Architecture, Sintra

Visit the luxurious gardens and greenhouses, bridges, statues, waterfalls and fountains that make Monserrate one of the must-visit places on your stay in Lisbon. https://www.visitlisboa.com/see-do/sightseeing-activities/museums-monuments/monserrate-palace-and-gardens

Inaugurated in September 2009, the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego is the result of the combined efforts and strong determination shown by both the Cascais Municipal Council and the artist herself, who lived for a long time in Estoril. The museum space was designed by the 2011 Pritzker Award-winning architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, and comprises 750 m2 of exhibition areas, an auditorium, café, terrace, garden and a shop selling original merchandise. The collection consists of the donation of all of the artist’s engraving work and a set of drawings by Paula Rego almost completely unseen before the museum’s opening, further complemented by the loan, over a ten-year period, of her private collection, which includes paintings and drawings from different periods in her 50-year career as an artist, as well as some works produced by her late husband, Victor Willing, an artist and art critic. Besides the Collection, which is exhibited on a rotational basis, the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego also organises Temporary Exhibitions and a parallel programme of different events (conferences, talks, films and documentaries), as well as benefiting from an Educational Service with a wide range of activities aimed at different audiences. https://www.visitportugal.com/en/NR/exeres/823AA52F-7A2C-4573-8244-9F04407B6C82

The Jerónimos Monastery was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. This notable 16th century work of architecture became part of Portuguese identity and culture. https://www.visitlisboa.com/see-do/sightseeing-activities/museums-monuments/mosteiro-dos-jeronimos

The Praça do Giraldo is the main central plaza of Evora and is the heart of the city. The square is lined by exquisite examples of 16th century Gothic architecture, while the simplistic Igreja de Santo Antao stands at one end of the square. http://www.evora-portugal.com/Guides/Evora-sights-attractions-sightseeing-things-to-see.html

The bone chapel is the most ghoulish sight of Portugal and thus one of the most memorable monuments of Evora. Inside the small chapel, the walls are lined with bones of the long-deceased, exhumed from the city's graves as the city expanded to allow further burials. http://www.evora-portugal.com/Guides/Evora-sights-attractions-sightseeing-things-to-see.html

Evora was an important Roman trading town, so it is fitting that the city's finest monument is a beautiful preserved Roman temple. The Diana Temple is regarded as the best preserved Roman structure on the Iberian Peninsula, but it has had an eventful history since Roman occupation. http://www.evora-portugal.com/Guides/Evora-sights-attractions-sightseeing-things-to-see.html

Suspension bridge just outside of Portimao which caries the main EN125 road over the River Arade https://www.travel-in-portugal.com/photos/portimao-suspension-bridge.htm

12th-century Almohad monument. This is known as the Watchtower or Alpéndiz Tower. The Espantaperros Tower is in the eastern part of the Citadel and is a watchtower. It has an octagonal plan Most of the tower is solid, apart from its two upper chambers. http://www.spain.info/en_IN/que-quieres/arte/monumentos/badajoz/torre_de_espantaperros.html

The Jesus Monastery in Aveiro is one of the city’s most important historical buildings and is well worth a visit if you are in the city for a few days. The Jesus Monastery is located right in the heart of the city, opposite to the cathedral and close to many of the city’s major attractions, including the lagoon, Forum Aveiro, the fish market, and the lovely green, park areas. http://www.ezportugal.com/aveiro-portugal/attractions-aveiro-portugal/jesus-monastery-aveiro

The Sao Domingos Church, in Aveiro, was founded in 1423 and went on to be remodelled significantly in the 16th and 17th centuries. Located right in the heart of the city, this attractive cathedral is not to be missed as you spend your time sightseeing in and around the city centre http://www.ezportugal.com/aveiro-portugal/attractions-aveiro-portugal/cathedral-aveiro-portugal

The pink Estoi Palace is the finest example of Rococo architecture found within the Algarve, while the carefully maintained grounds contain beautiful Azulejos tiles. http://www.algarve-tourist.com/Faro-portugal-guide.html

The strangest sight of Faro, which is hidden away from the main tourist route, is the Capela Dos Ossos, the bone chapel. The bones of the overcrowded cemeteries were stored in the small chapel that is located within the Carmo church complex. These bones were incorporated into the designs of the chapel, with skulls lining the walls – very strange and creepy. http://www.algarve-tourist.com/Faro-portugal-guide.html

Seen from far, the towers of the cathedral are a reference point for those visiting the city of Viseu.The current cathedral was built next to an ancient Swabian-Visigoth temple possibly dating back to the 10th century during which the city was the capital to a large territory between the Douro and Mondego rivers. http://www.centerofportugal.com/viseu-cathedral-se/

A National Monument, the Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace) is the property and headquarters of the Commercial Association of Porto. It was designed by Joaquim da Costa Lima in a neoclassical style in 1842. http://www.visitporto.travel/visitar/paginas/viagem/DetalhesPOI.aspx?POI=1781

Porto, a World Heritage Site, is an old, intense and authentic city of an exquisite architectural and landscape value. Visit its historical centre and enjoy a glass of one of the most appreciated wines in the world. http://visitportoandnorth.travel/Porto-and-the-North/Visit/Artigos/Port-wine-cellars-and-Porto-s-historical-centre

Imposing 12th century castle built on the site of earlier fortifications. The castle was the official royal residence from 1139 until the 13th century. Now classified by UNESCO, as World Heritage https://www.travel-in-portugal.com/attractions/guimaraes-castle.htm

Built between 1070 and 1093 on the remains of a Roman temple the Sé has had many facelifts over the years. The present day styling is a mixture of the Gothic and Baroque. Inside is a museum with a collection of relics https://www.travel-in-portugal.com/attractions/braga-cathedral.htm

Located in a 16th century manor house, the museum has a permanent collection of furniture, ceramics, glass and clocks displayed in situ to recreate the decor of an 18th century manor house https://www.travel-in-portugal.com/attractions/biscainhos-museum.htm

The Salvador is a religious temple for Roman Catholic worship under the patronage of Our Lord San Salvador, located in the Plaza del Salvador in Seville and is the largest church in the city, after the Cathedral. Deprived of its parish ranking after the latest restoration work, it currently functions as an exempt church, within the parish jurisdiction of San Isidro. https://www.visitasevilla.es/en/church-of-the-divine-salvador

The Casa de Pilatos is a combination of Italian Renaissance styles and the Spanish Mudejar style. It is considered a prototype Andalusian palace. Construction of the palace began in 1483, at the initiative and desire of Pedro Enríquez de Quiñones (IV Adelantado Mayor of Andalusia) and his second wife, Catherine de Ribera, the founders of the Casa de Alcalá. https://www.visitasevilla.es/en/la-casa-pilatos

In 1264 the troops of Alfonso X conquer Jerez definitively to the Muslims. At that time, the monarch gave the Dominicans a military building of Islamic origin located in front of the door of Seville, to found their convent there. The first century of existence of the monastery of Santo Domingo had to be very hard, since the attacks by the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada and its North African allies were constant. The convent of Santo Domingo remained a united group until 1835, when the different confiscations of the liberal governments of Isabel's reign decreed the exclaustration and seizure of the assets of the convent. Although the church remained open to worship, the cloisters were sold. In the beginning, the owners were Los González, an important family of winemakers from Santander Mountain, who installed here the so-called Museum of Santo Domingo, a kind of trinket in which works of art, furniture and other decorative objects were sold. Then the complex became the property of the Díez family, who installed a cellar in the old bedroom and made a series of somewhat aggressive works with the monument. Los Dietros sold Los Claustros to the Rumasa holding company, which was expropriated in 1983, becoming the property of the City Council, which used it as cultural equipment for years. In 1999 the complex was closed for restoration, reopening its doors in 2012. http://www.turismojerez.com/index.php/en/what-to-visit-in-jerez/culture-3/jerez-monumental-secular-monuments/item/1455-los-claustros-de-santo-domingo?catid=102

The long period of time over which it was built caused a variety of styles to be integrated into the structure of this cathedral. It was built as a Collegiate Church, since Jerez did not have a bishopric until 1980. Building began in 1695 and lasted until 1778. Participating architects included Diego Moreno Meléndez, Rodrigo del Pozo, Diego Díaz, Juan de Pina, Torcuato Cayón de la Vega, Juan de Vargas and Pedro Ángel de Albizu. The building has a rectangular plan, with five naves. It is Baroque in style. http://www.spainisculture.com/en/monumentos/cadiz/catedral_de_jerez_de_la_frontera.html

The Alcázar de Jerez one of the most emblematic monuments of the city. Located in the southeast corner of the walled enclosure, forming a complex defensive system with the walls, towers and gates. The term alcazar, comes from Arabic, al-qasr and defines a set of buildings, surrounded by walls, which were the seat of political and military power. Fortress-palace with autonomous operation, a small city, seat of power that governed the city and its territory. From the original Islamic fortress, the two doors are preserved; the mosque, the Arab baths; the octagonal tower and the Pavilion of the Doña Blanca patio, located at the foot of this tower. http://www.turismojerez.com/index.php/en/what-to-visit-in-jerez/culture-3/museums-and-heritage-centres/item/334-conjunto-monumental-del-alc%C3%A1zar-y-camara-oscura/334-conjunto-monumental-del-alc%C3%A1zar-y-camara-oscura

Bertemati Palace is located at Plaza del Arroyo 50 and 51. http://www.turismojerez.com/index.php/en/what-to-visit-in-jerez/culture-3/jerez-monumental-buildings/item/1480-palacio-bertemati?catid=101

The O Castro site is Vigo’s archaeological site par excellence: this was the origin of what is now the largest city in Galicia, between the second century BC and the third century AD. When you step on the stones of this museum site, the O Castro de Vigo. A Orixe da cidade, you’ll discover where the first inhabitants of Vigo lived. The Castro is a 1 mile² archaeological site that includes the reconstruction of three castreño buildings pertaining to one of the largest and most evolved towns in Galicia. This small part of the Vigo oppidum shows us how people lived in castros 2,000 years ago. http://www.turismodevigo.org/en/o-castro-site

Salamanca University was founded in 1218, and gained great prestige outside Spain as a centre for teaching and culture. http://www.spain.info/en_IN/que-quieres/arte/monumentos/salamanca/universidad_de_salamanca.html

The Old Cathedral is in the Romanesque style with the outstanding Gallo Tower. Inside this temple, the construction of which began at the end of the 12th century, is the San Martín or Oil Chapel. The main reredos, which dates from the 15th century and was created by several painters with Dello Delli at the head, is also worthy of note. http://www.spain.info/en_IN/que-quieres/arte/monumentos/salamanca/catedrales_de_salamanca.html

One of the most beautiful squares in Spain. It was built in Baroque style according to the plans of Alberto Churriguera. On the north side is the City Hall, a Baroque building that has five granite arches and a steeple decorated with allegoric figures. http://www.spain.info/en_IN/que-quieres/arte/monumentos/salamanca/plaza_mayor_de_salamanca.html

Classified as a national monument, nobody is quite sure what this unusual 12th century building was for! Built in a Romanesque style the building forms an irregular pentagon with a subterranean vaulted cistern https://www.travel-in-portugal.com/attractions/domus-municipalis.htm

13th century citadel surrounded by 15 towers. In the centre is the 33 metre high keep, the Torre de Menagem https://www.travel-in-portugal.com/attractions/braganca-castle.htm

The Caliph Abd al-Rahman III was a great promoter of culture and a skilful politician who transformed his dominions into the most prosperous lands in the West at the time, comparable only with Baghdad and Byzantium. The city of Medina Azahara has a practically rectangular floor plan. It was built on raked terraces which made use of the slope of the mountainside. Each terrace was separated from the others by walls, which divided the city into three parts. The Alcázar Real palace is located on the highest and intermediate levels, while the lower part stood outside the walls and was used for dwellings and the mosque. There are still remnants of tiled borders, paintings and columns in the composite and Corinthian styles. Visitors should not miss a visit to the two recently restored rooms. It was declared a National Monument in 1923. To conclude the visit, the archaeological site also has a visitor centre which serves as a starting point for the tour. The centre is located underground in the style of an archaeological site, and features a collection of exhibits from the most important periods in the history of Medina Azahara. The tour of the visitor centre lasts about one hour and includes audiovisual shows, and continues with a visit to the archaeological site (which can be reached by bus from the same building). https://www.spain.info/en/que-quieres/arte/monumentos/cordoba/medina_azahara.html

This building was the royal residence of the Christian monarchs and subsequently the site of the Courts of the Holy Offices, a civil prison, and finally a military prison. It is set among magnificent gardens, including the garden known as the Avenue of the Monarchs which features statues of all the monarchs who had connections with the palace-fortress. It was declared a Historical Monument in 1931. The building is also part of the area declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1994. Since 1986, its gardens have been protected by town planning laws. It stands on top of the remains of the former caliph's palace. http://www.spain.info/en_IN/que-quieres/arte/monumentos/cordoba/alcazar_de_los_reyes_cristianos.html

The Great Mosque of Cordoba is a mixture of architectural styles superimposed on one another over the nine centuries its construction and renovations lasted. Standing in the historic centre, it is one of the most beautiful examples of Muslim art in Spain. It was built in 785 by the Muslim emir Abdurrahman I, on the site of the ancient Visigoth church of San Vicente. The mosque underwent consecutive extensions over later centuries. Abdurrahman III had a new minaret built whilst in 961 Al-Hakam II extended the ground plan and decorated the "mihrab" (prayer niche). The last renovation was carried out by Al-Mansur in 987. As a result, the interior resembles a labyrinth of beautiful columns with double arcades and horseshoe arches. After the Christian conquest in 1523, the cathedral was built inside, and features highlights such as the main altarpiece, the Baroque altarpiece and the mahogany choir stalls. The "mihrab" is considered one of the most important in the Muslim world, and is the finest piece in the mosque. The decoration is Byzantine mosaic with crafted marble. The courtyard of the Orange Trees leads to the complex. http://www.spain.info/en_IN/que-quieres/arte/monumentos/cordoba/mezquita_de_cordoba.html