion to Mary, Mother of Jesus by commissioning bronze doors for the middle door of Siena Cathedral’s West Entrance.🥉

    The symbolism in today’s information text is catching.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. 🥉The mosaics depict incredibly cohesive narrative scenes/stories from the Old Testament. The floor is protected under cover. Some portions are put on display from August 18 to the end of October, each year.🥉

    I should have started here. What a beautiful gesture to the company of people who love to explore to work of artists developed through the centuries.
    40 artist collaborating in spirit over centuries is mind-blowing.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. 🥉These doors (featured above) were offered in thanksgiving to St. Mary to whom the city had prayed for salvation from the bombardments that had afflicted neighboring Tuscany cities, a fate from which Siena somehow had been miraculously spared.🥉

    Just look at the road places like

    Liked by 1 person

  8. 🥉Siena Cathedral’s Piccolomini Altarpiece’s designer took a chance on a young artist and allowed him to sculpt the altar’s figure of David. The world will come to know that young artist later in his life as Michelangelo.🥉

    I weep for and cherish the insight of the older generation in this regard.
    Opening doors and allowing young people to excercise their talent and skills.

    Siena Cathedral, ornate with bronze doors carries amazing memories and tells marvelous stories.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Amazing story and majestic doors. The history and the link to that young new artist made me smile. This cathedral is beautiful on a scale that I can’t even imagine. Thanks for introducing it with your poetry and for the story and photos.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. What a wonderful haiku to combine with these blessed doors from Italy where the mosaics and bronze have brought depth to your poem or your poem to the doors! A little of both I would say and so well done Suzette!
    💗

    Liked by 1 person

  19. So wonderful. Your words remind me of standing on, and for our word, and the importance of self expression, which when contemplated deeply, does produce gratitude. Excellent poem, Suzette.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Pingback: Bronzed – Haiku 2022 #ThursdayDoors – TOMS21

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