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Portugal Galleries

Madeira : The island of Madera is known for its fortified wine of the same name as the island. What many don’t know that the wealthy that lived at the top of the hill would slide down to the lower city on wicker chairs with two men behind to break and steer the chair. Let me tell you it was a most exciting ride, especially since the streets we slid down were still used by local cars and buses.

Madeira

The island of Madera is known for its fortified wine of the same name as the island. What many don’t know that the wealthy that lived at the top of the hill would slide down to the lower city on wicker chairs with two men behind to break and steer the chair. Let me tell you it was a most exciting ride, especially since the streets we ...

Updated: Mar 04, 2008 9:20pm PST

Evora : Evora is a small city that still retains its medieval flavor. Probably due to the city walls that still surround the city as well as the street layout that has not changed for hundreds of years. It is an UNESCO heritage site and at the top of the town next to the ever present cathedral is the remains of a roman temple from 100 CE. Like the Pantheon in Athens this temple survived to the 19th century where (like the pantheon) it was being used as ammunition storage and BOOM. All that remain are the column on three sides that used to support the roof. The walled medieval city was great to wander around in. The narrow streets and town squares gave a view of life that is very different than the cities of the 20th century and suburban living. One of the truly unique sights was the Chapel of Bones in the Church of St Francisco. The walls and columns are composed of human bones and skulls as you can see from the pictures and it has 3 naves. We also visted the near by ancient monoliths and stone circles (cromeleques) of Almendres which were placed in teh 5th to 4th millennia BCE. It is the largest group of stones erected on the Iberia Peninsula. Then we traveled to Arraiolos which is know for thier fine rugs and vistied the walled castle overlooking the town. Only the church remains of the interior structures of the castle.

Evora

Evora is a small city that still retains its medieval flavor. Probably due to the city walls that still surround the city as well as the street layout that has not changed for hundreds of years. It is an UNESCO heritage site and at the top of the town next to the ever present cathedral is the remains of a roman temple from 100 CE. Like ...

Updated: Mar 08, 2008 10:13am PST

Lisbon and surrounding area : Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, and like Rome, is built on several hills. The center of the city was rebuilt in a grid pattern the 18 century after an earthquake leveled it. So it is really easy to get around. While our visit in Lisbon was short we did visit the Monastery of Saint Jerome as well as strolled down the main promenade from Praca Dom Pedro IV to the Praca do Comercia. We also had a wonderful custard pastry at Pasteis de Belem, next to the Monastery. We also visited the near by Bacalhoa Winery where (other than good wine) there is a collection of Tile Mosaics from the 15 century and later on display. Then we drove down the coast to the Arrabida Natural Park and saw the Franciscan Convent as well as the meditation chapels near by. Finaly had lunch in Cascais at the Guincho Beach in a restaurant called "Mar Do Guincho". The fish was baked covered in sea salt and was excellent.

Lisbon and surrounding area

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, and like Rome, is built on several hills. The center of the city was rebuilt in a grid pattern the 18 century after an earthquake leveled it. So it is really easy to get around. While our visit in Lisbon was short we did visit the Monastery of Saint Jerome as well as strolled down the main promenade f ...

Updated: Mar 08, 2008 9:44am PST

Sintra : Sintra was at one time the resort for the Portuguese Kings and his Nobles. It has several notable castles, runes and the wonderful Quinta da Regaleira. The Quinta da Regaleira was actually built in between 1904 and 1910 by the Doctor Antonio Monteiro who has a particular architectural and environmental outlook. The gardens were turned into his view of the cosmos with grottos, secret passages, and stone towers and caverns. It is truly an amazing place to visit, but bring a flashlight because the passages connecting the grottos and stone towers are not lit. We stayed at the Palace of Seteais, which is a 1700 century palace. As you can see from my pictures the feel of palace living remains.

Sintra

Sintra was at one time the resort for the Portuguese Kings and his Nobles. It has several notable castles, runes and the wonderful Quinta da Regaleira. The Quinta da Regaleira was actually built in between 1904 and 1910 by the Doctor Antonio Monteiro who has a particular architectural and environmental outlook. The gardens were turned ...

Updated: Mar 07, 2008 9:08pm PST