I've been told that the door is always closed and is usually opened every twenty-five years during the Holy Year. It remains open throughout the year as pilgrims enter the church and it will be closed by the Pope himself at the end of the Holy Year.
The door is sealed shut with concrete from the inside until the next year of Jubilee, that will come in the year 2025.
PhotoHunt
Wow...you're reminding me of just one more thing I didn't have the time to see when we were over there! It was so crowded and they were just pushing the wall of a crowd through- couldn't see anything!
ReplyDeleteReminds me of the temple on Godaido Island. It's only open once every 33 years. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and report !!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to love the travels , like us !
Greetings
That sure is a long time to be closed! Very interesting pics for the theme :)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and an excellent take on the theme. That's a cool tradition to keep it closed for so long and then open it.
ReplyDeleteAnnie
http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/annienc/2011/04/photohunt_closed.html
Interesting shots and information. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteIt's an imposing door.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this pictures.
Greetings
Angela
Wow...why 25 years? So one can only witness it like 2 to 3 times? :p
ReplyDeleteA lovely capture and so very informative.
ReplyDeleteThat really is a gorgeous door.
ReplyDeleteReally good photos and discriptions. I can't wait for 2025.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful capture. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous weekend!
Closed
nice shots
ReplyDeletehugs
Yes I remember that. It was open one year I was there.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend to you.
Who breaks up the concrete so the door can be opened? :-).
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful door and great take on the theme. Happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they ever secretly open them just to make sure they work.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting..Happy PH!
ReplyDeleteMine is here
Now you've got me intrigued to know the story -- there must be one! -- behind this practice with regards to the (usually) closed door(s)! :b
ReplyDeleteI'm loving all the new things I'm learning visiting all the blogs tonight. The door is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAnd I bet he gets a huge audience for doing that too. Nice door though.
ReplyDeletethis is very interesting, and a beautiful door, too. i wonder why it's only open on the Holy Year--i must read up on it!:p
ReplyDeleteClosed
I guess people still have to wait for a few more years for that door to open :)
ReplyDeleteMy PH:
http://teacherjulie.com/2011/04/02/closed-window/
Well. I had no idea. But when they close that door, they certainly mean for it to stay closed until they really want it open, don't they? No one will open it by accident, that's for sure! Great pair of images.
ReplyDelete2025!? I hope I have a chance to see it open. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat shot for this week's theme - I have seen that door many times but never thought about it for this week's theme. Perfect!
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend.
Dear friends,
ReplyDeletei too wonder what is behind the door, and why is it kept closed for that long. All I can say is that the Holy door is very Biblical! The concept of the Jubilee is a special year of remission of sins and universal pardon. i'm not sure how true this is but traditional Catholics believe that passage through the door brings them closer to eternal life.
Windsmoke,
On previous occasions, the Pope would use special ceremonial hammer to break the seal on the Holy Door. you can probably watch the opening ceremony of the door on TV if you can wait for the next jubilee year which begins in 2025. :S
Interesting shots and information
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I have not been to the Vatican in over 25 years and I would love to visit again.
ReplyDeleteMy 'Closed' post
Beautiful doors and such interesting information. I had not ever read about these doors before. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeletemorning LR! wow i guess vatican city is very interesting and well worth a look.. :)
ReplyDeleteBy 2025, I will be dead.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting story re that door. I'm now curious if what's really behind that closed door. Love the photos.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful carvings on the door!
ReplyDelete