OCTOBER´S FEATURED DOOR OF THE MONTH – BOGOTA – COLOMBIA

October 1, 2018 SouthAmerica

While, performing photography for our book “Doors of South America” it is easy to slip into the abstract and symbolism of the meaning of doors. In Bogota, the long history of insecurity reinforces the fact that doors are used for safety. Over 60 years of insurgent groups as the FARC and the ELN mark the prime example. Bogota was once infamous for the number of kidnappings, the city was not safe. This is perhaps why it is difficult to find historic doors in Bogota. Most entrances have more serious measures including iron gates, and more modern solid construction in their doors. These doors are not particularly attractive. The best doors that we found are in the historic city center, a place called Candelaria. Which climbs the hill slopes to the east, and southeast of the Plaza de Armas, (also called Bolivar square).

The use of doors; they are use for protection, to keep the cold outside of domiciles, to halt dust from blowing into the building, to keep wild animals at bay, to prevent the household cat or toddlers from wandering off, and most of all to guard away strangers. Doors make a universal statement about all human societies the fact that we are not able to trust people outside of their own family units.

The doors in Candelaria are on the basic side, not so tall as found in other historic South America cities. This is because Bogota is at an elevation of 2,640 meters above sea level. High doors are not required to help the heat escape from inside the rooms as seen in other doors. With a latitude of 4 degrees 42 minutes and 40 seconds north the climate is temperate rain forests. The rain keeps Bogota cleaner appearing than many of the other Andean cities. This translates to the brightly painted doors being bright and dust free. Bogota was founded in 1538 while the main cathedral at the Plaza de Armas was completed in 1823 for the fourth time of making the structure at the same location. The oldest two-story homes in Candelaria display wooden Spanish balconies. Finally, Candelaria is a great place for wandering about the narrow inclined streets and exploring the small cafes and shops.

Of the dozen door pictures we have taken in Candelaria we have selected this brightly painted, yet modest door, as being representative of the oldest sector of Colombia’s capital city. To us, it is not about the wealth of the most affluent people of Colombia’s past, or the overly decorated massive doors of stodgy religion. Instead this old door represents the average citizen just trying to remain safe. And having the clean presentation of this old door as a poignant reminder that the prolific city’s spray paint graffiti, is a detractor to the quality of life. There are so few places in Bogota that were left unmarred. And this why we chose this blue old door to be featured as “door of the month.” For more exclusive old doors check our book “Doors Of South America.”