I thought you might like to see the drive we took today! We meandered through the Portuguese countryside and discovered great treasures.
Do you remember me writing that I wanted to be amongst cork trees? Today we started our day in a small grove.
We've learned a great deal about this special product. Did you know that it takes 25 years for a cork oak trunk to start to produce cork and be profitable? Each trunk has to reach a circumference of about 27 inches when measured 4 feet above ground level. From then on, the cork can be harvested from the tree for on average 150 years.
I'm still loving seeing the nesting White Storks.
And any yellow bird sighting makes me giddy, as well.
We were drawn by the sight of Ermida de São Brás and paused briefly. We weren't able to go in because a baptiism was happening. This Chapel, located outside the walls of Évora, was ordered built by D. João II in 1480, at the site of a small leprosarium where plague victims were treated. Thus, the people of Évora, the crown and the executor of the work, the Bishop, demonstrated their devotion to São Brás, protector of the victims of epidemics. The builder is unknown but it is one of the most important monuments in the city of Évora.
It is one of the first examples of the Manueline-Mudejar style of architecture, very widespread throughout the Alentejo region and characterized by the use of cylindrical buttresses with conical spires. The church marks the introduction of the late Gothic in Évora. The noteworthy architectural features include the zoomorphic granite gargoyles along the building. Love those.
How about the differences in these two brooms?
We grabbed sandwiches for a picnic lunch before exploring further. One thing that I love about Portuguese supermarkets is the fact that they have a special counter for gift wrapping with free supplies: paper, scissors and tape. So very, very cool.
We paused for a coffee and a brief glimpse of Évora. Due to its well-preserved old town center, still partially enclosed by medieval walls, and a large number of monuments dating from various historical periods, including a Roman Temple (pictured below), Évora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network. We promised to return one day.
Visible from almost everywhere in the city is the Aqueduto da Água de Prata. It is, for its size, one of the most impressive monuments in the city. It doesn’t let us forget the ingenuity required to provide the people in Évora with water since ancient times (1537).
Isn't this a spectacular road?
We smelled the scent of these charcoal pits before we even saw them. What an interesting sight.
When we traversed the bridge of the River Sorraia in Coruche, we saw all these fishermen on the banks and had to stop. It was some kind of angling competition and we had never seen anything like it before. Wow.
This guy would make a ball of something and shoot it out into the river. We are still unsure what he was doing. Chumming? I hope to hear from someone with fishing expertise on this one. Wild.
Bom dia from Óbidos, a classic Portuguese fortified town, and is one of the most picturesque locations in Portugal. This town radiates charm, from the narrow cobbled streets, the quaint houses, through to the imposing medieval castle, which once guarded the region.
Our home is nestled within the walls of the town. Check the link for better photos than I could possible take. This is going to be a magical home base. I look forward to sharing this part of Portugal. Fun stuff ahead.
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1 comments:
Funny we just watched program on PBS about those cork trees, very cool! I love when you post where you you are staying during your travels, so I can picture you two sipping fine wine and loving every moment!The pictures I am sure do not do it justice! Missing you!
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