Mouraria is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Lisbon. After the conquest of the city to the Moors (Mouros) by King Afonso I in the 12th century, the Moorish people were confined to this area, hence the name. Currently it must be the most multicultural place in Lisbon, its inhabitants are mainly immigrants mostly from African and Asian countries. Apart from some peripheral buildings, the whole neighbourhood is decaying!
I have never walked these streets before and, although it might not be the safest place in town to explore, I have to come back to this labyrinth with more time as the photo opportunities are endless.
I have never walked these streets before and, although it might not be the safest place in town to explore, I have to come back to this labyrinth with more time as the photo opportunities are endless.
28 comments:
OK, but hold on tight to your camera.
One side of me says 'Be careful' while the other says 'more, more', these are great!
Great series. I love the way decay makes everything unique.
Enjoy your weekend.
This area looks very rich in photographic opportunities. It is decaying but, still alive.
I think it's probably the most interesting of your decay photos. Those steps don't look terribly safe to me.
I'm sure it's different actually being there JM, but your images although showing the decay, still somehow manage to make these streets look charming in some way.
My first thought was similar to what Grace said. I'd guess this was once an elegant neighborhood...because even as it decays one can see the "bones" and they are good!
I can't help but wonder what goes on behind closed doors.
Be careful out there. Your photos are always brilliant but not to die for!
Even now is a charming place!
a really nice set of images there, these would looks awesome in black and white HDR. fab work, dont fancy my chances there with my camera though.
The decay on the first photo is rather beautiful.
Take someone with you!
I walked these picturesque street in the 90s and they weren't much different then. Old ladies kept telling my wife to watch her purse, but everything was fine at the end.
The first shot is amazing. I actually like that tree graffiti...
For sure interesting place!
Wonderful to see..
It needs saving. If those streets were in a seaside town in Cornwall the properties value would be sky high.
Take care capturing more..
It's too bad for the decay, but I am sure it was once a beautiful place.
this is an outstanding trio of shots. thank you.
It seems to be a time honored tradition that immigrants settle in the most neglected neighborhoods of a city. Over time, the pendulum will swing back and the neighborhood will be restored. And the immigrants will find another area to shelter them. BTW, is that a mural I see?
I suspect that this area is well worth exploring, so please return. And I imagine that Oakland is right about the way pendulums swing in urban areas.
It is hard to convey in photographs how steep steps are, but these three photographs do it exceptionally well.
That is my kind of neighborhood.
It looks nice but would be hard to carry your food up all those stairs to get to your apartment. Wow. What a big climb.
How wonderful! Brings back many happy memories of my visit to Lisbon. I can hear Amalia Rodrigues singing "Ha Festa Na Mouraria"...
Beautiful photos ... visit again.
Certainly a wealth of photo ops in a place like this. Walk with a buddy for your safety.
Interesting to read this post at the same time as the one above!
There has to be very strong legs to climb up and down.
Interesting fotos. I love.
greetings and have a nice week.
As Sallie says, the contrast between these and the church photos above is huge but both make good subjects for the camera. An old and decaying area like this raises so many questions about the future, how it will be, what it should be. As Lowell said, its bones are good.
Love your blog!! I've been to Portugal as a kid but I'd love to visit again. So many inspirational photos....
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