
I am a sucker for wrought ironwork. On a walk through Graz, I discovered this image of a praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) as a decoration on a house entrance. What might have been the motivation for this work of art? [German]
You only see what you know (Goethe)

I am a sucker for wrought ironwork. On a walk through Graz, I discovered this image of a praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) as a decoration on a house entrance. What might have been the motivation for this work of art? [German]

This Renaissance portal, dating back to 1568, can be found at Jacobiturmstraße 32 in the German city of Stralsund. The three terracotta panels are considered to have been created by sculptor Statius von Düren.

Detail of a door leaf dating back to 1680, seen at the Kaisersches Haus, a 16th-century building located at the market place of Naumburg (Saale). Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (Kaiser Karl V.) stayed here in 1547.

St. Nicholas’ Church (Nikolaikirche) is the oldest of the three major parish churches in Stralsund. It was dedicated in 1279 to St. Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of sailors. Inside the astronomical clock dating back to 14th century is worth a visit.

Behind this door you will find the registry office and a venue for marriages. The building is a reconstruction but the portal dates back to Renaissance period.

On a walk around the quarter of the railway station Keleti Pu in Budapest I came across this amazing door. Quarters around railway stations are often worth a walk.