Portugal, The City of Tiles

LISBON, PORTUGAL

On Thursday October 12th, my friend Maddy and I took off on a 6:40 am flight to Portugal. Getting to the airport at 4 am was not fun, but being able to spend those extra hours in Portugal was a 110 % worth it! When we got to our hostel around 10 am they agreed to let us store our stuff in the hostel closet because our room was not ready yet.

After that we took a walking tour by a free tour guide stopping at all the hostels (he asked for tips at the end). On the tour, we walked down the streets of Portugal learning about the history of the city, the foods we need to try, and of course about the architecture.

The streets in Portugal are extremely hilly so it gives you a leg work out, but that leg pain is worth the beautiful views. The hills make Portugal the most beautiful country I have ever been to. (granted I have only been to 4 so far) .Below is a picture of the hill we had to walk up every night to get back to our hostel.

Through the multitude of street art, we learned about the history of the city. Portugal was originally a part of Spain but then gained its independence and became the first country in Europe to have defined boarders. In 1755, the city of Lisbon was destroyed by a giant earth quake. About 80% of the city was in ruins, and to make matters worse after the earth quake a tsunami happened because Lisbon is near the water. Then after that a fire destroyed the whole city because it was a holiday and a lot of candles were lit! The murals inside the archway below told the stories of the city.

The only 2 things to really survive from before the earthquake was the old church that sat on top of a high hill, and the old Roman aqueduct. Both structures made of solid stone. Below are sketches and pictures of the church. The church did survive, but the roof fell in, so now you only see the bare bone structure of the church ceiling. They turned the place into a museum for visitors to visit now instead of a functioning church.

Roman aqueduct below:

Because of the earthquake in 1755, multiple city planners were brought in to work on the city in the 1800’s to make many public plazas. This city has a lot more open places than Barcelona, and I very much enjoy them. Though a lot of Lisbon was recreated in the 1800’s they still have a lot of beautiful modern buildings down by the river were the 1998 world’s fair took place. To enter the 1998 world’s fair visitors would come by boat, train, buss, plane, and any form of transportation they could. One of the main entrances to the world’s fair was the Gare do Oriente train station designed by Santiago Calatrava. This train station combines modern metal building techniques with Gothic style arches, and organic palm tree like columns because palm trees were brought to Portugal during the time of the world fair. Pictures of the train station below.

Since the 1998 world’s fair many other modern buildings have developed by the water. One of my favorite modern places to newer places that we visited in Portugal was the Berardo Collection Museum in Portugal. The museum was curated extremely well! It housed work by multiple of my favorite artist included Salvador Dali, and Richard Serra. Serra's work titled, "Point load" plays with the balance of heavy materials. By studying his work I think that architects could learn a lot about form, balance, and experience. Over these next 7 months I know I will be seeing much more of his work, and learning a lot more from it.

SINTRA, PORTUGAL

During one of our 4 days in Portugal Maddy and I went to Sintra to visit the castles.

Waiting in line to get on a bus to go to the castles was a little like waiting in line at Disney Land to ride Space Mountain, but like riding Space Mountain the wait was worth it. (much more worth it in my opinion) The views from each castle were unforgettable. The first castle we went to the National Palace of Sintra. A palace with many Gothic, Moorish, and Renaissance elements. I could get amazing overhead views of this castle from the ramparts of the Castel of Mouros.

The Castel of Mouros was a military fort built around the 10th century by the Muslim population. It was then taken over by Kind Ferdinand who striped the castle of many of the Muslim elements. He still used the Castle as a military stronghold as they did. He also used it as a place to enjoy the views of Pena, and practice his amateur painting skills. As you can see from my picture below, you can see the entire Palace of Pena from the ramparts.

(Me grabbing the wall so I don't fall below. Codes are much different in Europe then they are in the US to preserve the buildings as they are)

Like the king, the next castle I went to was the Palace of Pena. The palace was magically. If there were not so many other tourists around I would feel like I was in a tropical fairytale. All the walls inside the palace were covered with tiles. It is also the palace that made me realize that a lot of Portugal uses primary colors to design its city. A large majority of the buildings here are shades of blue, yellow, and red. AND I LOVE IT!

It was sad to leave Portugal. The place was so beautiful, and made me wish I lived in a pink house as well. I hope to visit again after I finish my education…. Maybe even on the boat pictured below. You see those on the water a lot in Portugal.

Advice to anyone who wants to visit Portugal

If you ever visit Portugal, something I highly recommend to do, there are a few things you need to know.

1. Eat the pastry, and drink the cherry liquor. They are known for pastel de nata, and a cherry liquor that they make nowhere else in the world. Also try the fish (SOOO good) They are known for sardines as well. They actually have a city-wide sardine design contest.

2. Admire all the tiles. The city is covered in them. Originally, they only did it on the inside, but then after the earth quake that changed. I coincidentally brought an outfit that matched all the tiles.

1. Stay at the Old Town Hostel in Lisbon. They had great service!

2. Shorts are a must! It’s hot!

3. Take in the beautiful views. It is truly a stunning place.