High Ground – Haiku 2024 #ThursdayDoors

Posted bySuzette BenjaminPosted inPoetryTags:,
**FEATURED DOORS** Main Entrance, Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp Belgium. Image credit: manx_in_the_world | Stock

postponed scales

one tower tips upward

balancing high ground

***

Its flamboyant Gothic North Tower at a staggering 123 meters (404 ft) is the tallest building in Belgium. Originally intended to support two towers of equal height, various unfortunate circumstances after the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp, Belgium‘s 170-year build (1352-1521) “postponed” permanently the completion of the cathedral’s second tower.

**Featured Door, Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp, Belgium Main Entrance (A closeup image is below).

Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp, Belgium. Main Entrance. Image credit: © Zozifoto | Dreamstime

These wooden doors and the sculptured stonework of the Main Portal Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp, date back to 1903.

On the sides of the door, the life-sized stone statues honor the missionaries who were not from Antwerp but came from afar at great cost in the seventh century to preach and serve there.

The fan-shaped formation of figures in the archivolt above the tympanum are the members of the Heavenly Court (1 Kings 22:19-23).

A wider angle of the West facade of the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp, Belgium is shown below.

Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp, Belgium. Image credit Vladislav Zolotov | iStock

Trivia #1: The Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp, Belgium has a secret!

A fact known only to insiders is that there is a hidden bistro in the Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp. The bistro (official name, de Plek)’s entrance is behind a door to the right of the altar. The bistro was constructed in 2018 and is open only on Sundays. On offer are bistro-type light meals and two brands of in-house beer!!

Trivia#2: The cathedral houses four paintings by Peter Paul Rubens including his famous work “The Raising of the Cross (circa 1610).

*Extra Fun Fact: The Cathedral’s Main Entrance has no steps because the cathedral and the surrounding streets were built on high ground shored up even further by a host of retaining features against the inevitable spring tide swells of the nearby River Scheldt.

Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp, Belgium, View from across the River Scheldt (below)

Across the River Scheldt, the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp Belgium. Image credit: Jorisvo | iStock

Too large for comprehensive ground-level photos, an aerial view of the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp, Belgium is shown below:

Aerial View, Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp Belgium. Image credit: mytro Kosmenko | iStock

And for more #ThursdayDoors

Visit Dan Antion at No Facilities

ThursdayDoors
In Primo piano

Published by Suzette Benjamin

Positive thinker, inspirational, writer, faith

68 thoughts on “High Ground – Haiku 2024 #ThursdayDoors”

  2. Pingback: High Ground – Haiku 2024 #ThursdayDoors – Suzette B’s Blog | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  6. The building is beautiful and the entrance is magnificent. I imagine it’s even better having been built at ground level, albeit elevated ground. I think I could stand in the entrance for hours looking at those carvings and doors. I love the secret bistro!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I would stand there as well, Dan. It is pretty amazing the detail in the carvings and the intentional storytelling in the carvings. Glad you enjoyed the share. The bistro is a fascinating tidbit.
      Thank you for your support!

      Like

  8. A masterpiece of architecture and gothic gem.

    Bringing the cathedral to the people with its secret bistro and special beer.

    Incomplete l, yetMagnificent – House of God and Door to Heaven

    Heartwarming Thursday Offering, with helping hands.

    🤍The fan-shaped formation of figures in the archivolt above the tympanum are the members of the Heavenly Court (1 Kings 22:19-23).🤍

    I love how they bring scripture to life through their sculpture.

    Magnificent Main Entrance Doors.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Yes!! Bringing the cathedral and Magnificent – House of God and Door of Heaven to the people. Well said!
      I agree that the carvings are so detailed and full of movement that one can see the stories unfold at the door frame…remarkable work done with intention, faith and great skill.

      Glad you found the share of interest.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Oh I only just read your comment. Yes, they also make the sincere effort to build the faith through volunteer which makes these doors even more appealing.
        Absolutely exquisite sculpturing, I would need to have my binoculars with me if ever I should visit there.
        Faith work with great skill indeed.

        Liked by 2 people

  9. Magnificent cathedral and its imposing door! Liked the facts about hidden Bistro. Your haiku, Suzette, as always, depicts the structure very well.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. I was skiing on Thursday so missed your doors! The life size statues are quite incredible. The permanent postponement is quite funny. I wonder how distracting the two towers are when you are seeing the building in person, maybe you’d just think you had too many beer at the bistro 🙂 From the front view that’s all I notice, but the aerial view is great. Maggie

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Great to hear that you got some skiing in. The weather was sure great for that! A great way to top off winter.
      LOL…Yes, I made a point of that postponement hundreds of years ago now, eh.
      And you are just hilarious …love your rationale for the view of the two towers …after a few pints…LOL. Perhaps the towers’ imbalance might look even better at that point.
      Thanks for the smiles Maggie. Safe travels!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, I agree with you Richard. The single tower is quite amazing. I am glad you enjoyed the share and found something of interest. Blessings to you. Have a good week.

      Like

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