More than just a way to get from one point to another, inside passages sometimes intrigue me by their design, visual effects, or historical significance. These photos were taken of passages that compelled me to stop and take a shot while visiting the landmarks where they’re located.
Arc de Triomphe
Arc de Triomphe, Paris
There are 284 steps that lead to a terrace at the top of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It’s well worth a climb up this spiral staircase to see the spectacular views of Paris in every direction. In a previous article, A Star for the Soldier, there is more information and a few photos of the views at night.
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace, England
Intended as a residence for the Archbishop of York, Cardinal Wolsey, construction began on Hampton Court Palace in 1514. However, it was later turned over to Henry VIII as a royal palace. This staircase located off of the Horn Room (named for its display of elk horns) leads down to the kitchens. I can’t help but imagine the servants climbing those steps to bring dinner to Henry VIII and his court and think about the stories they could tell.
Jungfraujoch Ice Palace
Jungfraujoch Ice Palace, Switzerland
Located in Switzerland’s Bernese Alps, Jungfraujoch is the highest railway station in Europe. From the station, you can enter the Ice Palace, a cavern carved out of a glacier with an extensive and eclectic display of ice sculptures. This photo was taken in a passage within the Ice Palace.
Fort Point National Historic Site
Fort Point, San Francisco
Fort Point in San Francisco was built during the California Gold Rush between 1853 and 1861 to protect San Francisco Bay from foreign attacks, although the fort never actually saw any battles. The photo is taken looking down the hallway that passes through the officers’ quarters. I liked the visual effect of the series of doorways.
The Louvre
The gorgeous hallways of the Louvre are often crowded with visitors as they move from one exhibition to another and gaze at art treasures throughout.
Crowd at the Louvre
What you don’t expect to see at the Louvre is an empty hallway. This photo was taken further along the hall just minutes after the first one.
Empty hallway at the Louvre
I’m linking this post to Noel Morata’s Travel Photo Monday series on his Travel Photo Discovery site. Take a look at his gorgeous photos and the links to other submissions.
Beautiful pictures, but how you resisted the urge to take a run and slide down that ice palace hallway on your stomach is beyond me. You obviously have far more willpower than I do.
Actually, Steve, the thought never occurred to me, since I wanted to make sure that I wouldn’t slip and fall. But if you go there, I hope that you’ll do it! 🙂
What a great series of photos. I am always taking shots of stairs, doorways, hallways, but never think to put them together. Most fun post!!
Thanks, Jackie! 🙂
What a fantastic series of photos! I love the creativity!
Aw, thanks Jessica.
What an interesting selection of shots – and as you say you wonder what transpired back in the day. Love!! the shot in Switzerland and hadn’t appreciated that the Louvre was THAT busy now. What a treat to see a quiet hallway.
I understand that the Louvre can be even busier than that photo shows — we were there in December. But it was nice that there were some areas that were very quiet. A matter of timing, I guess.
What a cool idea for a photo essay, Cathy! Great shots. That ice cavern is awesome!
Thanks — that was a very “cool” place. 🙂
LOVE this!!! What great photos you picked!
Thanks, Courtney. Glad I chose well — I’ve got a lot of photos like these.
Very cool pictures! I love the ice palace one. Oh, and the one with the doors in the doors in the doors…
The ice palace seems to be the popular one in this post! Glad you liked the doorways, too. I always liked that photo, but never had an opportunity to publish it.
Great shots — and great vantage points!
Thanks — appreciate it! 🙂
Lovely collection, like the angles.
Not sure why I didn’t climb the steps of the Arc de Triomphe.
I remember those crowds at the Louvre but like you, I was able to find a few empty corridors.
When you’re in Paris again, do go to the top of the Arc — beautiful views.
Ice palace I think is my favorite of the photos. Although the Arc de Triomphe staircase photo is probably my 2nd favorite.
Another vote for the ice palace! Glad you like the Arc’s staircase photo too. I wish it was a little sharper, but that’s what you get with a point and shoot in a dark area sometimes. 🙂
Great pictures Cathy. I love these types of shots too and I particularly like the Ice Palace. What a contrast on the Louvre hallway.
Thanks, I thought that the contrast at the Louvre was pretty remarkable. Seems like it would have been an entirely different time and day!
I love any kind of passage ways – especially the ice corridor and the helix stairs in Paris.
There’s something about passageways, inside and outdoors that really grab me. Glad you like them, too!
I like the Fort Point one, looks like a maze from that angle =D
Yes, it does kind of look like a maze, doesn’t it? Glad you liked the effect.
What a creative idea! I love the diversity of the passages you choose, but the Arc de Triomphe is my favorite.
Thanks, Laurel. I’d like to go back to the Arc and try some more shots.
I like the Jungfraujoch best. I admire your artistry with your camera.
Thanks for the nice compliment, Inka!
The views from the Arc de Triomphe are breathtaking indeed, but there are definitely way too many stairs. I’m not sure I’m climbing them a second time. Not to mention that the space is so narrow… not good for the claustrophobic me.
I can be claustrophobic, too. But I didn’t have a problem at the Arc — luckily. 🙂
Great idea for a post, Cathy. Can’t believe we didn’t go to the top of the Arc de Triomphe when we were in Paris. We’re bad tourists! 😉 That stairway is definitely my favourite. Beautiful. We’ll have to go back to Paris not just so I can see them for myself.
Julia
Thank you, Julia! The staircase at the Arc is my favorite, too.
Fabulous shots, Cathy. I did the train ride up Jung Frau back in the 1970’s. I remember an observation deck, but not the ice palace. I wonder if it was built later (or if my memory has faced).
Thanks, Nancie. You made me curious about how long the Ice Palace has been there. So far, I haven’t found an answer to that. Back to Google …..
I love this idea – I’ve always been intrigued by stairwells and hallways. Well done!
Thanks, Melinda. Something about them, I know ….
I’ve been to Jungfrauloch! what a great place.
Agreed! I’d like to see it again. It’s so stunning a place that it’s almost too much to take in at first.
I like the idea of your post too but mostly I think that the last two photos are very interesting – curious how a crowded place like a hallway at the Louvre can be empty even for just a few moments during visiting hours.
Such an interesting subject – and one I haven’t thought of. The Jungfraujoch looks cold, but fascinating.
Wow, that was a fascinating tour, I loved the Louvre busy and then another hallway and no-one is there, there are so many areas that are not visited just because the iconic pieces are not there, but it is fantastic for photography. Thanks for sharing this post!
What a unique story angle! I’m going to start paying more attention to my photos of passages.
My favorite is the spiral staircase. I also liked the hallway without anyone in it.