The northwestern Portuguese city of Porto is characterized by hilly streets, buildings covered in multicolored azulejos, and a long history of port wine production. Polished townhouses decked out with flower boxes stand proudly beside dilapidated structures covered in graffiti, making Porto just as pretty as it is rough around the edges.
Category Archives: Collages
The Windows of Arles, France
The southern French city of Arles has ties to the Ancient Romans and Van Gogh. It’s also home to some enchanting windows.
The Windows of Heidelberg, Germany
Paying homage to Heidelberg, Germany, my home for a decade.
The Doors of Valletta, Malta
Valletta has ties to the Knights of Malta and the British. The city is also home to some vibrant and diverse doors.
The Windows of Asti, Piemonte, Italy
Perhaps best known for its annual Palio, a 700-year-old bare-back horse race replete with pageantry and tradition, Asti also has a lot to offer architecturally and gastronomically. The Northern Italian city once had more than 70 towers, which symbolized wealth and power. While there are less of them punctuating Asti’s skyline today, the city also features impressive churchesContinue reading “The Windows of Asti, Piemonte, Italy”
The Door Knockers of Valletta, Malta
The Mediterranean island nation of Malta may be diminutive, but its limestone buildings’ distinctive door knockers and knobs make a big impression. Known as il-habbata in Maltese, the knockers largely feature maritime motifs such as dolphins, sea horses, and fish, but I have also spotted a plethora of Maltese crosses, even delicate brass hands, which reminded me ofContinue reading “The Door Knockers of Valletta, Malta”
The Windows of Bellinzona, Ticino, Switzerland
The city of Bellinzona, Switzerland is perhaps best known for its trio of handsome medieval castles, inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 2000. Yet, this historic city, which sits at the foot of the Alps, has more to offer than these impressive fortifications. Bellinzona also has an elegant Old Town district, a spot which we explored with ourContinue reading “The Windows of Bellinzona, Ticino, Switzerland”
The Windows of Moldova
Viewed from afar, Moldova’s villages resemble a cluster of gingerbread houses. The plaster adornments framing the windows and doorways look as though they were made by the steady hand of a pastry maker piping on frosting, and the wooden cut-outs gracing gables reminded me of the lacy paper snowflakes that I used to make as a child. The catchContinue reading “The Windows of Moldova”
