The Wall – Haiku 2024 #ThursdayDoors

Posted bySuzette BenjaminPosted inPoetry, Thursday DoorsTags:
West Arcade Entrance, St. Vincent Basilica, Avila Spain. Image credit: © sedmak | iStock

within faith’s limits

protected by unseen borders

outside the wall

Situated outside Ávila’s famous wall—Spain’s best-preserved and longest medieval fortifications dating back to the 11th century—stands St. Vincent Basilica (circa 11th-14th centuries.)

The featured wood doors (above) are the West arcade entrance to St. Vincent Basilica, Ávila, Spain.

The stone sculptures of saints on either side of the featured doors are unique in style in contrast to the usual entryway statues.

The sculptural forms here seem to depict movement as if— a moment of conversation was captured between the figures. A closeup of the featured door is below.

**Featured door. West Arcade Entrance, St. Vincent Basilica, Avila Spain. Image credit: © AndresGarciaM | iStock

Trivia: #1: St. Vincent Basilica, Ávila is one of a few cathedrals in Spain (Santiago de Compostela being another), that intentionally designed a gallery in the triforia, the high ceiling space above the nave, to provide overnight sleeping accommodations for pilgrims.

Trivia #2: Ávila, Spain was among the filming locations for the movie “Kingdom of Heaven” (Orlando Bloom, 2005). The cathedral depicted in that film is the nearby Ávila Cathedral, four kilometers from St. Vincent Basilica.

View of St. Vincent Basilica, Ávila (an image is below)

Aerial view. St. Vincent Basilica  Avila. Image credit: © Fotoeventis | iStockphoto

*Fun fact: Did you know that the fortification wall surrounding Ávila, Spain—enclosing 82 acres (33 hectares) at 21 meters (68 feet) high and 3 meters (9.8 feet) thick with 88 towers —is the largest fully illuminated monument in the world?

The walled city of Ávila, Spain at sunset (image below)

The Walled City of Avila Spain at Sunset. Image credit: © james63 | iStock

⟣⟣⟣

And for more #ThursdayDoors

Visit Dan Antion at No Facilities

ThursdayDoors
In Primo piano

Published by Suzette Benjamin

Positive thinker, inspirational, writer, faith

39 thoughts on “The Wall – Haiku 2024 #ThursdayDoors”

  3. It’s probably as much to do with my current state of mind as the Thursday doors theme but I shall walk past the Chapel at Monash hospital tomorrow morning and see if a suitable verse pops into my mind. If it does, you’ll know your beautiful work has inspired the effort.
    With thanks and kind regards
    DD

    Liked by 1 person

  5. St. Vincent Basilica is a stunning religious site

    🏰the largest fully illuminated monument in the world🏰

    Yes, most people would say the eifel tower in France.

    🏰The sculptural forms here seem to depict movement as if— a moment of conversation was captured between the figures.🏰

    looking at the sculptures I feels exactly what you describe

    🏰intentionally designed a gallery in the triforia, the high ceiling space above the nave, to provide overnight sleeping accommodations for pilgrims.🏰

    ever compassionate and kind in their thinking in the process of design and construction

    The doors look delicious. They give me the impression of large pieces of waffles.

    Protected by unseen borders is a breathtaking line in your deeply contemplated haiku

    Ávila is also the birthplace of Saint Teresa of Ávila, a prominent mystic and reformer of the Carmelite Order

    blessed Thursday Offering

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, quite right the Eiffel tower is sometimes so credited. I did fail to mention, my aplogies, that Avila city is 1132 meters above sea level, exceeding the height and girth of the Eiffel (which is at 330 meters).

      You know I thought it was just me that thought the woven factor in those doors looked like “waffles.” I am glad you mentioned your insight. Thank you.

      Yes, to the saint of Avila’s far reaching impact in hymn, thought and prayer (Teresa of Avila).
      You are most welcome for the share. I like the idea of ‘offering’ for doors in general.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ah yes, that makes a big difference. All the same an impressive structure from days of old.

        Lol, well I’m glad that I’m not the only one that saw waffles. Could’ve been part of the daily dessert in the region. You know how people like their cakes and desserts plus coffee. Chuletón de Ávilais – thick juicy T-bone steak- one of the most famous dishes in Ávila.

        Yes, I ever so often return to her prayers.
        Yes you right, for many different doors.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Absolutely, fine dining with coffee and cake.
        Yes, I went to do some research and found out thatvthe T-bone steak is a favourite in the region.

        Thank you Poet, the same to you.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Magnificent architecture of St. Vincent Basilica and equally imposing is its door. Your haiku very well sums up in just ten words. Well done, Suzette!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I would love to see Avila too, so amazing! It is pretty high elevation (1132 meters above sea level), I did not mention those details in the post. And those lovely walls are preceded by lots of impassible boulders covered with a pretty looking lawn. It did not survive all this time without good reason. But again that is all part of its modern day charm.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. We are hoping to go to Spain this fall so I looked it up on a map and unfortunately it’s too far from where we will be. We know we’ll need a few trips to see the whole country. It does look and sound fascinating.

        Liked by 2 people

  10. Pingback: The Wall – Haiku 2024 #ThursdayDoors – QuietMomentsWithGod

  13. That’s a beautiful cathedral. I like the doors-within-doors, and also the movement of the figures. It’s almost as if they are inviting you in. The city looks magical in the light of the sunset. (K)

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Yes, I noticed the door within door as well, this church has been it seems to me, very thoughtfully constructed. And I too would love to see the city…indeed magical.
      Thanks Kerfe. Have a good one!

      Liked by 2 people

  15. The grandeur of it is barely imaginable. That pedestrian door within the larger doors gives some slight idea of size. I am intrigued by your description of the statues that seems to be frozen mid-conversation, and I very much like the contrast between “within faith’s limits” and “outside the wall.” I sense an implication that there are no walls to faith. Be that as it may, the wall around Avila is astounding; I did not know about it, so thank you for adding to my continuing education!

    Liked by 2 people

Comments are closed.