Top 5 Buildings With Decorative Doors

Doors in today’s buildings are often under appreciated elements of the architecture, and some would say with good reason. Contemporary apartment complexes, track homes and skyscrapers call for a utilitarianism that leaves no real room for fanciful door designs. But if you look at public buildings, castles and palaces from around the world you’ll find some of the most truly over-the-top door decorations. Of course, the buildings they lead into are equally grandiose. Check out the following examples and try picturing any one of them in your home.

Florence Baptistry Doors Known also as the “Gates of Paradise”, the north doors of the Florence Baptistry were built by the famous renaissance architect and sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti. In 1401, Florence’s Wool Merchant’s Guild announced a competition to design the Baptistry doors. Among the seven sculptors who entered the competition was Ghiberti’s artistic rival Filippo Brunelleschi. Despite Ghiberti being the official winner, he and Brunelleschi were commissioned to work on the doors together, but Brunelleschi quit partway through the project out of pride. It took Ghiberti 21 years to complete the Baptistry doors, which are gilded in bronze and decorated with 28 exquisite panels depicting scenes for the Bible’s New Testament.

The Columbus Doors The Columbus Door in the U.S. Capitol building’s famous Rotunda takes a lot of inspiration from Renaissance paneled doorways like Ghiberti’s Baptistry Doors. Designed by Randolph Roger and installed in the Capitol Building in 1863, the Columbus Doors stand 17 feet tall, are made of bronze and weigh 20,000 pounds. The doors’ panels depict scenes from the life and voyages of Christopher Columbus, hence the name.

Hohenstein Castle The Hohenstein Castle in Germany was built in 1180, and it is a prime example of the architectural techniques employed by castle builders in the Middle Ages. Hohenstein Castle is located atop a rock promontory, and its main purpose was military defense. Today, the castle serves as a hotel, but its doors, made of thick wood with heavily reinforced hinges and decorative spiked push panels, still retain that militaristic feel.

Taj Mahal The famous mausoleum in Agra, India was constructed by order of Emperor Shah Jahan and dedicated to his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is the most renowned example of Mughal architecture, which combines Indian, Persian and Islamic building styles. The doorways of the Taj Mahal are all exquisitely designed and many employ all marble arches crafted by the best stoneworkers of the time and decorated with painted designs and engravings.

The Palace of Versailles The Palace of Versailles, originally commissioned as a hunting lodge by King Luis XIII, has become synonymous with luxury and extravagance. It was the seat of Luis XIV notoriously decadent court and its architecture and gardens are some of the most recognizable in the world. The doors at Versailles, needless to say, are truly something to behold. Their fanciful designs are gilded in pure gold and set into marble entryways.