Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA

The Big Four Bridge (named in reference to four railroads) has been re-purposed for pedestrians and bicycles. It spans the Ohio River, a waterway prone to flooding. But, you knew that! You saw the flood wall. To protect Jeff, its gates can be closed when water rises. [2022]

Jerusalem, Israel

Important gates in medieval city walls always led somewhere important, and the place of importance gave the gate its name. There were only two cardinal places in Jerusalem's local universe: Jaffa, a seaport on the Mediterranean, and Damascus, a port on the Syrian Desert. This is Damascus Gate. [1999]

Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Argyll Arcade is a covered passage along which Glasgow's jewelers compete for customers. The idea of shopping arcades spread widely, beginning early in the 1800s. Argyll dates from 1827. It was succeeded by even bigger covered shopping centers such as the Galleria in Milan. It was preceded by covered souks in the Near East such as the one in Aleppo. [2017]

Lisbon, Portugal

The entrance to Commerce Square in Lisbon is guarded by a triumphal arch, Arco da Rua Augusta. Building gateway arches was one way in which the cities of Europe competed with each other (a) to see who could have the most majestic and (b) to put them in the same frame as ancient Rome which used them as marks of wealth and power. [2009]

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague Castle began with its first walled building, the Church of the Virgin Mary, in 870 a.d. Around the church evolved the fortified castle, which now serves as the seat of the Czech government. It may be the largest ancient castle in the world. The old kings of Bohemia would be proud (even though their lineage has been overthrown). [1994]

Asni, Morocco

As we approach the gateway to 2022, let's reflect upon the importance of gates and walls. We build walls to augment security, but we stagnate in secure environments. We must intuit when to venture beyond our walls even if it means opening a long-barricaded gate, scaling the ramparts, or using a wrecking ball to open a new portal. [2005]

Capernaum, Israel

What places made you who you are? In the case of Jesus, two villages, a town, and a city were paramount: Bethlehem, Nazareth, Capernaum, and Jerusalem. Today, in fact, ancient Capernaum has been excavated and bills itself as "the town of Jesus." Located on the Sea of Galilee, it was the headquarters of the Jesus movement. [2000]

Washington, DC, USA

Odds and Evens, Ones and Twos, Singles and Doubles, Which one be You? Here is a singletarian who seems to be putting the spit into the shine. The setting: a residential apartment building not far from Mount Vernon Square. [2013]

Versailles, France

The Honor Gate serves as the ceremonial entrance to the Chateau de Versailles, residence of France's reigning royals from 1682 until the French Revolution brought down the monarchy in 1789. The Revolution also brought down the original "golden gate," only to be replaced by this one, and then a replica of the original in 2008. [2005]

Berlin, Germany

After the Berlin Wall was toppled in 1989, the Brandenburg Gate re-emerged as a symbol of unification rather than the division that had plagued Germany since 1961. The TV tower with its trademark sphere is one of the anchors of Alexanderplatz. Here you are, looking from west to east, five years after the wall came down. [1994]

Changhua, Taiwan

One of the most impressive gates in Taiwan leads on to the Great Buddha statue and temple, which occupy Mount Baghua, the highest point in Changhua. The entire site is a 20th century creation that appeals to tourists but, more importantly, provides a point of pride for the Taiwanese themselves. [2012]

Jerusalem, Israel

The walled city of Jerusalem is punctuated by eight portals (but one is closed). This is the newest and is therefore called the New Gate even though it is well over a century old. It was cut through the ramparts to provide easier access to the Christian Quarter from the outside world (where you see the traffic). [2010]

Europa Road, Gibraltar

Although it doesn't look very regal, Prince Edward's Gate was one of the main entrances into the British colony of Gibraltar. It was opened in 1790 through a defensive wall that was built in the 1500s. Prince Edward was Queen Victoria's father. [2015]

Dublin, Ireland

Dublin's triumphal arch (looking very Roman) was built as a war memorial to the Dublin Fusiliers, not as a gateway. Nevertheless, it does provide a ceremonial entrance to St. Stephen's Green from Grafton Street which is situated in the commercial heart of the city. [2004]

Munich, Germany

Isar is the name of the river on which Munich is located. Tor is the German word for gate. So, Munich's Isartor is the gate that led to the river Isar. The gate itself is flanked by two defensive towers. The superjacent fresco tells a story that dates from the 1300s: In other words, it's irrelevant, though it does add some much-needed color. [1994]

Tallinn, Estonia

 

If you like to fantasize about the Middle Ages, there are a handful of European cities that are well equipped to help you relive history. Tallinn is one of the best. Others include Bruges, Siena, Toledo, Colmar, York, Brasov, Delft, Berne, Girona, York, and others that Geographically Yours has not visited. [2003]

Lisbon, Portugal

Built on a near-shore island at the mouth of the Tagus River, the Belem Tower has marked the gateway to Lisbon since the Portuguese inaugurated the Age of Discovery in the 1500s. Backing up the tower is a magisterial landscape that honors the first world-class capital city. [2009]

Victoria, Gozo, Malta

♫ These Are a Few of My Favorite Things ♫ ~ Clocks: Time ticketh away: The end of the year will soon be upon us. Clocks on the landscape make time so ever-present (ever-threatening, too). They are provided, presumably as a service, by governments, churches, and businesses. Why? [2009]

Hyde Park, New York, USA

More than three decades ago the eyes of the world were on the city of Berlin as the central symbol of the Cold War began to crumble. It is amazing how fragments of that wall made their way around the world as permanent memorials to the evils of division. The two colorful silhouettes that stand in back of the FDR Library were born of the Berlin Wall. [2019]

Cairo, Egypt

The great cities of the Fertile Crescent had citadels from the most ancient of days, but Cairo had so citadel until the 12th century when Saladin arrived. Saladin, who was born in Mesopotamia and buried in Damascus, solidified the Islamic culture of Western Asia in Egypt. From the citadel of Saladin, Egypt was governed for 800 years. [2000]