Part 2 of our series on Janus and an excuse for highlighting some of the fabulous doors in Abruzzo!
Have you now firmly closed the door on 2022 which to the cult of Janus was a symbol of peaceful times, or are you keeping it open, which is a symbol of war?
Rome’s Forum was originally the courtyard of the second King of Rome and the Janus temple held the gate that led into the rest of the city. The doors were bronze and decorated with garlands that have long since been melted into bullets and other less interesting things.
The legends of Janus have been used for many purposes throughout history. Perhaps one of the most interesting was in the 16th century when Roman priests described the Vatican as the throne of Janus – known as the god of beginnings throughout Italy .
Abruzzo Doors by Pete Austin
Door Favourites from members of the Life In Abruzzo fb group!
“I’ve never been through these little doors, but they lead to one of my late Nonna’s former cantina’s. I think this one, below their home, apparently sold food / wine products, and another she ran in another narrow laneway closeby, was for tobacco / cigarettes.
Sadly the original doors to the home were stolen years ago, so they have since been replaced. I haven’t physically been through these doors either, but but have been transported through them, by many stories retold by my parents and aunt, of the busy/industrious life they lived behind them, at a time when family and community were everything.”
Van Ecas
Doors by Janet Brady, Marta Udalowa and Sam Dunham
Author: Sam Dunham
Sam is a freelance SEO content creator and IGCSE Geography and English teacher at Istituto Cristo Re in Rome. She also runs the Life In Abruzzo Cultural Association, sharing stories and insights about this captivating region. Alongside raising a teenager, Sam hosts guests at her family’s traditional home, the Little House of the Firefly in Abruzzo, offering a warm welcome and insider tips on local culture, food, and hidden gems.
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