Sunday, November 30, 2008

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Friday, November 28, 2008

King José I

During his reign Lisbon was totally destroyed by the big 1755 earthquake, followed by a tsunami and a fire. With the help of his PM Marquis of Pombal and Count of Oeiras, the city was rebuilt as we see it now.
The statue sits on Terreiro do Paço, city biggest square, by the Tagus river.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Enjoying some clams

'Estrela do Mar' (Starfish) is just another bar at Carvavelos beach open all year round, where you can have some nice seafood, as that couple was doing yesterday afternoon. The upper terrace is currently closed on week days.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Favourite shades

(Click to enlarge)

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Monday, November 24, 2008

Heroes at Sunset


The Monument to the Discoveries was built in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator. It represents a three-sailed ship ready to depart, with sculptures of important historical figures such as Camões, Vasco da Gama, Magellan, Cabral, and several other notable Portuguese explorers, crusaders, monks, cartographers, and cosmographers, following the prince at the prow holding a small vessel. The only woman is Queen Felipa of Lancaster, mother of Henry the Navigator, the brain of the discoveries.
The monument sits on the mouth of the Tagus River at Belém, the very spot ships have left more than 500 years ago (western Lisbon).

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Aliens in town

I enjoy graffitis as a form of street art, but they have to be special and well located...
This is a nightmare! I almost have a headache everytime I'm passing by...
Although it looks like the way to hell, in fact, this 200m tunnel leads you to Carcavelos beach.
What a relief when you reach the end of it!...

Saturday, November 22, 2008

White on black

Huge white carp in a cold water tank at Vasco da Gama Aquarium.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Nymph bathing

Detail of one of the fountains at Rossio Square in Lisbon.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

'Tables' in a row


I think this is the oldest beach bar on this coast; no big deal as a bar but its location at Parede beach is great.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Royal Crown and Shield

Portuguese shield and crown on top of a pillory at Estoril, near Tamariz beach.

Legend has it that Afonso I (1st portuguese king: 1109-1185) killed the five moorish kings of the Seville, Badajoz, Elvas, Évora and Beja taifas(*), before decimating the enemy troops. Hence, in gratitude, he incorporated five shields (the quinas) arranged in a cross — representing his divinely-led victory over the five enemy kings — with each one carrying Christ's five wounds in the form of silver bezants.
The seven castles are traditionally considered a symbol of the Portuguese victories over their moorish enemies, under King Afonso III, who supposedly captured seven enemy fortresses in the course of his conquest of the Algarve (south of Portugal), in 1249.
(*) A taifa in the history of Iberia was an independent Muslim-ruled principality, an emirate or petty kingdom. (source: Wikipedia)

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Old Windows

All shots taken at Oeiras old town.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Reflections

Parque Morais pond. The gardens of a private residence became a public park in 1934.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Bar Moinho


Beach bar at Carcavelos.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Docapesca

The fishing harbour next to Lisbon.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

The palace gardens

Oeiras has a vast cultural agenda; most of the events take place at the gardens of the palace, from spring to autumn. On the right photo things were getting ready for the night show; some performances take place in this area, others by the cascade.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Under the bridge

Railroad (Lisbon-Cascais) over the mouth of Jamor river.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Santa Marta lighthouse

This small fortress was built in the 17th century as part of the maritime defense system of Cascais. 200 years later, it lost its strategic interest and a lighthouse was built there, which is still functional nowadays but, having been automated, it doesn't need constant surveilance anymore and has been converted in the first museum dedicated to the lighthouses of the portuguese coast.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Cavalia is in town (II)

This photo panel with dozens of images makes a fence/wall that surrounds the tents complex (previous post).

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Cavalia is in town

Several shows take place on this spot by the river Tagus estuary. Before Cavalia we had Cirque du Soleil with their blue and yellow tents. In the background of the picture below you can see the 25th of Abril bridge in Lisbon and Christ the King on the other bank (click on the photo to enlarge).

Friday, November 7, 2008

Olive Oil Press

This 18th century press building next to Oeiras palace, has become a cultural space housing different exhibitions such as Daniel Curado's paintings.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

A cloudy sky (II)

Carcavelos beach (click to enlarge)
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!!


To all Americans who voted for Obama and to the World in general! It is about time for a real change!

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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Three in one

Modern sign on a 19th century (maybe late 18th?) building with Deco railings at Lisbon downtown.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Saturday, November 1, 2008