La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
Thursday, I walked around a large part of the “Judería,” the Jewish Quarter of Córdoba where they lived between the 10th and 15th centuries, until their final expulsion in 1492. I have much more to share. Today, I’ll just share some of my favorite doors. I’d love to see what’s on the other side of these. Most front doors open onto central courtyards and gardens.
Above is the Puerta de Almodóvar (Gate of Almodóvar), the oldest of the three remaining gates of the city’s medieval wall. Built in the 14th century over an earlier Arab gate, it leads into the Judería. The statue out front is of Maimonedes, who was born in Cordoba in 1135.
Jewish thinking reached its zenith with the writings of Maimonides, and he was named nagid (chief) by the Jewish community. He died in Cairo on 12th December 1204.
The sky is currently gray. The temperature is only 8˚C/46˚F. But it’s supposed to be only partly cloudy and reach 16C/61F. And there’s no rain in the forecast.
Someone else was here this morning to look at the simple leak in our bathroom. There are two insurance companies involved. It’s getting silly, but maybe the third time is the charm. This evening, I have my check-in with the nephrologist. I’m hoping for good news on that front. Our terrace is being measured this afternoon for the window installation. That, at least, is welcome and exciting.
El jueves, recorrí gran parte de la Judería, el barrio judío de Córdoba donde vivieron entre los siglos X y XV, hasta su expulsión definitiva en 1492. Tengo mucho más que compartir. Hoy les compartiré algunas de mis puertas favoritas. Me encantaría ver qué hay al otro lado. La mayoría de las puertas principales dan a patios y jardines centrales.
Arriba está la Puerta de Almadóvar, la más antigua de las tres puertas que se conservan de la muralla medieval de la ciudad. Construida en el siglo XIV sobre una antigua puerta árabe, da acceso a la Judería. La estatua que está enfrente es de Maimónides.
El cielo está gris actualmente. La temperatura es de solo 8 °C/46 °F. Pero se espera que esté parcialmente nublado y alcance los 16 °C/61 °F. Y no hay pronóstico de lluvia.
Alguien más estuvo aquí esta mañana para revisar la simple fuga en nuestro baño. Hay dos compañías de seguros involucradas. Se está volviendo una tontería, pero quizá la tercera sea la vencida. Esta noche tengo mi cita con el nefrólogo. Espero buenas noticias. Esta tarde están midiendo nuestra terraza para la instalación de la ventana. Eso, al menos, es bienvenido y emocionante.
You can’t break on through to the other side, but you can click the thumbnails for bigger doors.
No puedes pasar al otro lado, pero puedes hacer clic en las miniaturas para ver puertas más grandes.
So ironic back in the day when Muslims were far better to the Jewish people than Christians.
Adam:
Too bad the Arab centuries of Iberia were so tribal and unsettled. The Almohads had a tax paid by non-Muslims which guaranteed their safety and prosperity. When the Almoravids wrested control, they stopped the tax and began to require non-Muslims to convert, and even those who converted weren’t trusted and were treated badly. Maimonides and his family refused to convert and had to leave. Pretty much the same thing that was done to non-Christians not long after that. All in the name of one god or another.
I adore doors. They are both gateways, and defenses. Someday, I should move all of the door photos into one file. I hadn’t heard that song in decades, flashbacks to my youth.
David:
I should organize my doors photos. I’ve already got well over 100 here in Córdoba.
Oh my! Magnificent doors they are!!
And the history of Cordoba!
Bet the cats will LOVE access to the terrace/balcony.
Jim:
I can’t wait until the cats have the terrace open for them.
So while Ferdinand and Isabella were financing Columbus, to explore new territory, the Jews were being forced out.
I love the gallery of doors. Boud
Boud:
Yes, while the Catholic monarchs had Columbus raid and plunder, the Jews were being forced out. What a history.
I love the doors.
I love the Doors.
They were serious when they made those gates and doors, weren’t they? Even in their obvious strength, though, they have such beautiful and diverse designs.
Luna Sigh
Luna Sigh:
I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a variety of doors. I could fill my camera every day.
Some of those doors look really forbidding! But I guess they were meant to be, weren’t they!
Debra:
A lot of good they did!
I’m not scaling those walls!
Kirk:
Then it worked!
Such an impressive city! And all that attention to detail, just for your front door – a fascinating set of photos… Jx
PS Religion has a helluva lot to answer for!
Jon:
I’m having an extremely down on religion week… er, month… year!
You had me at doors. Some of those are stunners!
Kelly:
Aren’t they incredible?
i wish I had a house that could handle a huge door, and no that is not a euphemism for anything.
Bob:
Yep, the house has to fit the door in this case, unless you’re a backdoor man.
None of those doors look very welcoming, Scoot, so I can only hope there’s an enchanted garden behind every one of them!
Tundra Bunny:
I don’t think you’d be disappointed.
Good luck with your check-in with the nephrologist and good luck with that leak!
Michael:
A very minor repair needs to be done on the roof. And, since the rain has passed, it’s not a problem for us anymore. Just a minor repair of the ceiling, as well. Nephrologist visit went well and yet I’m down about the whole thing today.
I’m glad that the repair is a minor one. Why are you down about the nephrologist visit? Sometimes I get down too after a doctor’s visit and for me I think it is because I am getting older and more and more of my parts aren’t working.
Michael:
The medications, the lab work, and all of it for the rest of my life. I have to have more lab work next week. I’m still bruised from the last two. (I bruise every time no matter how good they are and how long I exert pressure). The side-effects of the medications. This will pass. Just in a mood.
It’s hard when one looks at stuff like this and realizes that this is the way it will be for always. I get in moods like you are in too.
Michael:
Thanks for the empathy. As Scarlett always said: Tomorrow is another day.
Don’t we all just love doors… what a selection! Thank you, Mitchell 🙂
Hoping to hear about good news on all of the other fronts 🙂
Judy C:
I sure do love doors. Will report back on Wednesday.
I’ve always longed for a beautiful door opening to a courtyard. The enclosure of the terrace will be lovely and I hope the repair of the leak is finished soon without the involvement of dozens of other people and companies.
Love,
Janie
janiejunebug:
Another plumber was here this afternoon. He did exactly what the first 4 did. And I had to take him up to the roof and show him where it was. We had the same conversation I’ve had each time. I asked him what company he was with. “Insurance,” he said. Uh huh! But which one?
Doors with character, how charming to look at. I saw the collapse of the ancient roman bridge in Talavera. I hope all this rain is not a threat to you in your corner.
Laurent:
I just read about the bridge in Talavera. No risks apparently in the city. And the rain has stopped. This Roman bridge is an absolute wonder. But it helps that they stopped allowing car traffic in 2004.
I do remember those big dramatic doors in Spain. Morocco and France have them too.
Jim Morrison — yum. I had such a crush on him when I was young. Not good boyfriend material, though.
Steve:
I had a crush on Jim Morrison, too. Crushes should never be good boyfriend material.