Unfinished – Haiku 2023 #ThursdayDoors

Posted bySuzette BenjaminPosted inPoetry, Thursday Doors
West Doors, “The Tabernacle Facade” Malaga Basilica, Andalusia, Spain. Image credit:© Viajeray Mochilero

tabernacled doors

the past —unfinished towers

looming from great heights

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Built atop the ruins of Moorish temples, constructed over 254 years, and still unfinished stands the massive jewel of Andalusia, Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación (Malaga Cathedral.) Construction began in 1528 and was “stopped” in 1782.

Main door – West Entrance, Malaga Cathedral, Andalusia Spain closeup:

West Entrance, Malaga Basilica, Andalusia Spain, Image credit: © Peter Zoeller | Design Pics

Malaga Cathedral’s acoustic system is apparently unique and carefully designed thanks to the copious, exquisitely carved wood surfaces in the choir loft and organ.

And, integral to this system, experts claim, is the tall wooden entrance doors featured above.

For, when closed, the doors provide the first “membrane” vibrating the tabernacled sound of the opulent Cathedral’s interior.

The facade is incomplete with its upper levels devoid of the lavish marble of the first level. And most notably, the Cathedral lacks a second tower (note the incomplete tower in the photo below.)

Malaga Cathedral, Spain. Image credit: Juliasorokina | Pixabay

Its unfinished state notwithstanding, Malaga Cathedral is considered an architectural wonder in Andalusia, Spain —sporting a baroque facade and a beyond-exquisite Gothic interior.

Its three naves’ domed ceilings are 40 meters (131 feet) high (one of the naves is pictured below).

One of three naves, Malaga Cathedral, Spain. Image credit: Peter West Carey via gadventures

Trivia: Rumor has it that subsequent to the City Council’s official decree (2018) that the Cathedral was “finished as is” and that no further work would be done save for necessary restorations, recent (2022) unconfirmed reports claim that Malaga City Council has agreed to approve and to fund the Cathedral’s completion.

Wider angles, Malaga Cathedral, Spain:

Malaga Cathedra, Spain. Image credit: © José María Ruiz Aguilar | Flickr
Malaga Cathedral, Spain. Image credit: Trevor Huxam | Flickr

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For more #ThursdayDoors visit Dan Antion at No Facilities

Teresa My Camera and I

Published by Suzette Benjamin

Positive thinker, inspirational, writer, faith

72 thoughts on “Unfinished – Haiku 2023 #ThursdayDoors”

  1. 🎹For, when closed, the doors provide the first “membrane” vibrating the tabernacled sound of the opulent Cathedral’s interior.🎹

    Wow, this is truly awesome. The creative thought to make way for this sound is amazing

    Liked by 1 person

  2. 🎹Built atop the ruins of Moorish temples, constructed over 254 years, and still unfinished stands the massive jewel of Andalusia, Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de la Encarnación (Malaga Cathedral.) Construction began in 1528 and was “stopped” in 1782.🎹

    I took a cyber hop into the histrorical troves of the cathedral and was quite surprised to learn that the area first came under the influence of the North African Empire of the Vandals, although I shouldn’t be given the long history of Africa in Europe.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. 🎹Trivia: Rumor has it that subsequent to the City Council’s official decree (2018) that the Cathedral was “finished as is” and that no further work would be done save for necessary restorations, recent (2022) unconfirmed reports claim that Malaga City Council has agreed to approve and to fund the Cathedral’s completion.🎹

    Hope this endearment comes to fruition.

    A heartwarming haiku for unfinished business.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. I never thought about the way a door played a role in the sound within a building. Thanks for including those details. I’d be interested to see if they do complete it. Part of me wonders if today’s workers, with today’s technology, will be able to work any faster.

    Great poetry for this site, Suzette!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I didn’t think about doors as part of the sound within, either until I read about it for research on this cathedral. Fascinating!
      I wonder, too, if they will complete it at all. The City Council sudden enthusiasm is a departure from their past stand on the matter. I hope they complete the Cathedral.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Beautiful Suzette. I love the heavy wooden doors that are on many buildings that I saw when I was in Seville. This cathedral, even unfinished, looks amazing.

    I’m visiting a Scottish cathedral this afternoon and will photograph the doors for you, Suzette 😁

    Liked by 1 person

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