Photos

Imagine, arriving for dinner in the evening! Lamps would have been placed in the alcoves on either side of the entrance to illuminate the way. A servant would have attended to your horse and carriage. You climb the many steps to the first floor, arriving out of breath. There is time to admire the wooden door with its elaborately carved lintel. Paintings decorate a large area above - in lovely pastels. You are suitably impressed - the owner is a man (usually) of substance.

Here, we do not have merely an entrance, much less a door, but rather a portal - designed for VIPs (very impressionable persons).