Friday, July 31, 2009

Jeronimus Monastery


I finally managed to get a photo of the entire building. Information and closer shots on these posts.
The Empire Square, was built during WWII on a sandy beach to house the Portuguese World Exhibition between June and December 1940. It was the first major cultural event of the 'Estado Novo' (New State) dictatorship and marked Salazar's high-point of his ‘nationalist-imperialist’ propaganda.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

O Poeta

Restaurant/Wine Bar at Cascais. (Click to enlarge)

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Art Deco

This exhibition is part of the Berardo Collection(*), currently at CCB. (Sorry about the reflection on the last pic)

(*) Joe Berardo is a portuguese nouveau riche who owns an immense collection of international modern art.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The Viceroy and the President

Statue of Afonso de Albuquerque, Portuguese navigator and conqueror, second Viceroy of India (1508-1515). Scenes of his life overseas are carved around the pedestal.
  
The Palace of Belém (18th century) is the official residence of the President of the Portuguese Republic

Monday, July 27, 2009

Centro Cultural de Belém

CCB main patio. Visitors allways enjoy playing with the underground water sprays as they start working when you walk on them.
School children on a guided tour next to Joana Vasconcelos' work made of wine bottles.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

The Tagus estuary (II)

This is the opposit direction view of the river mouth.
Belém Tower stands on the right bank. For some information and more photos of this beautiful 16th century building, check this post.
Enlarging the photo you can also see Bugio Islet/Fortress in the background (left).

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Dan Flavin in the Panza Collection


Two big white empty rooms house Dan Flavin's works included in the exhibition 'Risk the Real' at CCB, Belém Cultural Center.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Compass Rose


The pavement next to the Monument to the Discoveries at Belém, western Lisbon, is decorated with a mosaic representing a compass. The central map, depicting galleons and mermaids, shows the routes of the portuguese discoverers in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Yuccas are blooming everywhere

(Click on the photo for a better view)

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Reflections on a lighthouse

Ponta do Sal is a small rocky cape next to São Pedro Beach.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Different looks

Identical old buildings at Lisbon downtown have been recently restored, each one its own style. (Vendido = sold)
Click on the photo to enlarge.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Praia das Avencas


Extreme high tide at Avencas Beach.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Mediterranean look

All beaches along the portuguese (atlantic) coast are sandy. That's why some mediterranean beaches have just crossed my mind when I found this pebble area.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Bell towers

I have no idea how many old churches there are at Lisbon downtown but bell towers can be seen everywhere.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Election season

There are a few old buildings at Oeiras downtown that seem to be falling apart FOR AGES! Suddenly these ''More houses for the youth on the historic district'' pannels 'were born' on each one of them, meaning they are going to be restored/rebuilt soon. Elections will take place next October... Is this a coincidence??? (Click to enlarge)

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

São Julião Fort

This fort dates back to 1553 and is considered to be the greatest coastal defense building in Portugal. During the french invasion, Napoleon troops have occupied it in the year of 1807, but british allies conquered it one year later and in 1809 the fortress was again in portuguese hands. It is now the official residence of the Minister of Defense. (Click to enlarge)

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Eden Teatro

This was one of Lisbon's major cinema/theatre buildings (1933). The magnificent interiors have been totally torn down in 2001 and it was converted in a hotel but, gladly, most of its Deco façade has been kept. (Click to enlarge)

Monday, July 13, 2009

Palácio do Egipto (II)

More photos and information here.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Old building

Actually, according to the Art Nouveau lines of the railings, this building is not that old compared to all the others around, which have been built in Lisbon downtown after the big eartquake in 1755. (Click to enlarge)

Friday, July 10, 2009

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Small broken pieces of china

Details of the small fountain wall and ceiling under the staircase on the previous post. (Click to enlarge)

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Tiled staircase

Oeiras Palace, 18th century. (Click to enlarge)

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Agave blossom

(Click to enlarge)

Monday, July 6, 2009

Cosmic Elephant


Salvador Dali's sculpture at Palácio do Egipto, Oeiras Cultural Center

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Largo da Boavista

Largo means small square. I believe this is the smallest in old Oeiras.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Under the bridge (II)

Railroad (Lisbon-Cascais) over Ribeira da Lage(*) valley.
(*) small river crossing Oeiras downtown.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Have I ever mentioned the cranes?

Well, there so many old buildings in Lisbon needing restoration work that cranes are a common sight. Wherever you look there is one...

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Palácio do Egipto

Once upon a time there was a beautiful farm; it was called 'Our Lady of Egypt'. The farm no longer exists but the manor, known as the 'Palace of Egypt', survived for almost three centuries. It has now been restored and given a modern look becoming Oeiras new Cultural Center.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009