PORTUGAL - Porto, Braga, Guimarães, Coimbra, Batalha, Fatima and Mealhada
Arriving in Portugal and leaving his thought: "Now I understand why Brazil is how it is!" What's the difference? The age and hence the cultural relics that accompany it. Although the first impression is that I say this with critical tone, it is not 100%!
I understand we have many problems that are consequences of our process of colonization, but also that we are as we are because of this too! The mental confusion that put into words mean? Means that, despite everything bad that we inherited, we have one of the most expressive and charitable people in the world, as well as the Portuguese are in the vast majority. Living in Germany I met a very organized compared to ours, cities and field trips (they seem to lie), but people (not all but most) are cooler, individualistic and indifferent to the others. When I compare these realities into my values, I am Brazil from ten to zero! For me the most important anywhere in the world, are the people! It is the feeling that they emanate and the feeling that arises in me for them! Beautiful landscapes are meant to observe, photograph and admire, but difficult to replace a brotherly hug!
Finally, we visited the following locations in Portugal: Porto, Braga, Guimaraes, Coimbra, Batalha, Fatima and Aveiro. I'll try to summarize below the main points of each city, no big news, after all urban tourism is always saved by the companies, which incidentally were wonderful!
* Porto - Patrimonio Unesco
The port is the center of most populated urban area of Portugal and ninth largest in Europe. It is a prosperous city and known as the Northern Capital City or Invicta. It arises from pre-Roman settlement. In Roman times is designated or Portus Cale, Cale, and the origin of the name of Portugal.
How sightseeing highlights are the Tower of the Clerics and the Serralves Foundation, an art museum contemporary. The Centro Historico is patrimony of humanity, classified by UNESCO. The area of the mouth, is another highly touristic area, and many considered the most beautiful area of town.
The city of Porto has several spaces of cultural references in the region and nationally. Among the several museums of the city, stands the Museum of Contemporary Art, Casa do Infante, dating from the thirteenth century was born and where Prince Henry.
The typical local dishes are the Tripe Porto, historical and dish dating back to the height of the Portuguese discoveries. It also has the Codfish Gomes de Sa, and close to the drink that bears the name of the city: Port wine!
* Braga
The District of Braga is in the province of Minho. It's probably the biggest religious center of Portugal, known for its Baroque churches, the houses of the eighteenth century and elaborate gardens and parks. The old town is majestic and ancient.
Braga is known for its festivals and folk festivals and local cuisine.
The main landmarks include a cathedral in the twelfth century, the church of Santa Cruz dating from the seventeenth century and a library containing books and manuscripts, rare. On a hill about 5 km to the Southwest, stands the sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, which is visited on Whitsunday by thousands of pilgrims and is famous for its staircase of the eighteenth century.
* Guimaraes
Not far from the city of Guimaraes, known as the birthplace of the country, is undoubtedly a place to visit, not only for its glorious castle, but also by the still perfectly preserved medieval city block. Known in Roman times as Bracara Augusta and seat of the Portuguese episcopate twelfth century, the long history of Braga is visible in its monuments and churches, and perhaps still the main religious center of the country. The most splendid church is the cathedral, which displays various styles, from Romanesque to the Baroque.
Only the donjon, the Porta de Santiago and the Tower, the Tower of Saint Sebastian and the New Gate Tower survived until today.
Guimaraes, a town of medieval origin, has its roots in the remote century X. The Countess Mumadona Days after having been widowed, built on his homestead Vimaranes - today Guimaraes - a monastery. The constant attacks by the Moors and Normans leads to the need to build a fortress to guard and defend the monks and the Christian community who live around them. It becomes the original castle.
In a dominant position overlooking the Campo de Sao Mamede, this monument is bound the founding of the County of Portugal and the struggles of the independence of Portugal, popularly known as cradle of nationality. Classified as a National Monument in 2007 was elected informamelmente one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.
Says the little mouth that here was born the first king of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques. The sink where he says he was baptized is in the Romanesque chapel of the Church of St. Michael's Oliveira.
Coimbra *
Coimbra is known as the "City of Students" or "Lusa-Athens", mainly because one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe - the University of Coimbra (UC).
The great museum of Coimbra par excellence is the National Museum Machado de Castro, Paco installed in the old Episcopal city. Considered one of the most important museums in the country, has important collections of paintings, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics and textiles.
* Battle
Battle is a Portuguese town founded by King Joao I, along with the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitoria, to thank the supposed divine assistance granted victory in the Battle of Aljubarrota (August 14, 1385).
The Monastery of Batalha, officially Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitoria, was recognized as World Heritage by UNESCO, one of the most important European churches and is in perfect state of conservation. I personally was mesmerized with the time and with the delicacy of the craftsmanship in every detail done in this monastery. In some of our trips I visited many churches, especially on this trip to Portugal, but had nothing left me so positively impressed. Inside there is almost nothing as saints or the like. Incidentally, I think even so this monument has become even more beautiful! Her beauty is all in its structure, its stained glass windows and in its details completely different from any other work product of Catholic European empire. It's worth knowing too!
This monastery is the most striking symbol of the Avis dynasty.
* Fatima
Fatima has become world renowned for Marian apparitions to three shepherd children. The construction of the Santuario de Fatima brought development to the site, managing to be a city in July 1997.
Fatima has just won the fourth largest church in the world! You gotta see it to believe in size ... They fit about 9,000 people sitting! True ... there are costs to the tune of about 80 million EUROS! Detail, the entire amount is the result of donations of the faithful. Church in the "" Youropean "is another story ...
* Mealhada
Sitauda conveniently between the thermal centers of Luso and Curia, Mealhada is part of the Bairrada Wine Route. The best card is the poor man's Pig Roast, appearing on all restaurant menus in the region. Are served as an accompaniment to red wines from Bairrada, particularly the caste belonging to the Local Cooperative. Well, as I have trauma related to the killing of pigs, not eaten, but who ate ensures that is the real satisfaction!
We visit the "Caves of the Messiah," to understand a little about the manufacturing process the wines of the region and, obviously, for a wine bill on track in time to prove! At the end of the taste and sparkling wine, breaks, cachaca! When I visit these caves understand why there is so fresh in the art of drinking wine. If everyone knew the work it takes to manage a quality wine, no one would be drunk with good wine! Can not believe it!
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Portugal is my next trip for 2010.
I think with you, everything you said in the text ... ... ... ... ...
! For me the most important anywhere in the world, are the people! It is the feeling that they emanate and the feeling that arises in me for them! Beautiful landscapes are meant to observe, photograph and admire, but difficult to replace a brotherly hug ... ... ... ... ... ... ....
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