Portugal in pictures

[Damião de Góis]

S. Jorge isn't a moorish castle because it has been rebuilt a few times, always with christian architecture. Of course, foreigners like "Kosovo is Serbia" or whatever don't know that.
Here is what a real moorish castle looks like, in Alcácer do Sal, southern Portugal:

[Zephyr]

Sure it is one of the few surviving pieces of islamic architecture in Portugal (the best one being Mértola's church), but given the amount of revampings it suffered, truth be told, there's not much left that could still make Alcácer castle resemble a typical Qasbah...

It even has a roof and a parabolic antenna now

[Catrau]

Sure it is one of the few surviving pieces of islamic architecture in Portugal (the best one being Mértola's church), but given the amount of revampings it suffered, truth be told, there's not much left that could still make Alcácer castle resemble a typical Qasbah...

It even has a roof and a parabolic antenna now

The Church of Mértola is a reuse of the former mosque of XII-XIII centuries. It was with the Knights of Santiago in 1238, after sacred to the use of Christian ritual, that this building of was firstely changed from a mosque.
Today, the church features a Mértola Mudejar theme of the sixteenth century, maybe the only mudejar art example in Portugal. But nevertheless, it is possible, from certain architectural and decorative elements like small minarets, reconstitute the Moorish temple.

[Catrau]

MINHO, Northwestern Portugal


City of Guimarães
The the medieval foundation is in the 10th Century, when the lady of the lands, the Countess Mumadona Dias, widow of Hermengildo Mendes, Earl of Portus Cale, built a monastery that would give rise to the present church of Our Lady of the Olive and of the castle to defend the growing population.



Ducal Palace, Guimarães.
Main hall at the Ducal Palace decorated with a copy of the mythical Pastrana Tapestries. Commissioned by King John V to the Flemish workshops of Tournai, they were lost to after being completed and mysteriously appeared in Spain in 1532. They portray the Portuguese conquest of Northern Africa.



Guimarães
Romanesque facade of the Chapel of St. Michael's near the Castle, with typical loophole-shaped window and door in two archivolt arch, one of them with Visigoth motifs.



Castle, Guimarães
The spectacular west facade, facing the city of the Castle of Guimarães. Built in the 10th century between 950 and 959 was a stronghold of the county and then of the kingdom.



Old Wall
Wall of the borough, is contemporary of the castle and was built by the Countess Mumadona Dias between 950 and 959.



The most famous section of the Old Wall
"Aqui Nasceu Portugal"



Largo da Oliveira, Guimarães
The magnificent Largo da Oliveira (Olive Square)


Largo da Oliveira, Guimarães



Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, Guimarães
The church of Our Lady of Olive and Padrão of Salado.
The church was founded by Countess Mumadona Dias in the 10th century and it is based on a Latin/Byzantine church. Underwent successive rebuilding: Romance (13th century), Gothic (14th century) and neoclassical (19th century), the predominant style is the Gothic of John I reform.
The Padrão of Salado was erected in 1342 by Afonso IV after the great Luso-Castilian victory at the Battle of Salado (Cadiz) against the King of Morocco and the Emir of Granada in 1340.



Guimarães
Former Municipal Hall (Domus Municipalis). It is a 15th century building with Gothic arches connecting the Oliveira Square to the Santiago Square.



Santiago Square, Guimarães



The Portuguese flag





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*All photos taken by me, you can't use them commercially.

[Damião de Góis]

I think northern towns are generally much "prettier" than southern towns (not counting Lisbon). I'm saying this and i'm southern, of course.

[Catrau]

I think northern towns are generally much "prettier" than southern towns (not counting Lisbon). I'm saying this and i'm southern, of course.

Oh yes Alex but villages in the south are much prettier than in the north, i'll post some more tomorrow.
Now --> Bed

[Elbegast]

Chaves, Vila Real

[Elbegast]

The Peneda-Gerês National Park

[Catrau]

MINHO

São Torcato, Guimarães
Typical landscape of Minho, pastures, vineyards and Alpendurada vineyard.



Boavista, Guimarães
Typical agricultural landscape of Minho. Properties bounded by osiers which support the Alpendurada vines. The properties are small, moreover, a common feature north of the Tagus, and it seems a Swabian inheritance.



Campo de Batalha da Ataca, Guimarães
Battlefield of the São Mamede Battle.



Campo de Batalha da Ataca, Guimarães
Afonsinhos - Sculpture set designed by Augusto de Vasconcelos representing Afonso Henriques's troops at the Battle of San Mamede.



Campo de Batalha da Ataca, Guimarães
In this area - the population suggestively named "Field of Attack" - took place, according to tradition, the beginning of the Battle of São Mamede, that came out victorious D. Afonso Henriques, our first king, 24 June 1128. This date is considered by many historians as "The first day of Portugal."

[Catrau]

MINHO:

All pics from the city of Braga

From Bracara Augusta to Braga ... it has been the capital of the Roman province of Gallaecia , capital of the German Swabian kingdom (from the Tagus to Galicia) and head of the most important Iberian bishopric.
It's a 2000 years old commercial centre.



The New Gate Arch, buid in 1772



Church of Santa Cruz. It’s a Baroque-style church built in the 17th century.



Centrum



Garden of Santa Barbara and Old Archbishop's Palace of Braga.



On left, the Chapel of the Kings where are buried the Count D. Henry of Burgundy and Countess Teresa of León, parents of the 1st King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques.



The phrase "as old as the Braga’s Cathedral!" is justified. It is the oldest Portuguese cathedral and the early Portuguese records date back to 1070 but there was already a paleochristian temple of five ships which in turn was based on a Roman temple to the goddess Isis.



Manor House, centrum.


New Stars from Braga: the football club "Sporting de Braga" aka Minho warriors and their asthonishing piece of art stadium.