Portugal at last!
May 22nd, 2022, 06:59 AM
#202
Original Poster
We left Marvão and the Alentejo and arrived in Tomar. Leaving the Alentejo was hard, with it’s beautiful and evocative landscape. We were in Tomar for 3 nights, and my first impression was not that great, as we arrived in the middle of the siesta time and everything was closed down. But over the time we were there, Tomar grew on me, and I became taken by this small but quirky town with the remarkable Castle of the Knights Templar and Convent of Christ on top of the hill.
We arrrived during an end of year student party! Different divisions each had their own truck, driving round the city, ending in the Praça da Republica, where they went a little wild (but just a little!).
A plug for the wonderful Thomar Boutique hotel. This was one of the most charming places to stay, with friendly and helpful staff, in a well-managed place. Highly recommend!
Rio Nabão
Praça da República
View up Rua Serpa Pinto, the Main Street of the old town, looking up to the castle
Along Rua Serpa Pinto
Interior of the synagogue, the oldest in Portugal
View from our hotel terrace window
The old and the new - medieval arch absorbed into a building
Backstreets of Tomar
Students on parade!
Students party!
Love this mural!
We arrrived during an end of year student party! Different divisions each had their own truck, driving round the city, ending in the Praça da Republica, where they went a little wild (but just a little!).
A plug for the wonderful Thomar Boutique hotel. This was one of the most charming places to stay, with friendly and helpful staff, in a well-managed place. Highly recommend!
Rio Nabão
Praça da República
View up Rua Serpa Pinto, the Main Street of the old town, looking up to the castle
Along Rua Serpa Pinto
Interior of the synagogue, the oldest in Portugal
View from our hotel terrace window
The old and the new - medieval arch absorbed into a building
Backstreets of Tomar
Students on parade!
Students party!
Love this mural!
May 22nd, 2022, 03:05 PM
#204
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Your photos of my favorite eagle's nest, Marvão, are just stunning! Glad you got to enjoy the students' party in Tomar. Those murals are great.
(There's a famous and very colorful festa in Tomar that I'd like to witness sometime, the Festa dos Tabuleiros, but it only happens every 4 years in July (next one is July 1-10, 2023).
I love the photo of the synagogue ceiling!
(There's a famous and very colorful festa in Tomar that I'd like to witness sometime, the Festa dos Tabuleiros, but it only happens every 4 years in July (next one is July 1-10, 2023).
I love the photo of the synagogue ceiling!
May 22nd, 2022, 08:49 PM
#205
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Photos from Marvão: you can see "Serra da Estrela"
Synagogue: those holes at the wall, at the corners, have pitchers (Jarrs?) inside the wall - it was the amplification system.
I know everybody says the same, but... Wow! Great pics!
Synagogue: those holes at the wall, at the corners, have pitchers (Jarrs?) inside the wall - it was the amplification system.
I know everybody says the same, but... Wow! Great pics!
May 22nd, 2022, 11:52 PM
#206
Original Poster
Helena, Maribel, Aidelaidean, thank you for such nice words!
Helena, there’s no such thing as hearing (or reading) too many “Wow!”s. It makes it worthwhile to know people are enjoying the photos. We didn’t know what we were seeing from the top of Marvão but it was all stunning! And it’s interesting to know we could see the Serra da Estrela.
Mariibel, Marvão was just unbelievable! Definitely a “pinch me” kind of place. I half wished we were there for a second night, but you are right, it only needs one night. It’s just such a spectacular place that I wanted to stay and soak in the ambience - but it was just perfect, especially with the long morning walk. What a special place. And Tomar is a delight, though in a very quiet sort of way. I would love to see the Festa dos Tabuleiros - the photos of it look amazing. But I’ll just have to enjoy those pix.
Aidelaidean, I will have more photos to post soon for your morning coffee!
Helena, there’s no such thing as hearing (or reading) too many “Wow!”s. It makes it worthwhile to know people are enjoying the photos. We didn’t know what we were seeing from the top of Marvão but it was all stunning! And it’s interesting to know we could see the Serra da Estrela.
Mariibel, Marvão was just unbelievable! Definitely a “pinch me” kind of place. I half wished we were there for a second night, but you are right, it only needs one night. It’s just such a spectacular place that I wanted to stay and soak in the ambience - but it was just perfect, especially with the long morning walk. What a special place. And Tomar is a delight, though in a very quiet sort of way. I would love to see the Festa dos Tabuleiros - the photos of it look amazing. But I’ll just have to enjoy those pix.
Aidelaidean, I will have more photos to post soon for your morning coffee!
May 23rd, 2022, 09:29 AM
#207
Original Poster
Ahh….Tomar may be a small town, but the extraordinary Convento de Cristo, the headquarters of the Knights Templar, makes it unique. The structure, with its many chapels, cloisters and choirs, filled with gorgeous tiles and decorated in many styles, including the rich Manueline design, is a film set made in heaven! In fact, when we were there, a film shoot WAS taking place (look for “Damsel” sometime next year!).
Forgive the many photos - it’s just too beautiful!
Forgive the many photos - it’s just too beautiful!
May 23rd, 2022, 02:30 PM
#210
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Progol, IMHO this just now was your best set of imagery yet. I alerted my NY friend about your TR, especially the Marvao section. He just got back, saying how much he enjoyed the shots and the memories. We once got lost looking for Marvao, and kept getting confused by poor signage. Can recall a 'Castello or Cavallo Blanco' nearby, no?
I am done. the monopod
I am done. the monopod
May 23rd, 2022, 06:55 PM
#212
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Progol, I think you are on your way to Alcobaça? Well, of course you are going to visit the monastery there (Mosteiro de Alcobaça). I can't wait to see our pics from the kitchen! It's my dream kitchen, even more than the kitchen of "Palácio Nacional" in Sintra, that one with the big chymneys. This one has a river going through (well... not exactly... just a channel of water from the river). and the chymney is astonishing!
When someone mentions "Mosteiro de Alcobaça", what comes to mind of everybody is that it is the place where the graves of D. Pedro and D. Inês de Castro are. To my mind, what comes 1st is the kitchen. Anyway, D. Pedro was Prince of Portugal, and D. Inês was his mistress, the love story happened in Coimbra, The King, (D. Afonso IV, father of D. Pedro) decided to murder D. Inês (she was spanish, well, long story). When D. Pedro became King, he made D. Inês (dead) Queen, and at her coronation people had to kiss the hand of the corps (the dead body). Creepy!
When someone mentions "Mosteiro de Alcobaça", what comes to mind of everybody is that it is the place where the graves of D. Pedro and D. Inês de Castro are. To my mind, what comes 1st is the kitchen. Anyway, D. Pedro was Prince of Portugal, and D. Inês was his mistress, the love story happened in Coimbra, The King, (D. Afonso IV, father of D. Pedro) decided to murder D. Inês (she was spanish, well, long story). When D. Pedro became King, he made D. Inês (dead) Queen, and at her coronation people had to kiss the hand of the corps (the dead body). Creepy!
May 24th, 2022, 12:16 AM
#213
Original Poster
thursdaysd, TDudette, zebec, HelenaFatima, thanks so much for still following and for your kind words!
thursdaysd, I hope you are traveling again - I’ve no doubt you would love Tomar and the Convento de Cristo. As well as the other wonderful places!
TDudette, that is such a sweet thing to say! I do need to add that my husband and I share the photo-taking and many of these are his, too. I can’t take all the credit!😉
zebec, I’m glad to know this is being spread far and wide, including in my home town of NY (I’m assuming you mean the city, of course). It makes me feel good that you’re enjoying these photos, too.
Helena, I do have a beautiful photo of that chimney, though I admit, too, by the time we arrived at Alcobaça, we were both a little photo-fatigued. So much visual stimulation between the 3 places that it’s definitely overwhelming. I hope to post those later today. Of course, I’m still days behind, and today we’re leaving Coimbra and off to the Douro Valley!
thursdaysd, I hope you are traveling again - I’ve no doubt you would love Tomar and the Convento de Cristo. As well as the other wonderful places!
TDudette, that is such a sweet thing to say! I do need to add that my husband and I share the photo-taking and many of these are his, too. I can’t take all the credit!😉
zebec, I’m glad to know this is being spread far and wide, including in my home town of NY (I’m assuming you mean the city, of course). It makes me feel good that you’re enjoying these photos, too.
Helena, I do have a beautiful photo of that chimney, though I admit, too, by the time we arrived at Alcobaça, we were both a little photo-fatigued. So much visual stimulation between the 3 places that it’s definitely overwhelming. I hope to post those later today. Of course, I’m still days behind, and today we’re leaving Coimbra and off to the Douro Valley!
May 24th, 2022, 09:21 AM
#214
Thanks for asking, progol, but sadly, no. I'm immuno-compromised and even with four shots and LabCorp claiming I have adequate antibodies I don't feel safe traveling. I am still avoiding indoor dining and wearing a mask to grocery shop. I have to travel vicariously right now, so many thanks for the TR and photos.
May 24th, 2022, 09:21 AM
#215
Original Poster
