Seeing & Doing: Iberia Snapshots, 3 Parts Start Here

Lisbon, Portugal. On the Tagus River, Lisbon has lured traders and settlers for more than 20 centuries. In the late 15th century , the port of Lisbon was the staging point of Portuguese explorations that would result in the Great Age of Discovery, and make Lisbon the richest European capital until the 19th century. Monument to the Discoveries, pictured here, is located on the shore of Tagus River, facing the river. It immortalises Portugal’s great explorers, many of whom began their explorations here. Not far from Lisbon, the Tagus empties into the Atlantic Ocean. It is Iberia’s longest river.

Lisbon, Portugal. The left-most figure, looking  westward is Henry the Navigator. In his time, he was considered a madman for espousing the theory that eastern destinations could be reached by sailing west. Other figures represented in the monument include Ferdinand Magellan (the first expedition to circumnavigate the world), Vasco de Gama (led the expedition that discovered the route to India via the Cape of Good Hope), and Pedro Cabral, the discoverer of Brazil.

Lisbon, Portugal. It gets hot in the summer and white is a popular color when it comes to painting houses and red tiles are commonly used for roofing. Older houses have thick walls and small windows to reduce the impact of summer heat.

Lisbon, Portugal. The older parts of Lisbon were built centuries before the automobile and wide roads arrived.

Lisbon, Portugal. The resting place of Vasco DeGama is located in the church of Jeroimos Monastery. The monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lisbon, Portugal. Now here’s a helpful tourism idea. These colorful illustrations were painted on a wall near public restrooms. The illustrations identify major events in Lisbon’s history. While we waited for members of our group to use the facilities, we were able to get a quick, simplified history lesson.

Lisbon, Portugal. The use of decorative tiles was brought to Iberia by the Moors and tiles remain popular. They are expensive and these buildings were probably constructed by wealthy people.

Sintra, Portugal. Sintra is a picturesque town not far from Lisbon. A popular tourist attraction is Pena Palace, a lavish 19th century hilltop castle built on the ruins of an ancient monastery.

Sintra, Portugal. Pena Palace and its gardens, pictured here, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The garden features a collection of trees from around the world.

Lisbon, Portugal, country-side. Not far from Lisbon, we visited a farm where the family has been making cheese from sheep’s milk for generations. Their farm is now a museum and our group, with the help of a family member, made cheese from scratch. Fortunately, the milk was provided in large containers; we did not have to milk the sheep.

Portugal. Travelling east from Lisbon towards Evora, we visited this beautiful, family owned vineyard and winery.

Portugal. Vineyard and winery buildings were painted using traditional colors.

Evora, Portugal. While in Evora, we stayed in Pousada Dos Loios a converted convent, located in the historic district.

Evora, Portugal. At this pousada our room was a converted nun’s cell, small but upgraded with up-to-date bathroom fixtures, Internet support, etc. Pousadas, former castles, convents, forts, town halls, etc., were originally created and operated by the Portuguese government to promote tourism. Today, they are owned by a private operator. Similar lodgings are called “paradors” in Spain.

Evora, Portugal. These boulders are part of a massive Neolithic complex that was used for social and ritualistic purposes and date to 5,000 BC. This site, one of several, is located on the outskirts of Evora.

Evora, Portugal. Roman Temple. Evora, an ancient hilltop town with Roman and Moorish roots is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The influence of Rome is visible at the Temple of Diana, whose 14 Corinthian columns date back to the second and third century.

Evora, Portugal. We learned about the life of these two college students during a visit to Evora University. These students, who volunteered for duty meeting with visitors, were majoring in tourism and computer sciences.

Evora, Portugal. The craft of tile-making was brought to Portugal and Spain by the Moors. After watching and receiving instruction, the members of our group made tiles. This picture shows the result of our work before it was sent to the furnace for firing.

Evora, Portugal. Near Evora’s main square is the Church of St. Francis, home to a bone chapel (Capela dos Ossos) which welcomes visitors with the message” “We bones in here wait for yours to join us.” Early in the 16th century, three Franciscan monks, who wanted wealthy residents to reflect on the temporary nature of material things and the inevitability of death, carefully arranged thousands of skeletons, skulls, and bones along the chapel walls, ceilings, and columns. A our chapel visitor quickly gets the point.