On top of the hill
Generally speaking, if you’re not the religious type, there are two reasons why you should visit some of the churches and sanctuaries and Portugal: their history/architecture and the view. Today I’m...
View ArticleA different perspective
The way I see it when you’re visiting a monument it’s interesting, and educational, even, to notice all the “big and important” things that come in guides and books. But, as the saying goes, “the devil...
View ArticleStrange things in strange places (part 3)
The definition of strange is, obviously, a relative one. I keep being surprised by things which, to me, are puzzling – sanctuaries are one of them – and I’m fully aware that what I think of as...
View ArticleSimple pleasures
I already mentioned Ponte da Barca on the blog before, but I couldn’t skip the opportunity of bringing it up again. I mean, look at those trees. Sometimes you really don’t need an incredible work of...
View ArticleOnce in a lifetime
When I was a kid several of Sintra’s monuments, which today are crowded with tourists at any time of the year, were kind of my weekend playground. I remember Capuchos when it was a semi-abandoned...
View ArticleStrange things in strange places (part 4)
Roadtrips can be surprising. As we were driving along a road in the Trás-os-Montes region, in the north of Portugal, I thought I saw a sign mentioning an “altar of sacrifices”. Wait. What? Go back....
View ArticleThe sanctuary of Peninha, hidden in plain sight
Leaving the town of Sintra behind, past the enchanted forest, at the top of a hill, you reach Peninha. The view is breathtaking and I can’t help but imagine what it must have been like 100, 300 or 500...
View ArticleThe legend of Peninha
On my last post I showed you some bits and pieces of the sanctuary of Peninha, in Sintra. Naturally, being both a religious monument and in Portugal, its origins are closely connected to a legend....
View ArticleThe castle of Leiria (between truth and imagination)
I should have written this post several months ago. I really should. Editing photos from my short stay in Leiria, however, has been particularly difficult. There is, in every photo, a strange kind of...
View ArticleDon’t get lost: A quick tip concerning castles in Portugal
After a little informal poll on my Instagram stories I’m doing some adjustments to my posts both here, on WordPress, and on Instagram. That includes shorter, simpler posts and more practical...
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