I looked back through all of my 25 blogs for the Friday Shoot – out because as I was looking for photos for Doors and Windows I just swore I had used some of these before. I didn’t find any of the ones I had chosen for this week, BUT if you find one 
you have seen before – SORRY!
you have seen before – SORRY!This week’s topic was easy for me. Nova Friburgo is a place I have always taken photos of the interesting architecture. In other towns we have visited, it is easier to take photos not crosshatched with telephone and electrical wires, or partially blocked by signs or traffic, but I do the best I can to see the best of what is here. So - here are the doors and windows of Nova Friburgo.
Starting in 1819 when the king agreed to bring 350 + settlers from Switzerland here to farm in this area, Nova Friburgo has show a history as varied as its architecture. Swiss, German, and Italians dominate the names of the families and make the faces and the building of this town a wide mix of features. The houses have had a taste of Swiss / Italian with wood siding and wooden doors and windows with shutters. The public buildings have a look of the classic colonial Portuguese, wooden windows with inset shutters and borders of stone or masonry, and on all there is a use of wrought iron, mostly made right here in Nova Friburgo, for security and style.
There are just a few homes and buildings still standing that were built from the late 1800 until probably the early 50s.
After that there was a boom in construction and a glut of cheaply made apartments and ‘sobre lojas’, apartments built above the stores downtown.
These, to my eye, seem to not had any changes or maintenance since being built. They are basically BASIC with no grace or even intended elegance. Quite a contrast to those home built in the earlier era.
The downtown's stores (lojas) when closed up for the weekend lend a deserted look and the housing that is now under construction may never have doors and windows. Climbing up the mountains are houses in different styles and levels of completion (or not) that foster that feeling of a town deserted.
As there are changes, new restaurants and upscale stores added to the downtown, there has been some removing of the colonial styled wooden windows and new plate glass windows have started to show up.
just for the fun of it and as an example of what I mean by elegance, I threw in a photo a window in a Convent in Salvador.
It is also disgusting here in the Philippines that the beautiful views in the city particularly in the main road is blocked of electrical wires and posts and some billboards. Yet, you were able to take shots of different styles of doors and windows. A lot! Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteAren't those older home so so lovely Ginger? I wish they were still building them like that!
ReplyDeleteWow-za! Lots of photos...I love the last circle window from the convent
ReplyDeleteA great array of the subject matter. I love the different styles. I love ironwork too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos as always. Our doors and windows are so funictional here. I admire the thought, time and (yes!) sense of elegance that went into these.
ReplyDeleteLove the architecture and all the gorgeous ironwork.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful color and architecture in your area! Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThe architecture in your area is so influenced by it's Spanish origins Ginger, but sometimes you can see first people influences in the colours and shapes. The Convent window is dramatic because of the thickness of the walls. That wall has to be a foot thick at least. I love the wrought iron filigree designs on the older doors. I hope some of this is saved and it doesn't all disappear. The windowed door at your house is rich and warm. It's lovely! Thank you for this beautiful post today Ginger!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Brazil, such an eclectic range of doors and windows.
ReplyDeleteSo much character to the old doors. The red metal carved screen door is my favorite this week!
ReplyDeleteOh I love seeing your shots..always so different from here!! Beautiful shootout!!
ReplyDeleteNamaste, Sarah
I love your pictures. They are like reading a romance novel. So out of the ordinary here in Kansas.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful variety and richness. The round convent window is one of my favorites but there are so many others I couldn't list them.
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting place you live in, Ginger. Take all the advantage you can!
ReplyDeleteI love how bright all of your pictures are...that last picture of the window in the convent is great :)
ReplyDeleteGinger, you take absolutely fantastic photos. They are so bold and bright, and I think, well of course, the sun shines a lot in Brasil. Then, I think but wait, when I take pictures in bold sun, I get good skin colors, but my sky and stuff is often washed out.
ReplyDeleteI love that your photos have such great color - and you have some really fabulous shots here...they reveal details too.
Beautiful!
Might I add, your new header photo is divine!
I thank everyone for their kind comments.
ReplyDeleteJen, basically I try to make sure the sun is behind me unless I have no choice, or when I want rays of sun,
thanks for your encouragement
The first four photos are my favorites. You have quite an array of styles and it really shows the town. I like your narration. I always learn so much from your posts.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Ginger.
ReplyDeleteSuch a contrast in the buildings.
Wow! So many, so beautiful. Love the architecture and the colours and contrasts. Nothings says old like wrought iron filigree work. Love the windowed door at your house. Inviting! Oh, nearly forgot, and the convent window!!
ReplyDeleteI love the way the convent window ironwork reflects on the wall. The detail in many of the windows is very pretty.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos..all very unique with colors and perspective. I really like the photo with the layers of houses/windows.
ReplyDeleteGreat shoot out! Thanks so much for stopping by to wish me a happy birthday this week - don't miss the party this weekend :-)
ReplyDeleteBoy, what a fan club!
ReplyDeleteYour photos really attract people.
This is good.
Keep on clicking!!
ExpatBrazil
It struck me that your town has not embraced the past on the level of St. Augustine. In some areas of our town one must get a permit to plant a tree or plant different types of flowers. You were very thorough in sharing the history and capturing flavor of the area. I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteLOvely, just lovely. I always learn so much when coming here :)
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Oooohhh!!! Wonderful! I love the wrought iron and the colorful buildings!
ReplyDeleteVery nice!
Thank you!
;^)
Beautiful Ginger! *smiling*
ReplyDeletelove all the windows and doors on the quaint little houses. very cool! great shoot out!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an easy assignment for you! Whoo hoo - "Peek-a-boo!" Windows everywhere you look. And all those beautiful doors!
ReplyDeleteYou have such wonderful color in your part of the world. And the architecture is beautiful. Too bad big American cities did not try to keep the old buildings. Our philosophy is to teat down and build up.
Thanks for the great photos! You rock, girl.