Friday, April 24, 2009

Campo Pequeno

Top detail of the former bullfight arena in Lisbon, built by portuguese architect António José Dias da Silva (1892). With a circular area of 5.000 square meters, the building has been recently renovated and can house any kind of show for an audience of 10.000 people.

22 comments:

Dina said...

Wow, it looks like an Aladdin's castle. Do bullfights still happen, but in other places?

My grandkids went back to Australia yesterday. :(
It is nice to have time now to scroll down and catch up on your always interesting posts. Thanks for your welcome comments too.

Cezar and Léia said...

Bom dia JM!
Hummm I must agree with Dina it looks like an Aladdin's Castle!
Very nice!
Wonderful picture and what a beautiful blue sky!
Have a nice weekend my dear friend
Léia :-)

penny said...

Spectacular architecture for this huge arena. wonderful sky too!

cieldequimper said...

It must have been a grand arena and it's got to be a great place for a night out. I like the blue against blue! ;-)

Jim Klenke said...

I like that design.

Olivier said...

cela ressemble beaucoup à une eglise orthodoxe
it resembles an orthodox eglise a lot

Unknown said...

Yes Dina, bullfights still take place in Portugal!... More and more people are fighting to put an end on this barbaric show, but it's a very difficult battle, because it's an old tradition in this country and second, there are many people living on this industry, mainly wealthy families who raise specific bulls for this purpose... So, the 'roman circus' will go on as long as there are people paying to see an animal being tortured surrounded by very colourful folklore...

Lois said...

The blue against the blue sky is magnificent! What a beautiful structure!

Joan Elizabeth said...

The building looks like it belongs in Russia or somewhere like that. Are domes of this shape common in Portugal?

B SQUARED said...

Certainly was worth preserving. Looks great.

Unknown said...

No, Joan Elisabeth, this is not a common sight here. The building has a new-arabic style look, but portuguese architecture has nothing to do with it (although Moorish have been in central and southern Portugal until the 12th century).

Kate said...

The domes remind me of many wonderful architectural wonders in the USSR, now just plain ole' Russia. Your photo is clear and so brightly detailed. Love it!

Sharon said...

What interesting architecture. It has a middle eastern look to it.

Lowell said...

Looks Moorish. Do you still have bullfights there?

Great shot, JM.

Judy said...

I like the blue domes against the bluer sky. Very pretty.

Small City Scenes said...

Sweet! The domes look like Russian influence. Maybe? So what are you going to see there next? MB

nobu said...

Looks wonderful in the blue sky!

Lisa Wilson said...

What an interesting place! I'd love to see inside if you happen to go in sometime.

crocrodyl said...

Great idea! It looks unique:) I saw the bullfight arena in Barcelona - it has huge white blue eggs on the top of the walls:)

abc said...

Good to hear no bullfighting takes place there any longer :-)

henny said...

Portugal has an old story related to my country. I was sondering if they left some great architectural site in Indonesia since I only witnessed those built by the Dutch. It's perfect for wedding ceremony I think :)

Marie-Noyale said...

Would never have thought of a bullfight arena!!