Founded during the 12th century, the “Sé do Porto” (the Cathedral) in Portugal, is located on the highest point of the city, a perfect place to contemplate the Douro River, the Vila Nova de Gaia and the city of Porto. This cathedral is known by several names, all in honor of the Marian cult; Church of “Santa Maria do Porto”, “Nossa Senhora do Porto da Eterna Salvação” and “Nossa Senhora da Vandoma”.
The city of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, is full of religious buildings of great importance, primarily for being one of the most important pilgrimage centers for the Catholic faith. The Monastery of San Martin Pinario is the largest monastery in all of Galicia. However, its origin is much more humble.
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“Are you from Braga?” This is a common expression of Braga, referring to the practice of leaving the door open. Although there are several theories about its origin, a very common one is born with the “Arco da Porta Nova”. In 1373 the construction of the walls was completed, practically enclosing the town of Braga.
The Brazilian António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro, known as “Monteiro dos milhões” (Monteiro, the millionaire) is responsible and was the conceptual creator of what is now called the “Quinta de Regaleira”, in Sintra, Portugal, a name that, when loosely translated means “the estate of the good life”.
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The Tower of “São Pedro dos Cleros”, known as the “Torre dos Cleros”, is located above the old town of Porto. This tower comes to complete the “Igreja do São Pedro dos Cleros”, both symbols of the northern city on the banks of the Douro River.
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Upon arriving to Tomar, on Gen. Bernardo Faria Avenue and a few steps from the train and bus terminal, you will find the “Igreja y Convento de São Francisco” or the Church and Convent of Saint Francis.
Continue reading “Church and Convent of Saint Francis / Matchbox Museum – Thomar, Portugal”
Just outside the city walls of Braga is the home of the Portuguese nobility, “Palacio dos Biscainhos”. The construction of this palace is given thanks to the interest of Dr. Constantino Ribeiro do Lago, Templar of the Order of Christ. The name of the palace comes from the workers who built it that were from Bizkaia, which we know today as “Viscaya” (Biscay). Its construction was completed in the seventeenth century.
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On the outskirts of the old walled city of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, specifically on a plot of land known as “Val de Deus”, then owned by the Monastery of San Martiño Pinario, Saint Francis of Assisi visualized the construction of a convent and church that later would bear his name.
Continue reading “Convent of Saint Francis of “Valdediós” – Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain”
Walking from the Commerce Square on route to the Cathedral of Lisbon, we find amazing structures and many monuments, witnesses of time that reveal the history of this wonderful city. Going up the “Rua de la Concepcion”, we encounter the Church of Mary Magdalene, National Monument of Portugal since 1910. Continue reading “Igreja da Madalena – Lisbon, Portugal”
In many of the cities of Portugal one can find plazas and squares having the name of “Praça da Republic”, we imagine that it is to mark the beginning of the Republic of Portugal in 1910.