Friday, February 24, 2012

Decay (LIV): Mouraria




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.

28 comments:

Dina said...

OK, but hold on tight to your camera.

Wayne said...

One side of me says 'Be careful' while the other says 'more, more', these are great!

San said...

Great series. I love the way decay makes everything unique.

Enjoy your weekend.

Sharon said...

This area looks very rich in photographic opportunities. It is decaying but, still alive.

Kate said...

I think it's probably the most interesting of your decay photos. Those steps don't look terribly safe to me.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

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.

Lowell said...

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!

joo said...

Even now is a charming place!

Shaun said...

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.

Stefan Jansson said...

The decay on the first photo is rather beautiful.

RedPat said...

Take someone with you!

VP said...

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.

cieldequimper said...

The first shot is amazing. I actually like that tree graffiti...

crocrodyl said...

For sure interesting place!

theconstantwalker said...

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..

Halcyon said...

It's too bad for the decay, but I am sure it was once a beautiful place.

brattcat said...

this is an outstanding trio of shots. thank you.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

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?

Jack said...

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.

Randy said...

That is my kind of neighborhood.

Anonymous said...

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.

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

How wonderful! Brings back many happy memories of my visit to Lisbon. I can hear Amalia Rodrigues singing "Ha Festa Na Mouraria"...

Joan Elizabeth said...

Beautiful photos ... visit again.

Kathy said...

Certainly a wealth of photo ops in a place like this. Walk with a buddy for your safety.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Interesting to read this post at the same time as the one above!

orvokki said...

There has to be very strong legs to climb up and down.
Interesting fotos. I love.
greetings and have a nice week.

jennyfreckles said...

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.

Dom said...

Love your blog!! I've been to Portugal as a kid but I'd love to visit again. So many inspirational photos....