Hey, the Great Old Ones need access too. Don’t discriminate!
https://historyfacts.com/world-history/article/why-are-historical-doors-so-large/
This article suggests it’s as a display of wealth and power, but also for practical reasons like letting in crowds of people.
It also says:
Earlier architecture relied on heavy pivots and iron strap hinges, requiring oversized doors for structural support. But the development of newer materials and designs allowed for more practical, durable doors without the need for excessive size.
It links to another article about door construction back in the day, if you want to learn even more about them.
https://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/early-timber-doors/early-timber-doors.htm
Same reason why their facades are usually so intricate. Because they thought it looks good, makes them look grand, makes those underneath them feel small etc., and had the funds to make it so.
In addition to the psychological impact, somewhere hot like Italy, very high ceilings will keep the room cooler, and bigger doors and windows will aid in ventilation.
When giants used to roam the earth, these buildings were created by people that wanted to treat them fairly
I like how out of all of the answers in this thread, no one said high volume traffic.
Almost like a gated city has a ton of people going in and out all the time hauling trade, materials, technology, etc.
If only there was some way to prevent making a bottle neck of traffic and ensuring that large structures can also pass through the wall when needed.
Where they walking on top of each other or why make the doors so huge? 🤔 i can understand wide, the other dimension is what I’m puzzled by
Don’t forget the physics of holding the door.
With a wide, short door you have to hang it on the short side, and less space for hinges, which leads to large forces on the hinges.
A wide, tall door allows you to use more hinges, spread out, along a longer side and smaller forces on each hinge.
This makes even more sense with doors made with heavy materials, such as various metals. A heavy door needs more hinges, and a tall door has room for more hinges.
Don’t forget the physics of holding the door.
I’m a skunk sweetie I wouldn’t know anything about holding doors but I asked the expert and he said you’re right
Seriously though that makes a lot of sense thank you!
Multiple use, large and hard to break down in a siege, large enough to let plenty of traffic through of various sizes.
Also that processions thing people are talking about, that makes a lot of sense to me too