THE MOST PHOTOGRAPHED SITES IN PORTUGAL #7 - PRAÇA OITO DE MAIO, COIMBRA

According to the website sightsmap.com, Portugal is one of the most photographed areas of the world.
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An historical location that blends beautifully with the rest of the city of Coimbra. Quite popular back in the days, it was given order, between 1392 and 1414, that this town square was to be enlarged and aligned, so that it could be the location of the Horse Parties, were ancient Portuguese games executed by horse were played. It also was the first public theatre of Coimbra, funded in 1835. And, up until 1838, it used to have a fountain with a statue of Samson in it, that was demolished because it got to a advance stage of degradation. In the same year, a new fountain  was build.

In 1834, the liberal forces of Duke of Terceira entered in Coimbra and marched over the town square. Years later, in 1874, along with the commemorations of the anniversary of that date, the place was officially renamed Praça Oito de Maio.

PALACE OF THE MARQUESSES OF FRONTEIRA

The Fronteira Palace, also known as the Palace of the Marquesses of Fronteira, is the privately owned property, but parts of it are opened to visits, and only on a tight schedule. 

The palace was built in 1640 for the first Marquis of Fronteira, Dom Joao de Mascarenhas (bestowed with the title of Marquis of Fronteira for his allegiance to King Pedro II of Portugal), in order to serve as hunting pavilion. At present, the oldest part of the castle complex refers to a 16th century chapel, but inside the castle, visitors can admire the stunning Battle Room (which stands out by the splendid tile panels due to which the room has been dubbed the Sistine Chapel of Tile Panels), as well as the Dining Room (with highlights like the paintings signed by Domingos Antonio de Sequeira). Outside the castle, visitors can search out the carefully arranged garden, which fills a surface of some 5.5 hectares, offering the spectacular scenery of the ingeniously cut hedges, tile panels and a statuary where sculptural works rendering the Kings of Portugal (chiefly, busts) are displayed.

THE ÁGUAS LIVRES AQUEDUCT

The Águas Livres Aqueduct was born out of necessity to supply the city of Lisbon with a new aqueduct, and of the personal taste of the King By John V megalomaniac projects. The result, a great work of Portuguese engineering of the eighteenth century with 65 meters high at some points, which allowed cross the valley on a nice walk with beautiful views. However, the authorities had to shut down access to the aqueduct in 1853 to prevent the criminal Diogo Albes throw up their victims over the viaduct after steal them. Today, only private visits are allowed.

SAINT GEORGE CASTLE, LISBON

 

The Castle of São Jorge was chosen along the city's history as a stronghold for several people who passed through here, the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Arabs. The latter expelled by King Afonso Henriques, when he reconquered the city in 1147. After the fortress, which was known as the Moorish Castle became a royal residence until 1511, the year the King Manuel I decided to move to the Palace of Ribeira.

LIVRARIA LELLO, OPORTO

The Livraria Lello at Oporto is a famous bookstore, considered as one of the world’s most beautiful by the newspaper “The Guardian” and the Lonely Planet travel guides.

In 1906 it was inaugurated the Livraria Lello complex, one of the most emblematic Gothic Revival buildings at Oporto, highlighted in the urban landscape. The architecture and the decorative elements show this beginning of the century dominant style. The façade has an enormous arch, with a central entrance and two shop windows at both sides. Above there are three rectangular windows with a figure at each side, representing “Art” and “Science”.

Inside the bookshop there are busts from famous Portuguese writers such as Antero de Quental, Eça de Queirós or Camilo Castelo Branco. In 1995 the bookshop was restored and it was created an area to an art gallery and another one to social gathering.

The complex most distinguished traces are the decorated ceilings, the great stained glass window with the inscription “Decus in Labore”, which means “Honor in Work”, and the enormous staircase that gives access to the first floor.

This bookstore was the scenery to some scenes of the Harry Potter movies, which is not unusual since J. K. Rowling lived for a few years in this Portuguese city.

Visit Oporto and lose yourself at the Livraria Lello http://www.travel-tailors.com/detalhado/lang_en