J. Gafarot's photos with the keyword: Vila Viçosa

Vila Viçosa in South Country Chapel

Oratories seem to have found their origin in chapels built at the shrines of martyrs, for the faithful to assemble and pray on the spot. The oldest extant oratory is the Archiepiscopal Chapel in Ravenna (c. 500). The term is often used of very small structures surviving from the first millennium, especially in areas where the monasticism of Celtic Christianity was dominant; in these cases it may represent an archaeological guess as to function, in the absence of better evidence. And because they still believe the feet of the saints shall not touch the Earth . . . PiP . . .

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Leonardo da Vinci.

Water reservoir of Vila Viçosa. Colours of the Alentejo The color of the buildings is one of the parameters that contributes to the definition of the identity of a place because it reflects the specific cultural values of the territory in which the dwellings are inserted and of the society that inhabited it over time. In this context, historic centers, are, in general, subject to more stringent rules but not always ... Rigorous construction and maintenance, are important sources of information on materials and pictorial techniques traditionally employed. In Alentejo, the early preference shown by Municipal legislation for the use of lime - in painting exterior elevations and maintaining them - now allows to analyze the pigments that made up the chromatic palette The urban agglomerations. In the historic nuclei of the 47 municipalities of the province of Alentejo, spread over the districts of Beja, Évora, Portalegre and Setúbal, there are still many traces of whitewashing and pigmented bars, especially in buildings that are uninhabited or that have been maintained with few means. . From the observation of these buildings, we can see the importance that color has achieved in traditional finishes and we conclude that, contrary to what is suggested by the current stereotyped urban image of Alentejo, the colour keeps as much as possible still limited to the famous ocher and blue bars.

Olive trees.

Manuelino antigo. You are welcome dear friends and visitors for I intend to wish you a very happy weekend.

The sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis) originated in Asia, more precisely in southern China and were brought by the Portuguese in the sec.XVI who also took them to Brazil, Africa, etc. wherever they went with his ships. (The Spaniards also have oranges) but they are bitter and are used mainly for the celebrated British orange candy. Portuguese oranges, because of their sweetness, are well known. The mercies of support to the needy were created from the end of sec.XV until sec.XVII and were linked to Military and Religious Orders and Brotherhoods of masters or to simple individuals such as rich merchants, etc., but also due to the devotion of Kings and Queens and other people of the Nobility and high Clergy. Thus the production of all the street orange trees was forbidden to be touched because their end was only allowed and set to those Institutions.

Jardim Poente.

Fruit-laden orange trees. They refresh, with shade and perfume, the broadest squares and streets of the city. And splash green and orange the predominantly white background of whitewashed walls and marble sidewalk. The visitor most concerned with the uneasiness may wonder why the inhabitants do not catch them for food. “They are harvested to give to children in schools,” by tradition. Before, there was even a fine for those who picked them.

Ipomoe batatas Sidney Bechet's Petite Fleur link is here : www.youtube.com/watch?v=REYLNs0rh-g

Palace Garden.

Palace garden

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Paço Ducal, House of Bragança.

Palácio Ducal.

Vila Viçosa became a fiefdom of the Dukes of Bragança when Fernando I of Bragança succeeded his father Afonso, 1st Duke of Bragança, and received the title of Count of Arraiolos from his grandfather, Nuno Alvares Pereira. Fernando I established his seat at the primitive Vila Viçosa Castle. However, following the 1483 execution of his son, Fernando II, 3rd Duke of Bragança, for treason by order of King John II of Portugal, the family was exiled to the Kingdom of Castile.