J. Gafarot's photos

It is believed that the occupation of the site dates back to prehistory, according to ceramic fragments recovered by archaeological research. From the period of Roman occupation, when the first defense of the village is believed to date, coins were collected and Latin inscriptions were identified in two stonework. This primitive defense would have been increased in the following centuries, successively by Visigoths and Muslims. At the time of the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, with the forces of D. Afonso Henriques (1112-85) advancing to the Tagus river line, Porto de Mós became a strategic point in the defense of Leiria and Coimbra. Conquered in 1148, tradition refers to the illustrious D. Fuas Roupinho as its Mayor. A short time later, the Moors reconquered this castle, and D. Fuas managed to escape and then retake it definitively.

Those were the good times.

Kiasma The Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma is part of the Finnish National Gallery. The Finnish National Gallery is Finland’s largest art museum organisation. Its activities are governed by the National Gallery Act. Kiasma organises exhibitions, performances and events. Public programming in Kiasma makes contemporary art accessible to everyone. Its services range from colour play for toddlers to art workshops for grownups to guided tours and events. Kiasma’s extensive educational programming integrates contemporary art into schoolwork.

Filling it up with the fashionable kW/Hour ? What a pity these new ways . . .

Domus Municipalis of Sintra.

19th century building with a regional appearance, with a patio populated with works of art. A wide staircase gives access to the upper floor. It was built in 1895, century. XIX, project by the architect José Teixeira Lopes, for residence and sculpture workshop. It is currently the House-Museum, holding valuable works of art and an important collection of bronze, marble and plaster models by Teixeira Lopes (1866-1942).

Wish all the Visitors and Friends one Happy Monday if we still know the how to. . .

The mallard or mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is an anseriform bird that inhabits temperate and sub-tropical areas of North America, Europe and Asia. The species has strong sexual dimorphism, with males having an iridescent green head and gray wings and belly, while females have speckled brown plumage. Better seen in black if you please.

Bottled Souvenirs in view . . .

FINNISH PARLIAMENT In 1923 a competition was held to choose a site for a new parliament house. Arkadianmäki, a hill beside what is now Mannerheimintie, was chosen as the best site for it. The architectural competition which was held in 1924 was won by the firm of Borg–Sirén–Åberg with a proposal called Oratoribus (Latin for "for the speakers"). Johan Sigfrid Sirén (1889–1961), who was mainly responsible for preparing the proposal, was given the task of designing Parliament House. The building was constructed 1926–1931 and was officially inaugurated on March 7, 1931. Ever since then, and especially during the Winter War and Continuation War, it has been the scene of many key moments in the nation's political life.

Broas. Broa is a type of corn and wheat bread traditionally made in Portugal, with a mixture of corn and wheat flours or, particularly, corn and rye. The Portuguese broa usually has a dense crumb and a thick and crispy crust, around 30 cm in diameter, and has been introduced by the Visigoths or Suevi who called it brauþ (bread). Here they arrived still hot from the local baker's oven...

Jardim da Cerca

View Souvenirs.

Wish you my friends and visitors, one happy and peaceful new week to ALL . Here and there.

View from the South _ TWO detail PiPs

Mértola. Too hot for us.

Para a Helena, que não a conhecia . . . To Helena.

Cabo Sardão Between Almograve and Zambujeira do Mar is the westernmost point of the Alentejo coast. Guarded by a lighthouse, sentry to Cabo Sardão, this is a place of absolute reconciliation with the land and sea landscape. Here, the world slows down almost to a stop. The daytime breeze makes you forget about worries, rushes and bad moods. Here everything is relative. All that matters is the communion of the senses and the sound of the waves. 37° 35′ 55″ N, 8° 48′ 58″ O