Oh how I love my doors. Every single city I explore, my camera roll is consistently filled with images of doors, doorways, door décor etc. As I have wandered the quaint streets of this beautiful town, my passions have been re-ignited. The beautiful Sicilian doors in Modica are abundant and incredibly charming.
Rustic Doors
Probably the greatest number of photo’s I have amassed in Modica have been of rustic doors. These are usually wooden, have a beautiful weather worn patina, are surrounded by their ancient stone frames, and just ooze a humble way of life. People may look at these and dismiss them, but I find such a unique and simple beauty in each and every one.
Some are quite small, shorter than five feet. Most are in houses that are occupied, these are not abandoned by any means.
Wooden Doors
In an attempt to categorize my photographs, here are my favourite wooden doors, one’s that have perhaps been painted, or up-kept.
These are usually a standard size for the area, and again surrounded by the beautiful limestone that is so prominent in Modica.
Palace Doors
Anything large and ostentatious I have classified as a palace door. These would have been the main entrance into a wealthy person’s home. Many have beautifully decorated stone surrounds. Sometimes the doors themselves are highly decorative with carvings and hardware.
On these buildings we start to see a lot of the Sicilian baroque style that Modica is so famous for. Above many of these doors are decorative metal grills that usually contain the initials of the family that resided there.
Metal Doors
Fewer and farther between are metal doors. Perhaps these are sheet metal over wood for added strength or security. Metal doors offer a more uniform appearance and with that comes simplicity.
I have found some beautiful and unique decorative features here in Modica that complement the doors, so there will be a follow up post to this one. Getting lost and exploring the maze that is Modica Alta, especially the historical neighbourhoods, I am continually surprised at what I find. I had no idea of the beauty that would surround me here. Every little path I take, alley, winding narrow street, provides an endless string of charming doors.
