February 13, 2010
Sintra - Castelo dos Mouros
sexta-feira, 30 de julho de 2010
quinta-feira, 29 de julho de 2010
quarta-feira, 28 de julho de 2010
Sintra - Castelo dos Mouros III
February 13, 2010
Sintra - Castelo dos Mouros
Description:The Castle of the Moors has two walled segments with a total perimeter of 450 metres. The walls at the north segment took advantage of the natural slope of the hill to prevent enemies from approaching the castle. Although much restored, the towers seem to be in their original locations. The wall segment with the entrance of the castle has the best preserved walls, in which the medieval building technique can be fully appreciated.
Also near the entrance is located the Romanesque Church of Saint Peter, which dates from the 12th-13th centuries. The small church has no roof, but the apsebarrel vault is still preserved. The capitals of the main portal and chapel of the apse are decorated with Romanesque vegetable motifs. The area around the church was excavated and revealed the existence of a medieval cemetery with many tombs. with its
Inside the castle precinct, there is a cistern built by the Moors, a large underground chamber to hold water, which was essential in case of a siege.
References: Wikipedia - The free Encyclopedia
terça-feira, 27 de julho de 2010
Sintra - Castelo dos Mouros II
February 13, 2010
Sintra - Castelo dos Mouros
Description: Originally, the Castle of Sintra was built by the Moors, possibly between the 9th and 10th centuries. Arab chronicles depict the Sintra region as being very rich in cultivated fields. Its castle was one of the most important in the surroundings.
In 1109, the castle became subject to an attack by crusading Norwegians, lead by King Sigurd I, on their way to the Holy Land. Every man at the castle were said to have been killed as they had refused to become christened.
In 1147, after the conquest of Lisbon by King Afonso Henriques, the Moorish garrison of the castle surrendered to the Christians without resistance. Afonso Henriques promoted the development of the region by granting a foral (letter of feudal rights) to the inhabitants of Sintra and its castle in 1154. During the reign of King Sancho I the castle was repaired, as well as the romanesque Church of Saint Peter, (Igreja de São Pedro) inside its walls.
The decline of the castle began in the 15th century, when most of the population settled downhill, in today's old quarter of Sintra. In the 16th century, the castle lost all military relevance and was abandoned by its last inhabitants, the Sintra Jews.
In 1830, after a long period of ruin, King Ferdinand II started a profound renovation of the castle in the romantic spirit of the time, which saw in the Middle Ages a source of inspiration. The walls and towers were rebuilt, while the Church of Saint Peter was intentionally left in ruins. The castle, blended with the vegetation and topography of the hill, gained a fairy-tale, romantic atmosphere.
References: Wikipedia - The free Encyclopedia
segunda-feira, 26 de julho de 2010
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Sintra - Castelo dos Mouros
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February 13, 2010
Sintra - Castelo dos Mouros
Description: is a castle located in the town of Sintra, Portugal. The castle is located on a high hill overlooking the town, being one of its most important tourist attractions. It is part of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra, recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
As implied by its name, the castle is of Moorish origin, but the current building is the result of a romantic renovation carried out in the 19th century. The views from its walls and towers are breathtaking. The town of Sintra with its royal palace, as well as the Pena National Palace, are all visible from the Castle of the Moors.
References: Wikipedia - The free Encyclopedia
sexta-feira, 23 de julho de 2010
quinta-feira, 22 de julho de 2010
quarta-feira, 21 de julho de 2010
terça-feira, 20 de julho de 2010
segunda-feira, 19 de julho de 2010
sexta-feira, 16 de julho de 2010
quinta-feira, 15 de julho de 2010
quarta-feira, 14 de julho de 2010
terça-feira, 13 de julho de 2010
Praia da Rocha I
June 26, 2010
Portimão - Praia da Rocha
Description: is the beach and built up area on the Atlantic Ocean which is the southern section of the municipality of Portimão, Algarve, southern Portugal.
segunda-feira, 12 de julho de 2010
Salamanca
June 10, 2010
Salamanca - Casa de las Conchas
Description: is a city in western Spain, the capital of the province of Salamanca, which belongs to the autonomous community of Castile and Leon (Castilla y León). The Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is situated about 200 km west of Madrid and 80 km east of the Portuguese border. With a population around 160,000 and with its metropolitan area the population rises to more than 200,000, also it is necessary to count the resident students, it is the third most populated city in Castile and Leon, following Valladolid. Salamanca is known both for its monumental sights and the University of Salamanca, which was founded in 1218 and is the oldest university in Spain and the fifth oldest western university. With its 30,000 students, the university is, together with tourism, the economic engine of the city. Salamanca is also known for the teaching of the Spanish language; in this field, Salamanca supplies 16% of the market within Spain and attracts thousands of foreign students
sexta-feira, 9 de julho de 2010
Torres Novas Castle I
January 24, 2010
Torres Novas - Castle
Description: Torres Novas had a castle when Christian forces reconquered this region for the first time the Muslims, but it is thought that the Celts and Romans had a fort here since before the Arab occupation.
The final conquest of Torres Novas, by D. Afonso Henriques, only happens in 1148, having already been conquered in 1135, and have been falling again in Arab hands.
The final conquest of Torres Novas, by D. Afonso Henriques, only happens in 1148, having already been conquered in 1135, and have been falling again in Arab hands.
During the reign of Sancho-started works to strengthen the defenses of the castle which has suffered since the attack by Muslim forces that have come down to take, where they were defeated. With the recovery of these territories, they continued the work in the castle.
In the fourteenth century, with D. Fernando, the castle has new improvements that included the expansion of some of the village. In 1384, still under construction, was occupied by the forces of Castile, after the crisis opened by the king's death without leaving an heir, to become vacant after the victory of the Portuguese cause.
The 1755 earthquake caused much damage in the castle that was abandoned, and returning to suffer damage during the French invasion. Classified as a National Monument, the remains of a medieval castle, is well maintained.
In the fourteenth century, with D. Fernando, the castle has new improvements that included the expansion of some of the village. In 1384, still under construction, was occupied by the forces of Castile, after the crisis opened by the king's death without leaving an heir, to become vacant after the victory of the Portuguese cause.
The 1755 earthquake caused much damage in the castle that was abandoned, and returning to suffer damage during the French invasion. Classified as a National Monument, the remains of a medieval castle, is well maintained.
quinta-feira, 8 de julho de 2010
quarta-feira, 7 de julho de 2010
terça-feira, 6 de julho de 2010
segunda-feira, 5 de julho de 2010
Leiria Castle I
January 23, 2010
Leiria - Castle
Description: The construction was ordered by the first king of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques, as way of establish a defensive line against the Moors, yet the wars with Galicia gave some advantage to the Moors and, for two times, they were able to take over Leiria.
In 1142, after re-conquering definetly Leiria, D. Afonso Henriques ordered the reinforcement of the Castle’s defences and the king D. Sancho I, around the year 1195, ordered the construction of the city walls.
The importance of the town developed soon becoming the stage to some important events, such as the first reunion of the courts, and was residence to King D. Dinis and Queen Saint Isabel, and also to the marriage of king’s D. João I son (D. Afonso).
Throughout the centuries the Castle progressively started loosing its military value and during the French invasions it got quite damaged. Only in the end of the 19th century new conservation and remodeling works were initiated and already in the 20th century it was classified as National Monument.
The Castle was built over a irregular polygonal plan, with solid walls and towers and houses in its interior the Royal Palace, the Santa Maria da Pena Church and the Donjon.
In 1142, after re-conquering definetly Leiria, D. Afonso Henriques ordered the reinforcement of the Castle’s defences and the king D. Sancho I, around the year 1195, ordered the construction of the city walls.
The importance of the town developed soon becoming the stage to some important events, such as the first reunion of the courts, and was residence to King D. Dinis and Queen Saint Isabel, and also to the marriage of king’s D. João I son (D. Afonso).
Throughout the centuries the Castle progressively started loosing its military value and during the French invasions it got quite damaged. Only in the end of the 19th century new conservation and remodeling works were initiated and already in the 20th century it was classified as National Monument.
The Castle was built over a irregular polygonal plan, with solid walls and towers and houses in its interior the Royal Palace, the Santa Maria da Pena Church and the Donjon.
quinta-feira, 1 de julho de 2010
Tomar - Nabão River I
February 23, 2009
Tomar - Nabão River
Tomar - Nabão River
Description : is a river in Portugal It rises in Ansião and passes through the city of Tomar before joining the Zêzere River — a course of about 66 km. It was known to the Romans as Nabanus. Before entering the territory of Tomar it has his biggest source in a place called Agroal.
The river is associated with the legend of Santa Iria (Saint Irene).
First Post - First Photo
February 23, 2009
Tomar - Convent of Christ
Description: Including the Templar castle and the Convent of the Order of Christ -construction of which occurred between the 12th and the 17th centuries -, the monument inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List has one of the most expressive testimonies to the history of Portuguese architecture. These are the church’s Romanesque “charola”, the cloister of King D. João III, and the famous Manueline window at the Chapter House.
This huge structure, including its seven cloisters and different monastic constructions, standsa djacent to the old wall – Mata dos Sete Montes, an area of significant natural and landscape value.
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