tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534456891096890422024-03-13T04:59:28.049-06:00The Overseas Adventures of Steven and Annie Berger August 13th through December 22nd, 2018This travel diary is a labor of love for our family and friends back home and around the world. Through Annie's posts you will see what we saw as we visited France (Paris and Lourdes), Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Spain, Andorra, Morocco (Tangier), Gibraltar, Portugal and the Netherlands (Amsterdam). Each year Annie writes a new diary so please click below to view previous trips. Remember to click on any picture to view a larger and clearer image.Steven Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09640530947960068248noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-91261452298505948262019-07-17T20:05:00.003-06:002019-08-07T07:04:12.298-06:0012/20: Last Day in Delightful Delft & A'dam's Red Light District!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>About three months ago </i><i>I returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow that really fun trip Down Under, here's a link to the newest blog: </i></span></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After traveling through much of Central Asia, most of Spain and some of Portugal and a couple of days in Amsterdam for the last four and a half months, here we were on our last day of the trip on a day trip to Delft, a city "laced with tranquil and picturesque canals and which could easily win the cuteness factor," according to <b>Rick Steves! </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">Delft was just a quick one hour train ride from downtown Amsterdam and, as it's sandwiched between the large cities of Rotterdam and The Hague, locals describe Delft as a 'small town' even though its population exceeded 100,000. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was an easy stroll toward the historic center where all the tourist sites we wanted to see except the porcelain factories were located. We hadn't got our fill of placid canals while in Amsterdam so were thrilled to encounter so many of them in Delft.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the end of the canal was the leaning, brick spire of the <b>Old Church</b> that we'd see more of in a few minutes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even after traipsing through much of Amsterdam the previous couple of days, we hadn't seen signs reminding bike owners not to park their bicycles up against shop windows. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the center of Delft's market square known as the <b>Markt</b> was the towering <b>New Church</b> which we'd also visit shortly! The look of the city was defined in 1536 after lightning struck the church spire caused a fire that destroyed two-thirds of Delft. Therefore everything Steven and I saw in the square ringing the church was built after the fire. During the Netherlands' Golden Age in the 17th century, Delft was a thriving market town with an economy based on textiles and breweries. Even now, Delft has 200 breweries who export 80 percent of its beer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Town Hall</b> was rebuilt in the 1620s in the Renaissance style after a fire. We could see it was a law court from <b>Lady Justice</b> and her scales on the facade. Above was the coat of arms with the red lion. Of the 17 states in the Spanish Netherlands, 7 seceded and created the Dutch Republic. One of these was Holland which contained Amsterdam and 85 percent of the newly independent nation’s economy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because the hall's tower was originally built around a prison, the latter needed to be built of heavy stone which was a potential problem in the marshy Delft soils. As this spot had a clay foundation, the town hall and thus the county seat were established here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Under the stone canopy was Delft's banner which featured a canal because that was what 'Delft' means. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even though it was a chilly and rather dreary day, coming to Delft on the Thursday turned out to be a perfect choice. I</span><span style="font-size: large;">t was decided long ago in the 16th century, there would be a market every Thursday every week and that tradition still held. T</span><span style="font-size: large;">here were three markets that day with a huge general market in the main square. Antiques and flowers were sold on side streets. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Markt, the historic center of Delft, was bookended by the 14th century New Church at one end and the 15th century Town Hall at the other. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Markt square was never renovated as it always had to be ready on a day’s notice to host a day’s funeral. That started after <b>William I of Orange</b> who was born in 1533 was assassinated in Delft. As the Spanish occupied his home city of <b>Breda,</b> he was instead buried in the New Church in Delft as have all subsequent members of the royal family or the House of Orange.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Market played a central role in life of the 17th century </span><span style="font-size: large;">Dutch painter <b>Johannes </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Vermeer</b> as his family moved to a home facing the square so the Market became his playground from the age of nine on. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The 2003 Oscar-winning film <i>Girl with a Pearl Earring, </i>filmed in Delft, was about a 16 year-old girl </span><span style="font-size: large;">played by </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Scarlett Johansson </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">who went to work as a maid</span><span style="font-size: large;"> in Vermeer's home played by </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Colin Firth</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> and posed for the famous painting of the same name.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The statue in the square was of <b>Hugo Grotius,</b> the Delft
native who was the first to establish international rules of the sea which
culminated in today’s maritime laws that the sea within the range of a cannonball
fired from one country’s shore was theirs and any waters beyond that were
international waters. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Above the Subway shop in the square was a Bible representing the first Dutch Bible that was printed in Delft in 1477 because the city's economic heritage was in printing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNmh79JnBdX_WBj-hndyu-OYyDWwt-2Xk74mpQa0FJcxEBVxR-iKOoV6mlh-Q0dEl7-txHaMIwyrRtjJf_WInIJvhTOWhS2XvlIQsK1PziLUaxBbMi-HXqpmNTgDtu81e0n601ypkWJJR/s1600/2018-12-20+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNmh79JnBdX_WBj-hndyu-OYyDWwt-2Xk74mpQa0FJcxEBVxR-iKOoV6mlh-Q0dEl7-txHaMIwyrRtjJf_WInIJvhTOWhS2XvlIQsK1PziLUaxBbMi-HXqpmNTgDtu81e0n601ypkWJJR/s320/2018-12-20+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How could you NOT want to eat a cupcake after reading this?!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiwdP0qRlNIrAk8TMtdG7l6_Ua1Kkdd3MrAM7FBoyj2xmD91E3Ry-JJg4KKORp-1TNgWD_vpuZDDzdS0kQ82sg2-btGTDmHThRsPcAetSAT8ImtbPuxcBQ2icc6gYby8h8-SSxKPgkwe6/s1600/2018-12-20+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiwdP0qRlNIrAk8TMtdG7l6_Ua1Kkdd3MrAM7FBoyj2xmD91E3Ry-JJg4KKORp-1TNgWD_vpuZDDzdS0kQ82sg2-btGTDmHThRsPcAetSAT8ImtbPuxcBQ2icc6gYby8h8-SSxKPgkwe6/s320/2018-12-20+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Waag </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">was the city’s medieval trading center with the weighing or customs house upstairs. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZC0C8I0sHBtFG5uUK7GjYj76rCA7oYpKqOklhygQMhSs1sigTNnCcHzLE_MWqu95iLGdlpYdzQPFQBh0iXOokyzJHn5QSi4wJ-mM5vG9OxR9XjiGlrZv9dfAQdtf5xr8AFNFrfs7cjcW/s1600/2018-12-20+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZC0C8I0sHBtFG5uUK7GjYj76rCA7oYpKqOklhygQMhSs1sigTNnCcHzLE_MWqu95iLGdlpYdzQPFQBh0iXOokyzJHn5QSi4wJ-mM5vG9OxR9XjiGlrZv9dfAQdtf5xr8AFNFrfs7cjcW/s320/2018-12-20+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJZF6aNRhUW14fOnQdIfLSRsu_27K-sKbUWNmU0wE7F5UR5fgRBqKNGowyu_FiEmXJ3TvBm8dLMvHceFNvMBMqbNBll_sIDrLwZYcdV3bBa5iZrhKTeFx6ZkERGf13xlnK5jMBzXU4hh1/s1600/2018-12-20+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJZF6aNRhUW14fOnQdIfLSRsu_27K-sKbUWNmU0wE7F5UR5fgRBqKNGowyu_FiEmXJ3TvBm8dLMvHceFNvMBMqbNBll_sIDrLwZYcdV3bBa5iZrhKTeFx6ZkERGf13xlnK5jMBzXU4hh1/s320/2018-12-20+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mXmiAo3GwSwQu3REgfknXxvFTodMnOtVGP5Uc6a1FniB98yQrGgaTep7uIFLRbkRbAOpdyUa1yIUa_tOU8Z3JTDD34BN6-2C-b2mKEbqaielda27UkeS7HSyj683RNI_vM7TNQ5IOlOq/s1600/2018-12-20+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mXmiAo3GwSwQu3REgfknXxvFTodMnOtVGP5Uc6a1FniB98yQrGgaTep7uIFLRbkRbAOpdyUa1yIUa_tOU8Z3JTDD34BN6-2C-b2mKEbqaielda27UkeS7HSyj683RNI_vM7TNQ5IOlOq/s320/2018-12-20+043.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the end of the street was the meat market decorated with cow heads above its doors!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3cqmM4C4iiKP8WL9QeTngfDe_pbMjTb6jGJWu-D_ytdlYRIb6-BXA-CcgrVmfaxXTaPLUMtcfkF1VUOvbKia5939gU_1jHrEEv3pX8hbsiz79pzfY9m1-19IZS_MzbuR6JLUfUIbPGnZ/s1600/2018-12-20+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3cqmM4C4iiKP8WL9QeTngfDe_pbMjTb6jGJWu-D_ytdlYRIb6-BXA-CcgrVmfaxXTaPLUMtcfkF1VUOvbKia5939gU_1jHrEEv3pX8hbsiz79pzfY9m1-19IZS_MzbuR6JLUfUIbPGnZ/s320/2018-12-20+045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Behind and below the Waag was the water gate where produce could be immediately weighed and taxed. Merchants knew that before they traded, they first had to be weighed and get paid. Much as high British taxes infuriated the American colonists in the same period, during Spanish rule taxation got so out of hand that the Dutch also revolted.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3425c9UDs9pPGZd4NUB0WT_DJBGpy9eCHDFzQSYKo2Mr4k_Pl8KbhFuXAT6AvGL_e1zaSzhoamjH2P6WnF-v-d1dZcPsVZt0eAIc4JyBxjVQ27Ke-6HKFQ9MbdaHPX0lHbHoTt23m-hu/s1600/2018-12-20+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3425c9UDs9pPGZd4NUB0WT_DJBGpy9eCHDFzQSYKo2Mr4k_Pl8KbhFuXAT6AvGL_e1zaSzhoamjH2P6WnF-v-d1dZcPsVZt0eAIc4JyBxjVQ27Ke-6HKFQ9MbdaHPX0lHbHoTt23m-hu/s320/2018-12-20+051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnMHg2U8lgNk4qLIrzoJW4FshhUA2_ugT062HGPke_kV_ZzQucC05EVPzOSAKArxZ-qlgFbO82Zc4-fwdRJ2R12Elog3khtoz9WZ-e48YAMhWMJrQyCmp7a6EcT-r13o6-25I6ypm2ORm/s1600/2018-12-20+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnMHg2U8lgNk4qLIrzoJW4FshhUA2_ugT062HGPke_kV_ZzQucC05EVPzOSAKArxZ-qlgFbO82Zc4-fwdRJ2R12Elog3khtoz9WZ-e48YAMhWMJrQyCmp7a6EcT-r13o6-25I6ypm2ORm/s320/2018-12-20+053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38az2KBWnqMS_SbFLsZboeTwILE9j6075wNuu3t21ltc4jNeOwGKgb3rU2CE8vlvLFTxkLImAZY6hxIAyCR5IjwyMqBPzZA8eulVe8Xx5wk0yjdXffDSj3Hy32szVUN3IEVXPRpM860vX/s1600/2018-12-20+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38az2KBWnqMS_SbFLsZboeTwILE9j6075wNuu3t21ltc4jNeOwGKgb3rU2CE8vlvLFTxkLImAZY6hxIAyCR5IjwyMqBPzZA8eulVe8Xx5wk0yjdXffDSj3Hy32szVUN3IEVXPRpM860vX/s320/2018-12-20+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the black iron fence was a tribute to <b>Anton van Leeuwenhoek</b> who, after inventing the microscope, used it to discover bacteria. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpMYWz8pFh_u09Betl-wPf7yE6nwiq3_QduCX5-RdLIUM83U55eIyL6uJVeywZPVpRccIiqTHj3x4u-IqQKKJaWbU-x3lm1NmDtJTRv6Zlso5R5sL_V9LXEZXZULma8m25Vh6v9quNnRy/s1600/2018-12-20+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpMYWz8pFh_u09Betl-wPf7yE6nwiq3_QduCX5-RdLIUM83U55eIyL6uJVeywZPVpRccIiqTHj3x4u-IqQKKJaWbU-x3lm1NmDtJTRv6Zlso5R5sL_V9LXEZXZULma8m25Vh6v9quNnRy/s320/2018-12-20+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the distance was the Old Church with its tilting spire caused by being built on an unstable foundation over a filled in canal.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxpqE3TbfzZIn6MSY8MX8IW_i2tJfIYVGHldPmCAjvRyyusGk5TmV3n9tVelTNx7pXs0e3XPWf55ulq_VKWKgoBw3duEJ4yaoiLKxrA6Nsk8LvGUtxx_eCorUqLJ2YgNSIC0QJTltPqL1/s1600/2018-12-20+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxpqE3TbfzZIn6MSY8MX8IW_i2tJfIYVGHldPmCAjvRyyusGk5TmV3n9tVelTNx7pXs0e3XPWf55ulq_VKWKgoBw3duEJ4yaoiLKxrA6Nsk8LvGUtxx_eCorUqLJ2YgNSIC0QJTltPqL1/s320/2018-12-20+057.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrg5fKYkCpS9tUrwmPNcmUej_Emm-6HToVv1kUVakwGFFu6stT14t_MKJEab008DB8HiNXWrrOii7VIjYd8-F47YSNM_5jsYfdabGs-p7CAHjOEMJIFqyB0HHmEOqkNYqCyjjyzk3YgDWZ/s1600/2018-12-20+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrg5fKYkCpS9tUrwmPNcmUej_Emm-6HToVv1kUVakwGFFu6stT14t_MKJEab008DB8HiNXWrrOii7VIjYd8-F47YSNM_5jsYfdabGs-p7CAHjOEMJIFqyB0HHmEOqkNYqCyjjyzk3YgDWZ/s320/2018-12-20+058.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wonder what the story was behind this stone lady?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJp1VdNMZYeRgBpUhV_N5IFXg1zPtTvJEGFHKssObn6mETx78UUMYnFO1J8xAr0ao9TQeqgRbuVZHc5JTYnucHo9qBujp4rC2HRSifh6s25Nkmpj58VjToz3_-9gZhYBFah9K5CZLuDfZi/s1600/2018-12-20+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJp1VdNMZYeRgBpUhV_N5IFXg1zPtTvJEGFHKssObn6mETx78UUMYnFO1J8xAr0ao9TQeqgRbuVZHc5JTYnucHo9qBujp4rC2HRSifh6s25Nkmpj58VjToz3_-9gZhYBFah9K5CZLuDfZi/s320/2018-12-20+059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuav0vS4UCOa9FV0SoPVOvlhrup9CUVKyeevDWlFgxbGLcifVdXtIwl2X1kGTc1QUmRYlPw_Af0BJu1wLHcfhIA38w_4w5_UzKT7G4-O1cfFgXp_iYCoDWvnbS75tlGOw6LzQr3NkjIJ3/s1600/2018-12-20+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuav0vS4UCOa9FV0SoPVOvlhrup9CUVKyeevDWlFgxbGLcifVdXtIwl2X1kGTc1QUmRYlPw_Af0BJu1wLHcfhIA38w_4w5_UzKT7G4-O1cfFgXp_iYCoDWvnbS75tlGOw6LzQr3NkjIJ3/s320/2018-12-20+063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbd_bAfZx90nR6KQf6GuHfqtlUhqJ0z7vKOtYE1H9czhkW-2jOAx1GIrhX9Hmp_FqJoZP-KZJjKAUsy7QQgMoH2E0ehm-xo3AeYE0JO17iFUl9Wk_vMz_pm1xBfjVLnMv76DztbCv3lhb2/s1600/2018-12-20+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbd_bAfZx90nR6KQf6GuHfqtlUhqJ0z7vKOtYE1H9czhkW-2jOAx1GIrhX9Hmp_FqJoZP-KZJjKAUsy7QQgMoH2E0ehm-xo3AeYE0JO17iFUl9Wk_vMz_pm1xBfjVLnMv76DztbCv3lhb2/s320/2018-12-20+103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This lovely stone home, built in 1505, has been the headquarters of the <b>Dyke Conservancy Board</b> or <b>water authority</b> since 1645. It was responsible for keeping waterways dredged and managing water levels in both towns and lowlands. The colorful coats of arms decorating the exterior wall belonged to some 17th century water authority directors. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-7qSmZKbNkoXKs0ZwzKJOs9yD3a4Pnptr_AEqhMzSOrIyQBKoMyCcU_lyOveeMi3ng-3bu_QlHLWgUDQVV4mt084c8RlvAy-CuZ_r-9BbjZ8HODBBi9nz2rjfqYbrCHrO5uemzZEtJ9S/s1600/2018-12-20+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-7qSmZKbNkoXKs0ZwzKJOs9yD3a4Pnptr_AEqhMzSOrIyQBKoMyCcU_lyOveeMi3ng-3bu_QlHLWgUDQVV4mt084c8RlvAy-CuZ_r-9BbjZ8HODBBi9nz2rjfqYbrCHrO5uemzZEtJ9S/s320/2018-12-20+072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPegpYTCh7ErQGQcfkel_kA067WeGwC2i9dsSrdxSf0_a_c7OiELjISOGlNHA-cVCVcnUWlfRTnh2VNhs4SxZqOGeR2v4bFopmo1XIvsVxYmqTnTxNCWLsLOAHZzWuDJ0bzOJzJVGbEBmv/s1600/2018-12-20+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPegpYTCh7ErQGQcfkel_kA067WeGwC2i9dsSrdxSf0_a_c7OiELjISOGlNHA-cVCVcnUWlfRTnh2VNhs4SxZqOGeR2v4bFopmo1XIvsVxYmqTnTxNCWLsLOAHZzWuDJ0bzOJzJVGbEBmv/s320/2018-12-20+066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the yardstick across the canal were the red letters <b>NAP</b> which stood for 'normal Amsterdam point' which meant the average sea level in Amsterdam. According to the NAP, we were above sea level and the canal was below so we were standing on what had been an island. The Dutch countryside plots that have been reclaimed from the sea were about ten feet below this level. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SPKZJXEkPK4mcWA5DYmzKyeuQ32EoNiFheEMZu6ctECoCVvJ6fbEDRUvhO6A4FHUkZv_O-tgynmZqhpzge_9KoMK_zlDgUZONKxad4MF6YS1g1bngxx1x6O1_4n3MONfbbZD2cl2kYVV/s1600/2018-12-20+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SPKZJXEkPK4mcWA5DYmzKyeuQ32EoNiFheEMZu6ctECoCVvJ6fbEDRUvhO6A4FHUkZv_O-tgynmZqhpzge_9KoMK_zlDgUZONKxad4MF6YS1g1bngxx1x6O1_4n3MONfbbZD2cl2kYVV/s320/2018-12-20+069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What a brilliant idea - a photo cube that recalled the life of the famous Dutch painter Vermeer!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The white railings looked rather stark against the idyllic <b>Oude (Old) Delft Canal</b> which used to be used by boats passing the city.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPiU637jlL06_sHHrMBrTmhq7mrQ87Vm-SRfG4vQI9TQOchv3aS4DjxNe0egaIylXv5wAVfrvlvfJ4hpVqpt8D0AkJK2EwRP8-ap5pfUum0LYo7nQoB5a_u49d_QKT2ULymVHUwVPlZYh/s1600/2018-12-20+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPiU637jlL06_sHHrMBrTmhq7mrQ87Vm-SRfG4vQI9TQOchv3aS4DjxNe0egaIylXv5wAVfrvlvfJ4hpVqpt8D0AkJK2EwRP8-ap5pfUum0LYo7nQoB5a_u49d_QKT2ULymVHUwVPlZYh/s320/2018-12-20+075.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Learning about the city was fun from the tilted informational panels like these.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After ducking under this brick arch into a tiny, covered brick lane, it opened up into a very long and wide courtyard called the <b>Prinsenhof,</b> once the convent of St. Agatha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The area is important to the Dutch because William of Orange sought refuge here when the king of Spain put a bounty on his head in 1580 for his role in the revolt of the Netherlands. Thinking it was a safe place, William stayed here but was found by an assassin in 1584. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The three blue and white <b>lampposts,</b> made in Delft's sister city in China, were a reminder of the 400 year old relationship between porcelain makers in Delft and China. Have you ever wondered why you always see so much blue and white porcelain from China? That was because blue was the only color that could withstand the Chinese porcelain technique's extremely hot fire and that also became the color of the famous Delftware porcelain. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the middle of the square was a peaceful park and herb garden with a statue honoring William, considered to be the founder of the Netherlands. When the provinces broke away from Spain and the Roman Catholic Church, the Dutch became 'reformed' and dissolved the Catholic convents and monasteries like this one. Even though the Dutch had declared their freedom in 1579, a treaty ending the war for Dutch independence in 1648 only then officially established their freedom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Leaving the peaceful Old Town, we were excited to see our first and only <b>windmill</b> even though twenty of them used to stand on the 11th century city wall. Dating from the 13th century, they were used to grind the city's grain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you read the two previous posts about our visit to Amsterdam, you'll remember our visiting two of the city's Hidden (Catholic) Churches when that religion was disallowed in the Protestant Netherlands for 200 years. </span><span style="font-size: large;">One was built here in 1743 behind a home to obscure its presence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The exit from the courtyard had a severely damaged bas-relief representing <b>John the Evangelist</b> at Patmos.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The peaceful swan gliding along was the perfect complement to the tranquil canal!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Earlier, we hadn't been able to enter the Old Church so returned. </span><span style="font-size: large;">By the Middle Ages, Delft was a busy city by the water with many breweries and inns. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Delft's oldest parish church, the aptly named Old Church, </span><span style="font-size: large;">began as a tuff stone church in 1050 </span><span style="font-size: large;">and, over the years, developed into a much larger church and was now the Dutch Reformed Church. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Its "sober and clean" interior was because all vestiges of its former Roman Catholic past were violently destroyed between 1566 and 1572.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYlaN33pUhA6xBQ4CbR1HSmH6I5DM7rctqXUkK4JfywGx18ki1Jxk9NX38mcRLPzvGo93aUIy8opEXX4ofX9K7FzfGXMYJ5nJKv8-EGaQd3Lt0JWyMxvrkzTY0AGofK62zRVJTsVO2qlF/s1600/2018-12-20+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYlaN33pUhA6xBQ4CbR1HSmH6I5DM7rctqXUkK4JfywGx18ki1Jxk9NX38mcRLPzvGo93aUIy8opEXX4ofX9K7FzfGXMYJ5nJKv8-EGaQd3Lt0JWyMxvrkzTY0AGofK62zRVJTsVO2qlF/s320/2018-12-20+129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Compared to the opulence of all the Catholic churches we'd seen throughout Spain and Portugal, the interior of the Dutch Reformed church was quite stark yet still beautiful in its simplicity. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP12Bhe5EXNibTnow4xP9eOnemqmwNxus5m4iXoVl7Xqhi58zcpbVQETlg-7Cst4CtI-FrVFgc9GC6_vkCd27O4c8vv-mGClC1AoMKv-iYXJL68M0rFqziRhQWwFCNY3lpfKwwPVdXL_K2/s1600/2018-12-20+257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP12Bhe5EXNibTnow4xP9eOnemqmwNxus5m4iXoVl7Xqhi58zcpbVQETlg-7Cst4CtI-FrVFgc9GC6_vkCd27O4c8vv-mGClC1AoMKv-iYXJL68M0rFqziRhQWwFCNY3lpfKwwPVdXL_K2/s320/2018-12-20+257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The church's earliest stained glass windows dated from 1406 with more added throughout that century. In the Middle Ages, church services were conducted in Latin which most people couldn't understand. The 'glass windows' were deliberately used by the church to tell a story and educate the people. A devastating fire in 1536 melted the windows so new ones were commissioned. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzaqeHsp1yKoYtHKOAYZWqu7SF5TWjkOcaIiaSkjc0J-4TLAQinHVh5a54KbW_3n9nsSoGzNMtbuLbfM7KRgPcsmuOK4tw7MD3ib4_prCuB1aO1BHxK0hJY66xkjXqqxeXJtH2MuTd8EK/s1600/2018-12-20+237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzaqeHsp1yKoYtHKOAYZWqu7SF5TWjkOcaIiaSkjc0J-4TLAQinHVh5a54KbW_3n9nsSoGzNMtbuLbfM7KRgPcsmuOK4tw7MD3ib4_prCuB1aO1BHxK0hJY66xkjXqqxeXJtH2MuTd8EK/s320/2018-12-20+237.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The wooden canopied pulpit that dated from 1548 was one of the finest in the Netherlands because of the superb carvings on its sides. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">During any service, there was always a visible Bible on the pulpit as a symbol of the word of God. The main scene on the pulpit was therefore from the Bible and was the story of John the Baptist who baptized people in the Jordan River and instructed them to follow Christ.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvmVDXWBAN1pHJ2wAeejTtL20KomFSJMqfkpR_aOjMnCpETDuH123CY8vFUZuRGBLW3OYUUSTtm6FRs4n1Asgm4CS2sPTxjwT6pAhfCe59kixmXaG4EnANE_AAK1UKwbdHriXB4lKITGx/s1600/2018-12-20+139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvmVDXWBAN1pHJ2wAeejTtL20KomFSJMqfkpR_aOjMnCpETDuH123CY8vFUZuRGBLW3OYUUSTtm6FRs4n1Asgm4CS2sPTxjwT6pAhfCe59kixmXaG4EnANE_AAK1UKwbdHriXB4lKITGx/s320/2018-12-20+139.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The bottom of the pulpit was supported by chained devils who were meant to demonstrate that, when the word of God was being preached, the devil was chained up. The devils were evident from their horned heads, and the wings and hooves of goats!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0lwZGcf-bRDil3Eyc27fH4EuUzZWVNibb2cqVNvhir6DpsxLlekGlWrUSxjgQVHm7lL-jsDp_qBBJZ06aaiyF87Avgv1dt3xEjucoWi2XVoio7FDYXzAipGU_XeNvTpZZZg6nGPtIJrQ/s1600/2018-12-20+233+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0lwZGcf-bRDil3Eyc27fH4EuUzZWVNibb2cqVNvhir6DpsxLlekGlWrUSxjgQVHm7lL-jsDp_qBBJZ06aaiyF87Avgv1dt3xEjucoWi2XVoio7FDYXzAipGU_XeNvTpZZZg6nGPtIJrQ/s320/2018-12-20+233+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the French era around 1800, because people wanted liberty, equality and fraternity and resisted class distinctions, all the coats of arms, flags and other class symbols were removed from the gravestones. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4sLvBq-c9xAAcSoGRygMO3jvJOL_A3Myw54cveqnw-feJDzj4dHffggUtV4AmoeL4lBzSuNLGQLDinCMjM3V03ozr7Q4RxQLXAXYlza0WON1DH4l9u17JAoWpxCJyK1CHP5fNEPWi4RS/s1600/2018-12-20+221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4sLvBq-c9xAAcSoGRygMO3jvJOL_A3Myw54cveqnw-feJDzj4dHffggUtV4AmoeL4lBzSuNLGQLDinCMjM3V03ozr7Q4RxQLXAXYlza0WON1DH4l9u17JAoWpxCJyK1CHP5fNEPWi4RS/s320/2018-12-20+221.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wfqhPXnM5F25UCuf0jhO_NR0RgvLacRnCgSGu_0cg-8vccCzqW2aIkLzxgS6qOmT2WERxob5zzCuNz9DQWdrkM13U8_5aZxA2NHwOg6NW_xfbl0M5QJTaZoLnghNNIK-WK4JtqUkCsYJ/s1600/2018-12-20+219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wfqhPXnM5F25UCuf0jhO_NR0RgvLacRnCgSGu_0cg-8vccCzqW2aIkLzxgS6qOmT2WERxob5zzCuNz9DQWdrkM13U8_5aZxA2NHwOg6NW_xfbl0M5QJTaZoLnghNNIK-WK4JtqUkCsYJ/s320/2018-12-20+219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Old Church contained the tombs of two local sons who made their mark in the world: the first we noticed was this 18th century pyramid-shaped monument that was a tribute to van Leeuwenhoek, the inventor of the microscope. </span><span style="font-size: large;">We read that his bust was placed on an obelisk as a sign of power, perseverance and virtue; the skull and crossbones emphasized the shortness of life and the relativity of all earthly goods. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfSqf2Ejrawm46bkcV7WBSDd2KJZEH5zD_i85RyhIoobLYFLMktvfTzaM6Jr_n0QTRsYUeKm5W5p-_q6QzbkdX-PPfOAY1RM1ET3AfeyAj0PK3e_d-G7cIn2YZYdAIt7mGedhDvhHXgJk/s1600/2018-12-20+132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfSqf2Ejrawm46bkcV7WBSDd2KJZEH5zD_i85RyhIoobLYFLMktvfTzaM6Jr_n0QTRsYUeKm5W5p-_q6QzbkdX-PPfOAY1RM1ET3AfeyAj0PK3e_d-G7cIn2YZYdAIt7mGedhDvhHXgJk/s320/2018-12-20+132.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Van Leeuwenhoek's tombstone:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFvTTsozhafGlznQuQuCOn3GUYi6C6XBJDo7m1XUdcTHkdOzTvTw4Lk0hNCG9SBgWycZf2p4lYg71Z1qM5hbEatiom5mzPNZTP2xZbG3fYco1_XoPlcWcbWU7UL0XK816261X818Xg8W-/s1600/2018-12-20+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFvTTsozhafGlznQuQuCOn3GUYi6C6XBJDo7m1XUdcTHkdOzTvTw4Lk0hNCG9SBgWycZf2p4lYg71Z1qM5hbEatiom5mzPNZTP2xZbG3fYco1_XoPlcWcbWU7UL0XK816261X818Xg8W-/s320/2018-12-20+133.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It would have been so easy to miss the simple stone plaque in the floor that marked the tombstone of <b>Johannes Vermeer,</b> the other native son and Delft's favorite resident.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6oIKxgFRiUWnlLpUa1vibRnYidVGlHXXiUHgTIpsed7-Zsu_swNEOO3pquuh7_saLaVE7BYch0aC0rdVAVqK8BuRMUGHRr0lLhfDCHRUe5TGnTsbg2gNtaTGwCTLTms7uWTcai_bWX4s/s1600/2018-12-20+238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6oIKxgFRiUWnlLpUa1vibRnYidVGlHXXiUHgTIpsed7-Zsu_swNEOO3pquuh7_saLaVE7BYch0aC0rdVAVqK8BuRMUGHRr0lLhfDCHRUe5TGnTsbg2gNtaTGwCTLTms7uWTcai_bWX4s/s320/2018-12-20+238.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFO-BN5oaIiqf1h4LPqdP23DHGYv3gJlhn2Q4Faasfy91gmNw78DRZQYbezzgsH1j_U1IwCQwekWwGJkxdm4kR05kiYIdBGFgM2vU_MvPGgVWCZbv2W3Uv5uxplHuFpexc_EPD91de2NQv/s1600/2018-12-20+247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFO-BN5oaIiqf1h4LPqdP23DHGYv3gJlhn2Q4Faasfy91gmNw78DRZQYbezzgsH1j_U1IwCQwekWwGJkxdm4kR05kiYIdBGFgM2vU_MvPGgVWCZbv2W3Uv5uxplHuFpexc_EPD91de2NQv/s320/2018-12-20+247.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Owing to his greater popularity compared to previous generations, the church installed a grander Vermeer monument in 2007. The painting in the middle was the Girl with the Pearl Earring I wrote about earlier. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoldP-JI4_5pfOsylKUgMH1XVGA3tmRJRYXWFDbCLSuqPMXUAzrZ_4zikbuuzu-Bo5_drU2vI8it_TT_6hZLIsA2H7pic1t6RTL5SNLyXZTzM9EtyZArTzoqb9fQBrlho0njf2-wT_v0A/s1600/2018-12-20+249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoldP-JI4_5pfOsylKUgMH1XVGA3tmRJRYXWFDbCLSuqPMXUAzrZ_4zikbuuzu-Bo5_drU2vI8it_TT_6hZLIsA2H7pic1t6RTL5SNLyXZTzM9EtyZArTzoqb9fQBrlho0njf2-wT_v0A/s320/2018-12-20+249.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In front of the Old Church was this statue of a particularly devout 14th century nun whose deep faith was meant to inspire worshippers. Apparently, she was so moved by Christ's power that she lactated at Christmas and the Crucifixion wounds appeared on her hands and feet at Easter. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu73HT46STyv8o4bpin0dimX_YwtrjKxkqVtqfWG3IU8cm6y5KZSKzgdNs76jEVg5uK2fz9eN9Oc0mZ8QcXYmQFChOvY8ZvCv3p-RTGqvJTX27TLBl1-3CwsOqg3636pJxsg1FgTv1u6Oh/s1600/2018-12-20+142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu73HT46STyv8o4bpin0dimX_YwtrjKxkqVtqfWG3IU8cm6y5KZSKzgdNs76jEVg5uK2fz9eN9Oc0mZ8QcXYmQFChOvY8ZvCv3p-RTGqvJTX27TLBl1-3CwsOqg3636pJxsg1FgTv1u6Oh/s320/2018-12-20+142.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some interesting shots caught my eye on our way to the New Church whose interior had also been closed earlier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Returning to the Markt a few blocks away, we were able to enter the second of Delft's grand churches. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Because, when construction began in 1381 Delft already had a church, this centuries old building was called the <b>Nieuwe Kerk</b> or <b>New Church.</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The church tower, which was constructed in 1396 and subsequently renovated, has been a recognizable landmark in Delft for centuries and is the second tallest church tower in the Netherlands. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The loud chimes of the New Church ring out over the center of Delft at regular intervals, and its carillon plays </span><span style="font-size: large;">different tunes </span><span style="font-size: large;">automatically three times an hour. In addition, the town's bell ringer has live performances at certain times. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We walked immediately to the front to view the ornate, canopied tomb of William I of Orange, the founder of the House of Orange which still rules the Netherlands. It was he who encouraged the Dutch to start the revolt against the Spanish Hapsburg rulers. The monument to his greatness was twofold: the strong king cast in bronze and one of him in white marble resting peacefully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The adorable dog at William's feet represented loyalty as it refused to eat and died after William was assassinated. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviCYcx88vqyG0WeEPwHHcRqGPHofFLwFMyhgXy1AXizmv9r1RyiZaio6x-l1bTklfx8VA23IvpjqEQxv-VNgjLv7EkLrxhjntaZNTxIsGGdF7sBdn5XTMhvzLJUCQij2elsufCc7cbqas/s1600/2018-12-20+161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviCYcx88vqyG0WeEPwHHcRqGPHofFLwFMyhgXy1AXizmv9r1RyiZaio6x-l1bTklfx8VA23IvpjqEQxv-VNgjLv7EkLrxhjntaZNTxIsGGdF7sBdn5XTMhvzLJUCQij2elsufCc7cbqas/s320/2018-12-20+161.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The corners of the impressive monument were marked by female statues that represented Liberty, Justice, Fortitude, and Religion, the values William fought for.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nJwOM57w-1r_0rA5BHvy1Xxk05PwQ8w3iKNQt32-7qLqoh6PU9ECUc1E-0Hy0zm3liTOzvnE-qP96rWsAk3_J4CHxuAlXSIySoezCtOyZCRk7XVE8naSmq1MXTlPM4UyOSaaonqCjDYF/s1600/2018-12-20+163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nJwOM57w-1r_0rA5BHvy1Xxk05PwQ8w3iKNQt32-7qLqoh6PU9ECUc1E-0Hy0zm3liTOzvnE-qP96rWsAk3_J4CHxuAlXSIySoezCtOyZCRk7XVE8naSmq1MXTlPM4UyOSaaonqCjDYF/s320/2018-12-20+163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuU98dyW23dEU3UfTLp-nsWFzNawML6wbcetzZwYT3wb2r3oTojq6e2981amuA9PJW_ikgDpAzGCxQZpDrnHnwc_4GfTmGvtmVGIeUpt0Nqf1XWzp7xdTbwfp9tA6BlPKt6ehXKPXEba5i/s1600/2018-12-20+165+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuU98dyW23dEU3UfTLp-nsWFzNawML6wbcetzZwYT3wb2r3oTojq6e2981amuA9PJW_ikgDpAzGCxQZpDrnHnwc_4GfTmGvtmVGIeUpt0Nqf1XWzp7xdTbwfp9tA6BlPKt6ehXKPXEba5i/s320/2018-12-20+165+%25282%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Though the Delft town council planned to erect a tomb in honor of <b>Hugo Grotius,</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">the father of international shipping laws,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> at the end of the 17th century, it was never done for some unknown reason. This memorial covering his last resting place was executed in 1787. The silver wreath, added in 1899, was a gift from the American delegation at an international peace conference that year.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jQPevzSg9iEqIZp6BQlWu5JO5c_ZYaip_6wLpHUJdBbHnyix_NVlmYQnZqt7WY383Bp0IXq-UBMXWfr548kn11IcahCJdamFxrVlOmifBkXLa6eFBPxkKgV8wJAghF4WWqOoOQckKVpN/s1600/2018-12-20+167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jQPevzSg9iEqIZp6BQlWu5JO5c_ZYaip_6wLpHUJdBbHnyix_NVlmYQnZqt7WY383Bp0IXq-UBMXWfr548kn11IcahCJdamFxrVlOmifBkXLa6eFBPxkKgV8wJAghF4WWqOoOQckKVpN/s320/2018-12-20+167.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until 1829, city leaders were buried under the stone floor. But when the stench of the decaying bodies of the "stinking rich" wafted into the church, only the royals have since been buried in the church. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The magnificent organ had 3,000 pipes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was odd seeing the giant apple in the church until we read that it symbolized eternity when the church was completed in 1496, one hundred years after it began.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The royal funerary monument of William I used to reside in Amsterdam's magnificent <b>Rijksmuseum</b> until it was transferred to the New Church in 1905. </span><span style="font-size: large;">William was featured wearing the royal robe, the highest military medal, carrying both a scepter and orb and with the royal crest at his feet. He was leaning against a Dutch lion although I wasn't sure what was a 'Dutch' lion!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXvxXfYB2uR_p0LPPUdEUdVj-9oA2hPaQT3NEnz0DzwCTtgVrJzY5cqepEUsEz0C5lJc0nEZmAaZbqECQVBOadfkgkqfus03jK_dMq4aDftcl9nL5HstVabLIGL9GvdGewCEnEmCAQAhP/s1600/2018-12-20+188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXvxXfYB2uR_p0LPPUdEUdVj-9oA2hPaQT3NEnz0DzwCTtgVrJzY5cqepEUsEz0C5lJc0nEZmAaZbqECQVBOadfkgkqfus03jK_dMq4aDftcl9nL5HstVabLIGL9GvdGewCEnEmCAQAhP/s320/2018-12-20+188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The mausoleum to the beloved ruler attracts 250,000 people per year as William is known to his countrymen as the Father of the Nation.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsmwWDNQ9hitymEGj77jzGLXMQ7CYNBzY75IA-gTmb5IveOAcTP4F9vZ77Q5rCQfoIoNWvugNyZ13L7psTnWdiprZrHv00D4ggZrUt14Yu1trpj8kd_-YTg3vZsXYrm9l1bkrzGjBqPZN/s1600/2018-12-20+194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsmwWDNQ9hitymEGj77jzGLXMQ7CYNBzY75IA-gTmb5IveOAcTP4F9vZ77Q5rCQfoIoNWvugNyZ13L7psTnWdiprZrHv00D4ggZrUt14Yu1trpj8kd_-YTg3vZsXYrm9l1bkrzGjBqPZN/s320/2018-12-20+194.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The New Church also had a wonderful collection of stained glass windows. One included the Wilhelmina window that was a tribute to the former queen. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The artist placed Wilhelmina in the center of heavenly life, depicted by the archangels, evangelists and apostles, and earthly life as shown by the 'working' man. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It was created to mark the 25th anniversary of the queen's reign and unveiled in 1927.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZTLpx87U4UpmKS8I9xQ8hVp_Q8LNrcXJutFN5gkVvDWKWrj_D-IluY3YR8WmsEsQZn9DblY462jSXHE30_6_kCdeAHX1PZiqTd_6HFtGF8bPD_VNBbeexblyUzi8r-8SJCRUtnjQdZnx/s1600/2018-12-20+196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZTLpx87U4UpmKS8I9xQ8hVp_Q8LNrcXJutFN5gkVvDWKWrj_D-IluY3YR8WmsEsQZn9DblY462jSXHE30_6_kCdeAHX1PZiqTd_6HFtGF8bPD_VNBbeexblyUzi8r-8SJCRUtnjQdZnx/s320/2018-12-20+196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQvaYuyIb-7jd1IDCLDIYuak2qXw-w8OJA9VIvspuAuimLz52zvC5Nzs0WTkXO6bXAfPKwPm1Ntw4cOy5aWuMW1eWB6xT5pS7sdVqwHcvONrcfWyOkaNKjoZIBKAf8Uta6AvNR6bGMj4H/s1600/2018-12-20+205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQvaYuyIb-7jd1IDCLDIYuak2qXw-w8OJA9VIvspuAuimLz52zvC5Nzs0WTkXO6bXAfPKwPm1Ntw4cOy5aWuMW1eWB6xT5pS7sdVqwHcvONrcfWyOkaNKjoZIBKAf8Uta6AvNR6bGMj4H/s320/2018-12-20+205.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq4VDLfY7EgMXmD8YfBWa-Sg4knzWFwpuzxmunZ3ejCDb09c2177eRGNF8QnwVdbCU1YWxWIk_E0THyMKtQNSwLhKsClVZpcywIG9l7whwWb-FWdtDuzwcqgo8cn5KqZj2ImRaq0Sx-FM/s1600/2018-12-20+209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq4VDLfY7EgMXmD8YfBWa-Sg4knzWFwpuzxmunZ3ejCDb09c2177eRGNF8QnwVdbCU1YWxWIk_E0THyMKtQNSwLhKsClVZpcywIG9l7whwWb-FWdtDuzwcqgo8cn5KqZj2ImRaq0Sx-FM/s320/2018-12-20+209.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Prince Window</b> featured William of Orange surrounded by five prominent contemporaries. Others had traditional Biblical themes such as the Blessing Christ and Moses and the Law. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzogBtMvmGj94Mr2K9S-bmWUuc9kULc2dObhSwse5relMyjA1xJkcKpICFDVZej_VDCq_1SuokRYsr2wXtZxwslfq9ZAerej5sKHzapt2I2jpAOaUXjoNc89qUfR6NwMpfEi-N52saSj7/s1600/2018-12-20+199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzogBtMvmGj94Mr2K9S-bmWUuc9kULc2dObhSwse5relMyjA1xJkcKpICFDVZej_VDCq_1SuokRYsr2wXtZxwslfq9ZAerej5sKHzapt2I2jpAOaUXjoNc89qUfR6NwMpfEi-N52saSj7/s320/2018-12-20+199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was odd in my opinion seeing what looked like conference tables and chairs set up toward the back of the church. I couldn't figure out their purpose. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Sg9txbzK7sUA8IxsWo7-Y654e5TeT3NYFaBxA5wH27A4qVOHfAaj3iD9f3gAoU43toaUCn6dIzSdaG1TXvbqwlH1jMd_9tRYr5n6ZNgAkbCdnDKNx9zdq7xVP-MBjGJC8gtI4lI6uErB/s1600/2018-12-20+210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Sg9txbzK7sUA8IxsWo7-Y654e5TeT3NYFaBxA5wH27A4qVOHfAaj3iD9f3gAoU43toaUCn6dIzSdaG1TXvbqwlH1jMd_9tRYr5n6ZNgAkbCdnDKNx9zdq7xVP-MBjGJC8gtI4lI6uErB/s320/2018-12-20+210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Old and New churches were obviously so very different from each other, and, while they each appealed to us </span><span style="font-size: large;">for their striking features</span><span style="font-size: large;">, I preferred the simplicity and starkness of the former though the spectacular William of Orange mausoleum almost tipped the scales toward the New Church.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRusQKF92h5MBoZgUAssUudTIUjHSYHNo7LD0rppnnKFa0-enEv_0EQs0SDT6fMtcMk094hhBKGLQHcWMSMEvnTTQ6Rb7MSBXdnDTnUN9ZwYfAHp0-VLgqYsALBXSQjaGQHNUCbLyEpKix/s1600/2018-12-20+258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRusQKF92h5MBoZgUAssUudTIUjHSYHNo7LD0rppnnKFa0-enEv_0EQs0SDT6fMtcMk094hhBKGLQHcWMSMEvnTTQ6Rb7MSBXdnDTnUN9ZwYfAHp0-VLgqYsALBXSQjaGQHNUCbLyEpKix/s320/2018-12-20+258.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I could hardly believe my eyes seeing so many flowers blooming at almost the end of December!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQYoR-s-_6CR-hvUT0UPnHXA9KOTro1doqe6u6P03S1BgiBzHl_NnauA1JciuLqKOluFCbDqepEU1bTaFI7J2lGm74C1RJt6VniqKPc1k4AH1WMTk5b8Y6lDmKzwEQOqY8wMppCqSVaRH/s1600/2018-12-20+261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQYoR-s-_6CR-hvUT0UPnHXA9KOTro1doqe6u6P03S1BgiBzHl_NnauA1JciuLqKOluFCbDqepEU1bTaFI7J2lGm74C1RJt6VniqKPc1k4AH1WMTk5b8Y6lDmKzwEQOqY8wMppCqSVaRH/s320/2018-12-20+261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwQ-6Lb0M95bYTEJMRq5wEhBxHD3caXK-Jy0AMRDdEtdxzzQAJR4BIrTB3aK1n5rES_cudqfZzB78QoNjUtk6dnNBCrLynd_x9wEXp22DV57gpWEBi7RTcrkMaR5_TcFXzsyh6YT5xDy0/s1600/2018-12-20+262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwQ-6Lb0M95bYTEJMRq5wEhBxHD3caXK-Jy0AMRDdEtdxzzQAJR4BIrTB3aK1n5rES_cudqfZzB78QoNjUtk6dnNBCrLynd_x9wEXp22DV57gpWEBi7RTcrkMaR5_TcFXzsyh6YT5xDy0/s320/2018-12-20+262.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwgqeLxbNCrO5_JAiiHnRtv7fozGfP12qmFeC0OwSkvpd-LeW086Erv9FjhVp6newOi5P0b8WXPRRTB4Zg8zgTY42KMooUKp6WUUa8w90kRGrdUd12qXzF-BVMNGyutnj49xNLe1IRnZf/s1600/2018-12-20+265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwgqeLxbNCrO5_JAiiHnRtv7fozGfP12qmFeC0OwSkvpd-LeW086Erv9FjhVp6newOi5P0b8WXPRRTB4Zg8zgTY42KMooUKp6WUUa8w90kRGrdUd12qXzF-BVMNGyutnj49xNLe1IRnZf/s320/2018-12-20+265.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I shall always associate our day trip to Delft with the characteristic blue and white pottery that we saw examples of throughout our fun walk in the city. I could hardly wait to make our way via bus to the <b>Delftse Pauw Delftware Factory,</b> one of two of the original 32 factories in the city. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf806i3t7mCOUW7ZYY878nHEyrGLFeWnHXc5Ky7hc06nfDkhhIawrw8lSvTLSr7S2WGiieXP8FdCtdptLY_99a5CNVb95i_qralxb3XvYTQVgvKIXVrLiXtlQTaV0m9z7BVh9CiKOrEFXt/s1600/2018-12-20+259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf806i3t7mCOUW7ZYY878nHEyrGLFeWnHXc5Ky7hc06nfDkhhIawrw8lSvTLSr7S2WGiieXP8FdCtdptLY_99a5CNVb95i_qralxb3XvYTQVgvKIXVrLiXtlQTaV0m9z7BVh9CiKOrEFXt/s320/2018-12-20+259.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Dutch East India Company, partly headquartered in Delft, used to import many exotic goods from China and elsewhere in the Far East. After the Chinese designs became popular, they were copied by local potters.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4dcisiBUD1EniUQ5eO-czbe1evTkW_WUgo7OHpSl3WO9P8ilK4lTfkcTCJnFoLsw_fFRuBWTsFmZaIORDsJonnUBXNvvi_uUa2h3T4XfFiDUne0jJfKRqEU1Hvc1fUFhziXYDtKkzATj/s1600/2018-12-20+296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4dcisiBUD1EniUQ5eO-czbe1evTkW_WUgo7OHpSl3WO9P8ilK4lTfkcTCJnFoLsw_fFRuBWTsFmZaIORDsJonnUBXNvvi_uUa2h3T4XfFiDUne0jJfKRqEU1Hvc1fUFhziXYDtKkzATj/s320/2018-12-20+296.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the factory we were treated to our own private tour where we learned that Delft Blue earthenware is made from a soupy mix of imported clay and water. The goop is rotated on a spinning disk until it flattens like a pancake which is then placed on a plate mold with a design pressed into it. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gBbunXOg9E09WbWxc_gxgeIjhyVYbCkzxh3WSg0ufZTb2ZJ8gjiXcvj1TxXaVn_kkWc3h2X0KSidR96tiJL7p5XRXOrmj5eJ9a3qFFgEAsHvTjdwNk_jYzHYxTsk9bknwDD-uGVsWfzR/s1600/2018-12-20+267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gBbunXOg9E09WbWxc_gxgeIjhyVYbCkzxh3WSg0ufZTb2ZJ8gjiXcvj1TxXaVn_kkWc3h2X0KSidR96tiJL7p5XRXOrmj5eJ9a3qFFgEAsHvTjdwNk_jYzHYxTsk9bknwDD-uGVsWfzR/s320/2018-12-20+267.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Liquid clay is poured into hollow plaster molds when making pitchers and cups. The molds act like a sponge to suck out the water, thereby leaving a layer of dry clay on the mold walls.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hwY8oJjt9DLxH5l-w92TGSd3wgisbihaz3VqWyk07GzqEGp97hAYcWJgBq4z42i3YHnO9kcUlkV6TRWi1yS032mHTs-bqHfj_oM9yLwZBRcJ_rr-HNs2YWXolqElYMvAqRugmcvS4mek/s1600/2018-12-20+268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hwY8oJjt9DLxH5l-w92TGSd3wgisbihaz3VqWyk07GzqEGp97hAYcWJgBq4z42i3YHnO9kcUlkV6TRWi1yS032mHTs-bqHfj_oM9yLwZBRcJ_rr-HNs2YWXolqElYMvAqRugmcvS4mek/s320/2018-12-20+268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIYbTtYW8erlT7vC2AX51ABKO96xiwEAx2t6o6FjvlPw9GtAHSaYjyHR8UWVoVSjVmvR2ZzzBmyXJ7f-FuaQauTo1TkQYpjtc4RoHGjAwY0kKtRr3m0Rzvta3X4vm8XjomIUs9t2Kc84V/s1600/2018-12-20+269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIYbTtYW8erlT7vC2AX51ABKO96xiwEAx2t6o6FjvlPw9GtAHSaYjyHR8UWVoVSjVmvR2ZzzBmyXJ7f-FuaQauTo1TkQYpjtc4RoHGjAwY0kKtRr3m0Rzvta3X4vm8XjomIUs9t2Kc84V/s320/2018-12-20+269.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once the clay object is removed from the mold and completely dried, it is then fired for several hours in the kiln which results in its turning from gray to white. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfF1qWoMMOsevlYMItne0Pc0Gc74v6FhU5dX9kYXTK4GpketKe4tWL2A3l-FzpjrMmfTqFbJjmw_UmCxqZtZ1SOjgiWGoUyIRe9kiT59izEHU0v45_3iHuy14uGDtxoWx33Me6uIf7taDl/s1600/2018-12-20+271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfF1qWoMMOsevlYMItne0Pc0Gc74v6FhU5dX9kYXTK4GpketKe4tWL2A3l-FzpjrMmfTqFbJjmw_UmCxqZtZ1SOjgiWGoUyIRe9kiT59izEHU0v45_3iHuy14uGDtxoWx33Me6uIf7taDl/s320/2018-12-20+271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The company has 125 designs; one of them was the tulip mold with spots for individual stems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The guide mentioned the peacock has been the company's symbol since 1651. A sheik from Dubai ordered two plates with mirror images of the peacocks facing each other. I bet that would have cost a pretty penny! You can see the difference between the glazed on the left and the unglazed side on the right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Painters with sable hair brushes then trace traditional decorations on the pottery which are then painted with black paint containing cobalt and copper oxide. The guide said some painters prefer to paint at home because they get nervous having people watching them. In addition, as the paint is soaked up very quickly, it makes it unforgiving for mistakes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The objects are then dipped into an opaque white glaze and fired a second time. The black paint is transformed into the iconic Delft Blue from a chemical reaction and the white glaze melts into a translucent, outer layer that looks like glass. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Each piece is signed and comes with a guarantee but against what, I didn't ask. Most of the company's work is sold abroad except for the mass produced pieces that were destined for the local market. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I definitely wanted an original signed piece from the showroom but this $250 plate was a little rich for my blood! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This striking octagonal plate was 'only' $135! I ended up buying a small souvenir which fortunately came home unscathed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we entered the factory and upstairs showroom, I hadn't paid much attention to the peacock. After learning of its significance, its presence made more sense. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the porcelain factory, we made our way back to the very modern train station where we didn't have long to wait for the train back to Amsterdam. Right across from the station was the old station - I wish I'd asked someone when and why the new one had been built as the old stone one had so much character in my opinion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As much as we'd enjoyed our time in Amsterdam the previous few days, it was special getting out of the big city for most of our last day and exploring a smaller city in the Netherlands. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The highlight of the day for Steven was seeing our first windmill! For me, it was the two churches and how Delft Blue pottery was made.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As this was our last day in Amsterdam and on our long trip, we wanted to see a bit of the city's oldest neighborhood, the <b>Red Light District,</b> which hosted the world's oldest profession. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Prostitutes in Amsterdam, according to Steves, are self-employed, i.e. entrepreneurs who rent their own space and run their own business. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Many belong to a loose union called the Red Thread. </span><span style="font-size: large;">They are required to maintain clean premises, avoid minors, and ensure clients use condoms. They are licensed by the government as prostitution is legal in the Netherlands. Therefore the law protects the workers, not pimps. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While standing at sea level o</span><span style="font-size: large;">n the <b>Zeedijk</b> we looked down at the canal side lanes to see how much below sea level Amsterdam mostly was. This waterway was part of the city's system of locks - a worker daily pushes a button inside a box here to open up the locks which in turn flush out the canals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we continued along the Zeedijk, it was evident the area had become pretty gentrified compared to the 1960s when Amsterdam was the world's capital of sex, drugs and experimental lifestyles and this stretch was known as <b>Heroin Alley</b> for the thousands of hard-drug addicts. The Dutch eventually decided to address the problem by legalizing marijuana, allowing 'coffee shops' to sell small amounts of pot and cracked down on all the hard drugs. Now, with pot smoking not having gone up, hard drug use decreased, the policy had evidently worked and the the Zeedijk once again belonged to the people of Amsterdam. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">According to Steves, <b>Cafe 't Mandje</b> was one of Europe's first gay bars when it opened in 1927 though it closed from 1985 until a few years ago. Though the bar became a hangout for gay people and still is, all are welcome. Apparently, ties hang from the ceiling as a reminder of the original owner's cutting off customers' ties.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We took a quick detour into the city's surprisingly vibrant Chinatown where we had lots of choices to figure out where to eat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If we hadn't known this area was popular for prostitutes, their clients and curious sightseers like us, the upscale shops, restaurants and bars might have fooled us into thinking we were in another area altogether of the city. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JED5RyLgzUYrCxoWdS_pYoF7jxcLWsXdZxbB08CtwK2eXfSGsQhpqYcC3qkgK0zMyHvMSBcZd8AmYNZlM0zNiu_bmebff7OMRel8fK_ykxEbE20w31y6h0PcIOhpwF4fFnK85teofZhy/s1600/2018-12-20+336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JED5RyLgzUYrCxoWdS_pYoF7jxcLWsXdZxbB08CtwK2eXfSGsQhpqYcC3qkgK0zMyHvMSBcZd8AmYNZlM0zNiu_bmebff7OMRel8fK_ykxEbE20w31y6h0PcIOhpwF4fFnK85teofZhy/s320/2018-12-20+336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After spotting the <b>Banana Nightclub</b> sign, I'm not sure I'll ever think of bananas as I used to!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yup, there were lots of red lighted windows as we expected but no blue lit windows which indicate transvestites work there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even if we weren't tired after spending the day in Delft, we would've had no interest in the <b>Museum of Prostitution</b> located in a former brothel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We didn't want to get too close to this entrance!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was a different type of clothing store than what we were used to!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Granted we willingly chose to walk through part of the Red Light District but still it was pretty darn creepy going quickly down this narrow alley, <b>Dollebegijnen,</b> and passing window after window of women in panties and bras winking at horny men and hearing them knock on their windows to attract men's attention.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When it was established in 1975, the <b>Bulldog Cafe Coffeeshop</b> claimed to be Amsterdam's first marijuana coffee shop though there are now several more around the city. Customers must initiate the transaction by <b>asking</b> the bartender to see the cannabis menu as it's illegal to advertise it. Only then is the display case shown with the pre-priced baggies of weed or pre-rolled joints, both of which can be smoked on site or taken to go. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the heart of the Red Light District was the <b>Oude Kerk</b> or <b>Old Church</b> whose steeple sailors could see on the horizon and know they were home. Church construction began in the early 1200s with a humble wooden chapel that grew into an impressive stone structure by the time it was finished in 1306. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Though the New Church was built a short walk away just a century later, the Old Church still boasted of having the tallest spire, the biggest organ, the most side altars, etc. As there was a pretty steep admission fee, we chose not to enter what had been the Catholic church until the Protestants during the 16th century religious wars gutted it and removed all the politically incorrect statues they considered 'graven images.'</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the neighborhood around the church had the densest concentration of prostitutes, it didn't seem all that odd to see in the pavement around the church a bronze breast being fondled by a bronze hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This shot looking toward charming central Amsterdam will be my takeaway of the city, not the Red Light District we'd just come from.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't resist taking such a 'cheesy' photo!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What a long and exciting trip Steven and I had that started in Paris back in August of last year and then continued on through much of Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan for about a month, before exploring the exciting, developing countries of Central Asia for about six weeks, and then it was off to Spain where we had a spectacular time touring much of the Iberian Peninsula for well over a month before ending up in Amsterdam for some jam packed days among hidden churches and canals. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You must know by now that trip just whetted our appetites to wander through even more of this fascinating world and so we're off to mostly Ireland for seven weeks at the end of next month, and in early November to our last continent, Antarctica, and also Patagonia and Paraguay for another seven weeks. Next year is also already booked with a multi-month long trip in March to parts of Asia we've yet to discover like Bhutan, Tibet, Brunei, and many more lands. I hope you'll keep checking the blog from time to time to see where we are and also to let us know how YOU are doing as you are missed when we're away from home on one of our frequent jaunts. </span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Posted much, much later than I ever thought I would on July 17th, 2019, from my hometown of Ottawa, Canada, where I've come for a wonderful week to visit my four brothers and dear friends who date back to kindergarten!</span></i></div>
Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-68972946292476932252019-07-10T14:36:00.002-06:002019-07-19T21:26:05.496-06:0012/19: Amsterdam's Gripping Dutch Resistance Museum & Gassan Diamonds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>About three months ago </i><i>I returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow that really fun trip Down Under, here's a link to the newest blog: </i></span></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Earlier in the day Steven and I had spent a chunk of time at the heartbreaking yet also uplifting <b>Anne Frank House</b> so it seemed appropriate to go on to the <b>Dutch Theater</b> which was also the <b>National Holocaust Memorial</b> and then the <b>Dutch Resistance Museum.</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">In 1942 and 1943, the Dutch Theater building was used as a deportation center for about </span><span style="font-size: large;">70,000</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Jewish men, women and children who were sent by train from here to the Westerbork transit camp elsewhere in the Netherlands and from there to concentration camps. The theater, built in 1892 as a center of relaxation and entertainment in the heart of the old Jewish quarter, became a place of grief and anguish. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we entered the building, we were asked to pause and remember those Dutch Jews who died and that the story of the building never be forgotten. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The wall was covered with 6,700 family names paying tribute to to the 104,000 or 107,000 (depending on the sources) Jews deported and killed by the Nazis. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>It was appalling to think that just 5,000 Jews returned. </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">The visual reminder was hard to forget.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the memorial we went to the Dutch Resistance Museum whose focus was on the dilemmas the Dutch </span><span style="font-size: large;">people were confronted with during the occupation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The exhibition began with an introduction to life in the Netherlands in the 1930s. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Democracy was threatened in Europe with the rise of Fascism in Italy, Communism in the Soviet Union, and Falangism in Spain. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Each major group - Catholics, Protestants, Socialists and Liberals - had its own newspaper but, despite the difference in all of them, the news all pointed in the same direction: a major European was was on the horizon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 1940, German troops begin a major offensive to overrun Europe. On May 10th, they invaded the Netherlands which had declared neutral. After just four days of fighting, the major city of Rotterdam was demolished, and, when the Germans threatened that other cities would follow, the Netherlands surrendered. <b>Queen Wilhelmina, </b>the rest of the royal family and the Dutch government went into exile in England.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There appeared to be no stopping the advance of Nazi Germany as the French surrendered in June, 1940, leaving Great Britain alone in the struggle. Many Dutch believed they should reconcile with the situation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmID6gRZNhZb4U71xreMedJke7cmHgovyC8sVghhhI2Upd9umiRPVEnaYlQplTkGeepUHFGOTn3HVJXmOBLlWnoD2KBCNCe6taHxLeCu54yUQhh_qqgXaNIE60QxWj3fu440nHNN45XUy/s1600/2018-12-19+326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmID6gRZNhZb4U71xreMedJke7cmHgovyC8sVghhhI2Upd9umiRPVEnaYlQplTkGeepUHFGOTn3HVJXmOBLlWnoD2KBCNCe6taHxLeCu54yUQhh_qqgXaNIE60QxWj3fu440nHNN45XUy/s320/2018-12-19+326.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Images showed how life went on immediately after the occupation. Of course, the bucolic photos only showed one part of life during that time. The Germans thought they'd win the Dutch over to Germanic ideals if they didn't make conditions too horrific. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uxGAPnMgmOl5TIVBpmGMe1EDjnz2ZsexBGR1JGWhbJMk4Vj0kAlSNw_SE4knlGScwT7q1R5InIro3zPRareuWjDhR_LVLe_Iiuz3hQTZkDCycLeM8wu8b_4ghM5_Vzmfo81iL4w3-jOY/s1600/2018-12-19+337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uxGAPnMgmOl5TIVBpmGMe1EDjnz2ZsexBGR1JGWhbJMk4Vj0kAlSNw_SE4knlGScwT7q1R5InIro3zPRareuWjDhR_LVLe_Iiuz3hQTZkDCycLeM8wu8b_4ghM5_Vzmfo81iL4w3-jOY/s320/2018-12-19+337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Life soon returned to 'normal' after the occupation: businesses, places of entertainment, and public transportation went on as they did in the past. Adaptation to the new situation seemed easy except for blackout regulations that required everyone to cover up their windows to prevent Allied pilots from orienting themselves easily at night. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The Nazis, though, abolished democracy, Parliament was dissolved, an Austrian came to govern the Netherlands with a small occupying force, and Dutch officials had to carry out German laws.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Germans tried to encourage fraternization between the occupiers and the Dutch people. One example was the establishment of <b>Winter Help,</b> a charity that collected money for needy Dutch people. By rejecting Winter Help, the Dutch were able to express their anti-German sentiments. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5PiHOHeOqSTULXJCDtgeQMMK15TmZSUsOOO-9OXOpsGHuIpcV_AsI7hF5jB4MRzF_BtmEiG4uWM07rWqdnf4rmHgBlLYVT1pLrQpa3Y8jmwMza6WMbVMyXgurLUQwBekU0EbJCHcNLkQ/s1600/2018-12-19+401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5PiHOHeOqSTULXJCDtgeQMMK15TmZSUsOOO-9OXOpsGHuIpcV_AsI7hF5jB4MRzF_BtmEiG4uWM07rWqdnf4rmHgBlLYVT1pLrQpa3Y8jmwMza6WMbVMyXgurLUQwBekU0EbJCHcNLkQ/s320/2018-12-19+401.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 1937, the Dutch government had stipulated that civil servants had to stay on as long as it was in the interest of the the people. The quandary they faced once the country was occupied by Germany was when was staying on no longer in the interest of the people?</span><span style="font-size: large;">The Germans made clear that any Dutch government official who resigned because of concerns about the Nazi occupation were replaced by Nazi sympathizers to the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Dutch Nazi Party </b>or<b> NSB. </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">This was a dilemma especially for people in positions of authority, such as mayors - s</span><span style="font-size: large;">hould they adapt or collaborate? </span><span style="font-size: large;">Eventually, more than 30 percent of mayors did resign or were removed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>K.J. Frederiks,</b> the Secretary-General of Home Affairs, decided to stay on when realizing, "If I step down, the highest positions in the Interior Ministry will be taken over by NSB members. The result will be the conscription of young Dutch men into the German armed forces."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Prepared to cooperate:</b> A new political organization, the <b>Netherlands Union</b> or <b>Unie</b>, was founded in 1940 with the three leaders' aim to preserve Dutch culture and with the intention to cooperate with the Germans. As their goal was to keep the NSB from gaining power, their membership grew to over 800,000 in just a few months, which made it the largest party the Netherlands had ever had. </span><span style="font-size: large;">However, many Unie followers only joined because of their aversion to the NSB. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Unie leaders didn't agree on the extent to which the party should cooperate with the Germans, and, more importantly, the Unie didn't provide the Germans with the support they'd expected. The result, not surprisingly, was the party was banned in December of 1941. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Not for publication:</b> Right from the first days of the occupation, the Germans decided what could and couldn't be written in the Dutch newspapers so they could influence public opinion. The few papers that failed to comply were shut down. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtSvksKsot8XWCH17epm3Mv44wn38Y0-FPslYxeyMkhsz0hEvdQgRf6LdewKRjZXebI2Riph7pckZ41yrH1tm9jPG3Ps1jqvykw_0QbP2dkSAMB499f1M-TNS6EIUMk5nLYtMci1f5W-v/s1600/2018-12-19+354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtSvksKsot8XWCH17epm3Mv44wn38Y0-FPslYxeyMkhsz0hEvdQgRf6LdewKRjZXebI2Riph7pckZ41yrH1tm9jPG3Ps1jqvykw_0QbP2dkSAMB499f1M-TNS6EIUMk5nLYtMci1f5W-v/s320/2018-12-19+354.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Only pro-German news was allowed to be broadcast but the Dutch people received news from the BBC and London Radio Orange, </span><span style="font-size: large;">the station of the Dutch government in London. The militant speeches by Queen Wilhelmina were very popular. Almost no one paid attention to the ban on these stations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>A public strike:</b> When members of the NSB in Amsterdam began getting aggressive toward the Jews in early 1941, young Jewish and non-Jewish men formed commando groups to defend themselves which resulted in fighting. After a NSB member was killed and a German patrol was sprayed with ammonia gas, the Nazis seized these incidents to carry out the first round-ups. At the end of February, 425 Jewish men were rounded up, beaten and taken away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many Amsterdam residents were shocked and the <b>Dutch Communist Party</b> called for a protest strike a few days later. The strike caught on and spread to outlying towns. The Germans, taken by surprise, abandoned their formerly friendly attitude, and reacted by shooting some strikers. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Three death sentences were carried out in March. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Registration and dismissal:</b> The first anti-Jewish regulations seemed rather harmless. When in October, 1940, all civil servants were required to fill in an ancestry form, indicating their religion plus that of their parents and grandparents. Though everyone knew the purpose was to register Jewish civil servants, there was still massive compliance. A month later, however, the Jewish civil servants were let go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In January of 1941, all Jews were required to report for registration. Almost everyone obeyed as the thought was what could possibly happen if they refused and why shouldn't people be open about their origins? Of course, with 20/20 hindsight, we know that the registration made it far easier for the Germans to later carry out steps against the Jews. These first measures seemed pretty mild for the traditionally obedient Dutch people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few lucky Jews were able to emigrate to Palestine. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ryqjkgzgpq3M77LO1Y-W_n9-wRRA8B-sPUiThmtEYmeTlUF-iSGFZ6sYRjN4HZZCn2CQ8k8cYIVRmjRHVPpLfJE1v5XXfsezZUGYLEo8kddgPUGbmSZqbOeK6ze8Wg76lC4fRGMgmAK3/s1600/2018-12-19+374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ryqjkgzgpq3M77LO1Y-W_n9-wRRA8B-sPUiThmtEYmeTlUF-iSGFZ6sYRjN4HZZCn2CQ8k8cYIVRmjRHVPpLfJE1v5XXfsezZUGYLEo8kddgPUGbmSZqbOeK6ze8Wg76lC4fRGMgmAK3/s320/2018-12-19+374.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gradually the Dutch Jews were separated from the rest of the population with public facilities closed to Jews, and separate Jewish schools opened. By the end of April, 1942, all Jews were required to wear a yellow Star of David and mass deportations began when Jews were required to report for 'employment in Germany.'</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZR2gqcqKwNnMAYY_YCtV2GijP-Ros34nY3-LofU6N74s5IoFH5cbIYp1j1mLiiPYSybKaUqD-Ullv2WsBGMUPo2PwfSSZ_hzEg6WA15HjR9TE3bSuhZPSxODWNT6jMSKMJm3ytt4SbNy/s1600/2018-12-19+382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZR2gqcqKwNnMAYY_YCtV2GijP-Ros34nY3-LofU6N74s5IoFH5cbIYp1j1mLiiPYSybKaUqD-Ullv2WsBGMUPo2PwfSSZ_hzEg6WA15HjR9TE3bSuhZPSxODWNT6jMSKMJm3ytt4SbNy/s320/2018-12-19+382.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many ignored the call-ups despite the severe threats. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Anyone who wanted to escape deportation had to go into hiding but the penalties were severe if found. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Of the 25,000 Jews in hiding, one-third were arrested and killed after being betrayed as the Frank family had also been. <b>A total of 78 percent of the Jewish population was slaughtered.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Resistance from the pulpit:</b> Even before the war, Dutch churches condemned National Socialism or the Nazis. During the occupation, they repeatedly sent letters to the Austrian government official in charge to protest the persecution of the Jews and against other German measures. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1tcSxJJ_NUJz9x4bO5bFfxJQo1Njz4g482wiSSYESqbqTmV-qBeGWHcBxkVqVrMTj3ZwKDjLJx-plYbKm7BBlr2Lw_ki7iQOA18bsrdO7oVS_Q7nATvxezU_ws-MrJx40WQTpg3eqrA_/s1600/2018-12-19+388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1tcSxJJ_NUJz9x4bO5bFfxJQo1Njz4g482wiSSYESqbqTmV-qBeGWHcBxkVqVrMTj3ZwKDjLJx-plYbKm7BBlr2Lw_ki7iQOA18bsrdO7oVS_Q7nATvxezU_ws-MrJx40WQTpg3eqrA_/s320/2018-12-19+388.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Church protests were also read aloud from the pulpit and many clergymen urged their congregants to help those in hiding. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The churches wielded so much authority in the Netherlands that the occupiers behaved with great caution. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Some churches were used as storage depots for the resistance. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQR3B16NmRZo1Pev1liSzyvb9tABN7normlV6Oh74pYwb-0MyNw6VSSoxBTT_zVYlHb1TcBaWlUpmNsRuzFuKMErK41BCfxr2k_QAYh0DEhfzb6P7O9rQrDc1kunRAMyVuY5Gx7WtK-Mvy/s1600/2018-12-19+389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQR3B16NmRZo1Pev1liSzyvb9tABN7normlV6Oh74pYwb-0MyNw6VSSoxBTT_zVYlHb1TcBaWlUpmNsRuzFuKMErK41BCfxr2k_QAYh0DEhfzb6P7O9rQrDc1kunRAMyVuY5Gx7WtK-Mvy/s320/2018-12-19+389.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">About twenty streets with </span><span style="font-size: large;">Jewish </span><span style="font-size: large;">names were changed in August of 1942 while others were made specifically Jewish streets. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjln8JHFbl7Pqi7zQVT_Eik-87qYDrpY3grKEpYU-VRLWM460shUOYpuhcmxoocVHVWJuOgh8Nsiau36aQXwmD9V_y2tvMTMIjz5rv-iIti2rcGvDEmaQ61NnyENSrnw0fOzU3OKGZxgMG6/s1600/2018-12-19+378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjln8JHFbl7Pqi7zQVT_Eik-87qYDrpY3grKEpYU-VRLWM460shUOYpuhcmxoocVHVWJuOgh8Nsiau36aQXwmD9V_y2tvMTMIjz5rv-iIti2rcGvDEmaQ61NnyENSrnw0fOzU3OKGZxgMG6/s320/2018-12-19+378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The letter 'J' for Jewish was added to identity cards in early 1943.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28vT_141YOi9Yg9pab0caPNjyQT9ejULhL2PzWqLiFiTDy0oKlKP8Vf-ozL9qZF3E_ybodZa82gKQxAA7fin4BSAzgxeCEjbeukWoK1CkwvxxGVxCYu-fXPDsyNXrt6K1t_IeHDfD7k4T/s1600/2018-12-19+395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28vT_141YOi9Yg9pab0caPNjyQT9ejULhL2PzWqLiFiTDy0oKlKP8Vf-ozL9qZF3E_ybodZa82gKQxAA7fin4BSAzgxeCEjbeukWoK1CkwvxxGVxCYu-fXPDsyNXrt6K1t_IeHDfD7k4T/s320/2018-12-19+395.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>V for Victory:</b> The Germans, with their overwhelming amount of propaganda material, tried to influence the Dutch population. While movie newsreels, pamphlets, brochures and colored posters were intended to reinforce the inevitability of National Socialism, Allied planes dropped pamphlets that challenged German propaganda. The letter 'V' became a symbol for victory but the Germans adopted the V in their own campaigns because the "Germans were victorious on all fronts." But the Dutch populace vandalized the posters with the 'V' becoming 'W' for Queen Wilhelmina or "v" for <i>Verliest</i> (loses) or <i>Verzuipt</i> (drowns)!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0zyG_lBa4zHcemRRtph8DXgSCYDxgjoRUKzLxfSGA7y43PFf0iOTRrHq5Y7OWzaA_-F2YTquca6MgUgsNrTT-QeCpAhbjsJ1BfO4xjFKfuO6CMz8lJUPFkvoRqbMAdaEAQZlnlWlLRvz/s1600/2018-12-19+400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0zyG_lBa4zHcemRRtph8DXgSCYDxgjoRUKzLxfSGA7y43PFf0iOTRrHq5Y7OWzaA_-F2YTquca6MgUgsNrTT-QeCpAhbjsJ1BfO4xjFKfuO6CMz8lJUPFkvoRqbMAdaEAQZlnlWlLRvz/s320/2018-12-19+400.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most of the Dutch population only became actively involved in the Resistance movement after their non-Jewish countrymen were deported to forced labor camps. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqGl-x6b9hWi_EqUX_hRD6SWhkNGdnHkGz3u03JJlGRMs9y5BwwS203bjw__WvMdRqSzt9xbKeP4nP8PcviXDP8ctll6r-kRfGS2-tVqOn0mmgf_bJd76DEGjaOmcF9lcPkJ7Aef6juP8/s1600/2018-12-19+402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqGl-x6b9hWi_EqUX_hRD6SWhkNGdnHkGz3u03JJlGRMs9y5BwwS203bjw__WvMdRqSzt9xbKeP4nP8PcviXDP8ctll6r-kRfGS2-tVqOn0mmgf_bJd76DEGjaOmcF9lcPkJ7Aef6juP8/s320/2018-12-19+402.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Strikes:</b> On April 29th, 1943, a completely unexpected announcement was made that 300,000 former Dutch soldiers who had been released after the Netherlands surrendered in the first days of the war, would be transported to Germany who needed the extra labor. As a result, spontaneous strikes broke out, including from some dairy farmers who refused to deliver milk.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJGRgHyl35ACOGwJTj-6ZzOr-GVH94P_K5QAPwWEQxklLorzzujoBFZJ083JiLOox0X6tH6-2S4GVOU2xf0RvP4h-t8L4Ok3r_B3RonXABFdlRCGyXOdlhmyI-4kv5qPvw43aaejbFPUE/s1600/2018-12-19+406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJGRgHyl35ACOGwJTj-6ZzOr-GVH94P_K5QAPwWEQxklLorzzujoBFZJ083JiLOox0X6tH6-2S4GVOU2xf0RvP4h-t8L4Ok3r_B3RonXABFdlRCGyXOdlhmyI-4kv5qPvw43aaejbFPUE/s320/2018-12-19+406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The occupiers responded with force and 80 strikers were executed, and their names printed on posters as a deterrent. Shots were fired at groups of strikers with 95 more killed and 400 seriously wounded. On May 3rd, most of the strikers returned to work. The April and May strikes marked a turning point with all of the Netherlands experiencing the German terror. Support for the resistance increased drastically. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2_mTD4dE0yGSNZk2IvwtFpnw_AUAwff4PzHPwshQfrF_oA88K48pDdn4HXIklp_aK_e2szxjefnQ9S9IGzO11vxWqSKl_Qjx2e-Y0nHiz0Ur418KLNaLW_91okRo9sgtEO_LpaIviJWp/s1600/2018-12-19+407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2_mTD4dE0yGSNZk2IvwtFpnw_AUAwff4PzHPwshQfrF_oA88K48pDdn4HXIklp_aK_e2szxjefnQ9S9IGzO11vxWqSKl_Qjx2e-Y0nHiz0Ur418KLNaLW_91okRo9sgtEO_LpaIviJWp/s320/2018-12-19+407.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"The limits of compliance and of passive expectation have been reached." Before 1943, very few Dutch people were involved in the Dutch resistance movement. By the end of the war, there were about 45,000 Dutch people active in the resistance movement but that didn't take into account those who took in refugees, etc. Resistance activity </span><span style="font-size: large;">in the southern town of Boxtel</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">was led from</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Cafe Royale </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">with top leadership meeting there and organizations helping airmen operated from there.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XY9ekYS1bUCLgtUxWk5AKO2IYwH_y9TMcn0iau42Jyh_fA9zT_UOICoaMIe53H2yC2PCRwbduFAGeVlvuHwnD_kQZlNR4AWW1QYM40WZeENF_tT0GCQpEs4QnOC22ibS-7lhsf6kHP9z/s1600/2018-12-19+392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XY9ekYS1bUCLgtUxWk5AKO2IYwH_y9TMcn0iau42Jyh_fA9zT_UOICoaMIe53H2yC2PCRwbduFAGeVlvuHwnD_kQZlNR4AWW1QYM40WZeENF_tT0GCQpEs4QnOC22ibS-7lhsf6kHP9z/s320/2018-12-19+392.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was a forced labor effort for all Dutch men over 18 to work in Germany beginning in 1943. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Hiding the persecuted: </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">The high population density - the Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in the world - made hiding people difficult.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">However,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">as the occupation continued, the number of people in hiding grew to more than 300,000 by 1944. The first large group had been the Jews in 1942, followed later by</span><span style="font-size: large;"> young men who refused to go to work in Germany, soldiers or former resistance fighters. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Many people in the resistance movement were also living in hiding.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ARjx0jLwZWJ9ni9K7_VLVHyzGHmpdXig5eROkY4n1Zv39potF0e8zrcNs8y188UEkPn2fW9Fu2IC3q7EWN6NG7ewZuizPEBkuxqXWaE14efHQVgxIRy6kGWHY2m-J-es35Wg4mSuvtrr/s1600/2018-12-19+413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ARjx0jLwZWJ9ni9K7_VLVHyzGHmpdXig5eROkY4n1Zv39potF0e8zrcNs8y188UEkPn2fW9Fu2IC3q7EWN6NG7ewZuizPEBkuxqXWaE14efHQVgxIRy6kGWHY2m-J-es35Wg4mSuvtrr/s320/2018-12-19+413.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">People were understandably terrified to take people into their homes. We listened to people's voices explaining why they couldn't hide people, saying what others were doing was wonderful. 'But my life is just as dangerous and I don't think I can help." I can't begin to grasp how tough it would be to do what so many courageous Dutch people did.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix84KTGawt2ErIqhdmtRy2tMT3KV_qdzIlCnMsUhvspeZblj0bSyFdMoW9NA6NOsDuF7y93KYT70qxzCPodSdry0H75brZcIXJcFHrVZzLADoUKRJWidQm0lFdlPC_284plOgK7ozlaPZd/s1600/2018-12-19+418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix84KTGawt2ErIqhdmtRy2tMT3KV_qdzIlCnMsUhvspeZblj0bSyFdMoW9NA6NOsDuF7y93KYT70qxzCPodSdry0H75brZcIXJcFHrVZzLADoUKRJWidQm0lFdlPC_284plOgK7ozlaPZd/s320/2018-12-19+418.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In addition, people in hiding needed food, of course, and therefore ration coupons as well as forged identity papers and money. Many</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">small groups were formed to help people in hiding. In 1943, the <b>National Organization for Aid to Those in Hiding</b> or <b>LO</b> was set up with a vast network of regions and districts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 1941 and 1942, the first attempts were made to forge identity cards with the person's name bleached out and the 'J' for Jew removed with a pen knife and pasted over. Techniques were improved slowly such that the underground <b>Central Office for Identity Cards,</b> founded by an Amsterdam sculptor in 1942, evolved into the country's largest forging organization. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjga0Pihl2O624LAfhxEQzKOthgAr5jxR6JUU54xE2CcmHCHmfW1wT6Ew5VbVVe_v_CQeRQgKXvnKe4xIqbDR-8sFhWJT2u4BNMZdK6JCzfGimLyhSS6P-9iatut4dtE7mc7U6FCaOLY2Jr/s1600/2018-12-19+422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjga0Pihl2O624LAfhxEQzKOthgAr5jxR6JUU54xE2CcmHCHmfW1wT6Ew5VbVVe_v_CQeRQgKXvnKe4xIqbDR-8sFhWJT2u4BNMZdK6JCzfGimLyhSS6P-9iatut4dtE7mc7U6FCaOLY2Jr/s320/2018-12-19+422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Illegal newspapers that published news about the course of the war were important for public morale. They challenged German propaganda, encouraged people to resist, and, in the last year of the war, printed many articles about the future of the Netherlands after the war. </span><span style="font-size: large;">A total of 1,300 different illegal newspapers were published and all political and religious groups had their own newspaper. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhux4wsejGgDUK3jV4XXno4nqsWfRPk8cf1P9TMToS052OSsx86Pie_9kDGw0x2vCB8dZ6NA35p5U44ctwVpkuKhMsJAWuJ9uj_XovweFJB3baPE4fHfr97jpwh8XZOGhv_pBdasiy0j9BQ/s1600/2018-12-19+433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhux4wsejGgDUK3jV4XXno4nqsWfRPk8cf1P9TMToS052OSsx86Pie_9kDGw0x2vCB8dZ6NA35p5U44ctwVpkuKhMsJAWuJ9uj_XovweFJB3baPE4fHfr97jpwh8XZOGhv_pBdasiy0j9BQ/s320/2018-12-19+433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some </span><span style="font-size: large;">were only local editions that were typed and stenciled in people's living rooms and distributed within the neighborhood. Most of the large, national illegal newspapers were printed on presses and had a large network of people at their disposal who gathered the news and organized distribution. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2byFcoHoNlGT24iTK0_mVcQk1QFDAOUkWnOzVw5_2MhRYHWysiJy7MaZmQXPKzeNAWaTwnJr6mnjlcbZApd94YeMSj3g1HE1ODHHba__uBbohf2v3KMjOt2oKysH-IkWLUqGDdwBDaHW7/s1600/2018-12-19+434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2byFcoHoNlGT24iTK0_mVcQk1QFDAOUkWnOzVw5_2MhRYHWysiJy7MaZmQXPKzeNAWaTwnJr6mnjlcbZApd94YeMSj3g1HE1ODHHba__uBbohf2v3KMjOt2oKysH-IkWLUqGDdwBDaHW7/s320/2018-12-19+434.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As the war slogged on, the armed Dutch Resistance became more violent, murdering both German occupiers and Dutch collaborators. Of the almost 20,000 Dutch that were arrested because of their work with the Resistance, 2,000 were executed. Others were sent to detention centers or to concentration camps either in the Netherlands or in German camps in Poland. The conditions were so brutal that more than 500 Dutch resistance fighters didn't survive their imprisonment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This chess game was made in prison and was passed to the next prisoner by the person delivering a meal. As the game 'progressed' with just one move a day, participating prisoners needed plenty of patience. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxEQw5KVv2qEPAZE7Uum8Ohe8wbNqXDt797tc_o4GWUV5nFtNtFzGI6u27LnKxDGDQd5CjnIwttnBIvO2ogEo69B8Ndj7NvmH3RcEASyyNi7TpIKHdLTLYzrSqh6ZJVF4RpH1sUUoS4T9/s1600/2018-12-19+438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxEQw5KVv2qEPAZE7Uum8Ohe8wbNqXDt797tc_o4GWUV5nFtNtFzGI6u27LnKxDGDQd5CjnIwttnBIvO2ogEo69B8Ndj7NvmH3RcEASyyNi7TpIKHdLTLYzrSqh6ZJVF4RpH1sUUoS4T9/s320/2018-12-19+438.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can barely comprehend how truly </span><span style="font-size: large;">desperate </span><span style="font-size: large;">prisoners must have been to write notes in blood <b>and</b> with a straw.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEshxaFOekO9eIzLi1qy9XL1AwaInVlARssZ9I_os3V9qirBbDcdAZxLTF5HuGYwT0wExuC6WqQCl9ofwjpO0YVgrhmghEdFDj-YJyQE-54qgzbp3rc8gZ4feWgx4mZOS9McT6pu0v9QL/s1600/2018-12-19+441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEshxaFOekO9eIzLi1qy9XL1AwaInVlARssZ9I_os3V9qirBbDcdAZxLTF5HuGYwT0wExuC6WqQCl9ofwjpO0YVgrhmghEdFDj-YJyQE-54qgzbp3rc8gZ4feWgx4mZOS9McT6pu0v9QL/s320/2018-12-19+441.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beginning in September of 1944, Allied troops began capturing those parts of the Netherlands still under occupation, with heavy fighting and much damage inflicted. The Dutch began celebrating but too soon as the Nazis refused to give up and punished the country by eliminating food rations. That resulted in the <b>Hunger Winter</b> from 1944 to 1945 during which 20,000 people died and others only survived by eating tulip bulbs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the spring of 1945, the Allies had liberated the entire country. Approximately 120,000 Dutch collaborators were imprisoned with their trials continuing for several years. In the end, just 34 Dutch people were executed including NSB leader <b>Mussert.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJw7NBwgZ1mMEtrirrJ950DLuA0o7xS7bXdu7kgWFd5lpbUp_Yr02LaoVEMakkV3CMTdcWnbydG5_J_Jf4vAZVZPVTP8wG5qiodIITYnj4tM-82NIg1_kc-cnTlOwNbRsXJqA7cIqpHKL/s1600/2018-12-19+447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJw7NBwgZ1mMEtrirrJ950DLuA0o7xS7bXdu7kgWFd5lpbUp_Yr02LaoVEMakkV3CMTdcWnbydG5_J_Jf4vAZVZPVTP8wG5qiodIITYnj4tM-82NIg1_kc-cnTlOwNbRsXJqA7cIqpHKL/s320/2018-12-19+447.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Though hundreds of thousands of political prisoners, victims of persecution and forced laborers returned to the Netherlands, there were very few repatriation facilities set up to receive them. There was also scant understanding for the traumatic experiences of Jewish survivors. Many members of the Resistance became disappointed with post-war politics and interest in the war dwindled as the 1940s drew to a close and the ravaged Netherlands focused on reconstruction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thought it was emotionally draining to visit both the Anne Frank House and the Dutch Resistance Museum, let alone in the same day, our visits to each were critical for getting a clearer understanding about such a horrific period in the history of the Netherlands and of Europe as a whole. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A block away in <b>Wertheim Park</b> was the thought provoking <b>Auschwitz Memorial</b> that was inspired by a victim's poem that referred to the broken sky of his world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Monument of Mirrors</b> commemorated</span><span style="font-size: large;"> the millions of victims of racial hatred. It was also a place to remember, mourn, and reflect, as well as a warning to all future generations throughout the world.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijn9IgCcigbNn_xPna_SbN3WpGj0lZMXYJSgOtdF2qhzuVruaTLYeNNns0_e9pieejgWB_hV1pKMSvbQRO6mHdnh2xqt48ocjWLOSSjshx4pzTF6PQQ0xe6gRHnnmUeELhBf6-aJIGHZHW/s1600/2018-12-19+452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijn9IgCcigbNn_xPna_SbN3WpGj0lZMXYJSgOtdF2qhzuVruaTLYeNNns0_e9pieejgWB_hV1pKMSvbQRO6mHdnh2xqt48ocjWLOSSjshx4pzTF6PQQ0xe6gRHnnmUeELhBf6-aJIGHZHW/s320/2018-12-19+452.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We'd planned to enter the nearby <b>Jewish Historical Museum</b> which would tell us the story of the Netherlands' Jews through the centuries but it was closed that day as it had no electricity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a little bit of time left and needed something way lighter than the Anne Frank House and the Dutch Resistance Museum so walked to the <b>Gassan Diamond Factory</b> that was founded by Samuel Gassan, </span><span style="font-size: large;">the son of a former diamond factory worker who opened his own diamond factory in 1945 when he was just 35. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were able to join a free tour and watched the technician shape the diamonds and polish the stones. The guide told us about how diamonds were divided by the four 'Cs' of color, clarity, cut and color although most women knew that already! The combination of all four factors determine the price and value, she said. Pink Australian diamonds were the rarer diamonds and the brilliant cut was the most common type of cut.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the diamond industry collapsed in the 1920s and 1930s, the supply of rough diamonds began to dry up and the worldwide Depression meant people had less money to spend on expensive diamonds. During that period, although it was still used to cut diamonds, the building was also home to all types of other small businesses including fabric merchants and a slipper factory.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92X-X8WgsGDGNHOv9CLwqCqU3uzhCPRV2DukrwW85cwn3doLO07OKO0iWdurcMO5g9kIr9tQrQuvyoPQlH5Qu3b2hSwrGlylo7VulQhcn56hfuC2oq_hW2Vjw6CfRzQN5GUCtoeDwvzpk/s1600/2018-12-19+482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92X-X8WgsGDGNHOv9CLwqCqU3uzhCPRV2DukrwW85cwn3doLO07OKO0iWdurcMO5g9kIr9tQrQuvyoPQlH5Qu3b2hSwrGlylo7VulQhcn56hfuC2oq_hW2Vjw6CfRzQN5GUCtoeDwvzpk/s320/2018-12-19+482.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The guide then took us into a showroom where we all gathered around while she displayed a number of diamonds and told us the different characteristics of each <b>and</b> its price!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This one was a one carat brilliant white diamond and would sell for 7, 313 euros!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKuyzpUulrPfCd8540ftHVinRkgV32Cg4fBJdVcDD4f7LHznHIghB7rFwZ2o-mi1Vn3Qq75Vu5PYgz3xdXHM3SyVRrVuWiTqtIXwDw_PJF43jH2qYXxFIRihbzcLGp2ho48iBefMLyqI0/s1600/2018-12-19+487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKuyzpUulrPfCd8540ftHVinRkgV32Cg4fBJdVcDD4f7LHznHIghB7rFwZ2o-mi1Vn3Qq75Vu5PYgz3xdXHM3SyVRrVuWiTqtIXwDw_PJF43jH2qYXxFIRihbzcLGp2ho48iBefMLyqI0/s320/2018-12-19+487.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The many diamonds she'd just shown us looked so, so puny on her pad! If you want to see them better, just click on the photo although I'm not sure that will make much of a difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">No doubt the security in her private showroom was top of the line but I was surprised how seemingly nonchalant she appeared to be with about a dozen of us hovering around her and, as you can see, a huge display of gems and jewelry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Boas brothers </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">put this diamond-cutting company into operation in 1879. With 357 grinders, it was the largest cutting company of its time in Europe. As Jews dominated the diamond industry, it wasn't surprising that a synagogue was located on the inner grounds. There were dozens of diamond factories in Amsterdam at that time. Gassan Diamonds has continued the traditional purpose of the building since 1989. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As much as we were charmed by Amsterdam's canals, gorgeous historic homes, houseboats, etc in our whirlwind visit to Amsterdam the previous two days, the city looked positively spectacular at night. </span><span style="font-size: large;">These last views of Amsterdam would have to suffice until we had a few more hours to explore the city two days' hence before we flew home after traveling for the last 4.5 months.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was only fitting that my first post of Amsterdam began with the Centraal (train) Station as our day ended there, too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> A fun day trip to the nearby town of <b>Delft</b> known for its fabulous pottery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on July 10th, 2019, from toasty Denver!</i></span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-59508093342017935342019-07-08T14:05:00.000-06:002019-07-19T21:25:43.003-06:0012/19: Amsterdam's Jordaan Walk & Heartbreaking Tour of Anne Frank House<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>About three months ago </i><i>I returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow that really fun trip Down Under, here's a link to the newest blog: </i></span></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">After enjoying travel writer <b>Rick Steves'</b> Amsterdam City Walk so much the day before, we chose to next follow much of his <b>Jordaan Walk,</b> the neighborhood a little west of the center. It would also take us to the <b>Anne Frank House</b> where we had timed reservations.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The city's post office was considered ultramodern when it was built in 1899 atop a foundation of 4,500 pilings. </span><span style="font-size: large;">After the 1980s</span><span style="font-size: large;">, it became the upscale Magna Plaza Mall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the last post I wrote about Amsterdam's famous gables along the rooftops which were false fronts to beautify the generally, sharply pitched roofs. Along a tiny street called Molsteeg, there were more intriguing gables from 'point' to 'bell' to 'step' shaped ones.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The house at number <b>5 Molsteeg</b> dated from 1644 and was just one window wide. It was common of the city's old merchants' homes with a shop on the ground floor, living space in the middle, and storage in the attic. When we looked up, we spotted hooks above warehouse doors so that pulleys could be attached to hoist cargo, or, in these days, lift up a couch to come through the upper-story window.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some homes had iron rods on the sides which acted as braces to reduce the amount of the homes leaning one way or another caused by the shifting of thousands of pilings hammered vertically into the marshy soil.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We soon noticed that almost all Amsterdam homes had big, tall windows to let in as much light as possible. Depending on the canal, homes were taxed on the width of their street frontage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The day before, we saw scads of <b>bikes</b> at the city's huge Centraal train station and here were lots more. According to Steves, the 820,000 residents own almost that many bikes and the Netherlands' 17 million people also own almost that many bikes with many people having both a long distance racing bike and a city bike intentionally kept in poor condition to deter the many bike thieves. I smiled when I read that Amsterdam's health clubs are more for networking than keeping fit as biking already does that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Torensluis Bridge</b> was far wider than those we'd come across the day before because the <b>Singel Canal</b> under it was the original moat that ran around the old walled city. It was just one of many canals that measured approximately 50 miles of them!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A cute sign in a shop we walked by!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzuaKzXJCN7ifvZuTI1dhpAbTk_F39OPUawTYLV_VtSW0b7cU6IxI45N-fUQWWwwYAwqCXF2Bjet2SoNPFhqg-fZgfLtXUcSr-Zr5hsTlnx82KY0DNyOZWrmqdJbEMGd96g-btQM4YC9o/s1600/2018-12-19+299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzuaKzXJCN7ifvZuTI1dhpAbTk_F39OPUawTYLV_VtSW0b7cU6IxI45N-fUQWWwwYAwqCXF2Bjet2SoNPFhqg-fZgfLtXUcSr-Zr5hsTlnx82KY0DNyOZWrmqdJbEMGd96g-btQM4YC9o/s320/2018-12-19+299.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even though it was rather gloomy when we there in mid December, the weather did nothing to detract from the stately, historic buildings we saw facing canal after canal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 'big head' statue honored an early 19th century Amsterdam writer known by his pen name of <b>Multatuli</b> who wrote about the hard life of the Javanese people in the Dutch East Indies while working as a bureaucrat in the colonial system. <b>Eduard Douwes Dekker,</b> the first author to criticize Dutch colonial practices, has been referred to as the 'Dutch Rudyard Kipling' for his talent and subject matter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mixed in with the lovely old homes from the 17th century's Amsterdam's <b>Golden Age</b> were these pretty ugly gray ones that were built for the university during the less affluent 1970s. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Grey Area</b> was another of Amsterdam's thriving 'coffee shops,' meaning it was also licensed to sell marijuana. Steves indicated the shop's name referred to "the murky back side of the marijuana business, how coffee shops get their supply from wholesalers. That was the 'gray area' that Dutch laws have yet to sort out." This shop was a regular winner at the city's yearly Cannabis Cup Awards - surely, a 'high' honor!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This walking tour also took us back to the <b>Herengracht,</b> the canal we 'd seen yesterday from another perspective. It was named for the wealthy city merchants of the 17th century who lined it with their mansions.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImY09FLfV-3UGYNuIG19EO5Q9vVkQYF7OOrnsIy_426ECOFudcgNIlPINxdvDiZq3RQ7ilwTHcCWIxaViHO2uqXhybyk4l-84U5H4M1-qD2RFa4j2S7RLQo2TFxCVCRyOTx6H5dBfjGES/s1600/2018-12-19+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImY09FLfV-3UGYNuIG19EO5Q9vVkQYF7OOrnsIy_426ECOFudcgNIlPINxdvDiZq3RQ7ilwTHcCWIxaViHO2uqXhybyk4l-84U5H4M1-qD2RFa4j2S7RLQo2TFxCVCRyOTx6H5dBfjGES/s320/2018-12-19+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The townhouse on the corner gave us a great view of the side view that, though it had a very narrow front entrance, it still stretched way back from the street. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We could see why the <b>Leliegracht</b> has been described as one of the prettiest small canals in Amsterdam. As we walked along it for a bit, we happened to look up and noticed the beams that jutted out from the top that had cargo-hoisting hooks at the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the first time in Amsterdam, we saw that some buildings along Leliegracht had steps that led below the street level to homes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmF-cBFUE4UjckSIOTdHnV55KLBbIwNeK9RROaW-4pLl8tCeRG4NcT_GN8DPiw84BxD7mYwOPfZweNWubGXd6HFIj_7s33gKufHJbfzXOWDQQ_aOSFnYIEaxzOfpEBZve6DKzbHidvoxw5/s1600/2018-12-19+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmF-cBFUE4UjckSIOTdHnV55KLBbIwNeK9RROaW-4pLl8tCeRG4NcT_GN8DPiw84BxD7mYwOPfZweNWubGXd6HFIj_7s33gKufHJbfzXOWDQQ_aOSFnYIEaxzOfpEBZve6DKzbHidvoxw5/s320/2018-12-19+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fromm the <b>Keisergracht Bridge,</b> we had a fine view of the Astoria building which was typical of an architectural style called <b>Amsterdam School.</b> That referred to its geometrical windows, minimal ornamentation yet also a few mosaics and flowery reliefs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not far along the canal were steps that led down to a triangular pink stone that jutted out into the canal. It was part of the <b>Homomonument</b> that paid homage to homosexuals who lost their lives in WW II and to all those, in the past, present or future persecuted for their homosexuality. The pink triangle design there and in the adjoining <b>Westermarkt Square</b> was first used by the Nazis to signify homosexuals.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEl_DNhj7zeDtGTdd0_LGIzQfKW36mlwJagfgpRZTTu8jXAWvhVHlobzs590-KMGgpVmnzRVtlfXag7QH6xYrV7gkzEcXWCe0BN2vS8WzThl_5Dc7FuSJnYlrV70goRFZEF2C5D-qD9ECM/s1600/2018-12-19+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEl_DNhj7zeDtGTdd0_LGIzQfKW36mlwJagfgpRZTTu8jXAWvhVHlobzs590-KMGgpVmnzRVtlfXag7QH6xYrV7gkzEcXWCe0BN2vS8WzThl_5Dc7FuSJnYlrV70goRFZEF2C5D-qD9ECM/s320/2018-12-19+067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was glad to see this kiosk in the square that sold Flemish, not French, fries was closed because that meant we could see the closed shutters featured great masterpieces of Western art with <i>friets</i> added to the paintings!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVZA_V3YGWHKXAoeBMhY7Ebggr4KKie6nCYPWBy3Loh0FMvyRvPveiGobOYEM3b_2AibCL61rUCHt3KvrxCEroMqPjhmcPt4S5VDUHDl3vvr-fGOtbRN0FZ8wcah7JmUtswolwZDE1Kx4/s1600/2018-12-19+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVZA_V3YGWHKXAoeBMhY7Ebggr4KKie6nCYPWBy3Loh0FMvyRvPveiGobOYEM3b_2AibCL61rUCHt3KvrxCEroMqPjhmcPt4S5VDUHDl3vvr-fGOtbRN0FZ8wcah7JmUtswolwZDE1Kx4/s320/2018-12-19+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the square was a cute little statue of </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Anne Frank </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">whose family hid in a house just down the block.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvZdX_QwCKKiGXBaQWYv8vCh34nNRdkb4Bm3YeDGFjHQb54kFVO89VDhQIJOrF72ABqz4A8cm245-zj3Me2YnRV-uQFZsNw9Ur_FN2m3rW1_-wusT170qqbLsHLXFwAKlIGGyXTfOPMfw/s1600/2018-12-19+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvZdX_QwCKKiGXBaQWYv8vCh34nNRdkb4Bm3YeDGFjHQb54kFVO89VDhQIJOrF72ABqz4A8cm245-zj3Me2YnRV-uQFZsNw9Ur_FN2m3rW1_-wusT170qqbLsHLXFwAKlIGGyXTfOPMfw/s320/2018-12-19+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The statue was near the end of <b>Westerkerk</b> or <b>Western Church</b> that was built in 1631 and displayed the symbol of Amsterdam with its three Xs</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bj98GUPl8Q1xQd9yPFEaFEd_3N_JNG2QvSETszm_ukhv3zfidK0PHyC6q7A4bIVbWuwp72KcAghg8vtzWHiPTfIAAZK97LiJcqPSOALwKHuWlmryngdVpwB_fN-SxrbtNNLkQ15fC_a0/s1600/2018-12-19+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bj98GUPl8Q1xQd9yPFEaFEd_3N_JNG2QvSETszm_ukhv3zfidK0PHyC6q7A4bIVbWuwp72KcAghg8vtzWHiPTfIAAZK97LiJcqPSOALwKHuWlmryngdVpwB_fN-SxrbtNNLkQ15fC_a0/s320/2018-12-19+066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD0vsr-1x4CUCQ1LsFhe1ufd8bJCBmCsShRi7-GPChz8Fu_zdrll8BfM9iFaiHEj_PhQGUr8pDtKZbzRRh-O7ukzvRcjkXClOBN0P3OugdgGpll5CXUltd6bSi5j7aLtOzse20moyjT3p/s1600/2018-12-19+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD0vsr-1x4CUCQ1LsFhe1ufd8bJCBmCsShRi7-GPChz8Fu_zdrll8BfM9iFaiHEj_PhQGUr8pDtKZbzRRh-O7ukzvRcjkXClOBN0P3OugdgGpll5CXUltd6bSi5j7aLtOzse20moyjT3p/s320/2018-12-19+076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The church tower had a <b>carillon,</b> a set of bells of different sizes and pitches, that was invented by Dutch bell makers in the 1400s. The carillon chimes every fifteen minutes and often plays full songs. When the Westerkerk's carillon played every day </span><span style="font-size: large;">during WW II, the reassuring sound reminded Anne Frank and so many other Jewish Amsterdammers in hiding there was indeed an outside world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rembrandt</b> was buried in the church but no one knows where. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xJXCmalNDLBrcMzJy5sAuCzMIiUaZaeh3fHN9H39VcmDB2Eo6xpSp38I5NMnlnscIPtRbBQf2zCBDNn-cZ9xqlWcfWeFVTVRuIIniaBAg4GLT4-SUVVbYXkCap2tBNrqY82H6k-La2Si/s1600/2018-12-19+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xJXCmalNDLBrcMzJy5sAuCzMIiUaZaeh3fHN9H39VcmDB2Eo6xpSp38I5NMnlnscIPtRbBQf2zCBDNn-cZ9xqlWcfWeFVTVRuIIniaBAg4GLT4-SUVVbYXkCap2tBNrqY82H6k-La2Si/s320/2018-12-19+089.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgrLR_2RYV8v95e0NL9gA3fzk9Fg5wEAGj7FCbKr7ZPJYjTl5BLyw4CtsKjS6QjtzCETEKfo34Z_0HF66A7r2cK_TPtDqADYrbc0nv3TbQmaZE_8iOF4YJ2twJV3AyMFfE7UDBTobdcsu/s1600/2018-12-19+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgrLR_2RYV8v95e0NL9gA3fzk9Fg5wEAGj7FCbKr7ZPJYjTl5BLyw4CtsKjS6QjtzCETEKfo34Z_0HF66A7r2cK_TPtDqADYrbc0nv3TbQmaZE_8iOF4YJ2twJV3AyMFfE7UDBTobdcsu/s320/2018-12-19+091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKA-meq3yw1lpZN3ULMoLX66lJNWqRifv9ozyvO3DcaIgWkqSCPfVzMyZs2Dr2XfqhBtjKsz8PzY-y4lyOLI-hfRZw4UNuuIdvvGq-_L7LluB1CPv5CaVl-vabOQJWTWX9jA6QhE5b_rVD/s1600/2018-12-19+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKA-meq3yw1lpZN3ULMoLX66lJNWqRifv9ozyvO3DcaIgWkqSCPfVzMyZs2Dr2XfqhBtjKsz8PzY-y4lyOLI-hfRZw4UNuuIdvvGq-_L7LluB1CPv5CaVl-vabOQJWTWX9jA6QhE5b_rVD/s320/2018-12-19+093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we still had time before our timed entrance to the Anne Frank House, we explored more of the area. We didn't mind in the least returning to the scenic <b>Prinsengracht</b> or the <b>Princes' Canal</b> that had far more houseboats in this section that what we'd seen yesterday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Years ago, I distinctly </span><span style="font-size: large;">remember </span><span style="font-size: large;">watching an episode of <i>House Hunters International</i> that featured potential buyers checking out which houseboat to buy in Amsterdam. That was the closest I ever came to seeing the inside of one! If we ever return to the Netherlands as we'd like to, perhaps we'll visit the Houseboat Museum in Amsterdam.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cannabis and cocaine vodka anyone?!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7YLL2iphSQzVP0CGY8-doWhe6IXAP2f6TrAdcb1j4P-0jdRYpseaOwh3hI8YDPq4NVJVexRxey65hamPkx6NusgaFJZ1yLSWpHk6acO2u2dsUB9vC-agbgZqMx8qCDB3XIzVmkrB6emt/s1600/2018-12-19+105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7YLL2iphSQzVP0CGY8-doWhe6IXAP2f6TrAdcb1j4P-0jdRYpseaOwh3hI8YDPq4NVJVexRxey65hamPkx6NusgaFJZ1yLSWpHk6acO2u2dsUB9vC-agbgZqMx8qCDB3XIzVmkrB6emt/s320/2018-12-19+105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the Jordaan neighborhood was built in the 1600s it was a working class area, but it's recently become home to yuppies and artists. You know the overwhelming volume of junk mail we in North America receive on a constant basis. The Dutch, however, use stickers next to their mailboxes that either say <i>Nee</i> or <i>Ja</i> (no or yes) indicating to the mail carriers if they accept or refuse the junk mail.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nf7LK2FJq2bGdPzulzO-k7-vvfXvC59d7Eh_WK9S13syOFXLylAsdkA4Ni4HOTRxT6W03Ra7ivyDTVI3JpFaQuoNQMZaG6VrrUICI_pngy_JAoqTZuXGQRI5RuNmF10nFIJFcuTHkwyN/s1600/2018-12-19+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nf7LK2FJq2bGdPzulzO-k7-vvfXvC59d7Eh_WK9S13syOFXLylAsdkA4Ni4HOTRxT6W03Ra7ivyDTVI3JpFaQuoNQMZaG6VrrUICI_pngy_JAoqTZuXGQRI5RuNmF10nFIJFcuTHkwyN/s320/2018-12-19+107.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Residents are permitted to have a 'front yard garden' on the condition it's no wider than one sidewalk tile!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_V56LVT7UsXCRcEr61FLm2SF5I5hLdhAexSa_S-ODHMApQjbIBSYj0yLP0kICjH1uaEupk1GGbTzQWByfwuCZuQa2XGLCCYiyYwD7fS3JwdG18XGTXDY5ocvk9J6FSA33Md1tE-1V544L/s1600/2018-12-19+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_V56LVT7UsXCRcEr61FLm2SF5I5hLdhAexSa_S-ODHMApQjbIBSYj0yLP0kICjH1uaEupk1GGbTzQWByfwuCZuQa2XGLCCYiyYwD7fS3JwdG18XGTXDY5ocvk9J6FSA33Md1tE-1V544L/s320/2018-12-19+109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The red metal bollards on the sidewalks known as <i>Amsterdammertjes</i> or 'little Amsterdammers' were installed in the 1970s to stop people from parking on the sidewalks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had trouble imagining living in one of these homes or apartments that had windows right on the street as the lack of privacy would get to me. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IvXN2a6oaMN8rl0JSmGu_H3s34A9lDwQ9FIDFNA7ul5eSncSqP0kD16h6vALDIwLOiVBsQMRbwfnSWHuiF4cVzS7rSPEzFg63ScKgNy4jLXkBHqLSihQu2Uvs3x_WozsjkYFzSNXpuVf/s1600/2018-12-19+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IvXN2a6oaMN8rl0JSmGu_H3s34A9lDwQ9FIDFNA7ul5eSncSqP0kD16h6vALDIwLOiVBsQMRbwfnSWHuiF4cVzS7rSPEzFg63ScKgNy4jLXkBHqLSihQu2Uvs3x_WozsjkYFzSNXpuVf/s320/2018-12-19+115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Notice how this gray home was leaning badly due to the pilings underneath in the marshy soil? Even newly renovated homes were required to preserve the funky leaning angles and original wooden beams according to strict building codes from the 1980s. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_po33yM-HrTBC48p4x-76d5mZeNLdvoCxoqBKVa0qE1Bvc-8kiuOQFuUediaqygJXmvtFQkdRG_pw82zHkp9DrzRZW21QMwdhI0cfY6KHX-Y2wRVGlrqAxPE_wvnL4ZI-SGrC28EOH064/s1600/2018-12-19+120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_po33yM-HrTBC48p4x-76d5mZeNLdvoCxoqBKVa0qE1Bvc-8kiuOQFuUediaqygJXmvtFQkdRG_pw82zHkp9DrzRZW21QMwdhI0cfY6KHX-Y2wRVGlrqAxPE_wvnL4ZI-SGrC28EOH064/s320/2018-12-19+120.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you no doubt figured, <i>brug</i> means bridge in Dutch. This was yet another quiet canal lined with trees and old narrow houses topped with gables - a typical Amsterdam shot.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPrxp2GqtzTkGtyOMjMKUJWa61ynxRjF_K8YmBzpNGCSCJgdMYuobvWqdeQ-7ZBQaXZ2D9hYXIp-G0OQHJ6eNN6IvUa8P_lxOXutE-769v5aVCigeZGIrn5RHgH8anPEcsIKKgpNzAoQv/s1600/2018-12-19+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPrxp2GqtzTkGtyOMjMKUJWa61ynxRjF_K8YmBzpNGCSCJgdMYuobvWqdeQ-7ZBQaXZ2D9hYXIp-G0OQHJ6eNN6IvUa8P_lxOXutE-769v5aVCigeZGIrn5RHgH8anPEcsIKKgpNzAoQv/s320/2018-12-19+125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After almost walking in a full circle around the Jordaan neighborhood, we had a fantastic view of the impressive Westerkerk at the end of the lane. From this angle, we had a marvelous vantage point of the spire's crown shape which had been a gift from the Habsburg emperor, <b>Maximilian I.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFlau2L-OLsZo7AXbBFpOQxYGkSbNXGsoLSBtO6FrjvvGirzny_abdX4MSVVEFqBpL2x7ZLPCYqEN3YC8PN-VKxVWAaAhhntEUDeJ5UN6XeZJk6fZyNHuD_YfixhP8_zrKsk2y9IAH6W-/s1600/2018-12-19+131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFlau2L-OLsZo7AXbBFpOQxYGkSbNXGsoLSBtO6FrjvvGirzny_abdX4MSVVEFqBpL2x7ZLPCYqEN3YC8PN-VKxVWAaAhhntEUDeJ5UN6XeZJk6fZyNHuD_YfixhP8_zrKsk2y9IAH6W-/s320/2018-12-19+131.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Along the lane was <b>Electric Ladyland</b> which called itself the <b>First Museum of Fluorescent Art</b> and had everything from minerals to stamps to candy <b>and</b> the the first fluorescent crayons from 1950s San Francisco! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WA7D_rlTHW_xDBJmAcYUI3byWYFzfSixE_um9yGH4MeFMV4sCpFaHnD2e_EQfBJfRFiJqgAxoxZdW6aHgAFxfZpiFLBa7TeQx3r8jHkf7YQIgNxHfblqF2PzxKJayJYQQ8IbpGdjmPre/s1600/2018-12-19+135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WA7D_rlTHW_xDBJmAcYUI3byWYFzfSixE_um9yGH4MeFMV4sCpFaHnD2e_EQfBJfRFiJqgAxoxZdW6aHgAFxfZpiFLBa7TeQx3r8jHkf7YQIgNxHfblqF2PzxKJayJYQQ8IbpGdjmPre/s320/2018-12-19+135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yet another idyllic bridge overlooking a canal:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYITuj0hH3GxfjfdszgThBNfa0xtkrb5xCLbCmN6X2tYpqhVIw_OIYYA2ccTwMwdxGK1qiKAnL7hepozaKmOkxV2rP7TeUWeCJU8zmG7nWv0goSlJ8tfrUMPN3dPYxDo67YglXqNMpAge/s1600/2018-12-19+144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYITuj0hH3GxfjfdszgThBNfa0xtkrb5xCLbCmN6X2tYpqhVIw_OIYYA2ccTwMwdxGK1qiKAnL7hepozaKmOkxV2rP7TeUWeCJU8zmG7nWv0goSlJ8tfrUMPN3dPYxDo67YglXqNMpAge/s320/2018-12-19+144.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The</span><span style="font-size: large;"> front half of the building</span><span style="font-size: large;"> that was the <b>Anne Frank House</b> faced the canal and had offices and warehouses of an operating business during the war years. The Frank family and others lived in the back half which was the <b>Secret Annex,</b> whose entrance was concealed by a bookcase. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In a diary entry from April 11 of 1944, Anne wrote that "One day this terrible war will be over. The time will come when we'll be people again and not just Jews!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Some background:</b> Within a week of Germany's Luftwaffe bombing of the Amsterdam airport on May 10, 1940, the Netherlands were forced to surrender and the Nazis goose-stepped past the Westerkerk and hung mammoth swastikas on the Royal Palace in Dam Square we'd visited the previous day. When the five-year German occupation of the Netherlands began, there were 140,000 Jews in the country, 80,000 of were in Amsterdam. The Frank family had been unable to emigrate to England and went into hiding in this building in July of 1942 where they remained until they were discovered by Nazis on August 4, 1944. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The following information will give you a sense of how the lives of the city's Jews changed so drastically from the Nazi invasion until the Franks went into hiding 26 months later. Jews were required to wear a visible yellow star if older than 5, register with the police, turn in their bicycles, forbidden to use trams, ride in cars, go to movie theaters, could only shop from 3-5, and only go to Jewish-owned barbershops and beauty salons or to be out on the streets from 8 pm to 6 am, school children could no longer attend their old schools. Of course, Christians couldn't visit homes where Jews lived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The dots on the Amsterdam map represented exactly where Jews lived in the city, with each dot representing ten Jews. It was made in the spring of 1941 by local government officials on Nazi orders. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the Nazis randomly rounded up 427 Jewish men in February of 1941 in Amsterdam and transported them to Mauthausen concentration camp, it became clear to everyone that the lives of Jews were in danger. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After moving his family from their native Frankfurt in 1933 to a more tolerant Amsterdam after the Nazis gained power, <b>Otto Frank,</b> Anne's father, ran a successful business called <b>Opekta</b>, selling spices and pectin to make jelly, from the office overlooking the Prinsengracht canal. When conditions proved to be intolerable, his courageous secretary,</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Miep Gries, </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">and two others kept his business going and also helped the Franks and four others living in the <b>Secret Annex</b> at the back of the building.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The diagram showed the office in the red and the Secret Annex in the blue accessed by the bookcase. Though the annex wasn't exactly a secret as it was hard to hide an entire building, it was a common feature in Amsterdam buildings. As such, the Nazis had no cause to suspect anything on the premises of the Opekta business. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The eight inhabitants of the Secret Annex included initially just the four members of the Frank family: Otto and his wife, Edith, their daughters, 16-year-old Margot and 11-year-old Anne. A week later they were joined by the <b>Van Pels</b> - called the 'Van Daans' in her diary - and their teenage son, <b>Peter.</b> A few months later, <b>Fritz Pfeffer</b> - called Mr. Dussel in the diary - was asked to join the others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The stairway led up to the second floor <b>Storeroom</b> where spices were once kept.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The image of the storeroom showed the back windows were painted to protect the spices from the sunlight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The day after Anne's older sister, Margot, received an official notification to report to work in Nazi Germany on July 5, 1942, the family went into hiding as Otto felt the family had no other options. The family spread rumors they were fleeing to Switzerland. They sent this postcard the same day to their family in Basel, Switzerland, writing the family was healthy and together, although it was clear reading between the lines that something was terribly amiss. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The swinging bookcase, filled with business files, hid the secret entrance to Anne's parents' bedroom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Margot on the left and Anne:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the eight people in hiding were arrested, the Secret Annex was emptied on the orders of the Nazis. All that remained were the family photos and a few personal items. This reconstructed room had belonged to Anne's parents and sister. The family carried on their lives as normally as possible here. Edith read her prayer book in her native German, the children continued their studies, and they all tracked the war's progress by radio broadcasts and news from their helpers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Anne's room,</b> which she initially shared with her sister and then with Fritz, a middle aged dentist, was covered with pictures from magazines that were smuggled to her by the Opekta bookkeeper. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The images vividly brought to life the pre-teen Anne - they made me think right away of our own children's rooms which at one time also had photos of their idols. We could imagine Anne spending many hours sitting at a desk just like this one writing in her diary.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pictures pasted on the wall included the future <b>Queen Elizabeth</b> as a child, matinee idol <b>Rudy Vallee,</b> actresses <b>Greta Garbo</b> and <b>Ginger Rogers, </b>American star <b>Robert Stack</b> and so many others. Photos of flowers and landscapes reminded Anne of the world outside she was forbidden to see.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All eight people shared this one <b>bathroom;</b> during the day, no one could flush the toilet a</span><span style="font-size: large;">s the drainpipe ran straight downstairs and right through the warehouse, and the noise could have betrayed the people in hiding. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another steep staircase took us to the <b>Common Living Room</b> which was used as the kitchen and dining room during the day and the Van Pels' sleeping quarters at night. We saw the remains of the stove in the photo below. Miep Gies would take their shopping list and buy food for her 'family of eight' and secretly bring it up to them. As you can imagine, buying such large quantities of food in a coupon-restricted economy would have raised suspicions, except she knew a sympathetic grocer a block away on Leliegracht where we'd just walked. Gries and the grocer were part of a group of Amsterdammers who risked their lives to assist the Jews who'd comprised ten percent of the population when the Nazis invaded. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The menu for a special dinner that listed soup, roast beef, salad, potatoes, rice, dessert and coffee could only have come from near the beginning of their hiding as later, worsening conditions and German restrictions thrust the country into poverty and famine. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFe8tSea4gMDF_w412uVhLNBuv0LCMWH7AdmImZjHOKuxD0-i0bdQErQ7RU3ypu3MXPvM8z62PmUq_y3NAW1CYj6JpCDMwyU0xNiCgM6DRampOOR9fx8xeEoXCVMQ9XUuHluLBbHi2dKu/s1600/2018-12-19+226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFe8tSea4gMDF_w412uVhLNBuv0LCMWH7AdmImZjHOKuxD0-i0bdQErQ7RU3ypu3MXPvM8z62PmUq_y3NAW1CYj6JpCDMwyU0xNiCgM6DRampOOR9fx8xeEoXCVMQ9XUuHluLBbHi2dKu/s320/2018-12-19+226.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The photo was a reconstruction of what Peter van Pels' room looked like when they were in hiding. After two years in hiding, he and Anne developed a courtship and their flirtation ended in a kiss! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On February 23, 1944, Anne wrote she went up to the attic "almost every morning to get the stale air out of my lungs. This morning when I went there, Peter was busy cleaning up. The two of us looked out at the blue sky, the bare chestnut tree glistening with dew ...." The chestnut tree she referred to in the back yard fell down in 1970 after a bad storm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We couldn't go up the staircase from Peter's room which led to where the residents stored their food. It was also where Anne liked to escape for some privacy. Otto was teaching Peter English in his room when they looked up and saw a guard with a gun on August 4, 1944. Their hiding was over.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was very distressing reading Otto Frank's words:"After the Allies landed in Normandy in June 1944, we believed we'd soon be liberated. So the shock was even greater when the Gestapo unexpectedly forced their way into our hiding place on 4 August and arrested us."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A Jewish filmmaker and prisoner at Westerbork transit camp north of Amsterdam was ordered to make the 'Westerbork film' that carefully recorded the departure of transport trains. </span><span style="font-size: large;">On September 3, 1944, the eight people who had hidden in the Secret Annex were deported in the last transport train from Westerbork to <b>Auschwitz-Birkenau</b> in Poland. </span><span style="font-size: large;">In 1968, Frank recounted "During that terrible journey - three days in a closed cattle truck - I was with my family for the last time."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLl-WJBGDdkG1wpGyzCD1ogBTwAbLLkeYVlNAJp5se6r5yqQh1nn9fvJr8P2P1AsMZLitMdnVWV6ovESESGDCouMYlPU939eojMvw-d7FslRxMSBT8ks8tASBSKemEA9qJM_dCAaIQuHVV/s1600/2018-12-19+239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLl-WJBGDdkG1wpGyzCD1ogBTwAbLLkeYVlNAJp5se6r5yqQh1nn9fvJr8P2P1AsMZLitMdnVWV6ovESESGDCouMYlPU939eojMvw-d7FslRxMSBT8ks8tASBSKemEA9qJM_dCAaIQuHVV/s320/2018-12-19+239.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the platform at Auschwitz, Otto later recounted how they were "forcibly separated from each other" and sent to different camps. Anne and Margot ended up at Bergen-Belsen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How profoundly sad it was to watch interviews of Anne's childhood friends from Amsterdam who by chance had also ended up at Bergen-Belsen with Anne. The first recounted in English how she and Anne were able to talk through a fence. Though the second was able to help Anne and Margot scrounge for food, the sisters both died of typhus in March of 1945 just months before the camp was liberated. The other residents of the Secret Annex with the exception of Otto were all gassed or died of disease. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After Auschwitz was liberated by the Russians in early 1945, Otto, one of the 7,000 survivors, returned to Amsterdam looking for his wife and daughters and posted notices in local papers asking for any information. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I could feel Frank's pain when he wrote on July 7, 1945, "I still hope to find my children and that is all I live for. I waver between hope and fear." </span><span style="font-size: large;">On the way, he learned that his wife had died and then discovered from two sisters in Amsterdam that had also been imprisoned in Bergen-Belsen that Anne and Margot had died. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Nazis ordered that all Jews in the Netherlands be registered during the occupation. These were the registration cards for the eight people who hid in the Secret Annex and came from the records of the Jewish Council. After the war, the Red Cross used the same cards and added information such as deportation date, a date of death, and, for Otto Frank: "Returned!" </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4OQ5n49V36pFq7KsvfbgmeLHq39RQz0Ku5Ggve1NyMkMyDnK1OHoD3Na3cjSko4b7DMt5-88oGmVTvYvAPO0wuEgGqeWKQELYsWBJmavGzhLWvDPSSk57QmtxobS5g4yd1DsuwCrENHr/s1600/2018-12-19+245+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1600" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4OQ5n49V36pFq7KsvfbgmeLHq39RQz0Ku5Ggve1NyMkMyDnK1OHoD3Na3cjSko4b7DMt5-88oGmVTvYvAPO0wuEgGqeWKQELYsWBJmavGzhLWvDPSSk57QmtxobS5g4yd1DsuwCrENHr/s320/2018-12-19+245+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How heartbreaking to read that of the 135,000 Jews that thrived in the Netherlands before the German invasion, 104,000 were killed in Nazi extermination camps. <i>(The numbers change depending on the sources.)</i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Memorial Book </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">listed the names of 102,000 Jews who were deported from the Netherlands and murdered in the Nazi concentration camps.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> It was important to remember those who died and that their memory lives on and that the sad story of the Anne Frank House may never be forgotten.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This photo, taken in October of 1945, showed Frank in the center with four of the helpers who risked their lives to assist the eight people in the Secret Annex for over two years. </span><span style="font-size: large;">What a relief to find out that all the helpers who had risked their lives to aid the Franks and the others in the Secret Annex also survived. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Anne's Diaries:</b> There were two versions of <b>Anne's diaries;</b> the first version was written in the red checked notebook she was given for her thirteenth birthday just before the family went into hiding, and two written in school exercise books. They spanned the time from June 13, 1942 to August 1, 1944, but all of 1943 was missing. The second version, comprised of 215 loose sheets of paper, was her rewritten diary which she started in 1944 with the plan to publish a book after the war. Anne wrote the diaries in the form of a letter to an imaginary friend named Kitty. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the left was a letter in her diary dated June 19, 1942, just three weeks before the family went into hiding. Her last entry was August 1, 1944, three days before everyone on the Secret Annex was captured. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The diaries were an important release for Anne's feelings as it allowed her to record all her thoughts and fantasies. Otherwise, she wrote "I'd suffocate."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Excerpts from Anne's diary from February, 1944: "</span><span style="font-size: large;">The sun is shining, the sky is a deep blue, there is a lovely breeze and I'm longing - so longing - for everything ... to talk, for freedom, for friends, to be alone."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The helpers brought school books </span><span style="font-size: large;">and ordered language and shorthand correspondence courses </span><span style="font-size: large;">for Anne, Margot and Peter. Fritz, the dentist, learned Spanish while in hiding as he wanted to start a stud farm in Chile after the war ended. While in the Secret Annex, Anne read lots of books, and, on her father's advice, she compiled interesting sentences into a notebook and called it her</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> 'Book of Beautiful Sentences.'</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anne also wrote short stories in this </span><span style="font-size: large;">story book</span><span style="font-size: large;"> - some were fictitious, others were about specific events in the Secret Annex. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Dutch government who had spent the war in exile, asked their countrymen to give them records of their lives during the war. </span><span style="font-size: large;">One of the helpers had found the diaries after the arrests, saved them and later gave them to Otto when he returned to Amsterdam after the war. Anne's diaries were published in 1947 and then translated in over 70 languages. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Her legacy:</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Anne and her diary inspired many authors, visual artists and composers. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Nelson Mandela,</b> who had been imprisoned by South Africa's brutal apartheid regime from 1964-1990, was quoted as saying that "some of us read Anne Frank's diary on Robben Island and derived much encouragement from it." I thought <b>Shimon Peres,</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">the Israeli President who visited the Anne Frank House in 2014, spoke with great wisdom when he wrote "It's not a memory, it's a warning to all of us." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In a similar vein, someone wrote "We don't like to think this can happen again, but it <b>can</b> happen again." </span><span style="font-size: large;">An American writer wrote how he wondered as a Jewish child who would hide him and other Jewish kids if a second Holocaust came. With all the violence against Jews in this country especially the last couple of years, I am sure that has become an all too common thought of late. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Marc Chagall</b> made this lithograph for a special French edition of Anne Frank's diary in 1958. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Shelly Winters </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">won the Oscar for her role as Mrs. Van Daan (Van Pels) in the 1959 film <i>The Diary of Anne Frank,</i> she donated it to Anne Frank House. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Something that strongly resonated with me was this comment: "All her would haves are our possibilities." I'll finish this post about our two plus hour visit to the Anne Frank House with Otto's words: "The diary touched people no matter what country. One doesn't need to be a great hero to change the world."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> We visited the <b>Dutch Resistance Museum</b> later that day. Writing more about that tragic time in the Netherlands' history will have to wait until then.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on July 8th, 2019, from our home in Littleton, Colorado.</i></span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-18015103880501095402019-07-05T20:54:00.000-06:002019-07-19T21:26:05.436-06:0012/18: Amsterdam's Beguines, Canals, Dope, Flowers, Gables, Hidden Churches & Squares<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>About three months ago </i><i>I returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow that really fun trip Down Under, here's a link to the newest blog: </i></span></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These were our last views of the signature <i>azuelos</i> we loved so much in Porto, Portugal before flying off to the<b> Netherlands,</b> our last stop on our 3.5 month trip that was spent mostly in Central Asia. I had wanted to travel through the Benelux countries - Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg - for ages so was glad we got the chance to see at least one of the three now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If we had any doubts that the Dutch loved their bikes, they were put to rest when we arrived at the <b>Centraal Station</b> and saw more in one place than we'd ever eyed before! The station was built in the late 1800s on reclaimed land that was once the harbor mouth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the towers had a weather vane with the hand pointing south or <i>zuid</i> right then!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirbY5oYub-Nkwet3eaJ4yLXAAqgWJEam3iMp8lSw4v3nWTCVhxbG8YFfPBVi4HTt5nOKC5mJRwbXYEb6tIL9ak8SMrsUUC3u6LEQ5y-uxlZnBvkqMRQNlnw-uvlIAY_PWZ6VpQxt_Qjx4/s1600/2018-12-18+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirbY5oYub-Nkwet3eaJ4yLXAAqgWJEam3iMp8lSw4v3nWTCVhxbG8YFfPBVi4HTt5nOKC5mJRwbXYEb6tIL9ak8SMrsUUC3u6LEQ5y-uxlZnBvkqMRQNlnw-uvlIAY_PWZ6VpQxt_Qjx4/s320/2018-12-18+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the other side of the station was the <b>IJ,</b> the body of water that gave Amsterdam access to the North Sea. If we turned left from the station, we'd have hit the Old Town, the historic neighborhood that has recently become the <b>Red Light District.</b> We weren't in any rush to go there but preferred to follow <b>Rick Steves'</b> Amsterdam City Walk which took us on <b>Damrak</b> past the marina and a slew of shops that featured every Dutch cliche: Heineken fridge magnets, wooden shoes, wheels of cheese, etc!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The city's most notorious commodity was on display at the<b> Sex Museum</b> to remind everyone that Amsterdam was a port town that catered to sailors and businessmen away from home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In case I may have misled you, our first minutes in the city center were not only tacky and low brow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I never knew Santa Claus liked cheese, just cookies!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The impressive, long building was the<b> Stock Exchange,</b> a symbol of the city's </span><span style="font-size: large;">history as a trading town and built with nine million red bricks. As Steves wrote, it was erected on a foundation of 5,000 tree trunks hammered vertically in the once marshy soil.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglmxwpycXdUz36d7IPMh5VDPOVlwWhlmvzIzBEH9grOlDdtAmMxJgPMbttKfRqo7szQOLMOwviv-1T1NrmJVXmtnKZayskduetIz45Jg99gkveGYH3qtd2B8mn2cmWNQ5QGvnpX2uL9mZ/s1600/2018-12-18+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglmxwpycXdUz36d7IPMh5VDPOVlwWhlmvzIzBEH9grOlDdtAmMxJgPMbttKfRqo7szQOLMOwviv-1T1NrmJVXmtnKZayskduetIz45Jg99gkveGYH3qtd2B8mn2cmWNQ5QGvnpX2uL9mZ/s320/2018-12-18+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No French fries in Amsterdam - instead we could eat <i>Vlaamse friets</i> or Flemish fries as they were developed in the Low Countries. Mayonnaise, not ketchup, was the condiment of choice with the fries. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It'd been a good long while since we'd heard a hand-cranked barrel organ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In <b>Beursplein Square</b> was the new Stock Exchange as the older one was turned into a cultural center in 1984. I couldn't quite fathom what the very modern white structures were in front of the historic building - they seemed out of place to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Walking along Damrak for a few more minutes took us to <b>Dam Square,</b> the historic heart of the city since about 1250 when fishermen settled along the banks of the <b>Amstel River</b> and created a small village called Amstel-damme. In the square was the <b>Royal Palace</b> that became a 'royal palace' when Napoleon installed his brother Louis in 1806. After Napoleon's fall, it became the royal residence for the Dutch royal family, the <b>House of Orange.</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">It's now </span><span style="font-size: large;">one of the four homes of the current king.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The triangular pediment showcased sea creatures cavorting with Neptune and his gilded copper trident that were appropriate for Amsterdam seafarers and sea traders. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The small balcony was where city leaders in the past appeared for major speeches, pronouncements and executions. Nowadays, newly married royal couples blow kisses to the crowds!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The obelisk or <b>National Monument, </b>built in 1956 in the middle of the square, paid homage to those who suffered and died in WW II. When the Nazis occupied the country from 194-1945, they deported some 60,000 Jewish Amsterdammers, driving many -including young <b>Anne Frank</b> and her family - into hiding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Though the monument, with its carvings of Christ, men in chains and dogs, were reminders of a grim time, it has also become a monument for peace. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Surely this was the largest Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum anywhere!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Steps from the Palace was the 600 year old <b>New Church</b> as it was one hundred years newer than the 'Old Church' in the Red Light District. Though we chose not to pay the $35 to enter the church, we were able to see </span><span style="font-size: large;">from the museum shop </span><span style="font-size: large;">some of its beautiful stained-glass windows that depicted Dutch royals from 1579 to 1898 .</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of greater interest was the <b>De Papegaai</b> <b>Hidden Church</b> that dated </span><span style="font-size: large;">from a period beginning in the 1500s and lasting for the next two centuries</span><span style="font-size: large;"> when Catholics in Amsterdam were required to worship in secret, when Protestant extremists took control of the city and expelled Catholic leaders and outlawed the religion. Catholics were driven underground and could only worship in humble, unadvertised places like this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Parrot Hidden Church got its nickname from a parrot or <i>papegaai</i> that was carved over the entrance of the house that used to be on this site. The stuffed parrot hanging in the nave was a reminder of the original one!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Above the archway that led to the entrance to the <b>Amsterdam Museum and Civic Guards Gallery,</b> was a red shield and three Xs and a crown. The Xs didn't refer to the city's sex trade but rather represented the crucifixion of <b>St. Andrew,</b> the patron saint of fishermen. According to the queen, they also signified the virtues of heroism, determination and mercy after the Dutch experience in WW II.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below the shield was a relief from 1581 that depicted boys around a dove asking for charity to signify that this building was once an orphanage. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5O9a61szHAZ3ENEChB7slPopWXohHfQJ0mEtjf3JUjJQq4jRkFSumPUXAn0LQ49iwfyyiKRhZB6DiRxjITBcAWjLyYYT12JI6imWTMNZaBi852BBMbuSRRrGt_ZCZxWeVg1qK43jHs-B/s1600/2018-12-18+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5O9a61szHAZ3ENEChB7slPopWXohHfQJ0mEtjf3JUjJQq4jRkFSumPUXAn0LQ49iwfyyiKRhZB6DiRxjITBcAWjLyYYT12JI6imWTMNZaBi852BBMbuSRRrGt_ZCZxWeVg1qK43jHs-B/s320/2018-12-18+106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Six hundred years ago, there was a monastery here until the building became the <b>City Orphanage</b> from 1578 onward</span><span style="font-size: large;">. Tens of thousands of children lived, worked and were educated here until 1975 when the boys were relocated and the Amsterdam History Museum moved in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I remember thinking when we were here last December that we must have been in too many cemeteries around the world as these looked like funeral crypts. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYEhrx7X1A7NiRVcx8HhMCwz_Ei3547zAiEGaZMfLUYuwCMNsxs0egFBNHSgB0Allhewb_NuMcxUfDybgl2FrWbT5TnP7ZuXijHvd6Esh5J7LIZiU1nDNkEyH8oqKGSmO_3VVyOt0IWq3/s1600/2018-12-18+111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYEhrx7X1A7NiRVcx8HhMCwz_Ei3547zAiEGaZMfLUYuwCMNsxs0egFBNHSgB0Allhewb_NuMcxUfDybgl2FrWbT5TnP7ZuXijHvd6Esh5J7LIZiU1nDNkEyH8oqKGSmO_3VVyOt0IWq3/s320/2018-12-18+111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They were really, though, boys' lockers intended for the tools they used when they were apprenticed to carpenters or to work at the Dutch East India Company beginning at the age of 12. </span><span style="font-size: large;">In the 20th century, the lockers were used for boys' shoes until the 1950s when they became rabbit hutches so the boys could have a pet animal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 'museum street' had portraits of people who played a role in the city's history, all under the watchful eye of <b>Goliath,</b> a wooden giant from the city's Golden Age.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Arrival of Napoleon in Amsterdam in 1812:</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>On the Bottle</i> depicted members of the <b>Wine Rackers Guild</b> and an apprentice discussing how they transferred wine from large casks to small barrels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In a modern take on Amsterdam's Civic Guards was this portrait from 2001 that showed the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <b>Maid of Amsterdam</b> with a joint in one hand and Rembrandt's face tattooed on her breast, surrounded by leading figures such as Anne Frank and Alfred Heineken! The word <b>'Mokum'</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">at the bottom was a popular name for Amsterdam derived from a Yiddish word for 'place.'</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever had a chance to 'walk on art' before? We hadn't so it was intriguing seeing artist <b>Barbara Broekman's</b> colorful carpet in which she selected a single, outstanding, characteristic detail to represent each of the 180 nationalities that make up Amsterdam. Her work was called <i>My City: A Celebration of Diversity.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnumaWU4nHF_EFuS5_dQEjcBjdMtBngyqvBH_NMX8fKzwGgUEJrQw4rEUWKeQJ2Pr93Oao2SABArkBxu8f5QbsXeUJxRrqy5_MHjH5eRIhW-ByONkgWK6BlGysSsDzWY2UUShSjcB3dOwS/s1600/2018-12-18+144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnumaWU4nHF_EFuS5_dQEjcBjdMtBngyqvBH_NMX8fKzwGgUEJrQw4rEUWKeQJ2Pr93Oao2SABArkBxu8f5QbsXeUJxRrqy5_MHjH5eRIhW-ByONkgWK6BlGysSsDzWY2UUShSjcB3dOwS/s320/2018-12-18+144.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first was from New Zealand, a country I'd be visiting in March; the second was from my native Canada - no way was I going to pass up the latter!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The gallery had been a wonderful detour and shortcut to our next destination at the far end of the gallery as one block further was a simple gate that led to <b>Begijnof,</b> a courtyard that was lined with homes around a church where women have lived since 1346. Since then pious women known as Beguines chose to remove themselves from the outside world to dedicate their lives to God. When it was first established, it was literally a women's island as the circle of homes facing the courtyard was surrounded by water. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07Lyib6JTmqTharsbSWCfCTc0u9Y_5XFRm9yF4nLJVpc78TKmBTJ-or7mr97Ez08e3HtBL5m01ZeNdAjLSAqGE6CurW5srLWBCDNWOWcPl2mTu_dNlw8VAYFcRI-I2bMCb-NWDtmIJZjc/s1600/2018-12-18+152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07Lyib6JTmqTharsbSWCfCTc0u9Y_5XFRm9yF4nLJVpc78TKmBTJ-or7mr97Ez08e3HtBL5m01ZeNdAjLSAqGE6CurW5srLWBCDNWOWcPl2mTu_dNlw8VAYFcRI-I2bMCb-NWDtmIJZjc/s320/2018-12-18+152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We stopped first at the statue of one of the Beguines whose numbers grew during the Crusades when so many men took off, never to return, or when the women were widowed by the hazards of overseas trade and lived out their lives as Beguines. The members of the lay order of Beguines weren't nuns but were obedient to the Mother Superior. They spent their days in prayer, and busy spinning wool, making lace, teaching and caring for the sick.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxekXwY72HgZ99kMUTaDKQNTxYsRdHIRoiOte3RSe9d1ct8j2SRcdbixQrt5xCEvj6YPiKQW1JuYQZJ2ST7EvUUkquBmRb7bq3rXrSmB1vjaHvFM68oN_FfYDhiw1UY6tU3kPWA3sK9lw_/s1600/2018-12-18+160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxekXwY72HgZ99kMUTaDKQNTxYsRdHIRoiOte3RSe9d1ct8j2SRcdbixQrt5xCEvj6YPiKQW1JuYQZJ2ST7EvUUkquBmRb7bq3rXrSmB1vjaHvFM68oN_FfYDhiw1UY6tU3kPWA3sK9lw_/s320/2018-12-18+160.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Though the last Beguine died in 1971, Begijnhof was a still thriving community of about 100 single and mostly Catholic women seniors. It was also one of dozens of little housing projects surrounding courtyards in the city.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-apIanCb5lovaBtodZ2L_3EzOKTzi0Rfy6vw7QDzNMgNK_R9tVtAPizmf60RuDdtJcP4fIiJiT6-CrPztyuEue06x-MPutKMvaFyeNZbfg_vx36yfr7wYDobRE5a7yjHRkX2RCveoreQ/s1600/2018-12-18+154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-apIanCb5lovaBtodZ2L_3EzOKTzi0Rfy6vw7QDzNMgNK_R9tVtAPizmf60RuDdtJcP4fIiJiT6-CrPztyuEue06x-MPutKMvaFyeNZbfg_vx36yfr7wYDobRE5a7yjHRkX2RCveoreQ/s320/2018-12-18+154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The brick <b>English Reformed Church</b> was built in 1420 for the Beguine community but was taken over by the Dutch Reformed Church in 1578 when Catholicism was forbidden. The Begijnhof survived, though, and the church became Anglican in 1607. It served as a refuge for English traders fleeing persecution in England and strict Protestants, including the famous Pilgrims, found sanctuary in tolerant Amsterdam and worshipped at this church. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_APRLZkDt2L30Z2DfY9ZXeY3-0hbjmLJRNdPx86syApxjIJplpCWrtMkhkYaAMWi0tGbmZaR0jDSa98O1MupMlnTFeZ9Z7yhDCo5p2l0QtvYkG96lJ0iWOSvnFekTWUWTsIJJ67LPYLE/s1600/2018-12-18+163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_APRLZkDt2L30Z2DfY9ZXeY3-0hbjmLJRNdPx86syApxjIJplpCWrtMkhkYaAMWi0tGbmZaR0jDSa98O1MupMlnTFeZ9Z7yhDCo5p2l0QtvYkG96lJ0iWOSvnFekTWUWTsIJJ67LPYLE/s320/2018-12-18+163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The stained-glass window showed the Pilgrims praying before they boarded the Mayflower.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xHGO-v0qldg-ynA4lzpns183QS_-jcBOLVRFOMrax6DdNRcP9Ci0pJzev5p1IRXaAnzVeXe9uqHldGgakWsY62N_iuFzXrZTtWeM9Z6ox9Z_VlGcn9zPlY2fKwHjV0w3cmcyUUthUZtV/s1600/2018-12-18+182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xHGO-v0qldg-ynA4lzpns183QS_-jcBOLVRFOMrax6DdNRcP9Ci0pJzev5p1IRXaAnzVeXe9uqHldGgakWsY62N_iuFzXrZTtWeM9Z6ox9Z_VlGcn9zPlY2fKwHjV0w3cmcyUUthUZtV/s320/2018-12-18+182.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Bible, encased in glass, was from 1763. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOHG1UCRTw1B7lLib0DmABeiS1UwCV65QWHdqRZ8l0yDiuujRYB2PtIWeA-Roon8AebC5cu_bFL-sb26B1dok1o79Vb9kLK0-1VRYkaDYxaahK6zoJx-NF7j2t03HnQe1I7yImBjTOJgP/s1600/2018-12-18+164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOHG1UCRTw1B7lLib0DmABeiS1UwCV65QWHdqRZ8l0yDiuujRYB2PtIWeA-Roon8AebC5cu_bFL-sb26B1dok1o79Vb9kLK0-1VRYkaDYxaahK6zoJx-NF7j2t03HnQe1I7yImBjTOJgP/s320/2018-12-18+164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The intricately carved wooden pulpit by the famous Dutch abstract artist, <b>Piet Mondrian,</b> was one of his first professional jobs.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcw4gNNE7VJGFmuyKnH-HULrD5qYiNNsvTu-uenyBRlFYgqHLyKUqNtGiXouSoWRTAtxUfyIiIm4QxoFm7it7wwRppWlBveoIZQ2p2FaWi7rpirO0lR9r0SnDsIhASBfUeCPun6TJcQO_3/s1600/2018-12-18+186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcw4gNNE7VJGFmuyKnH-HULrD5qYiNNsvTu-uenyBRlFYgqHLyKUqNtGiXouSoWRTAtxUfyIiIm4QxoFm7it7wwRppWlBveoIZQ2p2FaWi7rpirO0lR9r0SnDsIhASBfUeCPun6TJcQO_3/s320/2018-12-18+186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Along one wall was an old pew where the Pilgrims were thought to have sat on while in the church. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYA_wT1nzCFVGGI8IHlqD9F0WuJshBFIi9qGKyoKz5wj6POf5-V9B6XVX_xAI2ect4Ta3n766IlCwQolEhai40vRukIM58ZTkvU5a5O9rIzosR4XOmNi3H9zhV9V7xF8NoT04GC-m1jmSQ/s1600/2018-12-18+165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYA_wT1nzCFVGGI8IHlqD9F0WuJshBFIi9qGKyoKz5wj6POf5-V9B6XVX_xAI2ect4Ta3n766IlCwQolEhai40vRukIM58ZTkvU5a5O9rIzosR4XOmNi3H9zhV9V7xF8NoT04GC-m1jmSQ/s320/2018-12-18+165.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By the exit was a 1607 proclamation about a sermon preached in the church the Pilgrims likely heard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since the church was empty, we had a lovely long chat with <b>Susan,</b> the interesting guide who was originally from the small town of Berea, Kentucky, a town we'd visited several times on our summer trips to or from Florida. She mentioned she'd met her Dutch husband at the small liberal arts <b>Berea College</b> that is well known for providing free tuition for all students. She's been living in northern Holland for the last thirty years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In an example of what a small world this is, we happened to see Susan the next day riding her bike in another part of Amsterdam!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_JHAHvm2xzf54mePYSSKtSoEs581z3up170s28vXHuvp18y6zU-bfl54bkktJwiMx1tUZ8oXoNElmSpkH3HbaS6k_MAwynH_GHcbOZXViQvmlx80z0KuCOHvIhifivIcIlEGz2QSJ6ob/s1600/2018-12-18+169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_JHAHvm2xzf54mePYSSKtSoEs581z3up170s28vXHuvp18y6zU-bfl54bkktJwiMx1tUZ8oXoNElmSpkH3HbaS6k_MAwynH_GHcbOZXViQvmlx80z0KuCOHvIhifivIcIlEGz2QSJ6ob/s320/2018-12-18+169.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can imagine by now that Steven and I have been in hundreds of museums, churches, etc around the world where there have been pamphlets in a few foreign languages.The only other place that came close to the number of languages was a small religious site in Lourdes, France, that we'd seen earlier on this trip. There was information in the Catalan language from one region in Spain but not Euskara, so the Spanish and French Basques weren't too happy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If we hadn't known to look right across from the English church, we would have missed exploring the <b>Catholic Church</b> because the doorway gave few clues it held a church inside. That was because when it was built, Catholics were being persecuted and it had to be a low-profile, 'hidden' church. It served the city's oppressed 17th century Catholics who refused to worship as Protestants, as Steves noted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Though attractively decorated inside, I felt quite claustrophobic in its small confines.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDJcMk-QE6jd889l9btLB9xQXVTbqIT3FfNYNTuRGUMNmuGf4U0kXcQjOJhyTZm73OFXgDXfIb5y5o4rY6O7Z62hyt-JieiUD_vhvhlz4y9E4zgfE6N-X80wtjiWYviXE7lZNwWPcJ0es/s1600/2018-12-18+174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDJcMk-QE6jd889l9btLB9xQXVTbqIT3FfNYNTuRGUMNmuGf4U0kXcQjOJhyTZm73OFXgDXfIb5y5o4rY6O7Z62hyt-JieiUD_vhvhlz4y9E4zgfE6N-X80wtjiWYviXE7lZNwWPcJ0es/s320/2018-12-18+174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the homes in the idyllic courtyard was a 500 year old wooden structure that was the city's oldest even though originally the whole city had wooden structures just like this one. That changed when they were replaced with brick homes to reduce the chance of fire with so many homes built so closely together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few steps from the painted house was a display of painted, carved gable stones that once adorned house fronts and used as street numbers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was a little sad leaving such a peaceful enclave in hectic Amsterdam but what a joy learning about a way of life that was new to both of us. This small corridor led us back into the modern Amsterdam where time hadn't stood still. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who would have thought this doorway through which we'd just come would lead to such an enchanting area as the Begijnhof?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The corridor had taken us to <b>Spui Square,</b> an area filled with bars and cafes but it looked pretty empty in mid December.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Though the statue of <b>Queen Wilhelmina</b> showed her daintily riding sidesaddle, in real life she was the real life inspiration for the Dutch resistance against the Nazis. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIzEVunMKhPGzatDIWhgUU_rCqTSeEhFkugDZSm24SwyrNksPxf02zhvcEix63O8lOKHNEcLeZWAO71NtDeyyDvBw6rIBHJquTZ3fyN14ilgG1GDx4ZecdJDZeev3hTgIGvrjtbfMTTtb/s1600/2018-12-18+200+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIzEVunMKhPGzatDIWhgUU_rCqTSeEhFkugDZSm24SwyrNksPxf02zhvcEix63O8lOKHNEcLeZWAO71NtDeyyDvBw6rIBHJquTZ3fyN14ilgG1GDx4ZecdJDZeev3hTgIGvrjtbfMTTtb/s320/2018-12-18+200+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If we're ever lucky enough to return to Amsterdam, perhaps then we can return to this same spot and take a canal cruise from the yellow canal house. <i>When Steven and I were visiting our daughter, Natalie, and her husband, Adam, in Chicago in early May, they kindly treated us to a fun architectural cruise where we had a blast seeing that city's many bridges. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How my formerly pipe-loving father would have loved stopping for a spell in the <b>House of Hajenius,</b> known for "showing 175 years of tradition and good taste as a temple of cigars and pipes." Popping into the Art Deco building with its painted leather ceiling from 1910 was like stepping back in time and reminded me of long forgotten scents from my childhood.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even the leather ceiling was something worth gawking at!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRhdmBm1X2mbjh6zTZnwp95PHB4u8nQR-vjQwQsQLPqHgO2h0OQB5kvbrc7L7MWh0FSkJcGzUqRMEmcnXrMYWjw4tpHRATv_YtrXGiNGXIgdh6cBg7o8IcU2lErWKk4zCWWjo8jobYdol/s1600/2018-12-18+211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRhdmBm1X2mbjh6zTZnwp95PHB4u8nQR-vjQwQsQLPqHgO2h0OQB5kvbrc7L7MWh0FSkJcGzUqRMEmcnXrMYWjw4tpHRATv_YtrXGiNGXIgdh6cBg7o8IcU2lErWKk4zCWWjo8jobYdol/s320/2018-12-18+211.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the center of Spui Square was <b>Mint Tower</b> which marked the outside of the medieval walled city and was one of its original gates. Until around 1500, beyond the tower was nothing but marshy fields and some farms on reclaimed land. The steeple was added in 1620 as was marked under the clock face. According to Steves, the tower is a favorite place for Amsterdammers to come at 16:20, the traditional time work is over, so they can light up a joint! As marijuana was legal in Amsterdam, we cold smell it a lot while walking around the city. Neither of us minded at first but the </span><span style="font-size: large;">pervasive odor</span><span style="font-size: large;"> got pretty annoying after a few hours. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What comes to mind when you think of the Netherlands - perhaps wooden clogs, canals and wheels of cheese like we saw earlier and, I imagine, tulip bulbs? The <b>Flower Market</b> was certainly the right place to be for the latter as it was a tribute to Holland's love affair with flowers. I hadn't known that the Netherlands was the largest European flower exporter by far and also a major world flower power. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We could have brought back tulip bulbs but the customs officers would definitely have frowned on a Cannabis Starter Kit!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hiEqpxTyJL0Ct-F_-HMungmOyj_N-etCL8vfCjpJ4J5PWg9mmgtWYmXJZ66uZLU1xwKc4Z-nPZMRj7xT6vuhuF8p_22cUOTU0XCi1F9n0B0pmi9zQz63aIOaGPL6rWxICrzc7aiBK5yZ/s1600/2018-12-18+227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hiEqpxTyJL0Ct-F_-HMungmOyj_N-etCL8vfCjpJ4J5PWg9mmgtWYmXJZ66uZLU1xwKc4Z-nPZMRj7xT6vuhuF8p_22cUOTU0XCi1F9n0B0pmi9zQz63aIOaGPL6rWxICrzc7aiBK5yZ/s320/2018-12-18+227.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't think I had ever seen the royal blue shade of tulips before and unsure whether I liked them. Do you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Longing for some cheese to munch on? This would be the place! All I could think of how long a wheel would last once opened.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the next square, <b>Koningsplein,</b> was a herring shop we could have downed some chopped fish served with onions and pickles but neither of us were hungry, sorry to say!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A little further on we came to the canals along Leidsestraat; the first was the so-called <b>Golden Curve of Herengracht</b> named for the <i>heren,</i> the wealthy city merchants, who lined the canal with mansions and topped with some especially nice gables. These 'cornice' or straight across gables topped the classical-looking facades. As Herengracht was still a pretty high-rent district, no houseboats were permitted here. <i>More on houseboats in a bit, though.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Abercrombie & Fitch had a pretty swanky locale for its shop in Amsterdam.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Near the next canal was a 'smart shop' that sold a variety of perfectly legal drugs but many of which would have been illegal here in the US. I didn't care about the shop or its contents but did like the sweet frieze above it with its playful frolicking children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This has got to be the smallest car ever!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Prinsengracht</b> or the <b>Princes' Canal</b> was lined with some of the city's estimated 2,500 <b>houseboats</b> that were once cargo ships. When they had become obsolete by the 1930s, though, a new use was found as houseboats which made perfect sense in a city where dry land was so pricey and limited. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The former cargo holds were transformed into cozy living spaces and the powerful engines were removed for more living space. As moorage spaces have been grandfathered in, even some of the junkier boats were worth more than we'd have thought at first glance. Owners can plug in hoses and cables into outlets along the canals to access water and electricity. The boats must have running lights on all sides at night. We've all heard of DUI but I hadn't come across <b>CUI</b> or cruising under the influence - something police boats know to be on the lookout for!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was fun trying to figure out the different gables or false fronts whose purpose was to enhance the generally sharp pitched roofs. I was pretty sure the gray building had a 'point' gable that just followed the roof's triangular shape. The home to its left had 'bell gables.'</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgcHWG_iINI9G0tNUOEIdg9JgBsVs-vCi6dREIUYaHxHmiXYBn2ZePdUsjztJXjueXyqth2Tc4FetKnHUR1Tnc7LQH-m6jICFTWsihRbU1WLOliWZ5CQk60tC4CEDIXUwM5UGar8tkdxZ/s1600/2018-12-18+253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgcHWG_iINI9G0tNUOEIdg9JgBsVs-vCi6dREIUYaHxHmiXYBn2ZePdUsjztJXjueXyqth2Tc4FetKnHUR1Tnc7LQH-m6jICFTWsihRbU1WLOliWZ5CQk60tC4CEDIXUwM5UGar8tkdxZ/s320/2018-12-18+253.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some of the gables were even decorated with animal and human heads as well as garlands, urns and scrolls. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Steves described <b>Leidseplein</b> as being the city's liveliest square and filled with outdoor tables under trees, ringed with cafes, theaters and nightclubs, and bustling with tourists, diners, etc. That was likelier the case in warmer months, but certainly not in mid December.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since I had a newfound appreciation for gables, I again admired the ones on this corner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The square's south side was taken up by a gray neoclassical building where <b>Apple Store</b> was probably sitting on what may have been the city's most expensive piece of real estate! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Near Apple was the city's main serious theater whose company dated back to the 17th century Golden Age. It was little surprise the red brick </span><span style="font-size: large;">and turreted </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Stadsschouwburg</b> from 1890 looked so much like the Centraal Station we saw at the beginning of the day as they were both designed by the same architect, <b>Pierre Cuypers,</b> who also helped rebuild the city during its late 19th century revival.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03scJsZ4NVxnoen_cw8mPubay3q5b-S2D_37pu-D9MfYsqnbiH3IgdsXyO1-F_fFFzh53Ga45q6LENC-eq8u3ZoQaj8MGgzs33IrZp6l0l8RO5GCcY12Sd0AllqOVIEtoOW0LQNBYintz/s1600/2018-12-18+271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03scJsZ4NVxnoen_cw8mPubay3q5b-S2D_37pu-D9MfYsqnbiH3IgdsXyO1-F_fFFzh53Ga45q6LENC-eq8u3ZoQaj8MGgzs33IrZp6l0l8RO5GCcY12Sd0AllqOVIEtoOW0LQNBYintz/s320/2018-12-18+271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the most unusual locations for a cafe and coffee shop was this one as it used to house a police station! A small green decal on the window of the flagship <b>Bulldog Cafe and Coffee Shop</b> indicated that it was a city-licensed "coffee shop" where marijuana was sold and smoked legally, a practice that has occurred in the city for almost forty years. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NaBKGUehH3FraWftkQxr7c8btzN1_eSCatvdM33dF6SAkBbZWv85SdXe_U7uAQ1i4LQUhWOlNymInhqf7bzCWJhV9hU5Anum38qT8XtYZwhleCo2MJptKye4ETMcHZ6gnOs5wJqwY_WD/s1600/2018-12-18+268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NaBKGUehH3FraWftkQxr7c8btzN1_eSCatvdM33dF6SAkBbZWv85SdXe_U7uAQ1i4LQUhWOlNymInhqf7bzCWJhV9hU5Anum38qT8XtYZwhleCo2MJptKye4ETMcHZ6gnOs5wJqwY_WD/s320/2018-12-18+268.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBq54UkUpNPuIS8r4Ooy-Z30xVP-c0gumUfmDdYgFMlXfF0JmKrTlGit1l8BRwFzhbGEzWhx7yeH8FPdatdi0_ZbFh3etlUDOwq0q2fJylgGnV7tgCxtzNM8vkhu8KhyqLYRqjEUQ7jfaM/s1600/2018-12-18+270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBq54UkUpNPuIS8r4Ooy-Z30xVP-c0gumUfmDdYgFMlXfF0JmKrTlGit1l8BRwFzhbGEzWhx7yeH8FPdatdi0_ZbFh3etlUDOwq0q2fJylgGnV7tgCxtzNM8vkhu8KhyqLYRqjEUQ7jfaM/s320/2018-12-18+270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of finishing off the post with yet another reference to Amsterdam's dope culture, I hope this photo of a stunning building along one of the city's canals will make you think of beautiful Amsterdam.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sOoe0VoyzKC43VS7AY8EE6qyNL2s4_ifNK0KYPjqGlKA5B5ofgtoX9vMdUyLSOsbYjUnCPxB9-mu4FAvPdnASS7yGQTK9732r081BQSpoT-9t_uD0TFdt6IWK73-CcNYgXTvzXwnPe5k/s1600/2018-12-18+276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sOoe0VoyzKC43VS7AY8EE6qyNL2s4_ifNK0KYPjqGlKA5B5ofgtoX9vMdUyLSOsbYjUnCPxB9-mu4FAvPdnASS7yGQTK9732r081BQSpoT-9t_uD0TFdt6IWK73-CcNYgXTvzXwnPe5k/s320/2018-12-18+276.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> Although we spent the rest of the day at the spectacular <b>Rijksmuseum,</b> one of the world's leading art museums, I may postpone that post to another day and instead write about our harrowing visit to the Anne Frank House, the sobering Dutch Resistance Museum, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted at lonnnnnng last on July 5th, 2019, from our home in Littleton, Colorado, after returning a few days ago from our extended vacation in Florida via the Grand Canyon.</i> </span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-25328415918349172552019-06-25T22:07:00.001-06:002019-06-25T22:07:27.374-06:0012/16: Porto's Exquisite Azulejos or Blue Tiles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Close to three months ago now </i><i>I returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow that really fun trip Down Under, here's a link to the newest blog:</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Follow us as we hiked up to the <b>Porto Cathedral</b> or <b>Se do Porto</b> on our last day in the remarkable city.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9lj6n0Mec4Wb6BAf-MZsgDrNJfS9AR6cFL67w6IjLF3hvjXMub3HYPnWpKcTb1eJDPlOacN-L_LQ01uq0QpIp8fcWcnA2kAAyezXiHmdg9MZYRhKHBKbTmOiU2974l_QzNMWrr4LKKkC/s1600/2018-12-16+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9lj6n0Mec4Wb6BAf-MZsgDrNJfS9AR6cFL67w6IjLF3hvjXMub3HYPnWpKcTb1eJDPlOacN-L_LQ01uq0QpIp8fcWcnA2kAAyezXiHmdg9MZYRhKHBKbTmOiU2974l_QzNMWrr4LKKkC/s320/2018-12-16+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Aren't you glad YOU didn't have to hike up all the <b>Cathedral Steps</b> as we did?! They certainly got our morning juices going.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the top of the stairs we had a lovely panoramic view of the city with the <b>San Francisco Church</b> on the left and <b>Clerigos Tower</b> on the right, both of which we'd already visited.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The fortress-like 12th century Romanesque cathedral was famous as being the site of <b>Henry the Navigator's</b> baptism and the scene of many royal weddings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The cathedral's main entrance wasn't in the front but on the side.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxLOfFiIzYO4fG1GuwsHHBc0h_Fho4X2_C4bzYV9nDEMkZYWDZNL1TJMb7oGu1IiN5mi4he4UP37vCFJf18mhztfyqy1H6iok9Ou4ALPbEU5Da4cuVCdmiFickWhy7MKKd_nNJApk065E/s1600/2018-12-16+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxLOfFiIzYO4fG1GuwsHHBc0h_Fho4X2_C4bzYV9nDEMkZYWDZNL1TJMb7oGu1IiN5mi4he4UP37vCFJf18mhztfyqy1H6iok9Ou4ALPbEU5Da4cuVCdmiFickWhy7MKKd_nNJApk065E/s320/2018-12-16+110.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, the cathedral wasn't open but we really enjoyed our foray into the <b>Cloister</b> as we had seeing so many others the last six weeks or so while touring most of Spain and some of Portugal. This Gothic cloister was begun at the end of the 14th century and was decorated with glazed tiles representing scenes from Solomon's <i>Song of Songs.</i> According to the pamphlet, the <i>azulejos</i> referred to "the mystic dialogue between God and the Virgin, the patron saint of the Cathedral."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgdVR4i6t3OPUHzONJuftqjatD07SPcKlNQOhkP_sY2VqYdSStOe8vU13dC-VrMTtbEvVuLciq-JYP425n3awdEnpyvalJfy6BSIujpP_75POKenXHH2ZBqKv4qLDBU30D6SElV-W_Ped/s1600/2018-12-16+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgdVR4i6t3OPUHzONJuftqjatD07SPcKlNQOhkP_sY2VqYdSStOe8vU13dC-VrMTtbEvVuLciq-JYP425n3awdEnpyvalJfy6BSIujpP_75POKenXHH2ZBqKv4qLDBU30D6SElV-W_Ped/s320/2018-12-16+070.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We hated that this was our last day in Porto <b>and</b> Portugal and therefore our last opportunity to take in the splendid blue and white tiles before moving on to the Netherlands the next day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnWG0olGF6JTaxY97IR0OHyd_4jTt4rUgae9ou-OpC3NbXlgBg8GM0y1Vl7lTah8B4vg0iIlDry9k0ZYGvbaM8Npc1hKCt-It_3NEBYXL8KspTm17FgLfsDuXGxv-HEPFvMUjOSX48MNd/s1600/2018-12-16+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnWG0olGF6JTaxY97IR0OHyd_4jTt4rUgae9ou-OpC3NbXlgBg8GM0y1Vl7lTah8B4vg0iIlDry9k0ZYGvbaM8Npc1hKCt-It_3NEBYXL8KspTm17FgLfsDuXGxv-HEPFvMUjOSX48MNd/s320/2018-12-16+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vYgq0WBrj96GgB9VutHMPofK-PCFkw9e2uWFs1hVzg3RtS_ZG-vilZTareg7D7NWic4Cmyo42qm-S8RJy3GtYohlZrFZ2Xqdv-fNU07k4VXMB4MCZJbWTWmEej74mhobA7X7cB0Cr5t3/s1600/2018-12-16+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vYgq0WBrj96GgB9VutHMPofK-PCFkw9e2uWFs1hVzg3RtS_ZG-vilZTareg7D7NWic4Cmyo42qm-S8RJy3GtYohlZrFZ2Xqdv-fNU07k4VXMB4MCZJbWTWmEej74mhobA7X7cB0Cr5t3/s320/2018-12-16+066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We admired the beautiful silver items and vestments from the <b>Chapel of St. Vincent's Treasury.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvGd3VnOQuOBA3AyTLt_WhTvBb7-J84BOSpkD_8Q0Z8sh7a3qzsOSaI4F_9JyXGTLCaeBRq4Xo_vp8ycUB9eVAeOHdUedszt5lOJPXvItZ2T6TKbWGygR_BWKdqf0SRXcyACX0lKezL5D/s1600/2018-12-16+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvGd3VnOQuOBA3AyTLt_WhTvBb7-J84BOSpkD_8Q0Z8sh7a3qzsOSaI4F_9JyXGTLCaeBRq4Xo_vp8ycUB9eVAeOHdUedszt5lOJPXvItZ2T6TKbWGygR_BWKdqf0SRXcyACX0lKezL5D/s320/2018-12-16+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The grand staircase was designed by <b>Nicolau Nasoni,</b> the Italian architect who created marvelous churches and palaces throughout the area.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ornamental <b>Chapter Room</b> was where the bishop and his followers met to wield their religious and secular power. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJ49L1CByTym9Ysa-oPdUEAyw9ZABpmlg6miLZJFGchBFrVk-aJpKBG7QnOerVJvDqWnZBrzAKFqPZ8MkVZqCA7KXWu943lWc8bmJfOmMS3Go2x-GLhF5btC0FjPsisrxjkRxOWRlEibF/s1600/2018-12-16+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJ49L1CByTym9Ysa-oPdUEAyw9ZABpmlg6miLZJFGchBFrVk-aJpKBG7QnOerVJvDqWnZBrzAKFqPZ8MkVZqCA7KXWu943lWc8bmJfOmMS3Go2x-GLhF5btC0FjPsisrxjkRxOWRlEibF/s320/2018-12-16+054.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From its windows were more pleasing views of the city.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWpCfG19g8OfNF4sUPw-BmHJy0F9mqiiZwMnuCSG31OUDk7MKniRtLxWl5wEnl0qPBWZmLD348pdwpr6paqqTfLSfqmeZSn-Yvn6ETGTZxfkqdGX9K-oP2GgiBxcoICMLDZxNV7niEhd-/s1600/2018-12-16+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWpCfG19g8OfNF4sUPw-BmHJy0F9mqiiZwMnuCSG31OUDk7MKniRtLxWl5wEnl0qPBWZmLD348pdwpr6paqqTfLSfqmeZSn-Yvn6ETGTZxfkqdGX9K-oP2GgiBxcoICMLDZxNV7niEhd-/s320/2018-12-16+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The sumptuous ceiling had portraits of holy figures.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EV92iJwnlwXE2prsvCrZmnZ0Q6uQNVH05OCThdVhbNV4o3a7sv_-mSWOlz-KIbG4AjidbiLsRJMEGjzIacwl4grk1BtSmg8Sa_czGYSm5EnUZ47cofbgcX91qCwx1GuNf0A2wTppeoEr/s1600/2018-12-16+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EV92iJwnlwXE2prsvCrZmnZ0Q6uQNVH05OCThdVhbNV4o3a7sv_-mSWOlz-KIbG4AjidbiLsRJMEGjzIacwl4grk1BtSmg8Sa_czGYSm5EnUZ47cofbgcX91qCwx1GuNf0A2wTppeoEr/s320/2018-12-16+037.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Imagine sitting in a room with such a spectacular ceiling and tiled walls!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ir4bd_hrOvUHfi-HUfjBnB6ay3BEH8XQf9HBFdpCadYcbamVfvKlXuEYihp_14WNrkZ-fvc5ls6jxVK32Q9HkEqZuHZKBoCOXtlDCDV6IZdQE2i-QpEX44k1rdL6Y33Gg9lnfef8kFqG/s1600/2018-12-16+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ir4bd_hrOvUHfi-HUfjBnB6ay3BEH8XQf9HBFdpCadYcbamVfvKlXuEYihp_14WNrkZ-fvc5ls6jxVK32Q9HkEqZuHZKBoCOXtlDCDV6IZdQE2i-QpEX44k1rdL6Y33Gg9lnfef8kFqG/s320/2018-12-16+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r9Oahiu2RLaDytJYCMo4KTXRPa-AAj2DpzD-AH1Ep0PYUl-8HBmf0d2IQQIGrMbPZCr_ym4xMAcCzDxclvZvW1IANy-0aoH9V7D-pWj-OuuHyyehGk91y8SJ2MSGiHG6K6MbHr34eCM0/s1600/2018-12-16+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r9Oahiu2RLaDytJYCMo4KTXRPa-AAj2DpzD-AH1Ep0PYUl-8HBmf0d2IQQIGrMbPZCr_ym4xMAcCzDxclvZvW1IANy-0aoH9V7D-pWj-OuuHyyehGk91y8SJ2MSGiHG6K6MbHr34eCM0/s320/2018-12-16+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPR4XfNk40x3DWsUtkVvdxA42DlGdcaMaiXYOu1tOEstvihGhTlLASlexkAlYgAlpPn45ZGky1uhD7OAdgO0KtvfRiYjN6jThLaWQd92yulYPzEY-cyoDCBRu_XRLSl_KVrHzlK78Rdou/s1600/2018-12-16+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPR4XfNk40x3DWsUtkVvdxA42DlGdcaMaiXYOu1tOEstvihGhTlLASlexkAlYgAlpPn45ZGky1uhD7OAdgO0KtvfRiYjN6jThLaWQd92yulYPzEY-cyoDCBRu_XRLSl_KVrHzlK78Rdou/s320/2018-12-16+045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHbekWTVdr44NfB-OrFLPokbu_SwevLuAdmQqecvZTUUvzpPoqXctkoQBW_-llOy1YeGNkPmJkmdaSYDlwpS6jJw6Ew5dYKDSR2zI1BQYMZxQhX1rp4NcBsqZDF8Am-Z6Cdym9-Vos-2U/s1600/2018-12-16+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHbekWTVdr44NfB-OrFLPokbu_SwevLuAdmQqecvZTUUvzpPoqXctkoQBW_-llOy1YeGNkPmJkmdaSYDlwpS6jJw6Ew5dYKDSR2zI1BQYMZxQhX1rp4NcBsqZDF8Am-Z6Cdym9-Vos-2U/s320/2018-12-16+046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBr5iuj740VVmcS0HDt3fmVeYnd1Rp91vLx28GO9yKNBJWTds8XFfaEKfzeO4ZP4oQrB1U2oB67ecvMRMR7NkAE0gYYI-D7uBnprj1TA2Fw6QPjs9-g8xzvhBUjKnAdDBq2Dvs6nRM-gNz/s1600/2018-12-16+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBr5iuj740VVmcS0HDt3fmVeYnd1Rp91vLx28GO9yKNBJWTds8XFfaEKfzeO4ZP4oQrB1U2oB67ecvMRMR7NkAE0gYYI-D7uBnprj1TA2Fw6QPjs9-g8xzvhBUjKnAdDBq2Dvs6nRM-gNz/s320/2018-12-16+047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The amazing tile work wasn't simply confined to one, albeit stunning, room; it also adorned the exterior walls on the upper cloister!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc7K69Sn7EB5H3IWmxDSYPzHXrQa5Rqi3M5Ag-QbL2dLiW5cdjvHXtY2UFxNyQzkNIItRgy67KK2E0r957xuYb7thQq0w-ahlhMLk8obAZ71gyWg4Dz0vzGZg3CPio6Dywc_e_3tz_4e0/s1600/2018-12-16+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc7K69Sn7EB5H3IWmxDSYPzHXrQa5Rqi3M5Ag-QbL2dLiW5cdjvHXtY2UFxNyQzkNIItRgy67KK2E0r957xuYb7thQq0w-ahlhMLk8obAZ71gyWg4Dz0vzGZg3CPio6Dywc_e_3tz_4e0/s320/2018-12-16+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What a picture perfect day to take photos of the cathedral from the upper level of the cloister!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJdGsVCzHY-KIldY1gQPnB1-EJnJR5mBsXw6-L4VR9Rk_fVcziGHwzP3bW8z10Vp-FH_692EkaN78Ys7OoHV83Dp4l3q-orsBerr60qSIgiEft6XV04lqj_HC5sD7aQaOQ8RPY0uxfIyv/s1600/2018-12-16+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJdGsVCzHY-KIldY1gQPnB1-EJnJR5mBsXw6-L4VR9Rk_fVcziGHwzP3bW8z10Vp-FH_692EkaN78Ys7OoHV83Dp4l3q-orsBerr60qSIgiEft6XV04lqj_HC5sD7aQaOQ8RPY0uxfIyv/s320/2018-12-16+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The tile panels depicted rural and mythological scenes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPQ09TXLXkA6FgSsODGRofUIwqPpHJeNbkLWUykJhhgDagtuixRAx3fuOSJi1K5U4bR2ACB0-hicJ95grxBcQrk1VMC6IRyxYJ9_UStfZOZP7rDtQQXZEq6r8yQqGX-LJ6eUfYYXei5hC/s1600/2018-12-16+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPQ09TXLXkA6FgSsODGRofUIwqPpHJeNbkLWUykJhhgDagtuixRAx3fuOSJi1K5U4bR2ACB0-hicJ95grxBcQrk1VMC6IRyxYJ9_UStfZOZP7rDtQQXZEq6r8yQqGX-LJ6eUfYYXei5hC/s320/2018-12-16+052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIPwjCnXnekmUJNlTdI06luzuuUQ2IujtMnEPs8HUHVJihuK6_SGqXnMhBTc7osUHGj3i1bCLYtF-5ikcoQNXVvDk3h5HT7LaCjKJ9apuFOHQMzWuUuMaoj0UXPLhKhuDnLBoHUIhpXcX/s1600/2018-12-16+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIPwjCnXnekmUJNlTdI06luzuuUQ2IujtMnEPs8HUHVJihuK6_SGqXnMhBTc7osUHGj3i1bCLYtF-5ikcoQNXVvDk3h5HT7LaCjKJ9apuFOHQMzWuUuMaoj0UXPLhKhuDnLBoHUIhpXcX/s320/2018-12-16+053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we'd had mostly gray skies and rain since arriving in Porto, seeing the city bathed in blue skies on our last day was delightful. Perhaps now you can appreciate why Steven and I felt we left part of our hearts in Porto and hope to return one day. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOlnCUMut_CLMz9IafUpdjjxAaOBnF3mieh2hnO7Gz-RJfIdDkYzK8A3IA7cSZlHe5X3KdajfU-WjTStdjSvnPzsnHy9H1XDJwNYRMO5xWXHJEIeWkE4aNKJ-yBoOoEDL_HOEOTTKThHC/s1600/2018-12-16+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOlnCUMut_CLMz9IafUpdjjxAaOBnF3mieh2hnO7Gz-RJfIdDkYzK8A3IA7cSZlHe5X3KdajfU-WjTStdjSvnPzsnHy9H1XDJwNYRMO5xWXHJEIeWkE4aNKJ-yBoOoEDL_HOEOTTKThHC/s320/2018-12-16+057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another view was of the <b>Douro River</b> with the town of <b>Vila Nova de Gaia</b> on the other side where much of the world's port wine is matured.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ObMrzoLkMlgCOiFkxhgpUGnDbAkHwsqMh8kQlOMXNXnpSPI2714MtplW473QO42YGK8HFL_pDVRN6Kj_vizlYQkEKmcYhWcmcvYQ0h1XBKZn-a4QIVTUKJXT9T9YtzWF22Vx3WQZk39s/s1600/2018-12-16+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ObMrzoLkMlgCOiFkxhgpUGnDbAkHwsqMh8kQlOMXNXnpSPI2714MtplW473QO42YGK8HFL_pDVRN6Kj_vizlYQkEKmcYhWcmcvYQ0h1XBKZn-a4QIVTUKJXT9T9YtzWF22Vx3WQZk39s/s320/2018-12-16+058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgDnisG7UoWKKuN5tyQ4bmootRuw3P6SxOwwa-wTlsrRuxqOAB0cxX3_eWpXBnjyrhEeEGA0GKo5GaKwgtRh3N7F5EYBTKS7XD27bKutloLWmMI3rThQYtk-74uLoKYGcgtx3ryA24d3Q/s1600/2018-12-16+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgDnisG7UoWKKuN5tyQ4bmootRuw3P6SxOwwa-wTlsrRuxqOAB0cxX3_eWpXBnjyrhEeEGA0GKo5GaKwgtRh3N7F5EYBTKS7XD27bKutloLWmMI3rThQYtk-74uLoKYGcgtx3ryA24d3Q/s320/2018-12-16+059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's been so long now I can't remember which room this was but very inch of wall space was so jam packed, it was hard to take it all in and appreciate it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiJTL0iDwOErm_L9op9WNCKNTnkWHwiF9teakwFYtEi_4Nmy6y_XcPc3j4l6qt6iNu66Dpnidtxl_22P-p6tRpaMEYfiuOvsmVDyx4djNS7uWvbq8DDxPUDULYXZU5HaWCDxwW-1u2oLv/s1600/2018-12-16+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiJTL0iDwOErm_L9op9WNCKNTnkWHwiF9teakwFYtEi_4Nmy6y_XcPc3j4l6qt6iNu66Dpnidtxl_22P-p6tRpaMEYfiuOvsmVDyx4djNS7uWvbq8DDxPUDULYXZU5HaWCDxwW-1u2oLv/s320/2018-12-16+072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtPKhZ8bBhyS1I5V1aRAdbeyUjq66TFUsOAJ_h46v0-aAg2stYIRBtC7zNNnOZYQWrlaJKNzzZ7nF1jK1uv25XWIiGgv14HZxpuhxLozs7juWDLTvr1-fe2oHNFKx8ThiVi2EJgmWGX-U/s1600/2018-12-16+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtPKhZ8bBhyS1I5V1aRAdbeyUjq66TFUsOAJ_h46v0-aAg2stYIRBtC7zNNnOZYQWrlaJKNzzZ7nF1jK1uv25XWIiGgv14HZxpuhxLozs7juWDLTvr1-fe2oHNFKx8ThiVi2EJgmWGX-U/s320/2018-12-16+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIigjVSt8EM3pPBNoeND_-EOp1_6PihYAPPkvfelAYD8Qd5blYuQtxQTtKsFkstNmUoUK_Z4p4ynvRe_HuOpXMIAODJcA4FbCk-ffnh544gXGx6L8cL25TEmShEWD-JT9Q1LC_P7du1sS/s1600/2018-12-16+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIigjVSt8EM3pPBNoeND_-EOp1_6PihYAPPkvfelAYD8Qd5blYuQtxQTtKsFkstNmUoUK_Z4p4ynvRe_HuOpXMIAODJcA4FbCk-ffnh544gXGx6L8cL25TEmShEWD-JT9Q1LC_P7du1sS/s320/2018-12-16+065.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oGUsUg1VSosbRA_WWVQXJyKScNDycNFU216SSvA97DOY2w9ggi17krxnTMwyAJvP3Z6njNYwztVZuwFH6HwWcZK0tvgKUIl-rYkWBek7APhN2mhzxJXslnZu_0SNPNaPHxKih-vEbrcF/s1600/2018-12-16+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oGUsUg1VSosbRA_WWVQXJyKScNDycNFU216SSvA97DOY2w9ggi17krxnTMwyAJvP3Z6njNYwztVZuwFH6HwWcZK0tvgKUIl-rYkWBek7APhN2mhzxJXslnZu_0SNPNaPHxKih-vEbrcF/s320/2018-12-16+075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The adjacent 17th century</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Chapel of St Vincent </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">had painted carvings of Bible scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Not to put you off at all, but the chapel also had a trapdoor into a crypt where centuries of bishops' bones were tossed!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOs-BmNIm5s8ui2VL_FT6Y01m5O2uKXuEDr1eCELC9Dds_hlfhntaenG3hM_ly0XRq6Npffney0Lee_j45fCncXB5Nh63xGFSHPWic29lZLi6pqdY7Rx4N74X39iEYgBk01MwfMaAwXns/s1600/2018-12-16+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOs-BmNIm5s8ui2VL_FT6Y01m5O2uKXuEDr1eCELC9Dds_hlfhntaenG3hM_ly0XRq6Npffney0Lee_j45fCncXB5Nh63xGFSHPWic29lZLi6pqdY7Rx4N74X39iEYgBk01MwfMaAwXns/s320/2018-12-16+087.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVF-ub3JS6V_D11BfBw2yS_Hp5j4rv1-kYDX_C0n2vd9lcpgRKOMe5g5ALowai9KceNBrOqmf7U0eL4cz7vSl9PEom1H7GEqVxC5PMDGLzCC47DmM2rORxbj-_6QoEop-LG5A4grWS5eyl/s1600/2018-12-16+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVF-ub3JS6V_D11BfBw2yS_Hp5j4rv1-kYDX_C0n2vd9lcpgRKOMe5g5ALowai9KceNBrOqmf7U0eL4cz7vSl9PEom1H7GEqVxC5PMDGLzCC47DmM2rORxbj-_6QoEop-LG5A4grWS5eyl/s320/2018-12-16+088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ADb55UqalQff0-020aA8GP-XQtUGdUp-BGlNrZfiZjjZjZqsIBQOYtvovvpURjYjb3zWeOHJMDsTubBERsP2Gv3iih0YpGBlPm56JmO3ToYzt_HhHo5nL5XcrQ4wA7n5Vt53Ihz-5BHN/s1600/2018-12-16+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ADb55UqalQff0-020aA8GP-XQtUGdUp-BGlNrZfiZjjZjZqsIBQOYtvovvpURjYjb3zWeOHJMDsTubBERsP2Gv3iih0YpGBlPm56JmO3ToYzt_HhHo5nL5XcrQ4wA7n5Vt53Ihz-5BHN/s320/2018-12-16+089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUE7_twI6EJmZBYdvo1YeuxSMa1IwIZfkWBQIaHx80KoeTk6S1DByEm_9a2TPinf0N1fsGCeKdCRh8XNxCNhFlSggzn9nJsi9eit0IMGCgOBoHXhjbWUq6xZRm2u-TPMbLQeBwqK0ZkL0/s1600/2018-12-16+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUE7_twI6EJmZBYdvo1YeuxSMa1IwIZfkWBQIaHx80KoeTk6S1DByEm_9a2TPinf0N1fsGCeKdCRh8XNxCNhFlSggzn9nJsi9eit0IMGCgOBoHXhjbWUq6xZRm2u-TPMbLQeBwqK0ZkL0/s320/2018-12-16+090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Though the chapel was small, it still had a very impressive organ and choir stall underneath with more dazzling tile work. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXp8Mgqpi_xtf8oWnEiwEjnfxP7BZfaFq3zhE09F_yHkokNYrhhLOeBJ2psWJE8AQcJ8aeDodRTYBBrdVOiy00rc1KAzGNbJhFqUrNzs17vqDaZQam1FArf-CngYQXMg5FxhADAOqDmvJX/s1600/2018-12-16+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXp8Mgqpi_xtf8oWnEiwEjnfxP7BZfaFq3zhE09F_yHkokNYrhhLOeBJ2psWJE8AQcJ8aeDodRTYBBrdVOiy00rc1KAzGNbJhFqUrNzs17vqDaZQam1FArf-CngYQXMg5FxhADAOqDmvJX/s320/2018-12-16+096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEQZq2AhWuuJLDLOeo6CXpdNa2hxlKnyzvvTJTdicDJFWgBqjkGu423aiAI1BRszqQnytn8GMnwJI3nErX4ekv-kuozYFrygG0-LRL-Q4-YIHATweeez96g9-lFk2Qd-UMTv8ewAKagXK/s1600/2018-12-16+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEQZq2AhWuuJLDLOeo6CXpdNa2hxlKnyzvvTJTdicDJFWgBqjkGu423aiAI1BRszqQnytn8GMnwJI3nErX4ekv-kuozYFrygG0-LRL-Q4-YIHATweeez96g9-lFk2Qd-UMTv8ewAKagXK/s320/2018-12-16+093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In <b>Cathedral Square,</b> the 20th century copy of the spiral pillory was a reminder of the harsh justice that was once meted out here. I thought it strange to have it located within feet of the cathedral, a place of prayer and forgiveness, surely. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-9t4gOqq8vABTxd1ubxqjXOs1UwbSok6OA9co2788jrwtmlk7eq1TL0P_fFkjhjiInAlh-0bV_fCoREn_3hH6vAQLDRxf8I9ZOqtnf8wIq-JiNPFUMSFVZQIpwiPKaGjsmZzvTJhD51O/s1600/2018-12-16+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-9t4gOqq8vABTxd1ubxqjXOs1UwbSok6OA9co2788jrwtmlk7eq1TL0P_fFkjhjiInAlh-0bV_fCoREn_3hH6vAQLDRxf8I9ZOqtnf8wIq-JiNPFUMSFVZQIpwiPKaGjsmZzvTJhD51O/s320/2018-12-16+107.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENmWtEwOxQMwF7NYZiUFRCfKpsHFOgHXuGAm3mfp4n7NsrBf9ktuR_xk43PLDSf4PcNG2y84DpTzDeFtTzVU2nzstaZLMdHnEJIjIDbLn9t4ials9B0sHXppAin7KAumvH5SPXrtoqByL/s1600/2018-12-16+105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENmWtEwOxQMwF7NYZiUFRCfKpsHFOgHXuGAm3mfp4n7NsrBf9ktuR_xk43PLDSf4PcNG2y84DpTzDeFtTzVU2nzstaZLMdHnEJIjIDbLn9t4ials9B0sHXppAin7KAumvH5SPXrtoqByL/s320/2018-12-16+105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The massive 18th century <b>Bishop's Palace</b> took up much of the square and was still the home of the bishop and his offices. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The immensity of the building reflected the bishop's past power. We'd first noticed the palace from the riverfront the previous day but hadn't known then what it was.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-j6H7cXKuWXFHh6KZEIeWMdJ2cjAtzJ0Pa167zQ2GhjPU1JFgXrp7Kh3gBU_w0NhI2nCyBZwlCRrx46NU0uGUy-K2PStUGfU5Pki-ILV4HBYPqBYrFWe-SL6SL1vUoiLqFKxuoQreczIx/s1600/2018-12-16+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-j6H7cXKuWXFHh6KZEIeWMdJ2cjAtzJ0Pa167zQ2GhjPU1JFgXrp7Kh3gBU_w0NhI2nCyBZwlCRrx46NU0uGUy-K2PStUGfU5Pki-ILV4HBYPqBYrFWe-SL6SL1vUoiLqFKxuoQreczIx/s320/2018-12-16+106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A few steps from the cathedral was a statue of <b>Vimar Peres,</b> a Christian warrior who reconquered this region from the Moors in 868. They regained control within two generations until the final reconquest about 1100.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQ8z9RULhoWp9TRnZe4YCsG6SvgvnVCwS93o8yOxoximNx61kw4HOD7AxvchUlTLtDKSmPWh6onwzkyNHSvaOTmDkruRAHdkXIpWXZbQ-LxG02TUlidT6lJo8w5f4IbJlEk9M8dztqko7/s1600/2018-12-16+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQ8z9RULhoWp9TRnZe4YCsG6SvgvnVCwS93o8yOxoximNx61kw4HOD7AxvchUlTLtDKSmPWh6onwzkyNHSvaOTmDkruRAHdkXIpWXZbQ-LxG02TUlidT6lJo8w5f4IbJlEk9M8dztqko7/s320/2018-12-16+114.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The portico on the side of the cathedral had some original 18th century blue tiles.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQavJ8IBN4K2y-VbyIZXH9lNiVWtLevlEM4P7c3jTS5GGND-BbNKshp8Wr8sW2do8sUIa3qtoJKDgPCguo0k71cnd3Giih0lzPA0SsXo2FwAptEzm8l_rW7Fp5iAbH08sieaY817zYZGpk/s1600/2018-12-16+111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQavJ8IBN4K2y-VbyIZXH9lNiVWtLevlEM4P7c3jTS5GGND-BbNKshp8Wr8sW2do8sUIa3qtoJKDgPCguo0k71cnd3Giih0lzPA0SsXo2FwAptEzm8l_rW7Fp5iAbH08sieaY817zYZGpk/s320/2018-12-16+111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ancient medieval enclosures of the city were built in the 11th century around the cathedral hill. It had three gates and a narrow entrance and built on even older Goth defenses. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2t-cU2D3-uqIhBFAyvELTUFjbq5TryMDbvnIovQHo07e9gH9U2chtcmxb1ti6ShHDBzu6i_KFG14XMwxnFatAZro7pBjzufWM45lN2EDRZPK_gCc4qDh49Z3IrQjsKZuKGfzLGZYYYt7x/s1600/2018-12-16+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2t-cU2D3-uqIhBFAyvELTUFjbq5TryMDbvnIovQHo07e9gH9U2chtcmxb1ti6ShHDBzu6i_KFG14XMwxnFatAZro7pBjzufWM45lN2EDRZPK_gCc4qDh49Z3IrQjsKZuKGfzLGZYYYt7x/s320/2018-12-16+118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFy4mF_htBvl_N6BkoHvd-n211V0VqeSyUnpoDuGuURQwWLvw8DGxI8FZGJsLkhnaYu1oV4-GbZtZHl1bJttVJ9G6sQT2XLPg040vVPRbHRgAoCFkAyCOdA35_fTaZSuudpCuUczxDYV3/s1600/2018-12-16+122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFy4mF_htBvl_N6BkoHvd-n211V0VqeSyUnpoDuGuURQwWLvw8DGxI8FZGJsLkhnaYu1oV4-GbZtZHl1bJttVJ9G6sQT2XLPg040vVPRbHRgAoCFkAyCOdA35_fTaZSuudpCuUczxDYV3/s320/2018-12-16+122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another view of part of the palace:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzo63BkwyZWjWlKoAjQEk-T3C4-rsfhmnIZqEI_ZteeZfkyh1Mma2YpOIDjFrx2T65ltuNCgLFxgWYUHM-lCk8xZcrqCZkoFHp_ft_iocSEHJyRzbEUIm0lKeTmz7A-q3i46QgGAJCU9Lh/s1600/2018-12-16+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzo63BkwyZWjWlKoAjQEk-T3C4-rsfhmnIZqEI_ZteeZfkyh1Mma2YpOIDjFrx2T65ltuNCgLFxgWYUHM-lCk8xZcrqCZkoFHp_ft_iocSEHJyRzbEUIm0lKeTmz7A-q3i46QgGAJCU9Lh/s320/2018-12-16+126.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I got a kick out of the street art in Porto especially since the amount of graffiti there was so minimal compared to Lisbon. The city was a very appealing blend of buildings that had been renovated and those yet to be done to put a positive spin on it!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoFRXC4t4fWSwPdIZ-6DXKR1VHyZ7np7A2rQwtlG4Yz3noHrLV8DtnFVOC065zd1aumJ87l2ja-IVP1H78B3ePeeqZlpdD6XfJIurnSeQGD2yn6kG6JfFiWUgfgmnh3VStUDbrCRbpvsM/s1600/2018-12-16+130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoFRXC4t4fWSwPdIZ-6DXKR1VHyZ7np7A2rQwtlG4Yz3noHrLV8DtnFVOC065zd1aumJ87l2ja-IVP1H78B3ePeeqZlpdD6XfJIurnSeQGD2yn6kG6JfFiWUgfgmnh3VStUDbrCRbpvsM/s320/2018-12-16+130.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiQAhZoOpo_e8uqSk4wTmd8nslOVinWDubDt6hZKBjf22N5pLDRLqOyVRJbjTeICBFnvSC7xijjlw-PHgtIpfc4RjN0egfYxSICpR4EAYDklS-Hji0zYcu24EYBhvdIF4D9Wt8JrdoRkd/s1600/2018-12-16+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiQAhZoOpo_e8uqSk4wTmd8nslOVinWDubDt6hZKBjf22N5pLDRLqOyVRJbjTeICBFnvSC7xijjlw-PHgtIpfc4RjN0egfYxSICpR4EAYDklS-Hji0zYcu24EYBhvdIF4D9Wt8JrdoRkd/s320/2018-12-16+121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDhJvJ4ALD-Pfs4yGHDHwsTYfMY59e1w7GgmKR9XsS8baVbvq2AIJMDyRnTrxdVDuNDYMrSjXh1C8U4_Te_QGgbJ09KRntpsq6LJSAPu9l8fgoLozj1ntUYhUgbHXYA8Qk-N6T3OUOEM_/s1600/2018-12-16+128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDhJvJ4ALD-Pfs4yGHDHwsTYfMY59e1w7GgmKR9XsS8baVbvq2AIJMDyRnTrxdVDuNDYMrSjXh1C8U4_Te_QGgbJ09KRntpsq6LJSAPu9l8fgoLozj1ntUYhUgbHXYA8Qk-N6T3OUOEM_/s320/2018-12-16+128.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To get a further sense of the city walls, we walked behind the cathedral to a lovely leafy square.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From there we had easy access to the impressive crenelated remains of the 14th century town wall that was restored in 1920.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvw8sikZpuBBq1dIm7jC8zMPl2s2B8slY_yUcDS6P0rnN2gIcFq04hOvWkWXVoyK-qERiNO2FiaOvuPS20l1t_Hy6ghsrB8VwnyMPbyACZHO-kjGJ7oM1Kq7O2tNSCggOEp_fFfiLUDB2/s1600/2018-12-16+136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvw8sikZpuBBq1dIm7jC8zMPl2s2B8slY_yUcDS6P0rnN2gIcFq04hOvWkWXVoyK-qERiNO2FiaOvuPS20l1t_Hy6ghsrB8VwnyMPbyACZHO-kjGJ7oM1Kq7O2tNSCggOEp_fFfiLUDB2/s320/2018-12-16+136.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBQd48idBI6sev_nWBaFGwiDsphticjihGnNIjyxiSxuvZED4glxrKne76Fei7pEcs3o7KJXmptqpEBgaetmuZ6l0eknk7GxFYPt7-lAP3amh7fE-Gt4BvXpG3b08e2U4z-4hM4MolNk4/s1600/2018-12-16+142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBQd48idBI6sev_nWBaFGwiDsphticjihGnNIjyxiSxuvZED4glxrKne76Fei7pEcs3o7KJXmptqpEBgaetmuZ6l0eknk7GxFYPt7-lAP3amh7fE-Gt4BvXpG3b08e2U4z-4hM4MolNk4/s320/2018-12-16+142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another for my rapidly expanding collection of bathroom signs!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgrzNKnCYBKtkdIrcLr-z5OaevPMPNH8lsjdLlxEbvXotPWgcPdscdJuhYw6l_7RMtZ8wWFFnEeOx6zEwr4-MaIuwyl4UqoDkYIhXN5L5ELVNNsMV9uy9gwvp2B_gw2OTFXpNzvIWyVct/s1600/2018-12-16+148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgrzNKnCYBKtkdIrcLr-z5OaevPMPNH8lsjdLlxEbvXotPWgcPdscdJuhYw6l_7RMtZ8wWFFnEeOx6zEwr4-MaIuwyl4UqoDkYIhXN5L5ELVNNsMV9uy9gwvp2B_gw2OTFXpNzvIWyVct/s320/2018-12-16+148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In <b>Praca da Batalha</b> or <b>Battle Square</b> was the 19th century <b>National Theater,</b> that was built after the first theater, constructed in the 17th century was destroyed by a fire.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOWP7umP8Jsq62o52ssdZBAWJ5uPLcVsVWwcpLFjVFhHHXjwYicxjaWJyZxZJgdOol-Ua9iD7EfBiOg5vrOckLWEgT0RDqDF9eHKpcMUkiEzimN6mX1qOhKtOkHh0O5lVHm_GAKGk6CrJ/s1600/2018-12-16+151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOWP7umP8Jsq62o52ssdZBAWJ5uPLcVsVWwcpLFjVFhHHXjwYicxjaWJyZxZJgdOol-Ua9iD7EfBiOg5vrOckLWEgT0RDqDF9eHKpcMUkiEzimN6mX1qOhKtOkHh0O5lVHm_GAKGk6CrJ/s320/2018-12-16+151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sadly, the imposing Art Deco <b>Cinema Batalha</b> had closed down.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNN8Z9qIM9Seb3HylATaIW9DY4JjiDPuh5KhHmksFvvkQvIhaQT9stJbnzr7jo2Wm1wdVNYfqbxQt9QkjKbFEyBCtDwoovS4AmDK_j9PmwXTZqbiJMVEb89RogF5jAwcmoy8ZzuIA7vFN/s1600/2018-12-16+153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNN8Z9qIM9Seb3HylATaIW9DY4JjiDPuh5KhHmksFvvkQvIhaQT9stJbnzr7jo2Wm1wdVNYfqbxQt9QkjKbFEyBCtDwoovS4AmDK_j9PmwXTZqbiJMVEb89RogF5jAwcmoy8ZzuIA7vFN/s320/2018-12-16+153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E5wARcXcbx-Pi44LH0UvQ_Si6tUZuuiDQdHe7ZiKEbq_1zluXOMk-V6gVXJHn4AH69uhpGyxPSvCa5pAlcIqmVbLTn6dvt6c5nIOBBlbTRscWPdbyjQ3UZCybynauuVgTKtB_F1MFI6C/s1600/2018-12-16+155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E5wARcXcbx-Pi44LH0UvQ_Si6tUZuuiDQdHe7ZiKEbq_1zluXOMk-V6gVXJHn4AH69uhpGyxPSvCa5pAlcIqmVbLTn6dvt6c5nIOBBlbTRscWPdbyjQ3UZCybynauuVgTKtB_F1MFI6C/s320/2018-12-16+155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were lucky to be in the square when its fun Christmas market was taking place.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_0Hr76mMAA-bK8kzGD9o5nVfbmB4mHzuUaJfe9kU0Md5hq0ggedllZzCuo-f0qGuidaKT80AL_NWBuxvNdAs9ybFEUC87qRKlWOUPVMIEIS11jokG8D_Zazrcg8z8MYVFUcDb_LRpcft/s1600/2018-12-16+157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_0Hr76mMAA-bK8kzGD9o5nVfbmB4mHzuUaJfe9kU0Md5hq0ggedllZzCuo-f0qGuidaKT80AL_NWBuxvNdAs9ybFEUC87qRKlWOUPVMIEIS11jokG8D_Zazrcg8z8MYVFUcDb_LRpcft/s320/2018-12-16+157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMupQE_vGpfXSei0PVsC27lL-woOCkr3fD8g-RrdoZx22nipiRiPpOKw_0BJLxJnuU7qRQhFIS6XRWRRWiIPoVq0gFC4iY3mPhqhuFxXh8hebutpq0YSONrkGKhXd85pdH_uuApLhnpL2r/s1600/2018-12-16+159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMupQE_vGpfXSei0PVsC27lL-woOCkr3fD8g-RrdoZx22nipiRiPpOKw_0BJLxJnuU7qRQhFIS6XRWRRWiIPoVq0gFC4iY3mPhqhuFxXh8hebutpq0YSONrkGKhXd85pdH_uuApLhnpL2r/s320/2018-12-16+159.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYIl6kgU1giPaP5ZR7BPlxZ3Nvg8T3eDaGvafibtgu70MNY2YAEXh4ylcM-TBl1bkavzKYXFjD-bQeYMI3CRzxe0rep2_xkXeHLNq6j4j8SsHKuxkwF8PKjNOKsxLB6-ko8Ok6-gif5tz/s1600/2018-12-16+160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYIl6kgU1giPaP5ZR7BPlxZ3Nvg8T3eDaGvafibtgu70MNY2YAEXh4ylcM-TBl1bkavzKYXFjD-bQeYMI3CRzxe0rep2_xkXeHLNq6j4j8SsHKuxkwF8PKjNOKsxLB6-ko8Ok6-gif5tz/s320/2018-12-16+160.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The exterior of the <b>San Ildefonso Church</b> had more of the <i>azuelos</i> tiles that were all the rage in Baroque Portugal. These tiles, which celebrated the life of the church's patron saint, weren't actually Baroque but were fitted into the walls of the church during the early 1930s when the country celebrated its heritage. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5S-KIodVSo4VWgUQJa8CQ1qc6fWkLpiFHI7erDKY7AhK6y4pH5YaFpOSGXCpbDxuvgZ9cC9SJXZDRadSKEFe6ao-VyyJRBIyS-Wvm-I3rBuKwPNGfCrwA33okzcyRYHikP_wfDSLOsD4F/s1600/2018-12-16+164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5S-KIodVSo4VWgUQJa8CQ1qc6fWkLpiFHI7erDKY7AhK6y4pH5YaFpOSGXCpbDxuvgZ9cC9SJXZDRadSKEFe6ao-VyyJRBIyS-Wvm-I3rBuKwPNGfCrwA33okzcyRYHikP_wfDSLOsD4F/s320/2018-12-16+164.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpmHyif9FE1IellBrwyDtKUufon9igvUqnWk8zLd-k-I8IsYJh3BjtgSqZqghCnPt0SVO8dXDlLREV8GJzq3MWaRgYu0D1wfMxHgLHKw0Ctv7TTpetm0gpQFsJyCpSpuWOESpn6H61LRN/s1600/2018-12-16+165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpmHyif9FE1IellBrwyDtKUufon9igvUqnWk8zLd-k-I8IsYJh3BjtgSqZqghCnPt0SVO8dXDlLREV8GJzq3MWaRgYu0D1wfMxHgLHKw0Ctv7TTpetm0gpQFsJyCpSpuWOESpn6H61LRN/s320/2018-12-16+165.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxJmubM5b8KfXBGf1nIA_UAljy5fdvWeSTsOhffaZ3LxyCG_v123be3YNzPsHvw-wvIa70jQ5sB_0mAdNu0ED5S5fWEjEAaEQnhrtBttzg97ep7cmtmWMINiRnTf-5bxYloOFTPU9-pM_/s1600/2018-12-16+166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxJmubM5b8KfXBGf1nIA_UAljy5fdvWeSTsOhffaZ3LxyCG_v123be3YNzPsHvw-wvIa70jQ5sB_0mAdNu0ED5S5fWEjEAaEQnhrtBttzg97ep7cmtmWMINiRnTf-5bxYloOFTPU9-pM_/s320/2018-12-16+166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the square, we strolled down Porto's mostly traffic-free main shopping street, <b>Rua de Santa Catarina.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zZK6d2hDhAHnlCBcfwiIhzUITWVwBH15iXN0_JHNidLx-wYEkxI0ZICWT6aguv8JCAqlXd3rr0f4rZDPg9mR-mHss7kmdvt8MrAQ7CLeGOTZAF-q1keocdZJkmNtyipqZq0Odv1LWUln/s1600/2018-12-16+167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zZK6d2hDhAHnlCBcfwiIhzUITWVwBH15iXN0_JHNidLx-wYEkxI0ZICWT6aguv8JCAqlXd3rr0f4rZDPg9mR-mHss7kmdvt8MrAQ7CLeGOTZAF-q1keocdZJkmNtyipqZq0Odv1LWUln/s320/2018-12-16+167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufOMlsXcvrH8HYPZB5rgUgafuPyawQ77NJvLAKsSr1k173mH4QT0NvCaX0wS__-4MPY6XUai_HuovUiDpWYISZZBG9SH6hfMLe4u4ikynTMZLcKt90Osr4zMqQnVtltRdY_Ea7rIRlt8A/s1600/2018-12-16+170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufOMlsXcvrH8HYPZB5rgUgafuPyawQ77NJvLAKsSr1k173mH4QT0NvCaX0wS__-4MPY6XUai_HuovUiDpWYISZZBG9SH6hfMLe4u4ikynTMZLcKt90Osr4zMqQnVtltRdY_Ea7rIRlt8A/s320/2018-12-16+170.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While taking this picture, I wasn't paying attention to the oncoming tram and was almost hit!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnCrTdHYKW6r1lqkZfHXBSmdn1cLpsLpBB0VEqfR44x4A8QCzqSFD2zykJJX5bU_uHe_W53TIrAvVEEzY21VV_BddbNRpzDkgSXQc1EOGey5SZs5MR4ruUn4-B_8-vcZovxCTpPbT9DXr/s1600/2018-12-16+176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnCrTdHYKW6r1lqkZfHXBSmdn1cLpsLpBB0VEqfR44x4A8QCzqSFD2zykJJX5bU_uHe_W53TIrAvVEEzY21VV_BddbNRpzDkgSXQc1EOGey5SZs5MR4ruUn4-B_8-vcZovxCTpPbT9DXr/s320/2018-12-16+176.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYY1nT-6HnRNNbYUuGY0Rnxbt_J52lyyepBzSbh_5YvMKmnvv_e9ITfv1HFQKe6OfgVECNliCnsBBAERuVJznBC_S1PvRCSKcZiclvtu3A6M0PR3xynDoYvYPtxtIfcIFM0ktDUz1PfG3c/s1600/2018-12-16+175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYY1nT-6HnRNNbYUuGY0Rnxbt_J52lyyepBzSbh_5YvMKmnvv_e9ITfv1HFQKe6OfgVECNliCnsBBAERuVJznBC_S1PvRCSKcZiclvtu3A6M0PR3xynDoYvYPtxtIfcIFM0ktDUz1PfG3c/s320/2018-12-16+175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh327syti9ZEZArlhbKj6YYKa0_qx-IhaKFeraD606tlR9GOmHdDp-WGEgzBlZ3L5N1FJwsZvqA_8n07ovWsFIF0F5a_yNpNNi5rBKDAiNh0rkuU1BmwDKy3Bq7lwZkHb8zEG0qS1cUBJSo/s1600/2018-12-16+178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh327syti9ZEZArlhbKj6YYKa0_qx-IhaKFeraD606tlR9GOmHdDp-WGEgzBlZ3L5N1FJwsZvqA_8n07ovWsFIF0F5a_yNpNNi5rBKDAiNh0rkuU1BmwDKy3Bq7lwZkHb8zEG0qS1cUBJSo/s320/2018-12-16+178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The sidewalk had more of the stunning limestone and basalt mosaic work we'd first seen in Lisbon or actually in Rio de Janeiro, Portugal's former colony, the year before. Though handmade and high maintenance, it was apparently worth the effort and expense to locals. I was sure glad as the designs were so appealing and made me appreciate a walk along the sidewalk even more.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpCuEhIVZTjCNqF9C6d5Johlo44TjIBX0xuUPJrX_MldsNBhRKy8efqw7wSOJNnzxL2MWTgZiJc7-wv5It5HdsNElk1y8WqaTx8yOfzVn1TVXiRDkz3awqNRF5Fg9AFYZnc4W2P6O_NW7/s1600/2018-12-16+179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpCuEhIVZTjCNqF9C6d5Johlo44TjIBX0xuUPJrX_MldsNBhRKy8efqw7wSOJNnzxL2MWTgZiJc7-wv5It5HdsNElk1y8WqaTx8yOfzVn1TVXiRDkz3awqNRF5Fg9AFYZnc4W2P6O_NW7/s320/2018-12-16+179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The venerable Art Nouveau <b>Cafe Majestic</b> had been a circa 1900 hangout for the local intelligentsia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was agog seeing the exquisite tiled church a couple of blocks down the street! To me, Porto became synonymous with the tiles reminiscent of Ming dynasty blue and white ceramics. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The early 18th century</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Capela das Almas de Santa Catarina </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">was restored and extended in 1801 and the tiles on the facade were added in 1929. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXoBzbAHxhh7ldZtxnJrBloOrAV1D1SA2ydBPm4Hlbn-rdQsKypM3418s2Olen4l98IsBDaG1549o45RV5SVZLHDG7BQa3iS5KSfTPG5eiMaHPAABbQSvMrfSblMnWkgxxd-pEUIxRklE/s1600/2018-12-16+184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXoBzbAHxhh7ldZtxnJrBloOrAV1D1SA2ydBPm4Hlbn-rdQsKypM3418s2Olen4l98IsBDaG1549o45RV5SVZLHDG7BQa3iS5KSfTPG5eiMaHPAABbQSvMrfSblMnWkgxxd-pEUIxRklE/s320/2018-12-16+184.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-ySg5oAuX699Yuiw8XLG9hyHaeANmksPs59ZcGP1w3nyGtONVqQeLqVUtPfyCAtRUWHgmr_ixQZWrkYS2EcOM2X40z8FPy1NB28Ujku2rlZS2iSunSUPQERi5snH0estxiIrVXeQVIPG/s1600/2018-12-16+185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-ySg5oAuX699Yuiw8XLG9hyHaeANmksPs59ZcGP1w3nyGtONVqQeLqVUtPfyCAtRUWHgmr_ixQZWrkYS2EcOM2X40z8FPy1NB28Ujku2rlZS2iSunSUPQERi5snH0estxiIrVXeQVIPG/s320/2018-12-16+185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The tiles were the most beautiful and also the most overtly religious of all those we'd seen at so many other churches here in Porto.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNOb16f54ULfa5cR7LT4sFQqeuGFH-oJtKCrvdRfdqkGIPz0_SNN_cp08IGILxnCRZ2qSqi_m3hmaMxooRLCSxxm5h4ExbypEzAyX5Lqm2GlpnIhsNJbeUIYUwBliQovXXlBlnBZ5KnIW/s1600/2018-12-16+190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNOb16f54ULfa5cR7LT4sFQqeuGFH-oJtKCrvdRfdqkGIPz0_SNN_cp08IGILxnCRZ2qSqi_m3hmaMxooRLCSxxm5h4ExbypEzAyX5Lqm2GlpnIhsNJbeUIYUwBliQovXXlBlnBZ5KnIW/s320/2018-12-16+190.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibl8wzgtRVw_oruw4qCBAKCD0DxgE_0yJy6SUoGyqEH0lWRDkqCbvSWtD1L-20ye9T-YgOO5G3tJoW5hEqNPhslBmWCYfhMqR56XlKEcibOHgt1_s4W-IA8zrFMijBcfbokRCDkOTNLLaT/s1600/2018-12-16+195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibl8wzgtRVw_oruw4qCBAKCD0DxgE_0yJy6SUoGyqEH0lWRDkqCbvSWtD1L-20ye9T-YgOO5G3tJoW5hEqNPhslBmWCYfhMqR56XlKEcibOHgt1_s4W-IA8zrFMijBcfbokRCDkOTNLLaT/s320/2018-12-16+195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another striking storefront caught our attention.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjwKSZK4S0Gnd631e7rg56LqR4zxb0epMiXYSnx0StAUl7iSqHwEfvSr8XJHGI2x9JkoiaIU5ZpBuVgbugT3j0EuBlrd984FFMpPH2FMIv9zuv_vRRyE1vbrJD60KlOB7bSXRqp-9ZySU/s1600/2018-12-16+198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjwKSZK4S0Gnd631e7rg56LqR4zxb0epMiXYSnx0StAUl7iSqHwEfvSr8XJHGI2x9JkoiaIU5ZpBuVgbugT3j0EuBlrd984FFMpPH2FMIv9zuv_vRRyE1vbrJD60KlOB7bSXRqp-9ZySU/s320/2018-12-16+198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We ended up doing a circular walk through much of Porto we hadn't discovered in our first few days in town, ending up just blocks from our apartment at <b>Sao Bento Train Station.</b> It wasn't because we were taking a train but because it was also famous for <b>its</b> vivid blue and white hand painted tiles! Its main entry hall featured some of Portugal's finest <i>azuelos</i> which showed historical and folk scenes from the Douro region. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD1i1W-O4q0_-0sWMxuwH2AKgnPaeqByCKavmyoFj97y02Ccva6o7NNhqvNNbRB98jqXBuh7ibvYDw6WxdlY_uCFxN90BlnhCnCBFekfA_oInyzT1PQXmmUbIsS53XGX-89I3roOBQK5-/s1600/2018-12-16+202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD1i1W-O4q0_-0sWMxuwH2AKgnPaeqByCKavmyoFj97y02Ccva6o7NNhqvNNbRB98jqXBuh7ibvYDw6WxdlY_uCFxN90BlnhCnCBFekfA_oInyzT1PQXmmUbIsS53XGX-89I3roOBQK5-/s320/2018-12-16+202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The station was so spectacular I just wanted to hop on a train and go somewhere!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbvLDQgv7ae-kDBvXnqUgreeY1oixHz4rR153b0nAq-CYLaoFvPwgYpGr4CznW1VlnQhG53GQU78ZC0S7S41F0zyeaeRQ1Mt90AV9u0FTyHLsqmQ5whreH_Zx_o1u0QKApEfygh6XoGHb/s1600/2018-12-16+214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbvLDQgv7ae-kDBvXnqUgreeY1oixHz4rR153b0nAq-CYLaoFvPwgYpGr4CznW1VlnQhG53GQU78ZC0S7S41F0zyeaeRQ1Mt90AV9u0FTyHLsqmQ5whreH_Zx_o1u0QKApEfygh6XoGHb/s320/2018-12-16+214.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDOaWb1r4wCITz5m-cjOOrsIEy9EwUNMLGbLOkMVZBxiZidA0lieFMx0a0hcuzX4LGNSILS3LG24IeDnrtKnnH0pDLuvZHQWs_cLouzGzelRm0bCJUr29yEXym2qiduv8hs-mcEgCEc1U/s1600/2018-12-16+209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDOaWb1r4wCITz5m-cjOOrsIEy9EwUNMLGbLOkMVZBxiZidA0lieFMx0a0hcuzX4LGNSILS3LG24IeDnrtKnnH0pDLuvZHQWs_cLouzGzelRm0bCJUr29yEXym2qiduv8hs-mcEgCEc1U/s320/2018-12-16+209.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Medieval battle scenes from when Portugal and Spain were at war:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQTnjc7oaHkJiuEmDcZ3tAaIeFIpsfc32yNstqNw4ZV4-KqLtzTdogLM5bOFuKhnXqWhk4eBTpB-nph4mWori7lSQASVuhBUDJ65MaDOwRn-PL9-mXW8pP_HAD71nXjO4pxKKZ8UOQtjB/s1600/2018-12-16+203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQTnjc7oaHkJiuEmDcZ3tAaIeFIpsfc32yNstqNw4ZV4-KqLtzTdogLM5bOFuKhnXqWhk4eBTpB-nph4mWori7lSQASVuhBUDJ65MaDOwRn-PL9-mXW8pP_HAD71nXjO4pxKKZ8UOQtjB/s320/2018-12-16+203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbjkiQ6z1Qst1NMDi97r97rMQBl8cKNBXeLK7rhTtPKN2BEiItRmreJETHJ1gYCweSaIZk0oCVHlkYMT41fNZXdY0SOpm4lrZmV6v3ee8vnxMH-zTUf5TjBWm_h2Hp8s69XNqCHX7tL8e/s1600/2018-12-16+220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbjkiQ6z1Qst1NMDi97r97rMQBl8cKNBXeLK7rhTtPKN2BEiItRmreJETHJ1gYCweSaIZk0oCVHlkYMT41fNZXdY0SOpm4lrZmV6v3ee8vnxMH-zTUf5TjBWm_h2Hp8s69XNqCHX7tL8e/s320/2018-12-16+220.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A depiction of how the Cathedral appeared in the 13th century:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One whole wall was devoted to a pivotal event from Porto's past, the 1387 wedding of Portugal's <b>King Joao I</b> and the English princess <b>Philippa</b> which established the Portuguese-English alliance. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUaMYImVD3NY6nclMZd-sPU5OxkTdwwFaYSgpTQdzWwLVUT478f3HAhEdmmMU84_NR_L6DomPQoJstIH9eJuro3JEcaVLRRH8Tegwlin1ixn4Jj1EVh_elOrUDZ4Y68J42PZ0prRnvm5S/s1600/2018-12-16+207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUaMYImVD3NY6nclMZd-sPU5OxkTdwwFaYSgpTQdzWwLVUT478f3HAhEdmmMU84_NR_L6DomPQoJstIH9eJuro3JEcaVLRRH8Tegwlin1ixn4Jj1EVh_elOrUDZ4Y68J42PZ0prRnvm5S/s320/2018-12-16+207.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy20MIzWop5mJFw7_WdFyvSuSAqYuFZa4mRrpSFxAzcpDa2D2n8a8I1YlyFrFjNNknIclFUdTKeZwIlRhKSOnPe4EC19cCd4K9xuTgDoFKMX_GAazG7hTRfzHzXWjKJPUKhhhyphenhyphenapt38fW3/s1600/2018-12-16+218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy20MIzWop5mJFw7_WdFyvSuSAqYuFZa4mRrpSFxAzcpDa2D2n8a8I1YlyFrFjNNknIclFUdTKeZwIlRhKSOnPe4EC19cCd4K9xuTgDoFKMX_GAazG7hTRfzHzXWjKJPUKhhhyphenhyphenapt38fW3/s320/2018-12-16+218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other tiles illustrated Porto's traditional economy and transportation from long ago.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2M7JrvRmgTweFk0IvOzgLEi4De-jz2Kgr9kotwbW_RrDSm41yZUXinsoGvGyywfWeRjzhftW4OcHNUbmgrl-4xZtsBwiHYHR4AXRKti-zxHENXtgnb-PLOvhSBlU28tx416Fcd4mSf1o3/s1600/2018-12-16+210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2M7JrvRmgTweFk0IvOzgLEi4De-jz2Kgr9kotwbW_RrDSm41yZUXinsoGvGyywfWeRjzhftW4OcHNUbmgrl-4xZtsBwiHYHR4AXRKti-zxHENXtgnb-PLOvhSBlU28tx416Fcd4mSf1o3/s320/2018-12-16+210.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijjJF-eQdG-Vd0sBM09566GvHWH8hkqiyF5IJ1s0XjnPIlWaThG1PsoUeBF6bfNgEyRG6gRnQcwH8I-Ami_Y7RGH-ZAyWC9rH9yDJKG6nQGOu2d2rVgyqlJgVi_ppP674-8E6PI0_L14_/s1600/2018-12-16+212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijjJF-eQdG-Vd0sBM09566GvHWH8hkqiyF5IJ1s0XjnPIlWaThG1PsoUeBF6bfNgEyRG6gRnQcwH8I-Ami_Y7RGH-ZAyWC9rH9yDJKG6nQGOu2d2rVgyqlJgVi_ppP674-8E6PI0_L14_/s320/2018-12-16+212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Multicolored tiles above the blue ones also portrayed methods of transportation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Names on the ceiling represented Portuguese rivers.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjex2cYCZYWeEh7gYOTnoVI0VT88A_0QeGvEYDAUHGPzZYoDXIs3-gyd_s9FNcU5B4EiqwOtZ6Fx8Y3g-59_HJOQPzvtB2IjqU8sskdUWM7xMEZ61Y49rbk5B4jhQsULlxbY8vLBZEId_yK/s1600/2018-12-16+230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjex2cYCZYWeEh7gYOTnoVI0VT88A_0QeGvEYDAUHGPzZYoDXIs3-gyd_s9FNcU5B4EiqwOtZ6Fx8Y3g-59_HJOQPzvtB2IjqU8sskdUWM7xMEZ61Y49rbk5B4jhQsULlxbY8vLBZEId_yK/s320/2018-12-16+230.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was <b>so</b> weird hearing the choir sing <i>Jingle Bells</i> and <i>Santa Claus is Coming to Town</i> in English and not Portuguese in front of the <b>Misericordia Church</b> we'd explored before!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The last 'museum' we wanted to see in Porto was the <b>House of Henry the Navigator</b> where, six hundred years ago, Porto's favorite son was thought to have been born in this mansion. It was once the largest house in town and later became</span><span style="font-size: large;"> the main Customs House. As that was also the main royal building in Porto, King Joao I and Philippa stayed there in 1394. It was there their son, later known as </span><span style="font-size: large;">Henry the Navigator,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> was born.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQVsR38mqRlvBDIbcbsPYGd_X9bBTzzsvgaPQxMVOg9U7ZdeC_XImQQWps2mbU7_8LkoNdsmc4qu5nSpZFD609dT3XZZuo3HHY_UuuOAHvbafWxUPqx12Tyip6aL_N2zyySS5pAVSqasl/s1600/2018-12-16+298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQVsR38mqRlvBDIbcbsPYGd_X9bBTzzsvgaPQxMVOg9U7ZdeC_XImQQWps2mbU7_8LkoNdsmc4qu5nSpZFD609dT3XZZuo3HHY_UuuOAHvbafWxUPqx12Tyip6aL_N2zyySS5pAVSqasl/s320/2018-12-16+298.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The entryway had a copy of the first Roman mosaic found in Porto with faithfully reproduced tiles.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYczRqjCZKdWerh-qpIXX6r9yVqu2WDW0fExiHDTMFxgDaaHh2uUH1vAnT4sTMNqwWT-pVvp7aizCaBkYUBpGsqfi0eZ3TvPBLw6uqiK1bMoGwhcz9JOaoKadMRayxe2F2CMlrbJacL6R/s1600/2018-12-16+256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYczRqjCZKdWerh-qpIXX6r9yVqu2WDW0fExiHDTMFxgDaaHh2uUH1vAnT4sTMNqwWT-pVvp7aizCaBkYUBpGsqfi0eZ3TvPBLw6uqiK1bMoGwhcz9JOaoKadMRayxe2F2CMlrbJacL6R/s320/2018-12-16+256.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tC5C2sAJVM3m8aL_R3ggW1mcgEEx1StU6lzTSoTEG6u-DmtYMh5gwS7pMhnM3qGlguY9YCs05FbarLCf5EnMIBMa-dvCisLP1XJ0oJf-C77GmwjfZXos2hGvABPxZRuV4k9N9rlQixLE/s1600/2018-12-16+263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tC5C2sAJVM3m8aL_R3ggW1mcgEEx1StU6lzTSoTEG6u-DmtYMh5gwS7pMhnM3qGlguY9YCs05FbarLCf5EnMIBMa-dvCisLP1XJ0oJf-C77GmwjfZXos2hGvABPxZRuV4k9N9rlQixLE/s320/2018-12-16+263.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A model of the Customs House in the 14th century showed it to be much larger than the current museum where there were many archaeological exhibits about the city's early days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Archaeological excavations at this site identified occupation from the Roman era, including the ruins of a large building with mosaic floors which were the first to be found in Porto. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The current city of Porto first began as a settlement established during the first millennium BC on the hill where the cathedral was built hundreds of years later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Among the unconfirmed stories about the birth of <b>Magellan</b> are some certainties, we learned. The explorer was born in northwest Portugal and part of his expedition was prepared in Porto and it included ships and sailors from the city. From the 16th century, merchants, sailors, adventurers and emigrants from Porto left their homeland to seek their fortune in the Castilian lands of the Pacific and in the Portuguese trading posts in the seas of China and Japan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wondered how accurate this image of Henry the Navigator really was!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the tender age of 21, Henry was responsible for preparing the fleet to sail to <b>Ceuta</b> on the north coast of Africa. As the Administrator of the Order of Christ, he deployed men and ships in exploration of the seas and unknown coasts leading to discovery of islands and exploration of the west cost of Africa as far as Sierra Leone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We wanted to return to the <b>Ribeira</b> or riverfront district to walk around one last time as the weather was so much better than our last time there! It was only a block or two away and would look lovely in the early evening. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Porto is known for these skinny houses above the waterfront. If you read an earlier post, you'll recall the Douro River often reached the arched doors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Restaurants and bars lined the water's edge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If we ever return to Porto as we'd love to one day, it'd be a blast to take a cruise up the river passing under its many bridges. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Praca da Ribeira</b> was a hopping square with lots of shops and places to eat and drink and some fascinating artwork including a cube fountain!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Though we knew we had exciting places still to explore on this and future trips, Porto and the rest of the country was one of the few places in the world that we'd really love coming back to if given the chance. There was an electrifying mix of museums, churches, fado music and port wines, and riveting history that drew me in. We aren't 'foodies' but there were several Portuguese treats that we will also long remember, more than I can say about most countries we have explored!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> Amsterdam, here we come!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on June 25th, 2019, from Flagstaff, Arizona, so Steven and our sons can hike down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon tomorrow and back up the next day.</i></span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-22445098731293555062019-06-18T13:19:00.000-06:002019-07-19T21:27:27.747-06:0012/15: Porto's Port & Port Wines 101!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Close to three months ago now </i><i>I returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow that really fun trip Down Under, here's a link to the newest blog:</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Earlier in the day Steven and I had an interesting time </span><span style="font-size: large;">touring </span><span style="font-size: large;">the Stock Exchange Palace and two fascinating churches here in Porto. Even though the weather had taken a turn for the worse, we nonetheless decided to take our chances and walk along the riverfront with the eventual goal of stopping at a port wine lodge, something that the city is so famous for.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSc5n8SNvf_zGyqxQt2bsChi351Wl_wFbc9sy1glGCPrtqD2izYo4FLlv4Y0CxhQPmo74fWFy5uy6rw7CrkaWEkIcskCLaY5FhKFiQsGof_JRjUdBZE-dWI_WjJy8B0ZHVNDsTYtGnPLD/s1600/2018-12-15+329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSc5n8SNvf_zGyqxQt2bsChi351Wl_wFbc9sy1glGCPrtqD2izYo4FLlv4Y0CxhQPmo74fWFy5uy6rw7CrkaWEkIcskCLaY5FhKFiQsGof_JRjUdBZE-dWI_WjJy8B0ZHVNDsTYtGnPLD/s320/2018-12-15+329.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the distance was the <b>Dom Luis I Bridge</b> over the 500-foot wide <b>Douro River</b> which was built by a protege of <b>Gustave Eiffel</b> who himself built another bridge a bit upstream. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The bridge, inaugurated in October of 1886, </span><span style="font-size: large;">was built of two metal trays supported by a great iron arch and five piers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before tourism helped make Porto and the rest of Portugal one of Europe's must-see destinations, the <b>Ribeira</b> or riverfront was a working port. The city wall fortified Porto from the river and, until an embankment was built in the 20th century, the water came right up the arches which also served as loading zones for merchants. Nowadays, I read, the old arcades are jammed in better weather with hole-in-the-wall restaurants and souvenir shops. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The view, such as it was, was to the town of <b>Vila Nova de Gaia</b> or just <b>Gaia</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">across the river </span><span style="font-size: large;">where most of the world's port wine comes to mature. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I knew not a thing about port wines before coming to Porto except for always reading books where normally British men would retire after dinner to the library to indulge in a glass of port! Port wine grapes are grown and a young port is produced about 60 miles upstream in the <b>Douro Valley.</b> Then, after sitting for the winter in silos for the winter, the wine is shipped downstream to Gaia to age for years in lodges on the cool, north-facing riverbank. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These distinctive boats, called <i>rabelos,</i> were once the only way to transport wine from the Douro Valley vineyards to the cellars of Porto. The boats had flat bottoms, a big square sail and a very large rudder to help them navigate the rough and twisty river. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mid December, we knew after being in Porto for just a few days, was not the most opportune time to visit the lovely city and soak up its many charms! If you've been lucky enough to go to Paris, this wrought-iron bridge might remind you of the Eiffel Tower as it did us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Immediately across the river was <b>Sandeman,</b> the most high-profile port company and considered the Budweiser of port. They were the first port producer to create a logo and had the "most corporate, mainstream, accessible experience" for people new to discovering the world of port wines. If our apartment owners had not already given us complementary passes to <b>Churchill's,</b> a port wine lodge located a good walk away, we may have stopped here especially since the weather didn't look like it might improve for a good while. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even if there weren't many people out, Steven would have been easy to spot in his bright red umbrella!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Did you know, unlike me, that port was actually a British phenomenon? Because Britain wasn't suitable for growing grapes, wine was traditionally imported from France until the 17th and 18th century wars when Britain boycotted French wines. Portuguese wines generally didn't survive the longer sea journey to Britain. I read the port-making process may have come about accidentally when two Portuguese brothers fortified wine with grape brandy to maintain its quality during the long trip. When the wine picked up the flavor of the oak barrels it was stored in, the British really liked it! Because the British perfected port production in the succeeding generations, many ports have British-sounding names like Taylor, Croft, Graham and, of course, Churchill's.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 1703, the <b>Methuen Treaty</b> reduced taxation on Portuguese wines which made port even more popular. In 1756, Portugal's <b>Marques de Pombal</b> demarcated the Douro region which meant from that point on that true 'port wine' could only come from this region following specific rules of production just as 'Champagne' technically refers to a specific region in France. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If the weather were better and not so late in the day, it would have been interesting to spend some time in Gaia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the riverfront we walked uphill along deserted streets past centuries' old stone buildings toward Churchill's for our reserved appointment.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreC2q5vf8BlBIlDeXyaP1sSF1dIPeKpDrROZrwTisat0MyuLRdBLsSNDQtbq7aHVNPPc1i_LWqKIjIeRt9caV902TQN8v1D6taR2Aa63_ZfSqhcOYcwZIfULPwt2n7dlxS8ysbh2IAzWx/s1600/2018-12-15+344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreC2q5vf8BlBIlDeXyaP1sSF1dIPeKpDrROZrwTisat0MyuLRdBLsSNDQtbq7aHVNPPc1i_LWqKIjIeRt9caV902TQN8v1D6taR2Aa63_ZfSqhcOYcwZIfULPwt2n7dlxS8ysbh2IAzWx/s320/2018-12-15+344.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How wonderful to warm up <b>and</b> dry up on entering the lodge's tasting room. Because of the inclement weather, there were only a few others sampling the ports. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our personal guide, <b>Joao,</b> told us that Churchill's was started in 1981 by <b>John Graham</b> who left his family's famous Graham port wine lodge to start his own firm. Five hundred million bottles of wine are produced yearly in the Douro Valley with half being port and the rest table wines. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The area where Churchill's grapes are grown has direct sunlight in the morning which means less acidity which in turn prevents excessive humidity from less wind. It's a natural process with little chance of irrigation and only if prior permission is received from the <b>Port Wine Institute</b> that strictly regulates every facet of port production. The five week harvest normally takes place beginning in late September. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joao mentioned there's little intervention in wine production so harvest is done by hand. That way, there is more juice and the seeds aren't destroyed. When I found out the exclusively local Douro Valley workers stomp on the grapes for six hours a day for five weeks, </span><span style="font-size: large;">it sure didn't look as fun as it appeared initially!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Churchill's stops fermentation of their port wine at 75 percent by adding a flavorless fire water like a brandy or white spirit </span><span style="font-size: large;">to achieve the perfect taste</span><span style="font-size: large;">. After fermentation takes place, filtration occurs in stainless steel vats which have a capacity of 50,000 liters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we walked a short distance to a massive building where the port was ageing in </span><span style="font-size: large;">French oak </span><span style="font-size: large;">barrels, Joao </span><span style="font-size: large;">said that 80 percent of the land in Portugal is used to produce wine!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For most port drinkers, "port" means a <b>tawny port</b>. But I learned that since there were more than forty varieties of grapes used in its production, there's a wide spectrum of port. Leathery-colored tawny port is aged in smaller barrels which maximizes its exposure to wood, and gives it a nuttier flavor. Tawny port remains in the wood from anywhere from ten to forty years. To enhance the complexity of its flavor, all tawny ports are actually a blend of several vintages so that a 30-year old tawny has components that are just ten or twenty years old. Inexpensive <b>Ruby port,</b> by contrast, only ages in the oak vats for three years before being bottled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ruby colored<b> vintage port</b> is the most expensive and comes from a single harvest only. Only wine from the very best vintages is selected, typically two or three a decade. It then must be tested by the authorities; if approved, it's then bottled and aged for another 10-30 years. If not, the wine stays in the casks longer to become </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>LBV</b> or <b>Late Bottle Vintage</b> port. That was invented after WW II when British wine lovers couldn't afford vintage port. LBV is a blend of wines from a single year which age together in huge wooden vats for four to six years. The size of the vats means less exposure to wood which makes it age more quickly. According to the information on the barrel, this LBV was started in 2015 and needs one more year before it will be bottled. The chalk marks on the bottom indicated it was last tasted about a month before we were there, on November 26th, 2018.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtUxLCP7JmcpVE4mSC_sMbwMs69jCScDQVqVFIeBsjhQppYOXWhNMB0r2EMcuKzXuIa9eOl3yBl32DDeV8mN89Pip3r8dWj_WNfK5tERKGPKq6HbbtuL_zCsUdUNGOdJEhQuoKrwItHlk/s1600/2018-12-15+357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtUxLCP7JmcpVE4mSC_sMbwMs69jCScDQVqVFIeBsjhQppYOXWhNMB0r2EMcuKzXuIa9eOl3yBl32DDeV8mN89Pip3r8dWj_WNfK5tERKGPKq6HbbtuL_zCsUdUNGOdJEhQuoKrwItHlk/s320/2018-12-15+357.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All the wine here, Joao stated, are in contact with the old oak barrels used to age port. They are then sold to Scotland so the barrels can be used to age whiskey which was news to me. When Steven and I visit a distillery in Scotland in late September, it'll be fun to remember that fact!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Each barrel holds an average of 600 liters of which about two percent evaporates. That's called the angels' share!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The marking on the cask indicated the wine was 30 years old and had been last tasted in May of 2018. When this port is released for sale, it will sell for 120 euros a bottle - not cheap stuff!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also saw <b>white ports</b> which are "young and robust" and aged in barrels for ten years. Joao indicated they were best served chilled with codfish - beloved by all Portuguese - sushi and appetizers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We came at last to the vintage bottled wines. Joao said it's critical for those bottles to lie down to come into contact with the cork so the wine doesn't become vinegary. To drink a vintage port, the bottle must stand up for 90 minutes because of the sediment and then be filtered or decanted. The bottle is then best drunk within six days. The 2011 vintage was considered one of the best years because of the normal winter and best overall climate with only rain twice at the end of August. Some people bought it then as an investment, paying 60-95 euros a bottle, knowing it would increase in value later. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCxtvaHwl1ZPu5iA3qen15qRNGKg6VCAwyIAumZreLjar8e2AfePp9eBoUkXIY7lgCpbF2Hgcw0ZUTWBOg4UHWefL4tzxiOFYBHl0kqT9-wLJ6JymIXPO2hSN-zdeMxnIDVxVedC4r5K0/s1600/2018-12-15+376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCxtvaHwl1ZPu5iA3qen15qRNGKg6VCAwyIAumZreLjar8e2AfePp9eBoUkXIY7lgCpbF2Hgcw0ZUTWBOg4UHWefL4tzxiOFYBHl0kqT9-wLJ6JymIXPO2hSN-zdeMxnIDVxVedC4r5K0/s320/2018-12-15+376.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joao was justifiably proud of the fact that Churchill's won its first Gold Medal in 1985, just four years after it opened!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eighty percent of port wines (or Churchill's, I wasn't sure) are exported, most to the UK and English-speaking countries like South Africa and Canada. No mention of the US was made and I neglected to ask. Churchill's (and other port producers, possibly) are trying to get into Northern Europe like Denmark and Switzerland because they're non-wine producers. It's tough to get into the other European countries, according to Joao, because the people aren't used to drinking port wines. The only distributor in the US is <b>Frederick Wildman & Sons</b> in NY.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The impressive Wall of Fame indicated the many awards Churchill's has won over the years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the informative tour, we were led to the fun part of the experience with a return visit to the tasting room! There we were treated to a selection of cheese and crackers and our own server who then plied us with a variety of ports and all for free - we hadn't ever been treated like that when visiting wineries in Napa or elsewhere! The first was 'white' port but it wasn't that white as you can see. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It was hard not to smile after the fun tour and coming in out of the chilly wet weather.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next was a <b>ruby port</b> which had only aged for a maximum of six years in wood barrels. As no year was listed on the bottle, we knew it was a blend of different types of grapes and may have been a blend, too, of different years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ruby port is like a traditional post-dinner port wine that pairs nicely with cheese, chocolate or fruit, according to our server. I much preferred the ruby to the white port as I found the former a little rough. My apologies,</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Will, </b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">for my inexact wine verbiage! We were served a few more but I can't remember those ones at all. What an enjoyable experience that was - I would definitely order a glass of port in the future, something I'd never think of doing prior to being exposed to port wines at Churchill's.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How much prettier </span><span style="font-size: large;">once the rain abated </span><span style="font-size: large;">Porto looked from the Gaia side of the Douro! </span><span style="font-size: large;">The line of</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> rabelos </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">boats, used until the 1970s for transporting port wine to Porto, were now mostly used for tourists' cruises up and down the river. It took three days to complete the 50-100 mile journey and a crew of four to load</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> just eight barrels </b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">onto the the 20-foot boats! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the downstream trip, the captain stood on a platform to look out for rocks and shallows ahead, using the long rudder to guide the flat-bottomed boat through whitewater and hairpin turns. It was dangerous work and the river was once lined with shrines where superstitious sailors prayed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On arrival in Gaia, the cargo was unloaded and the boat headed back. For the slow trip upstream, the tall square sail helped them ride the prevailing westerly winds. Otherwise, they were pulled by ropes up the worst stretches by men or by oxen on paths that once lined the riverbank. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was great advertising as well as very striking seeing all the signs promoting the port wine lodges along the riverfront. I took special note of <b>Graham's</b> as it was one of the original companies as well where Churchill's owner had his start.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> Sadly, our last day in Porto and Portugal but fun nonetheless exploring more of the enticing city.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on June 18th, 2019, also on our last day at Florida's Grayton Beach State Park but we hope to return in late August of 2020, God willing. </i></span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-33062875726895472732019-06-14T07:52:00.000-06:002019-06-14T07:52:19.991-06:0012/15: Porto: Two Lovely Churches & Palatial Stock Exchange!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Over two months ago </i><i>I returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow that really fun trip Down Under, here's a link to the newest blog: </i></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just down the traffic-free street from our apartment in central Porto was the elaborate, skinny facade of <b>Misericordia Church.</b> It was also a Chapter House which meant it was a residence for priests and monks. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">The church was built in the second half of the 16th century but underwent many changes 200 years later because of work done by famed Italian architect</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Nicolau Nasoni </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">who made his mark in Porto.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I paid special attention to the 18th century <i>St. Anne and the Virgin </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">made from ivory, silver, wood and gold filigree!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Through an 'eyepiece', we caught a great view of the <b>Porto Cathedral</b> that was constructed after the Misericordia Church. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As part of its <b>Works of Mercy,</b> Misericordia managed hospitals for over 500 years and had an important role providing health services in northern Portugal. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The involvement of the church in health care, medical education and humanitarian and social programs was, and still is, critical.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Among the church priorities were taking care of poor prisoners who had no means to defend themselves and no resources for treatment if they ended up in the prison wards. The Misericordia provided them with food and legal support, hiring lawyers to defend them </span><span style="font-size: large;">and doctors and surgeons to administer to their health. The</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Commitment of 1594 </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">ordered that two men responsible for the jails were elected to reflect their humanitarian role.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The church and its foundation established educational institutions, provided assistance and shelter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the <b>Blind Asylum of St. Manuel</b> was founded in 1899, it donated the benefactor's assets to the Misericordia on the condition it found a small and modest asylum to accommodate </span><span style="font-size: large;">fifteen poor blind men and women and provided vocational training for blind adults. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The act of giving by benefactors was a deeply religious act which aimed to reaffirm faith. By saving the souls of others, the benefactor was also saving his or her own. The act of giving expressed compassion for those in need which ensured eternal redemption. </span><span style="font-size: large;">After the death of the benefactors, arrangements were made to make portraits to perpetuate their memory. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Misericordia assembled a vast collection of them from 1649 to 1949 with most being of males. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Cynically, I wondered if the size of the paintings was related to the amount of money given by the benefactors to Misericordia!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7R8W_d6LJafg2xRe1EeXFCQEgwihTrmats8AbPYp9GuUoRcnai8Wm6rt2V3ahSiwLj4gjbSeegOii3Yb0Sy7sRGiSKPtbgzyXaye1rwZaAhFJ1argbOJhXhsKDedg6hsInIbHLy0ii05z/s1600/2018-12-15+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7R8W_d6LJafg2xRe1EeXFCQEgwihTrmats8AbPYp9GuUoRcnai8Wm6rt2V3ahSiwLj4gjbSeegOii3Yb0Sy7sRGiSKPtbgzyXaye1rwZaAhFJ1argbOJhXhsKDedg6hsInIbHLy0ii05z/s320/2018-12-15+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hvIJJoHVUEYxKaYybYDn7QWEn_wYrjGqBdZIRAGYjmvUjUP7siiUBxl3YbNyFxq1UIRLBirILTqxO_QGV1yXEAmA-qO_HcbXHLwMg6joYrdr0GNtW8gAQ8t8lFxGan54FiQXeVsg1BYx/s1600/2018-12-15+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hvIJJoHVUEYxKaYybYDn7QWEn_wYrjGqBdZIRAGYjmvUjUP7siiUBxl3YbNyFxq1UIRLBirILTqxO_QGV1yXEAmA-qO_HcbXHLwMg6joYrdr0GNtW8gAQ8t8lFxGan54FiQXeVsg1BYx/s320/2018-12-15+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course, I found out that was indeed the case a few moments later when </span><span style="font-size: large;">I read t</span><span style="font-size: large;">he whole body portraits were reserved for royal figures and of benefactors with the most significant legacies!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjay08YTWvPHDU0ne6VuZC31vr5M_Zm9rwfNbot-wgM-zPXb9ljLrGO9VhJbI-yTzvLmOdgyXAzVa8FzvktYXZ469vbCxg7zDpefQlmLF2eLAMK9OSKFonvFj2j9QV34H2PFCu0gWUaZt1n/s1600/2018-12-15+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjay08YTWvPHDU0ne6VuZC31vr5M_Zm9rwfNbot-wgM-zPXb9ljLrGO9VhJbI-yTzvLmOdgyXAzVa8FzvktYXZ469vbCxg7zDpefQlmLF2eLAMK9OSKFonvFj2j9QV34H2PFCu0gWUaZt1n/s320/2018-12-15+043.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-n9oaue2JhmcBiCyc_4k0Dp3FRatk4SQzDN-KMu9s5RsIRuvKxQGkQmWNGFKdQ3yChfgwYd5TIL3u058aXJFYcEMtG5vmXH709DC0mWsRL3ngc_3Q8dTisiw5PLVnljYytvW24YAKieV/s1600/2018-12-15+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-n9oaue2JhmcBiCyc_4k0Dp3FRatk4SQzDN-KMu9s5RsIRuvKxQGkQmWNGFKdQ3yChfgwYd5TIL3u058aXJFYcEMtG5vmXH709DC0mWsRL3ngc_3Q8dTisiw5PLVnljYytvW24YAKieV/s320/2018-12-15+044.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The history of Misericordia was best seen in its collection of paintings and sculptures, most of which dated from the 16th to the 18th centuries. </span><span style="font-size: large;">They were mostly of a religious nature and particularly the prayer for the dead as that was relevant in the everyday practice at Misericordia. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Our Lady of Mercy,</i> also called the <i>Mantle Virgin,</i> was depicted with a large group of people representative of various social strata and characters </span><span style="font-size: large;">under her cloak</span><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy08IWtDeu37lJ9AJ1pVWEOIIlhwtb1tzCIfZx9GxcFnz3Xs5mIngiHfu1VomHX1zgfaIO6LKWTc2H3xyBxM1Oxq8PF4AoTYSsNZOSgMS8mkGwNBR3tRDTAn3t5Xl466GImROyR6LdWzSU/s1600/2018-12-15+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy08IWtDeu37lJ9AJ1pVWEOIIlhwtb1tzCIfZx9GxcFnz3Xs5mIngiHfu1VomHX1zgfaIO6LKWTc2H3xyBxM1Oxq8PF4AoTYSsNZOSgMS8mkGwNBR3tRDTAn3t5Xl466GImROyR6LdWzSU/s320/2018-12-15+049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <i>Holy Family</i> painting documented the overlap between the sacred and daily lives that was characteristic of Flemish paintings of the era.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp-Gnf57djBCH7XfWGsfaOIOpPzc7CBA0hHLSU0C0BE5PO0KAND7YVkE7D1CQXl6GyL54uXZDRsYq8C21o0HfY-olhyzVt0_jWASN6NApIQE_VNe-5KKmCjVaj2d-TV2E3GgYrimXFSXe/s1600/2018-12-15+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp-Gnf57djBCH7XfWGsfaOIOpPzc7CBA0hHLSU0C0BE5PO0KAND7YVkE7D1CQXl6GyL54uXZDRsYq8C21o0HfY-olhyzVt0_jWASN6NApIQE_VNe-5KKmCjVaj2d-TV2E3GgYrimXFSXe/s320/2018-12-15+053.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zdg9l2Kfgg1Idid8O3tQghJjbmpq_U314G8SRBEvhol12STOFLUgVa4NQzwcZLsUNySWzmxCGpImfWRw9jKPfno5Kc8oGof62cUz1j5JbyMbgU8n9q6K11YjrvlbXe_wis3x50eu0ZPq/s1600/2018-12-15+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zdg9l2Kfgg1Idid8O3tQghJjbmpq_U314G8SRBEvhol12STOFLUgVa4NQzwcZLsUNySWzmxCGpImfWRw9jKPfno5Kc8oGof62cUz1j5JbyMbgU8n9q6K11YjrvlbXe_wis3x50eu0ZPq/s320/2018-12-15+056.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The information </span><span style="font-size: large;">explained the </span><span style="font-size: large;">Indo-Portuguese <i>Our Lady of Conception</i> </span><span style="font-size: large;">sculpture likely originated in India's Malabar coast given the affinity with the style followed by the artisans of the region.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSla0Id-oTmT-CFGo9lAmHST9ziEVpHT7dohh15sCyTJgXaHrPb2o2G3vzCszjOaUyUouxxBcEKDsG_GAx_AmP8SyvalwmT8SW_ivfUbj8irDnZjv_4poOJTU1EdDStZ9YdbdQw5A1bt9/s1600/2018-12-15+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSla0Id-oTmT-CFGo9lAmHST9ziEVpHT7dohh15sCyTJgXaHrPb2o2G3vzCszjOaUyUouxxBcEKDsG_GAx_AmP8SyvalwmT8SW_ivfUbj8irDnZjv_4poOJTU1EdDStZ9YdbdQw5A1bt9/s320/2018-12-15+061.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How apropos that, after seeing the St. Anne sculpture earlier, there was the Flemish <i>Holy Bishop St. Stephen!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBkloO7bPxXgB5rMeouCJjUua9Ias4tYkwd4agIJW-bqAOoWjjBGnvj7ZYT4vASJx9zbk4lgwzr0uENXStdE2mFxxXRfaTEHCyr0MK5BbabsjToKyyOPyYWVmD8RU8SUMJaQJsdLl6lh6/s1600/2018-12-15+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBkloO7bPxXgB5rMeouCJjUua9Ias4tYkwd4agIJW-bqAOoWjjBGnvj7ZYT4vASJx9zbk4lgwzr0uENXStdE2mFxxXRfaTEHCyr0MK5BbabsjToKyyOPyYWVmD8RU8SUMJaQJsdLl6lh6/s320/2018-12-15+064.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think I could have done without seeing the 17th century <i>Reliquary Head of St. John</i> made from painted wood!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3o6EKqzcG3gBePlY2NkCEPfvTQGzYbheUJAo_cihwpSqj-3eNWUWjDWoi2YXOG7TVCYRqG6qQO11orVKxS1qrN-jPHOkjKlMB1IIWObB0gQOArG25UdelEOp745Yh6phr3kGyXa-8zuw/s1600/2018-12-15+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3o6EKqzcG3gBePlY2NkCEPfvTQGzYbheUJAo_cihwpSqj-3eNWUWjDWoi2YXOG7TVCYRqG6qQO11orVKxS1qrN-jPHOkjKlMB1IIWObB0gQOArG25UdelEOp745Yh6phr3kGyXa-8zuw/s320/2018-12-15+072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The late 18th century silver <i>Basin for Washing the Feet</i> was used by priests.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdeVzf5Om-Da1GWG5Lee8Mf_suN9oLCpFv3jNKw6H0ZOL_PzV-8TCGCVlzFZUO4uBO6LNJWheKUDgxbImDA_7EyRZqnPCt_LpqpXwU9gjAO4Dm0VBEGMXVJGboFCy5wYYhNnxp8DCWYYY/s1600/2018-12-15+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdeVzf5Om-Da1GWG5Lee8Mf_suN9oLCpFv3jNKw6H0ZOL_PzV-8TCGCVlzFZUO4uBO6LNJWheKUDgxbImDA_7EyRZqnPCt_LpqpXwU9gjAO4Dm0VBEGMXVJGboFCy5wYYhNnxp8DCWYYY/s320/2018-12-15+080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPhoT1pMPa7g2Pv2Qt8yQE1dK6tRL50PVNHOgX0nLfR8wp1FPe3LaSjRwTUa1ShGzGTrdXsse3X8Bx2Mh_YnSDD0kcuGYGndQmNzqGmqzPaW2RcGB2E3rEyS5xKv30UCBSfL7bJ-uQq3U/s1600/2018-12-15+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPhoT1pMPa7g2Pv2Qt8yQE1dK6tRL50PVNHOgX0nLfR8wp1FPe3LaSjRwTUa1ShGzGTrdXsse3X8Bx2Mh_YnSDD0kcuGYGndQmNzqGmqzPaW2RcGB2E3rEyS5xKv30UCBSfL7bJ-uQq3U/s320/2018-12-15+086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTWbdm6KcvS8ZUqkZxPEE669bDWWlK_Ny_zTDfDDap83rdnU05asdDql8pwseoR6Uzw_fpBXeRp0OX7bizrz7iDFdTn501gXzuDFEwfplgzj3SJv4QzZDofdjIRR2YEznkArZ-yD5-aaR/s1600/2018-12-15+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTWbdm6KcvS8ZUqkZxPEE669bDWWlK_Ny_zTDfDDap83rdnU05asdDql8pwseoR6Uzw_fpBXeRp0OX7bizrz7iDFdTn501gXzuDFEwfplgzj3SJv4QzZDofdjIRR2YEznkArZ-yD5-aaR/s320/2018-12-15+089.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <i>Font of Life</i> was possibly the central panel of an altarpiece whose side panels were lost. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The Portuguese coat of arms included the cross of Christ and the five wounds.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKpBW_hFwEXUtTFrrMByMq2urxPCNeBfcRSQbq3gsmzQLGVEGOprR4S9xAMZhxur9JjUOtNp96w3fDkDc9HhONjk0krJ-Cq9dm_ZfNuGO3H3wgF0Nn6LVgicEFmRukAtD9eN6LasxOY0L/s1600/2018-12-15+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKpBW_hFwEXUtTFrrMByMq2urxPCNeBfcRSQbq3gsmzQLGVEGOprR4S9xAMZhxur9JjUOtNp96w3fDkDc9HhONjk0krJ-Cq9dm_ZfNuGO3H3wgF0Nn6LVgicEFmRukAtD9eN6LasxOY0L/s320/2018-12-15+090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbe_24LTOSX7qaCHCHUh6DOcSCkui4H2Y_-TJG7QGLvreIkS0Gak5VnJ7nStd9we066KdHBFNvwWxUorkxRYcD5SjKrOp6dQT5a6ZSWtHJHlXrEEawsZq3dp8Oh4AUlvgyo28GI3UVlWpz/s1600/2018-12-15+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbe_24LTOSX7qaCHCHUh6DOcSCkui4H2Y_-TJG7QGLvreIkS0Gak5VnJ7nStd9we066KdHBFNvwWxUorkxRYcD5SjKrOp6dQT5a6ZSWtHJHlXrEEawsZq3dp8Oh4AUlvgyo28GI3UVlWpz/s320/2018-12-15+091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibB31MDWDu3y2WyTZaQw1QSZPLIrBJSduceB2Z8D6JBlJodbK6RsNpPFBritd0VBXlqcQJ6ZXs2STe59uk8TPa_E732THu8rZAdcXOG8iifwTLSty1TkFyLk8C1yre0zx-2IaQhDPCViw4/s1600/2018-12-15+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibB31MDWDu3y2WyTZaQw1QSZPLIrBJSduceB2Z8D6JBlJodbK6RsNpPFBritd0VBXlqcQJ6ZXs2STe59uk8TPa_E732THu8rZAdcXOG8iifwTLSty1TkFyLk8C1yre0zx-2IaQhDPCViw4/s320/2018-12-15+097.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think this was only the second time where we were encouraged to walk behind the painting and therefore notice that x-rays had been taken showing earlier versions of the painting. That was very impressive!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2uKFTRFMKvI-YJ0WSdRS8c11h2lmN8-7HiT7_CyEB8LiZLGUY5Te5-xkclsF_BG3wLsYfs4Fqf792qU1-avkPA3sXUrJG1fIwUnI5PM04-1s5UyvPioVRZk93Qua-v62H03zqziQAbo2/s1600/2018-12-15+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2uKFTRFMKvI-YJ0WSdRS8c11h2lmN8-7HiT7_CyEB8LiZLGUY5Te5-xkclsF_BG3wLsYfs4Fqf792qU1-avkPA3sXUrJG1fIwUnI5PM04-1s5UyvPioVRZk93Qua-v62H03zqziQAbo2/s320/2018-12-15+098.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the pretty amazing exhibits, we finally entered the choir and out first views of the actual church itself. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIt29GZGt79y4UqywjdzF8B4vCTL6LlPoh_B4PxSYK3VQUgwkIxo86UqRFRAMdWkD2vEr3_neLfU5lRy-5K_BXgp8j3RQ9KUT8K3_GTQaUQskex3EnP7gGm7ncdISaCQ5c5awhAW82zmvV/s1600/2018-12-15+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIt29GZGt79y4UqywjdzF8B4vCTL6LlPoh_B4PxSYK3VQUgwkIxo86UqRFRAMdWkD2vEr3_neLfU5lRy-5K_BXgp8j3RQ9KUT8K3_GTQaUQskex3EnP7gGm7ncdISaCQ5c5awhAW82zmvV/s320/2018-12-15+100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUK85ZKY9d06-6DFlyRVn9nC77fZB8y25-YMWZdyCzZnB3H2aKi0qOh_p7WD1i4KQXe6TUHIsV5mGAm5xExDHbLOSiFThjTJh5murSJzNI3c4kGH7fKWY5IEMqFXvxa0rcgcD3XalP4Xn/s1600/2018-12-15+102+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUK85ZKY9d06-6DFlyRVn9nC77fZB8y25-YMWZdyCzZnB3H2aKi0qOh_p7WD1i4KQXe6TUHIsV5mGAm5xExDHbLOSiFThjTJh5murSJzNI3c4kGH7fKWY5IEMqFXvxa0rcgcD3XalP4Xn/s320/2018-12-15+102+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look at all the stunning tile work on all the walls - I just wished we could have walked into the church and seen the tiles up close as they were so marvelous. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Misericordia church <b>Side Door</b> was the first phase of work on the church prior to its consecration in 1559.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhpt-qyQFUBzscTKYo8GljqJUbUQ7hYzzq9fXBFF_ZLpuY3lUhUMBd2UUqeObnwr4nAmcoSnGbdTjcBEwmAxSUkeILzOVrb3aypDB9W8VrWZ6dJKbBtFAjwnkmqlypYcXQK4PJRRrmjKV/s1600/2018-12-15+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhpt-qyQFUBzscTKYo8GljqJUbUQ7hYzzq9fXBFF_ZLpuY3lUhUMBd2UUqeObnwr4nAmcoSnGbdTjcBEwmAxSUkeILzOVrb3aypDB9W8VrWZ6dJKbBtFAjwnkmqlypYcXQK4PJRRrmjKV/s320/2018-12-15+109.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Sacristy</b> was built in 1667 and replaced an earlier one. On the walls were preserved tiles and chests made in chestnut wood and jacaranda. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we'd seen at one other church, the Main Altar here, too, looked like a wedding cake that had many tiers.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeFgsivsnwEazqOFB6vvR0R_6zU3eoG3xnTYzzuqv6RiWnDpxNql8ZsUkIUuLD8EdfUhwyDgGkKyEWi3tiq9H3UKgOfa8Y3_e9A_FiyEa9zh0x50PAJuL5j0mKuKoD3dXrQs9gyzx9AM8/s1600/2018-12-15+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeFgsivsnwEazqOFB6vvR0R_6zU3eoG3xnTYzzuqv6RiWnDpxNql8ZsUkIUuLD8EdfUhwyDgGkKyEWi3tiq9H3UKgOfa8Y3_e9A_FiyEa9zh0x50PAJuL5j0mKuKoD3dXrQs9gyzx9AM8/s320/2018-12-15+121.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSACeadn_hp1E9xdzRuYjS2Tn2LO30JuRiWhuen0daI_3_KFQimSAr-bjawMTKEB5OwjT1SgNfgLqtiqf4_EbW653Kk5RmXJ17fLmCkLEiAUILPDRuJeTALPYIjfJ4P4ekoEGr4Gd8aFI/s1600/2018-12-15+123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSACeadn_hp1E9xdzRuYjS2Tn2LO30JuRiWhuen0daI_3_KFQimSAr-bjawMTKEB5OwjT1SgNfgLqtiqf4_EbW653Kk5RmXJ17fLmCkLEiAUILPDRuJeTALPYIjfJ4P4ekoEGr4Gd8aFI/s320/2018-12-15+123.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It would have been so very easy to walk right by the unassuming Misericordia Church without having a clue as to what treasures it contained and its strong charitable tradition. I was so glad we did give it a second glance and decided to enter as it was a real find in our opinion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of blocks away was the big red <b>Borges Market</b> that normally would have excited us but the market had been transformed into a popular nightclub. We beetled past it as we were in a hurry to get to the <b>Palacio da Bolsa</b> or <b>Stock Exchange Palace</b> in order to pick up mandatory tickets for the next English language tour.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wn28YCblC7S81ImGT7AgadhdhYLaDdiocZOChXcZB0PjsArHf5Hq-gQMka2GCOTyvIdDNYmIH5Qpn8i99jE15xK2dcWaH98gTS0Qo4HT9bmiI7miFNcH32FjHcm-neBGS1hkst5ZuXMR/s1600/2018-12-15+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wn28YCblC7S81ImGT7AgadhdhYLaDdiocZOChXcZB0PjsArHf5Hq-gQMka2GCOTyvIdDNYmIH5Qpn8i99jE15xK2dcWaH98gTS0Qo4HT9bmiI7miFNcH32FjHcm-neBGS1hkst5ZuXMR/s320/2018-12-15+126.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The palace actually was neither a stock exchange nor a palace but was considered a monument to civic and commercial pride with some of the most lavishly decorated rooms in the country. It was built by the <b>Commercial Association of Porto</b> in 1832 w</span><span style="font-size: large;">hen the monastery of </span><span style="font-size: large;">St. Francisco Church next door burned down and the queen offered the property to the Association. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once we found out there wasn't going to be a tour for a while, we figured we might as well spend the intervening time exploring nearby sights then rather than later. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The exchange overlooked the large and impressive <b>Henry the Navigator Square</b> named after the famous Portuguese explorer and most important Portuguese person.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0k1BUGUrf9YrNMJF_BNEp-YYjJA_XTtou9ldkIK4TZ1N7S-qnqtpHOZ5DX4yfgGuauHFSH2Mt4dV2QvYnIk28srdGhUGjTxQJccjTVGDrPdxwVRYZmpwhQm7-kb_-m1h-kTHhGuvIr4f/s1600/2018-12-15+131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0k1BUGUrf9YrNMJF_BNEp-YYjJA_XTtou9ldkIK4TZ1N7S-qnqtpHOZ5DX4yfgGuauHFSH2Mt4dV2QvYnIk28srdGhUGjTxQJccjTVGDrPdxwVRYZmpwhQm7-kb_-m1h-kTHhGuvIr4f/s320/2018-12-15+131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The monument in the center of the square was inaugurated in 1900 to commemorate the 5th century of the birth of Prince Henry, the main figure of the Portuguese Discoveries that I referenced in the posts I wrote while in Lisbon. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The statue depicted the navigator, </span><span style="font-size: large;">who was born in Porto,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> in battle dress beside a globe and symbolically pointing overseas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just to the left of the Stock Exchange Palace was the apse of the <b>St. Francisco Church, </b>Porto's only church on the Gothic style. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The church was Porto's first neo-classical church.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A visit was divided into two parts: catacombs and the elegantly decorated church itself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Dispatch House of St. Francis' Third Order</b> was built in the mid 18th century and designed by Nasoni as was some of the carving used to decorate the interior. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A view from the top of the church steps to the <b>Douro River:</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The basement housed the Brothers' graveyard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We saw numbers on the floor which we thought meant there were other crypts underneath our feet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you're a little bit squeamish, you might want to skip the next couple of photos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was far more uplifting seeing the lovely church interior, let me tell you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Order's meeting room:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_LNBpJSuHtb9eSQqkR8Hmr7W7lU0nnVlvTLR7jp9EPqSpJUD-MTEbVpV1nZvabPdcu_fQ3tpxR334-g0WxwXanWJ67BhZVdhm5BEVPLsfl5bAeG3P_bV2fuWaMuhYzxg4BIFqI8q9dxn/s1600/2018-12-15+183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_LNBpJSuHtb9eSQqkR8Hmr7W7lU0nnVlvTLR7jp9EPqSpJUD-MTEbVpV1nZvabPdcu_fQ3tpxR334-g0WxwXanWJ67BhZVdhm5BEVPLsfl5bAeG3P_bV2fuWaMuhYzxg4BIFqI8q9dxn/s320/2018-12-15+183.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What a sublime view of the church with its magnificent Main Altar!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBDmB24QzL3WpJop4sEgQ3Ng4QcAeQdeeA12yHD67j58xQzIgWWDwO8xe7RrfVa3kChsfY-kPpe_HbFJn_NbPqIWTL1ziXAzKuA7K_pesmGNJfuO_6l5tVhxUnyUFHBi5Kdkr0M0WBeHQ/s1600/2018-12-15+186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBDmB24QzL3WpJop4sEgQ3Ng4QcAeQdeeA12yHD67j58xQzIgWWDwO8xe7RrfVa3kChsfY-kPpe_HbFJn_NbPqIWTL1ziXAzKuA7K_pesmGNJfuO_6l5tVhxUnyUFHBi5Kdkr0M0WBeHQ/s320/2018-12-15+186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another lovely altarpiece represented <i>The Tree of Life</i> and a literal interpretation of the life of Jesus. The twelve figures stood while supporting themselves in the branches of a tree. At the top was a sculpture of the Virgin and Child.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Qp_v-1EiczRvda0o77LzeoDQRY1tmiT6AUulCT7z7Brcm_XB610iv61iID1C0g_3Tqz2_4cE4kxeIS5Qa__6vxExuA8nBV9RY1lgU25pYwebZtRnJDThguOT4dPSuVc_v9u-VxwWM17E/s1600/2018-12-15+191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Qp_v-1EiczRvda0o77LzeoDQRY1tmiT6AUulCT7z7Brcm_XB610iv61iID1C0g_3Tqz2_4cE4kxeIS5Qa__6vxExuA8nBV9RY1lgU25pYwebZtRnJDThguOT4dPSuVc_v9u-VxwWM17E/s320/2018-12-15+191.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found the intricate woodwork carved between 1764-1765 in the <i>Our Lady of Solitude</i> just beautiful.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBq-Aixz9q2pFi0myBJ9ORWOJoQAd7f676aK5dzk4w5W2exGchBxL7UNZ1voPjnpNB1WWiBzw6Ep_2KDEfQDZlsv4TBjYl2rZion7rRbNnIQZ0SxfrWnO8NmXmM6regixn9FX3Fc-a7wT/s1600/2018-12-15+198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBq-Aixz9q2pFi0myBJ9ORWOJoQAd7f676aK5dzk4w5W2exGchBxL7UNZ1voPjnpNB1WWiBzw6Ep_2KDEfQDZlsv4TBjYl2rZion7rRbNnIQZ0SxfrWnO8NmXmM6regixn9FX3Fc-a7wT/s320/2018-12-15+198.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IjITZvN_oUS6ba1vZAwHM5iDMT_HUEpHhQ4Z0ZbFWcbftzY8ytRpLNtZ_zSB2FguCSYsI80pQeUPMPwVkCftXgF_unJi9cLEIj3wNKBpqt4OA8MffUjwZoDGBuMARD-E3qjfqBm9CmiZ/s1600/2018-12-15+200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IjITZvN_oUS6ba1vZAwHM5iDMT_HUEpHhQ4Z0ZbFWcbftzY8ytRpLNtZ_zSB2FguCSYsI80pQeUPMPwVkCftXgF_unJi9cLEIj3wNKBpqt4OA8MffUjwZoDGBuMARD-E3qjfqBm9CmiZ/s320/2018-12-15+200.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I could hardly envision how any more spectacular the church might have been prior to its being ravaged by Napoleon and by the Portuguese during the country's 19th century civil war as the interior was still so stunning with so many lavish chestnut carvings slathered in gold leaf. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ev6gFm_fdwuFl5V_2WQkzSfnqSRnIB5fqTuoxxTco-zv_MgP2Y1aR2CE6iWloQDCTYGvtMJorT-mKzvUGcR8d8wBATViWIyuIhKMtD0EpEsaj1fz1HF7Nxk7TtIVcwDAO8cZ08nkLt1r/s1600/2018-12-15+202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ev6gFm_fdwuFl5V_2WQkzSfnqSRnIB5fqTuoxxTco-zv_MgP2Y1aR2CE6iWloQDCTYGvtMJorT-mKzvUGcR8d8wBATViWIyuIhKMtD0EpEsaj1fz1HF7Nxk7TtIVcwDAO8cZ08nkLt1r/s320/2018-12-15+202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zpF74TT96ge_lhiMmAZ-kVqsl_Krc4Zb79P0Ms1xGqzfcYl5abyvnOvyjIe0rJvK1A-YJ9goG5gTLi_OaBJZIChRk9X9dUTDwDutIkAvzP63449n8HUTqQWoq3vSxUMekw4yVpP41wlx/s1600/2018-12-15+207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zpF74TT96ge_lhiMmAZ-kVqsl_Krc4Zb79P0Ms1xGqzfcYl5abyvnOvyjIe0rJvK1A-YJ9goG5gTLi_OaBJZIChRk9X9dUTDwDutIkAvzP63449n8HUTqQWoq3vSxUMekw4yVpP41wlx/s320/2018-12-15+207.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrvXJOS7uUo3VDPnAu7deEYLKEC59pJZFPFywrLG6WP2B0AXYUd0G4ah6P51stEKXYvahYOgZY9jCetsct1PPjvfun-VM_BASeszEsb6xsldC25eLSfiBQLw3SpdT2WJJKduOBzAW6vUa/s1600/2018-12-15+211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrvXJOS7uUo3VDPnAu7deEYLKEC59pJZFPFywrLG6WP2B0AXYUd0G4ah6P51stEKXYvahYOgZY9jCetsct1PPjvfun-VM_BASeszEsb6xsldC25eLSfiBQLw3SpdT2WJJKduOBzAW6vUa/s320/2018-12-15+211.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Franciscans weren't always received as we noticed here when they were depicted being cruelly tortured and crucified by Japanese.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The statue of St. Francis was carved out of a block of granite and rested on a medieval sarcophagus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Parishioners's bones used to be placed under these boards until people complained of the stench and they were then relocated to the crypt. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoobOqaxtmyYFXRniUKNRofdrZvTF-GQk99oBGilq7mVUNkhSyIulfald0qTOXzHJ0OzB5rmWFTdpGcDe0P22j3JqEbY8JWoO7DF8hOvcGShk_XW8i3DfmgIwJsGcLIiDZdW04t5Q1CITB/s1600/2018-12-15+217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoobOqaxtmyYFXRniUKNRofdrZvTF-GQk99oBGilq7mVUNkhSyIulfald0qTOXzHJ0OzB5rmWFTdpGcDe0P22j3JqEbY8JWoO7DF8hOvcGShk_XW8i3DfmgIwJsGcLIiDZdW04t5Q1CITB/s320/2018-12-15+217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We made our way back to the Stock Exchange Palace for our tour at noon which began in the dramatic <b>Hall</b> <b>of Nations</b> that was decorated with the coats of arms of 20 international trading partners.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroRGP0WH2scOx7mkhf0_Iqe2k5Zjoxdwj92TbPlMLKAo9P0XzN_k4IdSfSH3euZLggqGTrEvrl1CO5suv0iCbaWL3Ok5TbtyCmjFK3Kz_y1lR6asB2uR30iqcS9FPbbmr1AEh6PmqS-rD/s1600/2018-12-15+224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroRGP0WH2scOx7mkhf0_Iqe2k5Zjoxdwj92TbPlMLKAo9P0XzN_k4IdSfSH3euZLggqGTrEvrl1CO5suv0iCbaWL3Ok5TbtyCmjFK3Kz_y1lR6asB2uR30iqcS9FPbbmr1AEh6PmqS-rD/s320/2018-12-15+224.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think Portugal's was in the middle flanked by Italy's on the left and Brazil's on the right.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0ofMcrAcCoSjR1H2ro_sRre0tVNacWFUrw6K8p4BqfUtMwuEbBJ0u1EVWqzxcJ1RtJATKBSMgql8VyuSq8o7Jd-dm4B7zjXsIMHdJjbVte7Tw94-v8vJltAaWBYJzwOB8uUMta6gB9v_/s1600/2018-12-15+229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0ofMcrAcCoSjR1H2ro_sRre0tVNacWFUrw6K8p4BqfUtMwuEbBJ0u1EVWqzxcJ1RtJATKBSMgql8VyuSq8o7Jd-dm4B7zjXsIMHdJjbVte7Tw94-v8vJltAaWBYJzwOB8uUMta6gB9v_/s320/2018-12-15+229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know you can figure out whom this coat of arms belonged to!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHhJDBJMatcDuUI92Bk1v62iKQerO5CzojaUzSa9P0XWMp6sCK48JGSXV811U9AJr7mVaZ51bBWlbV_y7-iRWZmYJygN81G-fEDYsusS2_zMQ4Tkr4o-A1ix34Qa8647tp3sDm-Mme0Fc/s1600/2018-12-15+232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHhJDBJMatcDuUI92Bk1v62iKQerO5CzojaUzSa9P0XWMp6sCK48JGSXV811U9AJr7mVaZ51bBWlbV_y7-iRWZmYJygN81G-fEDYsusS2_zMQ4Tkr4o-A1ix34Qa8647tp3sDm-Mme0Fc/s320/2018-12-15+232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The glorious atrium was topped by a lovely glass dome.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6KnjtXfe-IVQcTC_gtodVAifCXF-aWtmtWD-ghukHy73CqhG2eExPpR2gSHxmX-t4jO_FcwWKMfdG-vODzb9D-en7O57HQUvcDujpCrHhC6cRGv8uus3nuZKD3FWIwZivOwCMe7qtyuQ/s1600/2018-12-15+226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6KnjtXfe-IVQcTC_gtodVAifCXF-aWtmtWD-ghukHy73CqhG2eExPpR2gSHxmX-t4jO_FcwWKMfdG-vODzb9D-en7O57HQUvcDujpCrHhC6cRGv8uus3nuZKD3FWIwZivOwCMe7qtyuQ/s320/2018-12-15+226.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The floor was as pretty as the ceiling with the mosaics inspired by the Pompeii ruins in Italy, no less!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljIBYMU2PPPVVvdTTQLFLW6xeqz38J9yJwSxUdN89XFIJhx4Bf4Ih3V6uknLDQnXDXQ92cnItF2nETelOd_NpwTbt1uz_27bxRsqH3Sw03sL5s5HzHrjFsFt2k4oB6F4Cy5s1UO9YYW9n/s1600/2018-12-15+317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljIBYMU2PPPVVvdTTQLFLW6xeqz38J9yJwSxUdN89XFIJhx4Bf4Ih3V6uknLDQnXDXQ92cnItF2nETelOd_NpwTbt1uz_27bxRsqH3Sw03sL5s5HzHrjFsFt2k4oB6F4Cy5s1UO9YYW9n/s320/2018-12-15+317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSV_chGAcCC-R7Y6DYuF2o8Zqbj4G-h6uoMsNKKBHgMmJYXdlJ9DS1zyezMfV_j6K3l5gEyaiFlwX87DcpC9FNEJ4rWqQt71bqGMsr_NFnHZ99rB_VH7re1vjw18fMhpwRMXBfJdZjFW6/s1600/2018-12-15+228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSV_chGAcCC-R7Y6DYuF2o8Zqbj4G-h6uoMsNKKBHgMmJYXdlJ9DS1zyezMfV_j6K3l5gEyaiFlwX87DcpC9FNEJ4rWqQt71bqGMsr_NFnHZ99rB_VH7re1vjw18fMhpwRMXBfJdZjFW6/s320/2018-12-15+228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The palatial-looking granite staircase took 40 years to construct.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEr2J-YCb-aFsd7Rhz0_fU-rGgOBtzdsZhZxHqwhOKEYerNvCbRagtRCMbFM7l5bjm47JlCk1Pzt4kYnRY5jzM0nq7kgLSNbWemWi_MfjG8nvLK_u48zVf7XmZYaQC9rUcRSQgeEjciOzc/s1600/2018-12-15+237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEr2J-YCb-aFsd7Rhz0_fU-rGgOBtzdsZhZxHqwhOKEYerNvCbRagtRCMbFM7l5bjm47JlCk1Pzt4kYnRY5jzM0nq7kgLSNbWemWi_MfjG8nvLK_u48zVf7XmZYaQC9rUcRSQgeEjciOzc/s320/2018-12-15+237.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 1.5 ton chandelier was sustained by two angels on the top and could be lowered, with the assistance of five people, to the bottom of the stairs twice a year to be cleaned. I wish I could say our chandelier could only be cleaned twice a year because of its weight and size!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAh6HRXDnfRm4AXRRWW4v5YBWX6O431l8lr8gE5k4fAUXAtPkj-4YABLpHLeqpN64uNyT401TuxOOqxoe7R32ZMJIJB4R-wWmlFrkwS0lWm5_Yu2oTEGru1n4yJE5-rpaDPNSKaCtuuDb7/s1600/2018-12-15+239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAh6HRXDnfRm4AXRRWW4v5YBWX6O431l8lr8gE5k4fAUXAtPkj-4YABLpHLeqpN64uNyT401TuxOOqxoe7R32ZMJIJB4R-wWmlFrkwS0lWm5_Yu2oTEGru1n4yJE5-rpaDPNSKaCtuuDb7/s320/2018-12-15+239.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu7daY3VBjncYdcY12JcyoOc1pfofGeA-l6KlYCKK0FpWy98jRTTWdgvvd2Du8TyhgqgoDYv4L6Cps8MPQ2Cn5BhmhjumFbG3DgosTzoNIYv5Ocl-Q23dTZd0ZUux9JXpWVHDXIsLYpGE/s1600/2018-12-15+241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu7daY3VBjncYdcY12JcyoOc1pfofGeA-l6KlYCKK0FpWy98jRTTWdgvvd2Du8TyhgqgoDYv4L6Cps8MPQ2Cn5BhmhjumFbG3DgosTzoNIYv5Ocl-Q23dTZd0ZUux9JXpWVHDXIsLYpGE/s320/2018-12-15+241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A lovely view of the Hall from the second floor:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfyCqc2Nuv52MErI-FY-cUPFCrhLBy0NGHAWr-EcQhdC2sfC2X8kwRr68d4LJqdXGz1xkesaaE1CcvutxYRCGZTT4oz_NZ3gvHJjtyp_9OUFb9JicDkXQQ0I_Zzr3ITSI8FBI6-TpxH0F/s1600/2018-12-15+261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfyCqc2Nuv52MErI-FY-cUPFCrhLBy0NGHAWr-EcQhdC2sfC2X8kwRr68d4LJqdXGz1xkesaaE1CcvutxYRCGZTT4oz_NZ3gvHJjtyp_9OUFb9JicDkXQQ0I_Zzr3ITSI8FBI6-TpxH0F/s320/2018-12-15+261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The gods of culture, industry, etc were represented by women because those words, in Portuguese, were feminine nouns.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrneqp59B2qh0IcIF-PXDbWgjN20Gb8ZdvzSW6YrH5vvvbpR_oe8Doa7dcEh9kvZhEo-RvZuhCf81fCichEOf9zTvAJIETJ7eGtdxYKI9UgRSYv7CegOIib9TKCiADprX3ZzUZ_ptK5lWR/s1600/2018-12-15+243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrneqp59B2qh0IcIF-PXDbWgjN20Gb8ZdvzSW6YrH5vvvbpR_oe8Doa7dcEh9kvZhEo-RvZuhCf81fCichEOf9zTvAJIETJ7eGtdxYKI9UgRSYv7CegOIib9TKCiADprX3ZzUZ_ptK5lWR/s320/2018-12-15+243.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Commercial Courtroom</b> was now only used for wine tastings so it had been much improved from the old courtroom!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OLL_H3zPoGDUrVtFrDLYLrMeHskxpzDfv9OGzC6KGet1zMmX9hA38-LkYFjJHHNYxmbZe3kYdIcCwVaaQiHCN-tIy22J1IA_B0q7bSukoT4yXbrdQ3q-gklUEi1avoBLYOlh52ACfZqr/s1600/2018-12-15+255+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OLL_H3zPoGDUrVtFrDLYLrMeHskxpzDfv9OGzC6KGet1zMmX9hA38-LkYFjJHHNYxmbZe3kYdIcCwVaaQiHCN-tIy22J1IA_B0q7bSukoT4yXbrdQ3q-gklUEi1avoBLYOlh52ACfZqr/s320/2018-12-15+255+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the paintings was of a public trial in the 16th century that took place in <b>Coimbra,</b> the country's former capital, and where we'd just spent three enchanting days.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmX7siWGFFAhHTk00kICl1yqxswDrOuI3iGn5MjZ0ZnGR087JP9ZonefRxm9wsznQkQtXNzoWUdYVooGMB-DBsOKX5FjDxeMHUCgn6lFCDQQaY1v2kmit_DRl4iYuIqdP-NVrVzSWMIDpF/s1600/2018-12-15+249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmX7siWGFFAhHTk00kICl1yqxswDrOuI3iGn5MjZ0ZnGR087JP9ZonefRxm9wsznQkQtXNzoWUdYVooGMB-DBsOKX5FjDxeMHUCgn6lFCDQQaY1v2kmit_DRl4iYuIqdP-NVrVzSWMIDpF/s320/2018-12-15+249.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next two works illustrated the main occupation in Porto, i.e. the production and transportation of the port wine the city is known the world over for. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzHeBAwc7wB3SfkyDFuhS9jM7Gd1F3dJdQ4p-hxJBgjGkTrmup7jvl1Zj5XEGMvFEpWf19L-vdk8Mv7E8xbA1VvXPGQ_nWCQZe826hJ8l8gZZC6S_qnnSinh5Y1huQVX2XzSTuCSzfxFR/s1600/2018-12-15+251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzHeBAwc7wB3SfkyDFuhS9jM7Gd1F3dJdQ4p-hxJBgjGkTrmup7jvl1Zj5XEGMvFEpWf19L-vdk8Mv7E8xbA1VvXPGQ_nWCQZe826hJ8l8gZZC6S_qnnSinh5Y1huQVX2XzSTuCSzfxFR/s320/2018-12-15+251.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6d0Kw8FyFCdTpAfo7kCxpcyoXpDJTxd5r8-lLAUu0AxTQvRa-zH9Pnc78wIg9PZaCPNWDEpj3ytwjADktrKs3C5Y7KdLFqj_iN7wfAsrqNsjTuEEC8tK1BCaTZlq2L4nuYQDkRANV2jEz/s1600/2018-12-15+253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6d0Kw8FyFCdTpAfo7kCxpcyoXpDJTxd5r8-lLAUu0AxTQvRa-zH9Pnc78wIg9PZaCPNWDEpj3ytwjADktrKs3C5Y7KdLFqj_iN7wfAsrqNsjTuEEC8tK1BCaTZlq2L4nuYQDkRANV2jEz/s320/2018-12-15+253.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The furniture was made with French oak, the same wood used for the barrels.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDNUPgH2h4_oH7xnR38K0MZOE0nBliwXW3zsgJbaTagcWGRXhdLbIcElbD-b3Szrf76C8wraHpn0Het0cLco-x1lPdYsZ804ehF1ywx9eh_H4FAMAcdxnurfVL2OFAv_8XaSJOd_mbxfg/s1600/2018-12-15+254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDNUPgH2h4_oH7xnR38K0MZOE0nBliwXW3zsgJbaTagcWGRXhdLbIcElbD-b3Szrf76C8wraHpn0Het0cLco-x1lPdYsZ804ehF1ywx9eh_H4FAMAcdxnurfVL2OFAv_8XaSJOd_mbxfg/s320/2018-12-15+254.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A nearby room had a desk used by <b>Gustav Eiffel</b> of Eiffel Tower fame who spent years in Porto and designed a bridge over the Douro River to <b>Gaia,</b> where many of the port warehouses were located. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIme-HX7GKfCLDZ3tIjbnAs4o1H-FOIkd6mdRL8xHty8mHLkGgmPtdZE6wRBlS76PGV6WwOAk_foxQiKGo-iyyoKarVn_hVO8EgQK1CrNKvoQptZrkQwF2uadoKLEsHAbPIPdjNnDRWpT/s1600/2018-12-15+263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIme-HX7GKfCLDZ3tIjbnAs4o1H-FOIkd6mdRL8xHty8mHLkGgmPtdZE6wRBlS76PGV6WwOAk_foxQiKGo-iyyoKarVn_hVO8EgQK1CrNKvoQptZrkQwF2uadoKLEsHAbPIPdjNnDRWpT/s320/2018-12-15+263.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Golden Room</b> was so named because of its beautiful ceiling. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgXCkVfPr_pIL359N0lfm9gBhvVFFzHYo1nvkOFuYiPW_y0HbaJn99_aFL461wD2VtzmV0Tx1f6r4r26JTz7NgsZQWB1XXTzZezNi0aG0hB2Nqg3EoLoaoRjUaTx49LscuFqA9XsMjK3B/s1600/2018-12-15+271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgXCkVfPr_pIL359N0lfm9gBhvVFFzHYo1nvkOFuYiPW_y0HbaJn99_aFL461wD2VtzmV0Tx1f6r4r26JTz7NgsZQWB1XXTzZezNi0aG0hB2Nqg3EoLoaoRjUaTx49LscuFqA9XsMjK3B/s320/2018-12-15+271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGC1vf1d3ep0kjiy8xraB5UFJT8gZv3p0QLYS46MU9aLFYWwqunzhX-myQqTQwvQpOmUe68J7NYWnncHq7sEyaPr6AlPloCxix-lhjREnlHZMr5hJ1wcyCUOVGys1e9O65oo9zaXeAPeTi/s1600/2018-12-15+272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGC1vf1d3ep0kjiy8xraB5UFJT8gZv3p0QLYS46MU9aLFYWwqunzhX-myQqTQwvQpOmUe68J7NYWnncHq7sEyaPr6AlPloCxix-lhjREnlHZMr5hJ1wcyCUOVGys1e9O65oo9zaXeAPeTi/s320/2018-12-15+272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The carefully patterned floor was pieced together with exotic Brazilian and African wood from Portugal's colonies. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnqxe1TBXmXhTlSdHNbp3ZqK7j28JuLsBkttKKdwcsJ8BrlTwS9Jln9xYiiZCYJu4eZRR8RiOqedaM0hvmoq0SRW9ZNmWO9XPaa7gm_mfE2FKcg-bwMbLnNBq6ywExHAzVhiy8jNS1CSz/s1600/2018-12-15+275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnqxe1TBXmXhTlSdHNbp3ZqK7j28JuLsBkttKKdwcsJ8BrlTwS9Jln9xYiiZCYJu4eZRR8RiOqedaM0hvmoq0SRW9ZNmWO9XPaa7gm_mfE2FKcg-bwMbLnNBq6ywExHAzVhiy8jNS1CSz/s320/2018-12-15+275.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Golden Room opened up to the <b>Presidents' Room</b> which had portraits of former leaders of the Commercial Association. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjm5e4WT4NTXIgwlmtSQi5MgSKmm-21PPYpuwUY63nTcYnqp9SoEvUBoIKbPAm4KqkDP3buVuxwBop70oIchczQRwRNQ0E3LYxa2IYdZtNhO4S0YAwOYaDe2zYpJuk_utoCcgnzsO0Gww/s1600/2018-12-15+276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjm5e4WT4NTXIgwlmtSQi5MgSKmm-21PPYpuwUY63nTcYnqp9SoEvUBoIKbPAm4KqkDP3buVuxwBop70oIchczQRwRNQ0E3LYxa2IYdZtNhO4S0YAwOYaDe2zYpJuk_utoCcgnzsO0Gww/s320/2018-12-15+276.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Though the stunning room appeared to have wooden details, it turned out only the floor, door and furniture were wood. The rest was actually simply painted plaster to resemble wood as the artist wanted to show he could imitate any material. In addition, plaster was easier to work with and a lot cheaper than exotic woods. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I would never have guessed this was anything but wood as the plaster looked like a perfect imitation. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijYrkVDEM5c4FpmiptKma31_dwwIuwMKnoycVpikziNFguLF85rsr93BfF6k2RF73TcYHucwZ4QfUCY89Y3lbEmfqsfs3jtwCkhidPVQJEcAdBVEeL09LW6X6zxJXVwGVfMuUFHYmS97D/s1600/2018-12-15+282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijYrkVDEM5c4FpmiptKma31_dwwIuwMKnoycVpikziNFguLF85rsr93BfF6k2RF73TcYHucwZ4QfUCY89Y3lbEmfqsfs3jtwCkhidPVQJEcAdBVEeL09LW6X6zxJXVwGVfMuUFHYmS97D/s320/2018-12-15+282.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The incredibly detailed inlaid table took three years <b>and</b> lots of patience to create using wood scraps from the fine wood floors.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5LqCXghkJ_d6jq95camE-IG-StioZXJTiO6jFHDkC8lCSG7Ro64RgtwtwISioqEr_ICdWA-S9-dFK2F7TRVq8-kVh595t0LH6Uzq7ZRSDvuwQX-bm2ATUIWvYT1TRl0qeuHmf6SsThLu/s1600/2018-12-15+289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5LqCXghkJ_d6jq95camE-IG-StioZXJTiO6jFHDkC8lCSG7Ro64RgtwtwISioqEr_ICdWA-S9-dFK2F7TRVq8-kVh595t0LH6Uzq7ZRSDvuwQX-bm2ATUIWvYT1TRl0qeuHmf6SsThLu/s320/2018-12-15+289.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The finale was the sumptuous <b>Arabian Hall</b> which was inspired by Granada's Alhambra we'd toured a few weeks earlier. Created by Portuguese artisans from 1862-1880, they used mainly exotic woods and 20 kilos of gold leaf! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The guide told us the official reception room showed the city's economic power. It was used for greeting visiting dignitaries, as a ballroom and had offices on its upper level. It was perfect for concerts because of its amazing acoustics. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrmkJUt5MUUpNAWulNXHOV4lRZmiavatqRvixhI5FBC4Lu4d4mwOY2Axgx7ZeRGA9NewlUMmkpHLQRWk10TF1WxJ1zhpqsvJi4K7XrwH5IoGlQlXxOMnl3clGRCn0cpGJV9NBOqPQUCY3/s1600/2018-12-15+296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrmkJUt5MUUpNAWulNXHOV4lRZmiavatqRvixhI5FBC4Lu4d4mwOY2Axgx7ZeRGA9NewlUMmkpHLQRWk10TF1WxJ1zhpqsvJi4K7XrwH5IoGlQlXxOMnl3clGRCn0cpGJV9NBOqPQUCY3/s320/2018-12-15+296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Note the exquisite details on the walls with Arabic script there and on the shields.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInC8VxwrwPaQNUOWG-4mmmSGLJb9OwCut4BIZ-Mh6ho2deRFlKbu4CenGxjZVX-wdu55wu4EPkXbXKFPl2kGg_KhtND8yoDKwAnnjpeTPS6o2mXvpvMb7GXPZjkPYqdsuzMsMvzAe6oc9/s1600/2018-12-15+295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInC8VxwrwPaQNUOWG-4mmmSGLJb9OwCut4BIZ-Mh6ho2deRFlKbu4CenGxjZVX-wdu55wu4EPkXbXKFPl2kGg_KhtND8yoDKwAnnjpeTPS6o2mXvpvMb7GXPZjkPYqdsuzMsMvzAe6oc9/s320/2018-12-15+295.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The guard remarked offhandedly that the room could be rented for the evening for merely 7,000 euros, and the entire palace for just 50,000 euros for a full day. What a relief our three older children, who had recently married within ten months of each other, hadn't gotten wind of the Bolsa for a destination wedding!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before reluctantly leaving I was able to snag a picture of Steven admiring the stunning atrium again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> Walking along the riverfront in pouring rain a little later toward Churchill's, one of the city's port establishments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Posted from Grayton Beach State Park in Florida on June 14th, 2019, the morning after the Toronto Raptors won the NBA Championship!</span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-31108325797358203362019-06-08T22:17:00.002-06:002019-06-08T22:17:29.233-06:0012/14: Pretty Porto: Delightful Squares, Hidden House & Harry Potter!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Over two months ago </i><i>I returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow that really fun trip, here's a link to the newest blog: </i></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After spending several days in charming <b>Coimbra,</b> we got the train north to <b>Porto,</b> a city that is synonymous internationally with the port wine that ages on its riverbanks. I read that not long ago Porto was a pretty distressed industrial city but has undergone a cultural renaissance over the past ten years. That was helped by an infusion of funds from the European Union funding a revamping of the public transportation system, infrastructure and more. Tourism has taken off in a huge way as a result of cheap flights from Britain and the continent so that Porto and the rest of Portugal has become a huge 'go to place.' </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After lugging our bags up to our pretty third floor apartment located in the heart of the city, we set out to explore the city, admiring the beautiful tile work along the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">More about the attractive blue-tiled <b>Church of Ildefonso</b> in a later post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the bottom of the main street, <b>Avenue of the Allies,</b> named for the alliance created when Portugal joined what turned out to be the winning side before the start of WW I, was <b>Liberty Square.</b> According to travel writer Rick Steves, the statue honored <b>King Pedro IV,</b> a hero in the country's Civil War, who was a proponent for a limited constitutional monarchy in Portugal while still maintaining his role as Emperor Brazil. Known as the people's king, he literally left his heart in Porto - it's buried in a local church!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The king prevailed as you can see by his holding the constitution to prove it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Facing the square was the huge <b>City Hall</b> instead of a church that would have been normal to see before the secular king confiscated church property in the 1830s and large tracts of church land became the domain of the people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Behind the trees on the left was the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Imperial McDonald's, </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">one of the fanciest in Europe and named after the former Imperial Cafe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The wide boulevard was lined with elaborate buildings from the Art Deco and Art Nouveau eras, including this fancy <b>Unic Bank.</b> As we neared it, we saw many protesters with signs who obviously had concerns with the bank's practices. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were caught off guard coming from the stately square walking immediately uphill along the gritty <b>Rua Fabrica</b> named for the tobacco factories that were once here. Many of the storefronts had been boarded up.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipo_hYQuv9k5zIHGr-t4G0fwMPDiP9zXdorqVXMaphQVxoAULGugTvM8PfELWKTxCw6akFai1r_IAOumGF30Ri2TUX2McKOaF6blHDxSiJ7_O-ouuDT3pD68cUmRtmqhCSB1xU2wHe60ZW/s1600/2018-12-14+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipo_hYQuv9k5zIHGr-t4G0fwMPDiP9zXdorqVXMaphQVxoAULGugTvM8PfELWKTxCw6akFai1r_IAOumGF30Ri2TUX2McKOaF6blHDxSiJ7_O-ouuDT3pD68cUmRtmqhCSB1xU2wHe60ZW/s320/2018-12-14+033.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Further up the street was the <b>Grande Hotel de Paris Residencial,</b> a once classic but now seedy spot whose claim to fame was that it was the first Porto hotel to have running water in its rooms.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_7xPFY9hafmERDmiN6iNOpm4cJspwpafOMGBxKaDnS8URhhzkKxyZrhhZgM_yhcuYADn9JvFeDqJWbnsLPbtvu7DsXirAEluTZtVSdmEGFCRfJ7Qq64LJSfZsFrxFePIGjZToAiAOqzu/s1600/2018-12-14+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_7xPFY9hafmERDmiN6iNOpm4cJspwpafOMGBxKaDnS8URhhzkKxyZrhhZgM_yhcuYADn9JvFeDqJWbnsLPbtvu7DsXirAEluTZtVSdmEGFCRfJ7Qq64LJSfZsFrxFePIGjZToAiAOqzu/s320/2018-12-14+035.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What was very appealing, however, were the tiled buildings that seemed to be a common feature in Porto.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7bi7we00NEijSNbA7hZacYvZmYwWUDo0HBCMoBJ7GGA93Ja1s1rHwV_QdTYt0vBYCF-gCcD12GzXU7WkuG0v0p_dxiB5mcIo45d7WI7Lpx_2s9ZvruQGrh1mwAG47QQRg9UEyXH5IX8P/s1600/2018-12-14+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7bi7we00NEijSNbA7hZacYvZmYwWUDo0HBCMoBJ7GGA93Ja1s1rHwV_QdTYt0vBYCF-gCcD12GzXU7WkuG0v0p_dxiB5mcIo45d7WI7Lpx_2s9ZvruQGrh1mwAG47QQRg9UEyXH5IX8P/s320/2018-12-14+037.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqWGbP0dGf_wxpy6F3SNSofT2u6G7zu-zx9K9X3GHT-B42zYzgiNxtNLt6rVrdKe5dnu_-X4udWylbBNj99H1VxckHqi6-QQjxdJ0dMO9jNr8miK7eb2jLf7bvQDA2pRhp_x7fB-58NDw/s1600/2018-12-14+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqWGbP0dGf_wxpy6F3SNSofT2u6G7zu-zx9K9X3GHT-B42zYzgiNxtNLt6rVrdKe5dnu_-X4udWylbBNj99H1VxckHqi6-QQjxdJ0dMO9jNr8miK7eb2jLf7bvQDA2pRhp_x7fB-58NDw/s320/2018-12-14+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The street opened up into a cute little triangular square named after a firefighter who led a brigade that contained an 1888 fire that may otherwise have devastated the city.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdxXUAX6qFC-6SJv3iVuHCvp_ESLBRJc-QzyQ9BNNkArTHyeJ_MMbxczPKJW-HKPxaq9rkQ5vpAGYgoPycaZycVORpE88hnJPHqisRJoLdzgRhyphenhyphenp962nyLk3qR1C2uZozy60AqGJT549N/s1600/2018-12-14+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdxXUAX6qFC-6SJv3iVuHCvp_ESLBRJc-QzyQ9BNNkArTHyeJ_MMbxczPKJW-HKPxaq9rkQ5vpAGYgoPycaZycVORpE88hnJPHqisRJoLdzgRhyphenhyphenp962nyLk3qR1C2uZozy60AqGJT549N/s320/2018-12-14+044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We stopped for a few moments to peruse the pastry offerings at <b>Padaria Ribeiro,</b> a local favorite.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cKVxOm05ZOHsJswv__wtDTVL0e07BRVajxcNZ92oPhtRyNdGhEwfCw7-DCHfNLA1F6sYCV_gYNaI_GBpo1mrFa5dYfsDgnC6WzIKgyRpIp_1rTY4lP9mujmu-Aw34msyqfHiVKCLB3-E/s1600/2018-12-14+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cKVxOm05ZOHsJswv__wtDTVL0e07BRVajxcNZ92oPhtRyNdGhEwfCw7-DCHfNLA1F6sYCV_gYNaI_GBpo1mrFa5dYfsDgnC6WzIKgyRpIp_1rTY4lP9mujmu-Aw34msyqfHiVKCLB3-E/s320/2018-12-14+046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just a block away was another square, <b>Praca de Gomes Teixeira,</b> named for the first rector of the <b>University of Porto</b> that was founded in 1911 and was the country's second largest. The centerpiece of the square was the Fountain of Lions.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jc1TuR6YnxAb9layDZnn7qDSYeirIyydtCfqtvlC43gCZRcyaZGc6wmBq3BERSKVNBobRebEalr09gm3WTX7GGVfMI0rv_PPL77MHCjZ9bJiKwoRxKlKDAoqRhNsC8VU1AmBsYsHA1RP/s1600/2018-12-14+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jc1TuR6YnxAb9layDZnn7qDSYeirIyydtCfqtvlC43gCZRcyaZGc6wmBq3BERSKVNBobRebEalr09gm3WTX7GGVfMI0rv_PPL77MHCjZ9bJiKwoRxKlKDAoqRhNsC8VU1AmBsYsHA1RP/s320/2018-12-14+049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Behind it was the university's main building.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs52aByCBLz4xndiTBV7-vLAv2pVWDC-xticEim7odGlr2qS5bHyYHpKffKVOqa5C4-azZZSoVQNkHU-JBuKkQ0gcyj6bWiNBBVamha8GJSiGO0bwCKX6JtlPByjwa2qBtNPJYObVM2-xb/s1600/2018-12-14+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs52aByCBLz4xndiTBV7-vLAv2pVWDC-xticEim7odGlr2qS5bHyYHpKffKVOqa5C4-azZZSoVQNkHU-JBuKkQ0gcyj6bWiNBBVamha8GJSiGO0bwCKX6JtlPByjwa2qBtNPJYObVM2-xb/s320/2018-12-14+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the other side of the square was the Art Deco-style <b>Armazens Cunhas</b> department store, a style that became popular in Porto in the early 20th century. The store's motto was "We sell for cheaper." The store windows had the dowdiest clothes and accessories that wouldn't even merit a second glance in most cities.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvdj3Dm-2qJnKHGQM0wWYAqv3ZDcMSUJzsCnxBS5NYqFkICZIs7lhSASaEsEpiNPCj8dToiNt-Q960FmL9yhfuiftnKFiGvs9bQ6u40t1UdAkn3hZpwqK-de_Cq3ZC9hWr0a-HZkacmIZ/s1600/2018-12-14+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvdj3Dm-2qJnKHGQM0wWYAqv3ZDcMSUJzsCnxBS5NYqFkICZIs7lhSASaEsEpiNPCj8dToiNt-Q960FmL9yhfuiftnKFiGvs9bQ6u40t1UdAkn3hZpwqK-de_Cq3ZC9hWr0a-HZkacmIZ/s320/2018-12-14+052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the end of the square was the <b>Carmo Church,</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">built in the second half of the 18th century, </span><span style="font-size: large;">with its brilliant blue</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> azuelos </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">or tiles on the side which depicted the founding of the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Carmelite Order.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANXkEWH7RSa6FcI6dTZXZUm-CSXjNLtsBftlQc8Bn8J8wZrd62hlP3ojMZ3qYYmd3_OvvD56-xz-49UtnlK-nRRkPMfBHbs5TOPwBXicp5lPw5Rke-0TGeQ5xT2cH7ew5Jlb_AY-LEqpj/s1600/2018-12-14+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANXkEWH7RSa6FcI6dTZXZUm-CSXjNLtsBftlQc8Bn8J8wZrd62hlP3ojMZ3qYYmd3_OvvD56-xz-49UtnlK-nRRkPMfBHbs5TOPwBXicp5lPw5Rke-0TGeQ5xT2cH7ew5Jlb_AY-LEqpj/s320/2018-12-14+058.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What a magnificent tiled panel!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbOK20A6FnoXIRYCAdl_ZIcoZ1LtcF8jXExxnZelYMyw26lKdaWHZUR2GB6oi_EVHCDWTt2L1PKTlD1aQpCuh5h3OaN2bZTEEbSX8omCRrsdPuxYDytk9dqwEkoZVd7wX6B2CMs00I4uA/s1600/2018-12-14+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbOK20A6FnoXIRYCAdl_ZIcoZ1LtcF8jXExxnZelYMyw26lKdaWHZUR2GB6oi_EVHCDWTt2L1PKTlD1aQpCuh5h3OaN2bZTEEbSX8omCRrsdPuxYDytk9dqwEkoZVd7wX6B2CMs00I4uA/s320/2018-12-14+062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfhmqimKe8s69dl1VbOp5ducR6_fJayJ6puj5NvAelf601Q6rL6pysq8lYzKor6nuDJJJapZA730Eym-9dPHPv5rB8TyzNy0XzvqmGGVDn7gbrCNQ6pAv0T1pf9Amz-QlNQfn_X2nsAS3/s1600/2018-12-14+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfhmqimKe8s69dl1VbOp5ducR6_fJayJ6puj5NvAelf601Q6rL6pysq8lYzKor6nuDJJJapZA730Eym-9dPHPv5rB8TyzNy0XzvqmGGVDn7gbrCNQ6pAv0T1pf9Amz-QlNQfn_X2nsAS3/s320/2018-12-14+063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEvS4mYs0KwIhr3Do_SDanW74AHnBDGzavI-pXowguwI8LNqbi8iwG96co6vyI9HDnpoRVnMashELBsUh5UpI3M78rbGrHdCY65jIUWUUX_R9PlNGSK0cizjsQEdTCfteawAip7_nPqzn/s1600/2018-12-14+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEvS4mYs0KwIhr3Do_SDanW74AHnBDGzavI-pXowguwI8LNqbi8iwG96co6vyI9HDnpoRVnMashELBsUh5UpI3M78rbGrHdCY65jIUWUUX_R9PlNGSK0cizjsQEdTCfteawAip7_nPqzn/s320/2018-12-14+064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We didn't realize until we got closer that there were actually two churches in one: the main Carmo church inhabited by friars that we'd first seen and then the <b>Church of the Carmelitas</b> that once was for a order of Carmelite nuns. The two were connected by what the city promoted as being "the world's narrowest house." Steves stated it allowed the nuns and friars to stay in their spiritual sanctuary without having to go outside.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMOOSBgNjSvIqC7ITlWc9Vt-M_cxD55P6L9kmDMKfbXLHPOASgh6Gj5val9ciU-gRXvGAfyHqnUcIR5V-2-4v81Ici8mogISrqT5jOZrB4MAsb2Q2ZduqGf0mdbU6zcCVgDNR1bMjdgCx/s1600/2018-12-14+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMOOSBgNjSvIqC7ITlWc9Vt-M_cxD55P6L9kmDMKfbXLHPOASgh6Gj5val9ciU-gRXvGAfyHqnUcIR5V-2-4v81Ici8mogISrqT5jOZrB4MAsb2Q2ZduqGf0mdbU6zcCVgDNR1bMjdgCx/s320/2018-12-14+066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">An information panel, however, informed us the <b>Hidden House </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">was built in 1768 and that </span><span style="font-size: large;">various chaplains lived there but there was no mention of nuns ever living there. For shorter periods of time, artists and physicians lived in the tiny abode who were contracted to perform certain services for the Order or its hospital. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-d9sJ8_qfqxDs03SOcsKwbVmsbKoK3uQrEqbGEIXJg4v1HBGjCxxv-NbOfJjvh_tbQCRbTYI5zp76Ng1la97HiEhHt4X0VVCvmhImjGK02CUsbaPUXSTU_9i1uXdH2TsfjOLu05krf9yU/s1600/2018-12-14+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-d9sJ8_qfqxDs03SOcsKwbVmsbKoK3uQrEqbGEIXJg4v1HBGjCxxv-NbOfJjvh_tbQCRbTYI5zp76Ng1la97HiEhHt4X0VVCvmhImjGK02CUsbaPUXSTU_9i1uXdH2TsfjOLu05krf9yU/s320/2018-12-14+067.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In later years, it was occupied by the Sacristan or church caretaker. It was also used for meetings during more turbulent times when more discretion and some secrecy was required as, for example, during the French Invasions from 1897-1811, the Liberalism movement from 1828-1834 and the persecution of religious orders after the proclamation of the Republic in 1910. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPBVHv78Afgfkb1x7lvMhxXd3nom4sfJXifmbAVf1evTn1fE2Vv9yWfWQVxbC9kofCJk6nT8jtdlF4X4ka4opAxpycVOvrk1bYeAc-Q_IhJ0M6L-7gul_69cKwrqi1ZE0Yn3X0GVn44TV/s1600/2018-12-14+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPBVHv78Afgfkb1x7lvMhxXd3nom4sfJXifmbAVf1evTn1fE2Vv9yWfWQVxbC9kofCJk6nT8jtdlF4X4ka4opAxpycVOvrk1bYeAc-Q_IhJ0M6L-7gul_69cKwrqi1ZE0Yn3X0GVn44TV/s320/2018-12-14+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because it was so narrow, there was only room per floor. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83O1-vFJ3Qhj_F4B7bL-_N7qo121Lsmmm4tNOLfc5SLdDgKjShwQmNL0Ruh2aCpnUP_pouT_pkUFV_L6EBA-OQySalB4w9b-0tq0MV5rqaTd1hx_uf0uvbw3Xa2MG4YXTvupzDAdf5m76/s1600/2018-12-14+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83O1-vFJ3Qhj_F4B7bL-_N7qo121Lsmmm4tNOLfc5SLdDgKjShwQmNL0Ruh2aCpnUP_pouT_pkUFV_L6EBA-OQySalB4w9b-0tq0MV5rqaTd1hx_uf0uvbw3Xa2MG4YXTvupzDAdf5m76/s320/2018-12-14+075.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was very little to the kitchen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking down from the top floor:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEmEpg3sPuccLses0QmduSi78O54OqVZYIfQlisw_E_taXPQfcQPl2QbX1H8WlBfuxO4HfPDBJF9w-66VwHJvHIqw3XPu75EyrjzLBmF4Y4FMfh9EH4mVyQXz2yTwRMpNOVfS0d5EFZX6/s1600/2018-12-14+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEmEpg3sPuccLses0QmduSi78O54OqVZYIfQlisw_E_taXPQfcQPl2QbX1H8WlBfuxO4HfPDBJF9w-66VwHJvHIqw3XPu75EyrjzLBmF4Y4FMfh9EH4mVyQXz2yTwRMpNOVfS0d5EFZX6/s320/2018-12-14+077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It seemed inconceivable to me that at one time a caretaker, his wife and nine children lived in this minuscule place!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2wSJfBP66Cy7PXa_G_L1dsFsnJi_JWybLcbPA5T-1kUF_lTQwVBqRabv4tbfXE5Jguq2kiqYlkFs0abM7LLqbHzi6ypWt6EJkq5TTv1-htiLTd-CzjgMbgr3F5L03x3bz7bm4HS5-ijP/s1600/2018-12-14+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2wSJfBP66Cy7PXa_G_L1dsFsnJi_JWybLcbPA5T-1kUF_lTQwVBqRabv4tbfXE5Jguq2kiqYlkFs0abM7LLqbHzi6ypWt6EJkq5TTv1-htiLTd-CzjgMbgr3F5L03x3bz7bm4HS5-ijP/s320/2018-12-14+078.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We couldn't enter the churches then so we decided to return after exploring more in the area. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Steven decided to wait for me as </span><span style="font-size: large;">I was so curious to pop into <b>Livraria Lello,</b> a bookstore that first opened in 1881 before moving to its present location in 1906. Since then, it has been the "house for men of arts and letters, an inspiration for acclaimed authors, a place for social gatherings, etc." In an article about the <i>Coolest Bookstores from Around the World,</i> TIME Magazine said "Rumor has it that J.K. Rowling was inspired by Livraria Lello while writing Harry Porter (and teaching English) in Porto." I admit to not having read her wildly popular series of books but understand that the bookstore's interior reminds many of something seen on Diagon Alley. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoVovPpsGIfJSyvZIvp9GbktPYCck2nMQYaZ-2QaEBtCLuUImv7WNruu1NoPJpASDbi6D7tE1mtJdGji_GY1PaRd3MnFQQW2oQAe6Zn2VHC2jT_DZYQ0e_rRuHao4f1hLzl3i7GF4lgZL/s1600/2018-12-14+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoVovPpsGIfJSyvZIvp9GbktPYCck2nMQYaZ-2QaEBtCLuUImv7WNruu1NoPJpASDbi6D7tE1mtJdGji_GY1PaRd3MnFQQW2oQAe6Zn2VHC2jT_DZYQ0e_rRuHao4f1hLzl3i7GF4lgZL/s320/2018-12-14+081.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the Harry Potter connection was attracting 2,000 people to simply ogle the interior without buying anything, it became too much for the small store to handle. As a result, visitors are now required to purchase a pass to enter. Some of the money raised went toward restoring the store's lacy facade. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Apparently the store's design inspired Dumbledore's office in the movies.<b> </b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Even without being a Harry Potter fan, I was entranced by the store's staircase and the entire store.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NPPTZrBlnUV__J65a1XGNevB7ofvh4gVemRoYDYxeYy-eTjhIm-BC6_cVugf-bdNt-JzNF_Lpe04yvb6NLz2s0jAN1DIkFd0tDMYFgTXeJGoQfpsSGXnp3q5IRFxJlnJuzhLFLeTEi5U/s1600/2018-12-14+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NPPTZrBlnUV__J65a1XGNevB7ofvh4gVemRoYDYxeYy-eTjhIm-BC6_cVugf-bdNt-JzNF_Lpe04yvb6NLz2s0jAN1DIkFd0tDMYFgTXeJGoQfpsSGXnp3q5IRFxJlnJuzhLFLeTEi5U/s320/2018-12-14+099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKM8ljo3RY36glXosYvug9PxQ7sIfCwjpZXPXrrIl9-fp9v2ehTAKahXT1UvqC5XXF3b94_nvQ-JsbENOWocebZcq7nZVaSb1vzxxJM66NNr815cCFgCN9nCUnfLVnnM3OnKWE1J5yR4c/s1600/2018-12-14+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKM8ljo3RY36glXosYvug9PxQ7sIfCwjpZXPXrrIl9-fp9v2ehTAKahXT1UvqC5XXF3b94_nvQ-JsbENOWocebZcq7nZVaSb1vzxxJM66NNr815cCFgCN9nCUnfLVnnM3OnKWE1J5yR4c/s320/2018-12-14+089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLCBMS9orW2MuOJVQH0MMCcq5jkCIlmJPGFyenktdvliqsMG40J6HB6bgnAW_GbboBB4TyPtemzW8OtOfR4QIUmVEzmCEPvBLnAXg64k_Fqe7uguEJutvHwOrZNXqh37hD8CXDyFpcytk/s1600/2018-12-14+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLCBMS9orW2MuOJVQH0MMCcq5jkCIlmJPGFyenktdvliqsMG40J6HB6bgnAW_GbboBB4TyPtemzW8OtOfR4QIUmVEzmCEPvBLnAXg64k_Fqe7uguEJutvHwOrZNXqh37hD8CXDyFpcytk/s320/2018-12-14+097.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I, like many others that day, ogled the lovely stained-glass ceiling with the store's </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">monogram and motto <i>Decus in labore</i> which, thanks to my five years of high school Latin <b>and</b> Google, meant dignity at work!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveDAbw4kmljXr3BsEv_04nnWqCbdBPdVbupApT1E2hIziMgqGew09G0hGW1dk1r6naffuDvVab0i7rOBeIGEf27oii3p9WgOXlKFI3sm0XG4NyPmwta1lMjSigpN5gxDdKuNJh1WVVmHG/s1600/2018-12-14+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveDAbw4kmljXr3BsEv_04nnWqCbdBPdVbupApT1E2hIziMgqGew09G0hGW1dk1r6naffuDvVab0i7rOBeIGEf27oii3p9WgOXlKFI3sm0XG4NyPmwta1lMjSigpN5gxDdKuNJh1WVVmHG/s320/2018-12-14+092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some people might consider it in poor taste to see a bookstore turned into a theme park for tourists just staring and leaving but I didn't mind one iota supporting such a famous independent bookstore and wonderful tourist attraction in Porto.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArxaOJXwanf8HLxa-jqAqPLGXTvdUqP9FFBu56Rp7vrTLtd5Si05Fu4rvDsMPdxgh2KU_rJnRFugPjmWCgLdHgDewotAzsCVg1ql_KeW7khudXePw9QwE53atffMzYZhPlDhiorYWiKDE/s1600/2018-12-14+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArxaOJXwanf8HLxa-jqAqPLGXTvdUqP9FFBu56Rp7vrTLtd5Si05Fu4rvDsMPdxgh2KU_rJnRFugPjmWCgLdHgDewotAzsCVg1ql_KeW7khudXePw9QwE53atffMzYZhPlDhiorYWiKDE/s320/2018-12-14+093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Art Nouveau interior looked like wood but was actually painted plaster with gold leaf!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FIwIzIg52E-mxb0kb-kfbD1-b1s3k15871k9P7uvcplxcQsbwbJ0zu78JqkKGZ4eoPhJDxgyYyKL9oGcQzWbaoGQdzQ6ZM-PpKABIgXJXXMsTrCAZ89rJM25JAUy-Zs-WuGr8B1UYFYX/s1600/2018-12-14+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FIwIzIg52E-mxb0kb-kfbD1-b1s3k15871k9P7uvcplxcQsbwbJ0zu78JqkKGZ4eoPhJDxgyYyKL9oGcQzWbaoGQdzQ6ZM-PpKABIgXJXXMsTrCAZ89rJM25JAUy-Zs-WuGr8B1UYFYX/s320/2018-12-14+094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The tracks on the floor allowed for books in carts to be moved more easily!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrrJUEhGQ3pN1UHpsrjF_JrJL6Hpto9NSsmQb1m3Tyn3_s8rg7e0IciPRhC0BLs1opll1F3u9Ut3j2Mvmrwzjk8MTRrisCytTWDK8Sw6h3YDTujl2sSaviaYnSW_UtnjTRBszLetHf_q8/s1600/2018-12-14+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrrJUEhGQ3pN1UHpsrjF_JrJL6Hpto9NSsmQb1m3Tyn3_s8rg7e0IciPRhC0BLs1opll1F3u9Ut3j2Mvmrwzjk8MTRrisCytTWDK8Sw6h3YDTujl2sSaviaYnSW_UtnjTRBszLetHf_q8/s320/2018-12-14+100.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Across the street from the bookstore was the unusual <b>Praca de Lisboa,</b> an elevated grassy park because it was built on top of a parking garage of all things - what an ingenious use of space!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They'd even gotten olive trees to grow there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After relaxing in the park for a bit, we made our way across it to <b>Clerigos Church and Tower</b> which showed the ambitious Italian architect's unusual flair by placing the tower at the back on the higher ground to reinforce its height. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfstsBMGcZP9qhrFkNdjdqjJUIGgD6THgnai7wYTkjfHtO32nAfffmWwsamNNKEcxLFJJHPm15auoP5x89iIdHIfJobR5k5qdQCYOFHYFsqBHA8kQLnEDzEPITuZtUPNbvKnvsLid1kXG/s1600/2018-12-14+108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfstsBMGcZP9qhrFkNdjdqjJUIGgD6THgnai7wYTkjfHtO32nAfffmWwsamNNKEcxLFJJHPm15auoP5x89iIdHIfJobR5k5qdQCYOFHYFsqBHA8kQLnEDzEPITuZtUPNbvKnvsLid1kXG/s320/2018-12-14+108.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Prince Henry the Navigator</b> who hailed from Porto was shown on the tower.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkESrzttrfMd5y1kXxdlpB3AlZdAOGlBRJqrQ0C4htu5igWweiqrN1YPcMEES7rJHlAevG1tKh_d98Eu7H6BKE6K7DENo9XyOo1R-K52aiRXw0P7kkBtnfCIzZnNoKItLcTlzjiPrlxSGd/s1600/2018-12-14+111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkESrzttrfMd5y1kXxdlpB3AlZdAOGlBRJqrQ0C4htu5igWweiqrN1YPcMEES7rJHlAevG1tKh_d98Eu7H6BKE6K7DENo9XyOo1R-K52aiRXw0P7kkBtnfCIzZnNoKItLcTlzjiPrlxSGd/s320/2018-12-14+111.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To enter the church, we had to walk all the way around it. We so rarely have a chance of seeing churches with oval-shaped naves that the interior of the Clerigos Church caught my fancy right away. It was built out of granite and marble but then covered with ornate carvings. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nh-Vh82XreZfeQIG4Xa51XEcsqrfUGlbVWw2tuCw51exWCk7rdp1jpzktkLo9hdcQ6LOLmR6nDRsEMWbtB9pqRpqW2sY2Pncoh0wNYe09TD2jFJwSgcL4LTTZT0Skh7lf_49MhmCjeUO/s1600/2018-12-14+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nh-Vh82XreZfeQIG4Xa51XEcsqrfUGlbVWw2tuCw51exWCk7rdp1jpzktkLo9hdcQ6LOLmR6nDRsEMWbtB9pqRpqW2sY2Pncoh0wNYe09TD2jFJwSgcL4LTTZT0Skh7lf_49MhmCjeUO/s320/2018-12-14+118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The high altar looked just like a wedding cake with Mary perched at the top, something we're not likely to see again!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLmWzMF1eckujjPN08mV2QNnLfj1tSheUJKWxIpS7AJVWzXsFd7f4mJe2FKBvPinbK2_m1m2IqIJLk_g4E6d_KzCc8zAkAsBB268jpFETpIv6IYeNTRPcZ6v1MvSvtUR5C-ukY_6fV3IR/s1600/2018-12-14+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLmWzMF1eckujjPN08mV2QNnLfj1tSheUJKWxIpS7AJVWzXsFd7f4mJe2FKBvPinbK2_m1m2IqIJLk_g4E6d_KzCc8zAkAsBB268jpFETpIv6IYeNTRPcZ6v1MvSvtUR5C-ukY_6fV3IR/s320/2018-12-14+115.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohD9rRQqAoQoXO2RGeCNe-O-Sf2-gACb9xNg3lm7AD4TCBukLU7ctpvLJCfKRUJZoF2tBRJEa-fmh7vrk9PSeP9ZSIIDNAMrAtYI6XQqofD2FivwOs42p2zE-5g4nkOrw0hIcSiAU8qoy/s1600/2018-12-14+119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohD9rRQqAoQoXO2RGeCNe-O-Sf2-gACb9xNg3lm7AD4TCBukLU7ctpvLJCfKRUJZoF2tBRJEa-fmh7vrk9PSeP9ZSIIDNAMrAtYI6XQqofD2FivwOs42p2zE-5g4nkOrw0hIcSiAU8qoy/s320/2018-12-14+119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The elaborate Sacristy:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWxRFMYZFbpwh_9jVrp5p_eku-En1nmi89HTJ-wRuoWUOMmeysKqDL-JB6LjzATFOAx7Lf-R4DmS3Ra67y6XBTbg7o4XAdAuJHhni1_kHvGDoQOl7iyq4x0vtncbdAN9IAw4rDyvr-EkA/s1600/2018-12-14+124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWxRFMYZFbpwh_9jVrp5p_eku-En1nmi89HTJ-wRuoWUOMmeysKqDL-JB6LjzATFOAx7Lf-R4DmS3Ra67y6XBTbg7o4XAdAuJHhni1_kHvGDoQOl7iyq4x0vtncbdAN9IAw4rDyvr-EkA/s320/2018-12-14+124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaHUeJpqCd7LVYdOeIkxPnIwPk8e8gnkULMkcDAgYUxA6a3OiRL4KwJQqbUs_onbof5ED3LiNKvEyMyy6ogqBEdhot67x4C7ykhMM33vBJtwEv6LqoECKbSm4rX9NMB6V67PydEfZJokO/s1600/2018-12-14+120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaHUeJpqCd7LVYdOeIkxPnIwPk8e8gnkULMkcDAgYUxA6a3OiRL4KwJQqbUs_onbof5ED3LiNKvEyMyy6ogqBEdhot67x4C7ykhMM33vBJtwEv6LqoECKbSm4rX9NMB6V67PydEfZJokO/s320/2018-12-14+120.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Steven took a break by resting in the church while foolish me decided to climb all 225 steps to the top of the tower, little knowing that I was going to be waylaid by all sorts of church collections on the way up. They were of moderate interest but I was determined to make it to the top and not just stop and admire the paintings of benefactors in the Assembly House, the items in the Registry, items brought back by Portuguese explorers in the Coffer, etc.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPElmaL9YIGysL3HcEWCRa0dQm-1nS0pSyr7LE6Et5GaO2WAY6_hc1L3FtR6PWqYg2OoQ45Osvn_4AOovGBRy4ftBmBRTAHi0mLukplUv7odyGMCflrj_0SQBbZmvor64rH63DELYctu0/s1600/2018-12-14+132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPElmaL9YIGysL3HcEWCRa0dQm-1nS0pSyr7LE6Et5GaO2WAY6_hc1L3FtR6PWqYg2OoQ45Osvn_4AOovGBRy4ftBmBRTAHi0mLukplUv7odyGMCflrj_0SQBbZmvor64rH63DELYctu0/s320/2018-12-14+132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_YyzWg2b-rBdKxDn3Q-LRrMQLg2zqcbIEe895vYh5MqZZEabpBwK28Mce7Tl4QM_gYpDBOrTtTFE6RCyZSnB6T8mhhykLa8ATJsvDB4bnQYeUr-jcAmo_BoVcVDFig2PMuVnSIfWcYOG/s1600/2018-12-14+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_YyzWg2b-rBdKxDn3Q-LRrMQLg2zqcbIEe895vYh5MqZZEabpBwK28Mce7Tl4QM_gYpDBOrTtTFE6RCyZSnB6T8mhhykLa8ATJsvDB4bnQYeUr-jcAmo_BoVcVDFig2PMuVnSIfWcYOG/s320/2018-12-14+133.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8t1R92qpasIgBN-5vqWoBsUUwekk1JCRb8WDSq5SmBl3zlS3oE1GvSCKJOmeIRRF2kbXWWeau64G3L1dVPBFr3dq6z5c8KOKf7WaZqE0W3TSCJEKcXgPESDy5aUcIk_1HnOt4Nv9vofhT/s1600/2018-12-14+136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8t1R92qpasIgBN-5vqWoBsUUwekk1JCRb8WDSq5SmBl3zlS3oE1GvSCKJOmeIRRF2kbXWWeau64G3L1dVPBFr3dq6z5c8KOKf7WaZqE0W3TSCJEKcXgPESDy5aUcIk_1HnOt4Nv9vofhT/s320/2018-12-14+136.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4dWOlZzkYJUfOxz330sbdxYqspUH2Xr_4O7OwhWcs5MIsGy7ZAa7Hvgw497htlFfI7EV7jWUXXlbsYs-VdX05ayP8hKjXl0XRPSRGQOQfe_bkzG44BPBOHOBRLA6WIPoHzSz0FCSa9YQ/s1600/2018-12-14+142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4dWOlZzkYJUfOxz330sbdxYqspUH2Xr_4O7OwhWcs5MIsGy7ZAa7Hvgw497htlFfI7EV7jWUXXlbsYs-VdX05ayP8hKjXl0XRPSRGQOQfe_bkzG44BPBOHOBRLA6WIPoHzSz0FCSa9YQ/s320/2018-12-14+142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rLBPXHiLB6JLnvjJ5NzZKij9G_nTSc0qM-Y3dFqU95HxwIUWUMnLeqZVgpM5Dfhi3RQSJtIT3-1EUHLqMnwg0vvUynMvkcab61o8EmUcwiDblJeBROU7KjDtVqWpLqtAZwDyRU-xX6j3/s1600/2018-12-14+143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rLBPXHiLB6JLnvjJ5NzZKij9G_nTSc0qM-Y3dFqU95HxwIUWUMnLeqZVgpM5Dfhi3RQSJtIT3-1EUHLqMnwg0vvUynMvkcab61o8EmUcwiDblJeBROU7KjDtVqWpLqtAZwDyRU-xX6j3/s320/2018-12-14+143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Views of the interior of the church from an upper level:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvEqR1Q9w9966MWhfH8U4tXuvZZ4IEcD0MJMw8QoDVZVbMmV2WO2RHOG0ws4AlRY3QeCRGvI2aSz2dQZT-Q-nNQscS39e-HdMn6NDzv1AUXEvjeejNVCTL6ItZXkyGjxLJ6JmVpRskYBT/s1600/2018-12-14+148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvEqR1Q9w9966MWhfH8U4tXuvZZ4IEcD0MJMw8QoDVZVbMmV2WO2RHOG0ws4AlRY3QeCRGvI2aSz2dQZT-Q-nNQscS39e-HdMn6NDzv1AUXEvjeejNVCTL6ItZXkyGjxLJ6JmVpRskYBT/s320/2018-12-14+148.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I could spot Steven way down there but of course he didn't know to look up and see me!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4hW9bUKf5OVQgXm3MAjtKmLJfoS9Xsw-gVeVn0NTHyC0O2EcuAOzs4NUfuol5XU38RHGgpxPj7qwgYTNQVcV_o5OxkEPPKcsgZ1iv5kUas74KsHk6LHRO2bmjKnP0SlG-y38KMoaO0ct/s1600/2018-12-14+150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4hW9bUKf5OVQgXm3MAjtKmLJfoS9Xsw-gVeVn0NTHyC0O2EcuAOzs4NUfuol5XU38RHGgpxPj7qwgYTNQVcV_o5OxkEPPKcsgZ1iv5kUas74KsHk6LHRO2bmjKnP0SlG-y38KMoaO0ct/s320/2018-12-14+150.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 18th century <b>Holy Thursday Urn</b> was designed by <b>Nicolau Nasconi,</b> the church architect.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0uWWFMWjzuzz1MY0EkZJoesLOqMCwGKmw1_L5JG76szIFbauxoQDCo7g5hpRV4XBCMtbrwTmK7JNdRuR8g73qOYZsyyQgbEQ80hmt5FOtBLEIytzZIyRpmniPUpRtu4jmCavtkExiHrN/s1600/2018-12-14+153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0uWWFMWjzuzz1MY0EkZJoesLOqMCwGKmw1_L5JG76szIFbauxoQDCo7g5hpRV4XBCMtbrwTmK7JNdRuR8g73qOYZsyyQgbEQ80hmt5FOtBLEIytzZIyRpmniPUpRtu4jmCavtkExiHrN/s320/2018-12-14+153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The stairway to the top sure wasn't suitable for people who had a fear of closed spaces or were behind a long, slow line of visitors as it was one way only.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAn-ArOZxMkCBs7-TW-6_QD7rgylftY3paw4PdLCeojahASYG5wEpezigUHYkSGU0ZW4govRHX-58S0tCi3Qm6_Vy4rvbwgaMXrflp4SlWNT64XvSHStg9Jb4LGQgSmMw_X6Oxj5YL7iGk/s1600/2018-12-14+157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAn-ArOZxMkCBs7-TW-6_QD7rgylftY3paw4PdLCeojahASYG5wEpezigUHYkSGU0ZW4govRHX-58S0tCi3Qm6_Vy4rvbwgaMXrflp4SlWNT64XvSHStg9Jb4LGQgSmMw_X6Oxj5YL7iGk/s320/2018-12-14+157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oops, another detour, this one to images and iconography from the Middle Ages and <i>Images of Christ</i> from all over the world:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHgbtOoL7nvtCGVOBBcPckituZwj5BJonfJSD48N2IssFjXcTdzqkYDnj84GOjbgLSwcQW3-iA8Oo74EyoYukK54OMvnayQz84YHpx4g__4NoeQP40fHjkAD5UJCIL-0Acf3yinEQomoB/s1600/2018-12-14+159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHgbtOoL7nvtCGVOBBcPckituZwj5BJonfJSD48N2IssFjXcTdzqkYDnj84GOjbgLSwcQW3-iA8Oo74EyoYukK54OMvnayQz84YHpx4g__4NoeQP40fHjkAD5UJCIL-0Acf3yinEQomoB/s320/2018-12-14+159.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zV6jT8Aq4EVolgW7KWOQRoPfPtTvLH5uzI0wkGL9c9Nr07zE_FGkIYFtAQMA4uWNQ-Nm0l3jv5Ti7qVzXgA9Etz1cWTFOQXI_W5XSJXj9UMOUkPgWx221lj87T0TUsEwfeSSq6BWZKEM/s1600/2018-12-14+161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zV6jT8Aq4EVolgW7KWOQRoPfPtTvLH5uzI0wkGL9c9Nr07zE_FGkIYFtAQMA4uWNQ-Nm0l3jv5Ti7qVzXgA9Etz1cWTFOQXI_W5XSJXj9UMOUkPgWx221lj87T0TUsEwfeSSq6BWZKEM/s320/2018-12-14+161.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyN5l43riezkRzGmz75xIiAOHAojOEoFL8q80o1OO2gTOA1qpi7pcOoyNZy9e2mJrEJODorZ5PdeIc0eedlcLuymXXsLiEem5Mm8gRQYFWDO6Vxbt9VuQdoH3-EkUXfkDRelzLhwhV9cw/s1600/2018-12-14+163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyN5l43riezkRzGmz75xIiAOHAojOEoFL8q80o1OO2gTOA1qpi7pcOoyNZy9e2mJrEJODorZ5PdeIc0eedlcLuymXXsLiEem5Mm8gRQYFWDO6Vxbt9VuQdoH3-EkUXfkDRelzLhwhV9cw/s320/2018-12-14+163.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH2fUjo4HdN2gL3AZuPuMPAICdrOeTw7gDRysRrMeCDP0dTTZ-noUgK5F6BYgUS69bi2-wvGbsAB-MaxexIBQDk4ms5DbOKqIwDz63AyOWE85QriAEohVpGRhhDcLcOQ2ocY7kTjVAf6d/s1600/2018-12-14+167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH2fUjo4HdN2gL3AZuPuMPAICdrOeTw7gDRysRrMeCDP0dTTZ-noUgK5F6BYgUS69bi2-wvGbsAB-MaxexIBQDk4ms5DbOKqIwDz63AyOWE85QriAEohVpGRhhDcLcOQ2ocY7kTjVAf6d/s320/2018-12-14+167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCbSoWCv2J-UjhreJwG8qWxCmCB7tBd5UxXxQ4_eqIiEkXrpj4o6yccTxAqp1nYYwfOqfa0YFskP5Zr-zj0ot2xhpn4sp-ncWnGjPKy_lTLvy3jDtcbiL9lKuAjc5kC-3B9MNmujL7R5K/s1600/2018-12-14+169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCbSoWCv2J-UjhreJwG8qWxCmCB7tBd5UxXxQ4_eqIiEkXrpj4o6yccTxAqp1nYYwfOqfa0YFskP5Zr-zj0ot2xhpn4sp-ncWnGjPKy_lTLvy3jDtcbiL9lKuAjc5kC-3B9MNmujL7R5K/s320/2018-12-14+169.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As in Lisbon, trolleys have long been a part of Porto's history since they were invented in the US in 1832. The first trolleys in Iberia made their appearance in Porto 40 years later when they were pulled by horses and oxen. They were dubbed <i>americanos</i> because of their origin.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70P8zsf4Cu3F3ih9tgXu6ZRPWJK79sUgwUX37BmyGiTKuoBbg3FdjO5IsWGJPbC6U5Yy7G9sJLnfby0kkwv7pM_hww4bMnOnuUCUZeixyz25EVcZr8r4OWYOkV8nznXXOMNyL9SIVVJoY/s1600/2018-12-14+174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70P8zsf4Cu3F3ih9tgXu6ZRPWJK79sUgwUX37BmyGiTKuoBbg3FdjO5IsWGJPbC6U5Yy7G9sJLnfby0kkwv7pM_hww4bMnOnuUCUZeixyz25EVcZr8r4OWYOkV8nznXXOMNyL9SIVVJoY/s320/2018-12-14+174.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was sorry Steven wasn't with me to see the splendid views of Porto, including the elevated park, from the tower.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqy6APICsVtDHGcSAKpi-OvOZDxOUjF5ZyHaEUk-4iAXcVPJYppA-gRBX8SZ5Px8QFSePxNpuBtCZ9mi519VSPlPzvBeMwd5Ao9kBqEQRXuFLqT-uQo9pJNw_0Eth8Ty60G5lMKfpcBZba/s1600/2018-12-14+176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqy6APICsVtDHGcSAKpi-OvOZDxOUjF5ZyHaEUk-4iAXcVPJYppA-gRBX8SZ5Px8QFSePxNpuBtCZ9mi519VSPlPzvBeMwd5Ao9kBqEQRXuFLqT-uQo9pJNw_0Eth8Ty60G5lMKfpcBZba/s320/2018-12-14+176.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58Q-pAHoMP6t3G2EJKDVOaY2GrcgWxz4L1F8ee1VxmVyHo8AJLF9abysgnTFRq48g0y2Z4EEDA5e41AG8gPY9Dw0HlnQtQTbHxvLW2K3ESOA_nf1bCUk6cnuUexDUFOtSfuflOU2jtyb6/s1600/2018-12-14+178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58Q-pAHoMP6t3G2EJKDVOaY2GrcgWxz4L1F8ee1VxmVyHo8AJLF9abysgnTFRq48g0y2Z4EEDA5e41AG8gPY9Dw0HlnQtQTbHxvLW2K3ESOA_nf1bCUk6cnuUexDUFOtSfuflOU2jtyb6/s320/2018-12-14+178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I could just imagine how marvelous these views would have been on a clear summer day. My view of the <b>Old Cathedral</b> would have to suffice until we visited it a couple of days later.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ek2MGqn-evkzMgcmBgUz7HEapWASfVIhOyYO9vMOxboaNMQjVH1kW1KDcoS-pKGL51pMquDNNaG6INvQznwdgGKKUXAdU-N8eycpKO5J7SAwgBv4Roo8q-GuqPbQR1ZWIlK6S7UYTOW0/s1600/2018-12-14+187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ek2MGqn-evkzMgcmBgUz7HEapWASfVIhOyYO9vMOxboaNMQjVH1kW1KDcoS-pKGL51pMquDNNaG6INvQznwdgGKKUXAdU-N8eycpKO5J7SAwgBv4Roo8q-GuqPbQR1ZWIlK6S7UYTOW0/s320/2018-12-14+187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgF96QyIePF9D60fwlCzmGkY3yZDGUdJvDFkB5oGXCCBVsMaSwT9Nz7Z_-hlars9YopwTn0QSlQwz8FnBF7i4OBe-SK0KDmQoH4KFoo9puufACaVIXhQ7uBI6xxcGO4l4pvQwQXK3-HUO/s1600/2018-12-14+189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgF96QyIePF9D60fwlCzmGkY3yZDGUdJvDFkB5oGXCCBVsMaSwT9Nz7Z_-hlars9YopwTn0QSlQwz8FnBF7i4OBe-SK0KDmQoH4KFoo9puufACaVIXhQ7uBI6xxcGO4l4pvQwQXK3-HUO/s320/2018-12-14+189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I slowly made my way down thankful it wasn't at the height of the tourist season.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolbiTgfrkmNzM45qXpe0HdQBS3nCqwFWcoEv6J7KW5b-tKCfM4a3zsNZMz23HL-_K386eavJ9m_yh8SK94Frnyf7_gEqFDZ2k3rS6lbp_4lJsFndoJc-lASwK7eVOkAz8am3MSlzmtucb/s1600/2018-12-14+198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolbiTgfrkmNzM45qXpe0HdQBS3nCqwFWcoEv6J7KW5b-tKCfM4a3zsNZMz23HL-_K386eavJ9m_yh8SK94Frnyf7_gEqFDZ2k3rS6lbp_4lJsFndoJc-lASwK7eVOkAz8am3MSlzmtucb/s320/2018-12-14+198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was really glad I'd climbed to the top of the tower and enjoyed the unexpected benefit of the church's art collection but relieved to be back on solid ground <b>and</b> with Steven again.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TZzQRxoReZAl7SYUp95zxVElxwYvW_-YnT-7QIKroVLU5FKxUSGiEYJVYDLnIubXgeO1DM-JKWT0NXxRA-lmeeD2C4rtd8ifY_JG2YBQf9XpnAQo0vSJNKIUJ3NsI4y6yOpM-y_SCRqJ/s1600/2018-12-14+201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TZzQRxoReZAl7SYUp95zxVElxwYvW_-YnT-7QIKroVLU5FKxUSGiEYJVYDLnIubXgeO1DM-JKWT0NXxRA-lmeeD2C4rtd8ifY_JG2YBQf9XpnAQo0vSJNKIUJ3NsI4y6yOpM-y_SCRqJ/s320/2018-12-14+201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Clearly, the area around the church was still in need of funding for restoration as it appeared to be 'shabby chic' to state it in a positive light!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt90RhfKDIXHRDpA6aGiUaPnl4a8yil2zLVj3anpilWrB-sta8YupC0Krip49IV7RpSfoGuZSx_dDUvtX6vO5IoJB5nL2XziBSqG-zvDP8oe72cJW2a5SW5G1byRYFXGhtbdeEQdd2y6Ch/s1600/2018-12-14+202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt90RhfKDIXHRDpA6aGiUaPnl4a8yil2zLVj3anpilWrB-sta8YupC0Krip49IV7RpSfoGuZSx_dDUvtX6vO5IoJB5nL2XziBSqG-zvDP8oe72cJW2a5SW5G1byRYFXGhtbdeEQdd2y6Ch/s320/2018-12-14+202.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, so pretty by contrast was the <b>Jardim da Cordoaria</b> or <b>Ropemakers' Garden</b> in front of the university, named because it had been the site for rope making since the Middle Ages. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj950a1ZFoWKR1D4AS_6Hu2EQVT_36t1gz0vvEk_pXQZmYNiU-FPGCDTxRzEv-FFJBnjnEuyDXIpHsIO0i8vqsL4C2cEPQ_sq4SyGcnXSDoUEOXtjyRiL6pNkT5CuUWaqTxFioONg4Ug1Io/s1600/2018-12-14+205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj950a1ZFoWKR1D4AS_6Hu2EQVT_36t1gz0vvEk_pXQZmYNiU-FPGCDTxRzEv-FFJBnjnEuyDXIpHsIO0i8vqsL4C2cEPQ_sq4SyGcnXSDoUEOXtjyRiL6pNkT5CuUWaqTxFioONg4Ug1Io/s320/2018-12-14+205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDCRJ2Nlkk1Ff2OqEL2-rVa2ONCOSDL39rAvae_gYOfeflvK6A1Lm0Wt5iZ2SCyTOXaUlwbXDjFo-BXsDsHeJWy-zvTteeF5SVX5pEWFToOcODf6ofsziF7FPk01oYv25BuR_MlJvyxku/s1600/2018-12-14+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDCRJ2Nlkk1Ff2OqEL2-rVa2ONCOSDL39rAvae_gYOfeflvK6A1Lm0Wt5iZ2SCyTOXaUlwbXDjFo-BXsDsHeJWy-zvTteeF5SVX5pEWFToOcODf6ofsziF7FPk01oYv25BuR_MlJvyxku/s320/2018-12-14+206.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the site was transformed into a garden in 1865 following a design by a German landscape gardener, it became a popular meeting place until the beginning of the 20th century. I wondered why only until then, however?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6EGgfswSo4h1WUg5rnrpvJ4PWLw9MfacCLFB3kTAl7BfWQQ5ux43ePLOjHNqJXArAMG1PnbgE6A2Haofp7Ih03KfF92uvMkBtjx9-jXiW1w15yzSQzkru6Mc1nCgeWJX3H_appHl5EOb/s1600/2018-12-14+209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6EGgfswSo4h1WUg5rnrpvJ4PWLw9MfacCLFB3kTAl7BfWQQ5ux43ePLOjHNqJXArAMG1PnbgE6A2Haofp7Ih03KfF92uvMkBtjx9-jXiW1w15yzSQzkru6Mc1nCgeWJX3H_appHl5EOb/s320/2018-12-14+209.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We easily found our way back to Carmo Church with the almost impossible to see Hidden House in between! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our Lady of Pain:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus in prayer in Gethsemane:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The High Altar:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found the Carmo's interior less than intriguing or of much interest after just experiencing the much grander Clerigos Church which I found far more appealing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the church <b>Catacombs,</b> we read that, as there were no public municipal cemeteries until the mid 19th century, the Order of Carmo buried its Brothers under the church and in the hospital yard. They were buried in accordance with a certain hierarchy with the High Masters or Priors and the top leaders of the Order in the master chapel; the remaining Brothers were laid to rest up to the entrance of the church. Sisters who held a working position and all other Brothers willing to <b>buy a space</b> could also be buried there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All 140 catacombs could only be used for up to four years - after that, they would have to be bought. A total of 383 Brothers, including 9 High Masters, were buried in the catacombs until 1866. </span><span style="font-size: large;">From 1869 onwards, the Brothers were buried on private grounds acquired by the Order of Carmo in the municipal cemetery. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unlike any other church catacombs we've toured, all we saw was this collection of silver under the church. I didn't know if it were still used in church services or whether it served as the church's history.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you can spot the wafting smoke, rest assured it only came from roasting chestnuts as, after all, twas the Christmas season!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQ_2dkXk3Ip2IHLrojZfG344d5aCBwvOCE7tSzOeaSUVSTF8cowTN6NFKHJI1vtc-1zjfwSyfPIQgZjZ6qc5UICBeKrvOnlvEspxZzxNxUcYRheqMLC9WpSOQogtCEsUl7oCcz-IAT0oL/s1600/2018-12-14+250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQ_2dkXk3Ip2IHLrojZfG344d5aCBwvOCE7tSzOeaSUVSTF8cowTN6NFKHJI1vtc-1zjfwSyfPIQgZjZ6qc5UICBeKrvOnlvEspxZzxNxUcYRheqMLC9WpSOQogtCEsUl7oCcz-IAT0oL/s320/2018-12-14+250.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not quite Rockefeller Square in NYC but people looked like they were having fun ice skating in the chilly evening. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A cute take on a Christmas tree:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What a fun day we'd had beginning to discover a little of what draws millions of tourists a year to Porto and the Douro valley. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> Exploring more of Porto.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on June 8th, 2019, from blustery Grayton Beach State Park in Florida.</i></span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-62552130594487704762019-06-03T09:58:00.001-06:002019-07-19T21:28:02.939-06:0012/13: Coimbra's Holy Queen & Poor Clare Nuns<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>About two months ago </i><i>I returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow that really fun trip, here's a link to the newest blog: </i></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">On our last morning in Coimbra we began our day walking across the <b>Santa Clara Bridge</b> which has been a critical link across the <b>Mondego River</b> since Roman times. The bridge was named for <b>Dom Pedro</b> and <b>Dona Ines</b> known as Portugal's Romeo and Juliet.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Behind Steven was Coimbra's Upper Town with the <b>University of Coimbra</b> at the top.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once on the other side of the river, we began to walk to the <b>Santa Clara-a-Nova Monastery</b> but almost missed this small memorial tucked away in a recess. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you've read the other Coimbra posts, you'll know by now how hilly a town the Old Town and Upper Town were. Huffing and puffing up the steep hills on the left bank of the river at least gave us great views of the entire city!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the canonization of <b>St. Isabel</b> in 1625, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">the New Clares Monastery was begun to be built by order of <b>King Joao IV</b> to provide shelter to the Clarissa nuns of the <b>Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha</b> or <b>Old Clares Monastery.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We entered the church via the <b>Sacristy</b> which seemed rather odd.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I apologize in advance that the following photos are so dark but the church's interior lighting made it difficult to get better shots.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We could see the ceiling had been darkened from centuries of using candles but that attempts had been made to clean part of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A polychrome statue of St. Isabel located by the <b>High Altar.</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">In a great procession in 1677 from the former Monastery, Queen Santa Isabel's remains were moved and placed in a silver tomb in front of the altar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">18th century paintings alluded to the life of Queen Isabela also referred to as the <b>Holy Queen</b> and <b>St. Elizabeth.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We could hear through the church's broken windows that it was raining cats and dogs outside so we decided to take refuge in the church for a while until the rain lessened. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2scinpVQyaHDzHjUAzEbSbyBb0p8YcwAfL51ERq2aO-6wOCaGrBnd5ZNRAjjpmkiHtHUY8-k3BlB12yMqOCkczBCredJXeWCGLsVdA05PKi8q62df_HSE9f5sm9c3alXUbELeREWPMG3/s1600/2018-12-13+027+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2scinpVQyaHDzHjUAzEbSbyBb0p8YcwAfL51ERq2aO-6wOCaGrBnd5ZNRAjjpmkiHtHUY8-k3BlB12yMqOCkczBCredJXeWCGLsVdA05PKi8q62df_HSE9f5sm9c3alXUbELeREWPMG3/s320/2018-12-13+027+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like so many churches in the Iberian Peninsula, this monastery also had an attractive <b>Cloister.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKyI4lnoINiMoLrYf18jthQ3s2b2PShvqL2jfU5kkYiA80IORDBio5PiVL0hfIkvO9FFnS0kI_ImAVJy6t_EDRTgYO3SH4NsbRwdFjfpHoJLGlv7ctn3TRFWlrcou-biBtb_wN-P7eoYr/s1600/2018-12-13+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKyI4lnoINiMoLrYf18jthQ3s2b2PShvqL2jfU5kkYiA80IORDBio5PiVL0hfIkvO9FFnS0kI_ImAVJy6t_EDRTgYO3SH4NsbRwdFjfpHoJLGlv7ctn3TRFWlrcou-biBtb_wN-P7eoYr/s320/2018-12-13+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1eCzrIvD-H4k39KMsqGAbhcoKThRp6gulf4yZnYQHg80ecYm4pNh1zGPmRfZR8xbf5M8S_1B1OXmQWf3KJJuiyr9nJ_cI_7pmqpGN7qNdLNXcRyvE0GuIQ0Fvg6_ulbl20OIObdn5iYP/s1600/2018-12-13+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1eCzrIvD-H4k39KMsqGAbhcoKThRp6gulf4yZnYQHg80ecYm4pNh1zGPmRfZR8xbf5M8S_1B1OXmQWf3KJJuiyr9nJ_cI_7pmqpGN7qNdLNXcRyvE0GuIQ0Fvg6_ulbl20OIObdn5iYP/s320/2018-12-13+038.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8f_K_5Pt5KgDqLZm5S-_eRJh1cs5LtPWrmh-81ahLDcbwzS__T7bnZDfdE581uGLnnGPos8hr42oRNbuXLXy_FOMl_sNbdZbxTYbhcaLpQbqgt9IJtLgYkwG0qr_0CB4RlgmZmqNAfKeG/s1600/2018-12-13+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8f_K_5Pt5KgDqLZm5S-_eRJh1cs5LtPWrmh-81ahLDcbwzS__T7bnZDfdE581uGLnnGPos8hr42oRNbuXLXy_FOMl_sNbdZbxTYbhcaLpQbqgt9IJtLgYkwG0qr_0CB4RlgmZmqNAfKeG/s320/2018-12-13+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdxFvVhhUQ12vLZwCNsOiq7itInzbNJmp3n9Ek5r-_ANTgdXXD-u-tK-YSB5VauLT298d1A4YH7KcYvtnkwtEJ8u5mXKeOv3hyZQHoRlP9dYTfvjdKOcNXz0A-CJT8e00TSn6_p18Xfvl/s1600/2018-12-13+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdxFvVhhUQ12vLZwCNsOiq7itInzbNJmp3n9Ek5r-_ANTgdXXD-u-tK-YSB5VauLT298d1A4YH7KcYvtnkwtEJ8u5mXKeOv3hyZQHoRlP9dYTfvjdKOcNXz0A-CJT8e00TSn6_p18Xfvl/s320/2018-12-13+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the center of the cloister was another statue of St. Isabel.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rzJoeF5OE-nOfOwCTLv_RF7rg9D80n_qCOppAX5yIMu9Wy4Ar7jNhnIG5r5Hoke5D7ZIvCNCWUj4Zbn4JKAL5RUP-IqTM1hiWmHAEWigoROsGU_D8tf9aJ6yowmOKuwp9jgtnmqDDHhP/s1600/2018-12-13+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rzJoeF5OE-nOfOwCTLv_RF7rg9D80n_qCOppAX5yIMu9Wy4Ar7jNhnIG5r5Hoke5D7ZIvCNCWUj4Zbn4JKAL5RUP-IqTM1hiWmHAEWigoROsGU_D8tf9aJ6yowmOKuwp9jgtnmqDDHhP/s320/2018-12-13+035.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gHYgPXnLhTo080KBp-dc5Zs-kQaXcEoO7mYqTHJIXFdPPYT0UlOvbUXzhV2X63UF_MaJw_hSVK-jeQFMyz13HMgcpOnx8l5V2vao77HPeD940d7HZ-XWZ6cNrd8y1ThE_4OI5Dq9Q0Bb/s1600/2018-12-13+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gHYgPXnLhTo080KBp-dc5Zs-kQaXcEoO7mYqTHJIXFdPPYT0UlOvbUXzhV2X63UF_MaJw_hSVK-jeQFMyz13HMgcpOnx8l5V2vao77HPeD940d7HZ-XWZ6cNrd8y1ThE_4OI5Dq9Q0Bb/s320/2018-12-13+032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-eMYe-3yR13lOP_PjDdBPLYe-o73fxl2CqQDxMAmePtq7sLJfqdRHZSVVGd3hzT4BSEqG7daKDIlSmT2EV8ZdCascfJ0INJta4KE1RGHwdOWzeE6OaX05sgQsSsDzmr_MxoGSuQKeIf_/s1600/2018-12-13+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-eMYe-3yR13lOP_PjDdBPLYe-o73fxl2CqQDxMAmePtq7sLJfqdRHZSVVGd3hzT4BSEqG7daKDIlSmT2EV8ZdCascfJ0INJta4KE1RGHwdOWzeE6OaX05sgQsSsDzmr_MxoGSuQKeIf_/s320/2018-12-13+044.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since we'd seen the New Clares Monastery, we figured we might as well see the Old Clares Monastery nearby, too, as long as it didn't rain.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VeyiuZ3gfP0F0JJl9JB3TR-N9Hu-WhrA4MAl6jq9GG7MA9ryy9YUeW37-mYyq_i_PZz0kcX0oP4fLmPYcURpWgVOXL1UrS-JOWWArWHfVpgMdellFqYLJIqjsBn5HXDun2lC42lUFfwO/s1600/2018-12-13+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VeyiuZ3gfP0F0JJl9JB3TR-N9Hu-WhrA4MAl6jq9GG7MA9ryy9YUeW37-mYyq_i_PZz0kcX0oP4fLmPYcURpWgVOXL1UrS-JOWWArWHfVpgMdellFqYLJIqjsBn5HXDun2lC42lUFfwO/s320/2018-12-13+052.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZHXhGAhyphenhyphenUPzUT_7Jsm0K3Cin9Q5xzgEtH4UBTT_-yxvqh0TieXq35q27KYnnAwXvcdDC2sy6qmRNTxUSPCipGEcnfK4IdsipKz3-JgxDhoY-GfI9ZEIeJvHhUuNhis0TY0PfnDvg3BkP/s1600/2018-12-13+054.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZHXhGAhyphenhyphenUPzUT_7Jsm0K3Cin9Q5xzgEtH4UBTT_-yxvqh0TieXq35q27KYnnAwXvcdDC2sy6qmRNTxUSPCipGEcnfK4IdsipKz3-JgxDhoY-GfI9ZEIeJvHhUuNhis0TY0PfnDvg3BkP/s320/2018-12-13+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The monastery's Visitor Center:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWS5eGmPMMAe2iwu3XvB4m3Pvw74N0RAGRCufHpQE5U4F7jfYgmRO07RG1seBiZ2Pjy1zU7GsWB_pOrx4NOAQdFgFCJ9v3i9whczZw3nEwna9QfOyYL_EWF5r28bZCADkcom30MaBMuXif/s1600/2018-12-13+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWS5eGmPMMAe2iwu3XvB4m3Pvw74N0RAGRCufHpQE5U4F7jfYgmRO07RG1seBiZ2Pjy1zU7GsWB_pOrx4NOAQdFgFCJ9v3i9whczZw3nEwna9QfOyYL_EWF5r28bZCADkcom30MaBMuXif/s320/2018-12-13+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In Assisi, Italy, young merchant <b>Francesco Bernadone </b>(1181-1226) renounced his possessions and began preaching, humility and fraternity to all of God's creatures after having had a revelation of Christ. Later known as <b>St. Francis of Assisi,</b> h</span><span style="font-size: large;">is many followers founded the Order of Friars Minor. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJicKEAjLao5ZwQwuD7GbW7Hpbm1LxD2nVF74Fl2CmHpu5b46_KBbx-yOOY2_sMgPZqSfx-V7R3elgAW1J0DQw8Grm56yd33avkz1dNy-tZSr2iPtRGZWtCo8DnXrQp5Qo1NaHN4Zil5c3/s1600/2018-12-13+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJicKEAjLao5ZwQwuD7GbW7Hpbm1LxD2nVF74Fl2CmHpu5b46_KBbx-yOOY2_sMgPZqSfx-V7R3elgAW1J0DQw8Grm56yd33avkz1dNy-tZSr2iPtRGZWtCo8DnXrQp5Qo1NaHN4Zil5c3/s320/2018-12-13+103.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Clara Offreduccio,</b> a noblewoman from Assisi, founded the community of the Poor Sisters. She was the first woman </span><span style="font-size: large;">in the history of the Church </span><span style="font-size: large;">to write in 1253 <b>The Rule </b>which directed the<b> </b>nuns to<b> </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">serve the Lord in poverty and humility. The Rule</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">was recognized by <b>Pope Innocent IV,</b> days before the death of the future saint. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It stipulated that the sisters or nuns take on a vow of poverty, have no possessions and regulated the hours devoted to worship and secular activities.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQJg1IodfDyiidGxxwWiQ9sfRLpSaKh3H5FSAbw5DQ-GyNaLopfnOVyMlED9YRMGcmOZC64hWokFWQI4NzM6du35pjHMOfagkK_JSgD-Rkr2mnlvsfA80hwR5HAw6e5i0S6_-eAQ_9o0w/s1600/2018-12-13+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQJg1IodfDyiidGxxwWiQ9sfRLpSaKh3H5FSAbw5DQ-GyNaLopfnOVyMlED9YRMGcmOZC64hWokFWQI4NzM6du35pjHMOfagkK_JSgD-Rkr2mnlvsfA80hwR5HAw6e5i0S6_-eAQ_9o0w/s320/2018-12-13+102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Second Rule,</b> written by <b>Pope Urban IV</b> in 1263, set out strict procedures to reinforce ecclesiastical discipline for all nuns and the Order. It was adopted by most convents including Santa Clara's and the nuns became known as <b>Poor Clares.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgG21QmewTNiVR6UFwNODEjIpMz9_bcyIA7kCsyL4xdZ0cA-qa9cppmDZ2b-PeWh1AGBr22_1tEvIgy08RYtczld9XB2711Nrr6KnLS3hb_zfl8jnHluU9sz7QTwPdFwXp2xSQLNj3veMw/s1600/2018-12-13+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgG21QmewTNiVR6UFwNODEjIpMz9_bcyIA7kCsyL4xdZ0cA-qa9cppmDZ2b-PeWh1AGBr22_1tEvIgy08RYtczld9XB2711Nrr6KnLS3hb_zfl8jnHluU9sz7QTwPdFwXp2xSQLNj3veMw/s320/2018-12-13+064.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Despite being required to wear the modest Franciscan habit tied with a simple rope whose knots symbolized the vows of poverty, obedience chastity, the Poor Clares of Coimbra </span><span style="font-size: large;">were given permission to wear "colored habits, shoes, shirts and other tailored or specially made garments" by order of <b>Pope Julius II! </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">Despite living in a Franciscan community, the nuns brought their family status into the convent and inscribed their names on their personal items.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaG2P_nsMPVCadDvAyP0CJMeTrnzdIc8PaUsAyjZrLN_BJIwYzAGljn44FGYEP-A09mwsC9_NwLOS3oPbFWQiPo_T90Otj-6H_MeThGz5PQuj4hWJW5Ad4pgheO39LYYthlW2MHqCscWlN/s1600/2018-12-13+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaG2P_nsMPVCadDvAyP0CJMeTrnzdIc8PaUsAyjZrLN_BJIwYzAGljn44FGYEP-A09mwsC9_NwLOS3oPbFWQiPo_T90Otj-6H_MeThGz5PQuj4hWJW5Ad4pgheO39LYYthlW2MHqCscWlN/s320/2018-12-13+079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The presence of foods like coconut, beans, sugar, mustard and pepper that were exotic at the time attested to the community's high social status.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMX5CqK1JvMpG4XUJTKaDMIP-eh5OEZzU5pUVjYujAHSrbDoLlVi1hHSRtGiuhN9_ZHMyTmIbXzwHzZiTGbkYMGQW6zbtxxKdu7zDNchfv3RNdukkvgWHdF4xqj99cB3OJTy9JeXaEVo33/s1600/2018-12-13+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMX5CqK1JvMpG4XUJTKaDMIP-eh5OEZzU5pUVjYujAHSrbDoLlVi1hHSRtGiuhN9_ZHMyTmIbXzwHzZiTGbkYMGQW6zbtxxKdu7zDNchfv3RNdukkvgWHdF4xqj99cB3OJTy9JeXaEVo33/s320/2018-12-13+087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Wine:</b> The Iberian habit of drinking a great deal of water was a consequence of the hot climate and spicy food. However, wine was a regular payment as part of the convent's rents. Many containers for liquids were found in the excavations at Santa Clara such as mugs as well as pitchers with interesting motifs.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EKjx8PDRDCO-3_JM8bE_IcmQuJVO6dZNl320ZqqOJ-m3YqnnJKD2QTfgP-2K6CXjyCkBIgIfjyLaHlh7Jfer4dMqjYlcD-l6fdDM87YV4-3AWU7B2rCu1TF3anh-KTPDrViw_FthNRAF/s1600/2018-12-13+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EKjx8PDRDCO-3_JM8bE_IcmQuJVO6dZNl320ZqqOJ-m3YqnnJKD2QTfgP-2K6CXjyCkBIgIfjyLaHlh7Jfer4dMqjYlcD-l6fdDM87YV4-3AWU7B2rCu1TF3anh-KTPDrViw_FthNRAF/s320/2018-12-13+089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hygiene:</b> Though strict rules dictated how often the sisters could wash themselves, high priced imported aromatic products such as musk were used. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Exhibits depicted other aspects of personal hygiene such as the cleaning of nails, teeth, ears and eyes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Ornaments:</b> Despite the restrictions imposed by the Order prohibiting the wearing of jewelry or makeup, lay sisters and nuns took great care of their appearance in the privacy of their quarters as revealed by the various small perfume bottles and ornaments made of wood, rock, amber and bone on display.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Death to the world:</b> Cloistered life represented death to the world, in the sense that every nun should sever her family ties and from material possessions. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Nuns were also urged to renounce their possessions at the time of their death and not be "concerned about leaving them to their relatives and friends."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dying nuns </span><span style="font-size: large;">and lay sisters </span><span style="font-size: large;">knew they would continue to be part of the community as graves were reserved inside the monastery for them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Burials in the enclosure or closed monastery:</b> I was no longer surprised to read that the proximity of the grave to the sacred was dependent on the social dignity of the deceased. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Some nuns took personal items to their grave, both items related with religious life and small ornaments from their daily lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Enclosure:</b> According to the Rules of St. Clare, the nuns were required to remain in perpetual enclosure. Contacts with the outside world were limited to letters although visitors were allowed at specific times when in the presence of assigned nuns. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The keys and locks were reminders of the prohibition to leave the monastery where closed doors and bars </span><span style="font-size: large;">separated the nuns from the rest of the world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After learning almost more than I ever wanted to know about the Poor Clares - and this was just a condensed version! - we left the visitor center to walk toward the monastery which was built in the 14th century. It had to be abandoned in the 17th century due to frequent floods. The well-preserved Gothic ruins of the monastery were excavated in the late 20th century, more than 300 years after being abandoned by the nuns.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since it was a women's monastic church, the believers entered the church through the side door because of the separation between the worship space and the nuns' choir.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of extreme importance in the convent's life was the nuns' devotion to the Holy Queen. The presence of her body </span><span style="font-size: large;">in the monastery chapel </span><span style="font-size: large;">as well as the miracles attributed to her, drew women to become nuns and pilgrims which represented dowries from the former and donations from the latter to the convent. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ga6KlxMJJoohDRveT0ovV72DyBU1aBKan63x1f71rKdN4dW7gUXaoCo6KTmnY1gAzT1o0jninI02vXtKYGhWc-PvBDYQk6wVbjqVj12ogrcjfaUXBzdEsNmxCgg-UBiB7oUQ4GuLRsdl/s1600/2018-12-13+151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ga6KlxMJJoohDRveT0ovV72DyBU1aBKan63x1f71rKdN4dW7gUXaoCo6KTmnY1gAzT1o0jninI02vXtKYGhWc-PvBDYQk6wVbjqVj12ogrcjfaUXBzdEsNmxCgg-UBiB7oUQ4GuLRsdl/s320/2018-12-13+151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Both contributed to the economic subsistence of the religious community. The devotion to the Queen is still very much alive today as she is the patron saint of Coimbra and therefore the subject of great festivities hosted by the city every two years. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzIL-FCgfV24ChNZ4O9OQijGt3GkuX_n9hORsYcmPqXFC3wxnl-HCRG0GNEUrJ74NOUvISv9tqUQIMeq-CyDV1IVlAkn88avWiHbLz-wdj980F_G3iBvG8cI38TBGGtqeqhn6UB1YQHKr/s1600/2018-12-13+152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzIL-FCgfV24ChNZ4O9OQijGt3GkuX_n9hORsYcmPqXFC3wxnl-HCRG0GNEUrJ74NOUvISv9tqUQIMeq-CyDV1IVlAkn88avWiHbLz-wdj980F_G3iBvG8cI38TBGGtqeqhn6UB1YQHKr/s320/2018-12-13+152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until the recent archaeological excavation, the upper floor was the only one that could be visited as the lower one was permanently flooded. Access was made through a large window!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZvV8g8nGIvQRBPCA_MkIh5XFsa_VtgDKW_6iF6f2AZzM1wn53rd-eXQ0mKCIM_U0I7_cR6mR-z-q6JY3Vgpmsv8fMfVLNKcOMfeLkbV_sI_j3Vcjn3UFFxJ8H6LFdSBXG7b6fyYJK-QY/s1600/2018-12-13+154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZvV8g8nGIvQRBPCA_MkIh5XFsa_VtgDKW_6iF6f2AZzM1wn53rd-eXQ0mKCIM_U0I7_cR6mR-z-q6JY3Vgpmsv8fMfVLNKcOMfeLkbV_sI_j3Vcjn3UFFxJ8H6LFdSBXG7b6fyYJK-QY/s320/2018-12-13+154.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking down on the first floor:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2e290aBZHCIO2Z895WlraE7G91-ulB_Y6ciIirCo3ISmolRzyiw9pUE-PE3ZfqqSVhRJ5E7zgvqzxcFazIVWymvZgvf05m5p0AoVgYUVqUqUEYHz5c4De9XrW_dBuqiAUyVrO2DEogONz/s1600/2018-12-13+156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2e290aBZHCIO2Z895WlraE7G91-ulB_Y6ciIirCo3ISmolRzyiw9pUE-PE3ZfqqSVhRJ5E7zgvqzxcFazIVWymvZgvf05m5p0AoVgYUVqUqUEYHz5c4De9XrW_dBuqiAUyVrO2DEogONz/s320/2018-12-13+156.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was quite spooky walking around the cavernous interior that was still so open to the elements and thus pigeons whom we heard cooing and flying about as we were either lucky or unlucky to be the only ones there!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_a2Y4AAVyFuqsxqlF-3nkHAdiH8J6_KnjkF0jRIBfj42eicS8NKfPU3XurtkNXFeU62-j9uDRHlDKKHkoKCnONbVtIv93hH8lQzFGXl7sUWZybvy1ThgpanpwRxGAKWJHUtrG3peZCWc3/s1600/2018-12-13+164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_a2Y4AAVyFuqsxqlF-3nkHAdiH8J6_KnjkF0jRIBfj42eicS8NKfPU3XurtkNXFeU62-j9uDRHlDKKHkoKCnONbVtIv93hH8lQzFGXl7sUWZybvy1ThgpanpwRxGAKWJHUtrG3peZCWc3/s320/2018-12-13+164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I read the arch was made of stone from the Anca quarries when the process for the canonization of Queen Isabel also known as Queen Elizabeth began. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It was designed to contain the silver and silver sarcophagus holding the body of the Holy Queen that was in the New Clares Monastery we'd just seen.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6y_Jw8TIIEHRzu8pOzAi-rwT3I7Z6_whJEGdSIyBh4W1kWCs-s6i30GjrqK7ylEOBvcabk46Nlv_Wn-Zibmlp8jLKTsTMj9sw1QH4UsSReb9MxzY2ESztvAsj8_WfKNwJ5Bm024DlbJ8/s1600/2018-12-13+167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6y_Jw8TIIEHRzu8pOzAi-rwT3I7Z6_whJEGdSIyBh4W1kWCs-s6i30GjrqK7ylEOBvcabk46Nlv_Wn-Zibmlp8jLKTsTMj9sw1QH4UsSReb9MxzY2ESztvAsj8_WfKNwJ5Bm024DlbJ8/s320/2018-12-13+167.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those with a fear of heights or visiting a 'work in progress' would not have felt comfortable coming here!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLQkU9flHKAN9G-r9oup44xSaCXXDhLUeGERB_deHfO6ic591InRCZjLdMRb_uVwjrZdAWDOdphlOjEnw2Kw0zT-zte4LM-kWkTzBTpZRS5GgECY2r_7_tfPwGjMM-GunmSForJqERM4j/s1600/2018-12-13+169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLQkU9flHKAN9G-r9oup44xSaCXXDhLUeGERB_deHfO6ic591InRCZjLdMRb_uVwjrZdAWDOdphlOjEnw2Kw0zT-zte4LM-kWkTzBTpZRS5GgECY2r_7_tfPwGjMM-GunmSForJqERM4j/s320/2018-12-13+169.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvx7IHYvRWNfYIQSWD9OAond0ozoGcKnKhZtVxoS4eBsR-AhNhxUQD-ByrE0ooRN05gG0LprmG4YFqK32JFfYQ6-Qu1TNirvKUl6hvN1aW4hTSLduPLsi3Gn6zHbHSONTfh5HL7Q7fubYh/s1600/2018-12-13+193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvx7IHYvRWNfYIQSWD9OAond0ozoGcKnKhZtVxoS4eBsR-AhNhxUQD-ByrE0ooRN05gG0LprmG4YFqK32JFfYQ6-Qu1TNirvKUl6hvN1aW4hTSLduPLsi3Gn6zHbHSONTfh5HL7Q7fubYh/s320/2018-12-13+193.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVwpTvoVLM5aK0L8HjQODn3lWJ-syOvWVocENyeurhGiq7HTDii-lDe4neV9r3V4E5Ht5BJhM9XFTMYlbf9EYiWY4HAk9WUFpO_UiYtfLdVNU9fZlIEhOXJyOMXHGUJb8c1-ZHAG6zXqb/s1600/2018-12-13+171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVwpTvoVLM5aK0L8HjQODn3lWJ-syOvWVocENyeurhGiq7HTDii-lDe4neV9r3V4E5Ht5BJhM9XFTMYlbf9EYiWY4HAk9WUFpO_UiYtfLdVNU9fZlIEhOXJyOMXHGUJb8c1-ZHAG6zXqb/s320/2018-12-13+171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8fzDpzZD3RgY3Y191rriG2m90Bfpbljz8cjPHS91Sj9sFVWJ4Ocs0Aut3x0v5hXFCW0Kq_e5w7ESOH6Zi6oH8ZFLd8RVVSQZcb-UDJFqCbOfQ2IYjDjtFMW9W0a6M7bePV80DOt5Ansy/s1600/2018-12-13+178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8fzDpzZD3RgY3Y191rriG2m90Bfpbljz8cjPHS91Sj9sFVWJ4Ocs0Aut3x0v5hXFCW0Kq_e5w7ESOH6Zi6oH8ZFLd8RVVSQZcb-UDJFqCbOfQ2IYjDjtFMW9W0a6M7bePV80DOt5Ansy/s320/2018-12-13+178.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Views toward the <b>Cloister</b> in the foreground and visitor center, the large white building in the top right:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaq761iWOTuYTOxgUCKXA-f-80NYSVyLl-at4kGAAmqJ5q4OsGoExM9mv3J1bnMiW5T1PA_De_nCqj5JJcYm4aqtBcqQa8dRgcVvGB_dNzXGwv0PJ5M2qjwbyVfVDT9YuDr2MLskqVxApF/s1600/2018-12-13+173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaq761iWOTuYTOxgUCKXA-f-80NYSVyLl-at4kGAAmqJ5q4OsGoExM9mv3J1bnMiW5T1PA_De_nCqj5JJcYm4aqtBcqQa8dRgcVvGB_dNzXGwv0PJ5M2qjwbyVfVDT9YuDr2MLskqVxApF/s320/2018-12-13+173.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvmbgiETuMHW_OMawapMa4tCczd0TFMfQ6yODSmFgYbKBuvcHlKaiKZAQ0Sg_-unNjFc2xwXrg7v6Arn2TWaQsi-QF2wh9OynI3LzZqhuiU6Vjm3fJ_uZ7tR0pB3bZmDcO1iYCMu3X6XR/s1600/2018-12-13+176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvmbgiETuMHW_OMawapMa4tCczd0TFMfQ6yODSmFgYbKBuvcHlKaiKZAQ0Sg_-unNjFc2xwXrg7v6Arn2TWaQsi-QF2wh9OynI3LzZqhuiU6Vjm3fJ_uZ7tR0pB3bZmDcO1iYCMu3X6XR/s320/2018-12-13+176.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Cloister was considered as the heart of the monastery as it connected the most important ruins. In addition, its sheltered galleries and courtyard provided areas for meditation, walking and recreation.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGiPQlXtE0cpuX3JdCROw2OsoQbtuB2ZuXR0cnR72ocLlZqrjisXOipz9zaCBemvPJEq2CTXMsWNR5XHiZdC_gBTHm5GbxNKwlnlPn0BOKKTt5R6PnsbFsN6m_yiH1s5U-MnL-MLCtZt8/s1600/2018-12-13+175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGiPQlXtE0cpuX3JdCROw2OsoQbtuB2ZuXR0cnR72ocLlZqrjisXOipz9zaCBemvPJEq2CTXMsWNR5XHiZdC_gBTHm5GbxNKwlnlPn0BOKKTt5R6PnsbFsN6m_yiH1s5U-MnL-MLCtZt8/s320/2018-12-13+175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">New fountains in the Hispano-Arab style with geometric patterns were added to the 14th century structure in the 16th century. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AZJLaqvThLi7hW17iUW7rna-SmEu9nRkRGGlTB5jdsHiNNDCOBxaNQW_xRJ6DlD937l4mbzvHZNw9Uep-C0E7bDmkpWp5SkUhW-nLCNT1zrN55xIDmWoBRhj6oRmD2KWjUlHiAoZm44a/s1600/2018-12-13+174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AZJLaqvThLi7hW17iUW7rna-SmEu9nRkRGGlTB5jdsHiNNDCOBxaNQW_xRJ6DlD937l4mbzvHZNw9Uep-C0E7bDmkpWp5SkUhW-nLCNT1zrN55xIDmWoBRhj6oRmD2KWjUlHiAoZm44a/s320/2018-12-13+174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlGjmqmaZt5noogGhMHqC9hr2kesuGLVlEotsvILHY8AiCpnG9j0X2sCP0h2_dHXwm0_kTxx62AtUiOMZ4-eV2qIp7lAy8pUCo34j250SETLB3eht2DSzCx_e352qrsBogpcPlKyYkoq2/s1600/2018-12-13+187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlGjmqmaZt5noogGhMHqC9hr2kesuGLVlEotsvILHY8AiCpnG9j0X2sCP0h2_dHXwm0_kTxx62AtUiOMZ4-eV2qIp7lAy8pUCo34j250SETLB3eht2DSzCx_e352qrsBogpcPlKyYkoq2/s320/2018-12-13+187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieGcHjXcTf38HV-W8pAEghAj3g6gukcEmGGz4eQNCpaoRelaHLZ5szYyKIOj3iTuyeCrUd_Mrm5zMEZPy2muPZQolIQb0ZkS-yBzKnypjrdPVNWch75nm4JKGg6F6DExpZY_pq5-xvslS/s1600/2018-12-13+188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieGcHjXcTf38HV-W8pAEghAj3g6gukcEmGGz4eQNCpaoRelaHLZ5szYyKIOj3iTuyeCrUd_Mrm5zMEZPy2muPZQolIQb0ZkS-yBzKnypjrdPVNWch75nm4JKGg6F6DExpZY_pq5-xvslS/s320/2018-12-13+188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Due to its proximity to the church, the north gallery was used for burials. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuz_pQQIT0s2Fiq9GJrHrlGRSTZLjNKO8EPjTSzWOcFKsx9hrtcv9lpML4WMeYlhptS_s3iF8CQ3VninIdIHfyCkpb2DmsfUxS4LxcOF5RBQR5pgmR9c8gQoY8cARsNZ0RkWuf3ESjmYP1/s1600/2018-12-13+182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuz_pQQIT0s2Fiq9GJrHrlGRSTZLjNKO8EPjTSzWOcFKsx9hrtcv9lpML4WMeYlhptS_s3iF8CQ3VninIdIHfyCkpb2DmsfUxS4LxcOF5RBQR5pgmR9c8gQoY8cARsNZ0RkWuf3ESjmYP1/s320/2018-12-13+182.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXrjplVRgnpK9HA3TIzwhyphenhyphenBrdoxdl1yg5AvJpRTbTOGM19fKC1XGXPkdIZdU8iTSsaGEyNxSQx_jWLqBmQ1JDuv7w1YjYNhGh_yBgRdpAQIx2wmBStI9KJqD8JQLUKNp8RkPLcVhnNQ_Y/s1600/2018-12-13+183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXrjplVRgnpK9HA3TIzwhyphenhyphenBrdoxdl1yg5AvJpRTbTOGM19fKC1XGXPkdIZdU8iTSsaGEyNxSQx_jWLqBmQ1JDuv7w1YjYNhGh_yBgRdpAQIx2wmBStI9KJqD8JQLUKNp8RkPLcVhnNQ_Y/s320/2018-12-13+183.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With not even a very vivid imagination, we could still imagine seeing nuns walking along these same paths that we trod on centuries later. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A view of the university's <b>Clock Tower</b> that we'd seen yesterday afternoon at the top of Upper Coimbra on the other side of the Mondego River:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since Steven and I have never had the opportunity to tour an absolutely deserted monastery and cloister before, coming to the excellent visitors center and adjacent monastery had been a revelation and a chance to see how the cloistered Poor Clare nuns lived so long ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We strolled across the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Pedro and Ines </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">Pedestrian </b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Bridge </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">back toward the center of Coimbra.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkN8Ym3glroD0PDvGAWR_fB5e0er6mRUwajrdM0Bu73EH_uYrZ_iYxOl-nkNB4b9gxp67kxql2xhnGKhZWD6JPvgGJMBOSILmUmoKQvzGZ4GuKffbK7ffy0t8adduaZj3TjdM-x99VDmP/s1600/2018-12-13+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkN8Ym3glroD0PDvGAWR_fB5e0er6mRUwajrdM0Bu73EH_uYrZ_iYxOl-nkNB4b9gxp67kxql2xhnGKhZWD6JPvgGJMBOSILmUmoKQvzGZ4GuKffbK7ffy0t8adduaZj3TjdM-x99VDmP/s320/2018-12-13+206.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The city looked so pretty bathed in the rainbow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the attractive park by the waterfront was a <b>Serrana Boat,</b> a traditional boat plying the Mondego River.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the sublime to the ridiculous!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyFLN2uXJ77sZYONatxVgkF2i2at37qh6_fS0nEx9fbIZKO_5wZkOVTW-dqY80wWHTb6QFGCSGkuGkyID-j7SkWw1eodl_wsm-tCWB1RYK9YI7pr0l7LbmBYKXCunVu15Ys2YLs8UwBfx/s1600/2018-12-13+353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyFLN2uXJ77sZYONatxVgkF2i2at37qh6_fS0nEx9fbIZKO_5wZkOVTW-dqY80wWHTb6QFGCSGkuGkyID-j7SkWw1eodl_wsm-tCWB1RYK9YI7pr0l7LbmBYKXCunVu15Ys2YLs8UwBfx/s320/2018-12-13+353.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Onto to Porto, our last stop in Portugal.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Posted on June 3rd, 2019, from a three day getaway in </span><span style="font-size: large;">Mobile, Alabama, </span><span style="font-size: large;">from our vacation in the Florida state park. </span></i></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-46833308227481031762019-05-30T19:34:00.000-06:002019-07-19T21:28:02.908-06:0012/12: Marvelous Machado Museum & Roman Ruins in Coimbra<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>About two months ago </i><i>I returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow that really fun trip, here's a link to the newest blog: </i></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For some reason I neglected to take a photo of the exterior of Coimbra's <b>Machado de Castro Museum</b> and <b>Cryptoporticus de Aeminium</b> that was located in an elegant old bishop's palace and had two parts: the vast barren under structure, the Cryptoportico of Aeminium of the </span><span style="font-size: large;">ancient Roman forum on which </span><span style="font-size: large;">the palace was built, and a very large collection of art through the ages.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFWB0cOMQz1H3qSwcNawOm134gel30oN9wEOgednhKbMyg70UGeDMl0BZOTxa50i9rmHyQjAsVJUmzATC3uVgnX8gACEIOhZWXJUxvTjyqWyBFBf5ZGeTlapXG57QRp6xI4RtIuvSnLFZ/s1600/2018-12-12+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFWB0cOMQz1H3qSwcNawOm134gel30oN9wEOgednhKbMyg70UGeDMl0BZOTxa50i9rmHyQjAsVJUmzATC3uVgnX8gACEIOhZWXJUxvTjyqWyBFBf5ZGeTlapXG57QRp6xI4RtIuvSnLFZ/s320/2018-12-12+104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Surely the simplest manger scene ever:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We began by descending the steps to the Roman ruins where we discovered that Aeminium was the Roman city that became Coimbra. Two thousand years ago, the two main streets crossed here which marked the forum. There were substantial foundations of a basilica that dominated the forum which indicated it could have been used in devotions to Rome and the imperial family. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMQW0zl3lRXGanGlaIn8whswLuiu8PhqyGphbsxhPXuyt6OCxnzTZWAHz7pVjxwLqTaErcU81W14vW4Syo-N37SsBOoHKZrTgN7x-XMoxx6Z88g2-7nQjODU8AquoO8H5ABU72gDAQ9vE/s1600/2018-12-12+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMQW0zl3lRXGanGlaIn8whswLuiu8PhqyGphbsxhPXuyt6OCxnzTZWAHz7pVjxwLqTaErcU81W14vW4Syo-N37SsBOoHKZrTgN7x-XMoxx6Z88g2-7nQjODU8AquoO8H5ABU72gDAQ9vE/s320/2018-12-12+114.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 1416, the facade of the cryptoporticus was collapsing so this retaining wall was erected. In the late 1500s, the now two-story </span><span style="font-size: large;">porticoed veranda was constructed on top of it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DTdRb0fB2tKDL0ZZAt2V7vw6Rk1KDI5Y4go_9OpUH_rXmkDP1V1QCEdlMkBrihk60PJhAoU_on97L8CNCf9_YwFwtXNYmZKx6fraJeywCNoRu9z6VGqhxjWvN6fmaY_UfJb9JdCctNDa/s1600/2018-12-12+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DTdRb0fB2tKDL0ZZAt2V7vw6Rk1KDI5Y4go_9OpUH_rXmkDP1V1QCEdlMkBrihk60PJhAoU_on97L8CNCf9_YwFwtXNYmZKx6fraJeywCNoRu9z6VGqhxjWvN6fmaY_UfJb9JdCctNDa/s320/2018-12-12+116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIX46qOn5-3wjMM1_EwPASLeI2LFXNoSZfv0Z0nfuMBiUtLX1ziF9XJSmnNV4MtaZoSIlJKoVNGYsit-P-bsZ3wUipixrCDZsIq39t2A5csh_w0WUuMRZGBaZ8DCPrf_bEd-5Eh1C4t0DU/s1600/2018-12-12+120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIX46qOn5-3wjMM1_EwPASLeI2LFXNoSZfv0Z0nfuMBiUtLX1ziF9XJSmnNV4MtaZoSIlJKoVNGYsit-P-bsZ3wUipixrCDZsIq39t2A5csh_w0WUuMRZGBaZ8DCPrf_bEd-5Eh1C4t0DU/s320/2018-12-12+120.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">During the 2nd century, the upper part of this stone tablet was used as offerings to the gods to guarantee their protection. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGmJjbLyQvUN4EnHS5v81dGI4OcMK0QAQLz4OEayEAuFSJPSgRUEUTHHBkxANEC-JtC39dJlXw-i7e0F7SMyLYBMHXukIX8eM6MQrAxRMd2UFO1_sStqwPhvAo522XmNxdXj4QyurHFE8/s1600/2018-12-12+123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGmJjbLyQvUN4EnHS5v81dGI4OcMK0QAQLz4OEayEAuFSJPSgRUEUTHHBkxANEC-JtC39dJlXw-i7e0F7SMyLYBMHXukIX8eM6MQrAxRMd2UFO1_sStqwPhvAo522XmNxdXj4QyurHFE8/s320/2018-12-12+123.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdg-f5dFdKPc__wRUHPq5nhOaiblGaiCUru5jNZkwx7b7ti3vR-qOf8iWd3OFoCpcd_UYWJWtAr-MtOjLd4k-HHY-R8zUnAjH9i8LM5_HAqq-li5sVVUlBqWPFWuK4kDdjCmzdYS775XNW/s1600/2018-12-12+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdg-f5dFdKPc__wRUHPq5nhOaiblGaiCUru5jNZkwx7b7ti3vR-qOf8iWd3OFoCpcd_UYWJWtAr-MtOjLd4k-HHY-R8zUnAjH9i8LM5_HAqq-li5sVVUlBqWPFWuK4kDdjCmzdYS775XNW/s320/2018-12-12+121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The pillar from 39 AD was like a mile marker as there was an inscription carved on the stone that marked the distance to Aeminium and thereby confirmed the statues of the city as a capital of a political and administrative district. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKShehkenV2qxOa2B97HELOMZ2wipvjdG7EQ7tPsuqpZr-fu_K4Is0bE7ZKXHhxciF6ZZOE_Qf3GFoJMzdmP41eeDdzpAsJtMqUZ6D4kbiwWrPc9gIr_jb46pss0-AE9z1zgZ6UkiER9a/s1600/2018-12-12+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKShehkenV2qxOa2B97HELOMZ2wipvjdG7EQ7tPsuqpZr-fu_K4Is0bE7ZKXHhxciF6ZZOE_Qf3GFoJMzdmP41eeDdzpAsJtMqUZ6D4kbiwWrPc9gIr_jb46pss0-AE9z1zgZ6UkiER9a/s320/2018-12-12+126.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In Roman times, the stairs connected the two stories of the cryptoporticus with the forum. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrc310W6mZI7FiNVyKdrg0npRxAjeQMbdk1C732d0sBClWP89b15epqci2f0Dh1BEfRUsSsAQ34Wdf6mtVP2WDX7y9YIIeRoAkjaKfuk4mRr_lTUcmjtanb7Eqw7T1qll0RrsBwRDbneF/s1600/2018-12-12+131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrc310W6mZI7FiNVyKdrg0npRxAjeQMbdk1C732d0sBClWP89b15epqci2f0Dh1BEfRUsSsAQ34Wdf6mtVP2WDX7y9YIIeRoAkjaKfuk4mRr_lTUcmjtanb7Eqw7T1qll0RrsBwRDbneF/s320/2018-12-12+131.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ventilation was provided by the window at the far end and the holes near the top all along the gallery.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgabTrs_kd43JHw3e4I44e8QUN_J2bLhYTOJdtServx9RVbrL4l8mg4QRpV4Fy_3cgSkK1Od3po5N7__w2wBBdkJRMJqqOlUqg2XTK4luZEdtXf6Q6EOv0dl_nWg5MZwcwNnlcx2RNTuv_/s1600/2018-12-12+132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgabTrs_kd43JHw3e4I44e8QUN_J2bLhYTOJdtServx9RVbrL4l8mg4QRpV4Fy_3cgSkK1Od3po5N7__w2wBBdkJRMJqqOlUqg2XTK4luZEdtXf6Q6EOv0dl_nWg5MZwcwNnlcx2RNTuv_/s320/2018-12-12+132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9FFqDbGu5SURS9sh6wMGjZcYZXV-S8QtStUKEGVh_x2MY-74Xfv6B8uihf4OSncrc8_6YE8jKlXbbAe3fbzTo3ElsiP0BL3cac4WGtVkVSeWOX-e4l-XreSIOEj1PG9Ayrq9pSA3IFbx/s1600/2018-12-12+134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9FFqDbGu5SURS9sh6wMGjZcYZXV-S8QtStUKEGVh_x2MY-74Xfv6B8uihf4OSncrc8_6YE8jKlXbbAe3fbzTo3ElsiP0BL3cac4WGtVkVSeWOX-e4l-XreSIOEj1PG9Ayrq9pSA3IFbx/s320/2018-12-12+134.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Roman tombstones contained the bodies of people of high social status, including the veiled <b>Livia,</b> the wife of <b>Emperor Augustus,</b> who was also represented on a coin struck in 22 AD. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0o8Bn71UuMa5yf4A4XjM0jmYf1dQAlufZdwtLTa_6_2l5jFvBCnAM-JGmcn9xhv16Rp2WyaMfzjXZXUyus5AzPr8wU88w3Ml1fnel0pOhJf6B6B4CskCOWDnwgs9_sr0i23DFHD1rYmsH/s1600/2018-12-12+138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0o8Bn71UuMa5yf4A4XjM0jmYf1dQAlufZdwtLTa_6_2l5jFvBCnAM-JGmcn9xhv16Rp2WyaMfzjXZXUyus5AzPr8wU88w3Ml1fnel0pOhJf6B6B4CskCOWDnwgs9_sr0i23DFHD1rYmsH/s320/2018-12-12+138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aTw0IxHVyQUBqsmQkqOX3e0IPy9sPoicqluNGLuuWwJ6878v3x23rCRmpV1OOY5iF8XxtS-o_d2gSaZRdxfQfqqyIWEF8z_VDTVfkf6E2UlLtLsRqYH0Omtr5vGPZ8ti_v4g-jfDQdvk/s1600/2018-12-12+139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aTw0IxHVyQUBqsmQkqOX3e0IPy9sPoicqluNGLuuWwJ6878v3x23rCRmpV1OOY5iF8XxtS-o_d2gSaZRdxfQfqqyIWEF8z_VDTVfkf6E2UlLtLsRqYH0Omtr5vGPZ8ti_v4g-jfDQdvk/s320/2018-12-12+139.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The portrait of Livia was done about 30 AD.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaT1R93w37gSRIsmC0etfQrHb1VdDovv7It_manHGJUe4aKYAHnKYnUyOfJdV72m2UtmgPY5y2AT_Tnj_9hBZEoEsTfk3z-PsfGXwiFc9aq64G9U0JS7BJstry5BUr0Q4N_5okmCZTt2v_/s1600/2018-12-12+143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaT1R93w37gSRIsmC0etfQrHb1VdDovv7It_manHGJUe4aKYAHnKYnUyOfJdV72m2UtmgPY5y2AT_Tnj_9hBZEoEsTfk3z-PsfGXwiFc9aq64G9U0JS7BJstry5BUr0Q4N_5okmCZTt2v_/s320/2018-12-12+143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The statue head was of <b>Agrippa the Elder</b> who was the granddaughter of Augustus and the grandmother of <b>Nero.</b> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QOSZYBLqRzjU3ACmayM9YfsrtER2EMO0DPC11OPzxdTzlJA4y0d1OVvv8I6M0whBIjmOlmqvTGPLGBpgPXJdjrK4Ip6uHGdSFBwZYKKzhGNbqYr2wH8s1BcCeL9KGOFl1hC4p9GknboL/s1600/2018-12-12+146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QOSZYBLqRzjU3ACmayM9YfsrtER2EMO0DPC11OPzxdTzlJA4y0d1OVvv8I6M0whBIjmOlmqvTGPLGBpgPXJdjrK4Ip6uHGdSFBwZYKKzhGNbqYr2wH8s1BcCeL9KGOFl1hC4p9GknboL/s320/2018-12-12+146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the fall of the Roman Empire in the West, the Iberian Peninsula experienced many waves of invaders. The first of these came from central Europe while later ones came from the Mediterranean basin and North Africa. As a result of these invasions, differing artistic and religious traditions were introduced which led to a hybrid art style called Pre-Romanesque being created. </span><span style="font-size: large;">These <b>capitals</b> were from the 9th to the 12th centuries. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3VCdywATovIGg5XfD0YUAZQQKreaXB-wACa3eJ7u_6aMLAVVGVkw4kSAnGdE1Pf5-UyUqXJapT38kp9bOFrSeoS-bdaIGQ20kA7yTc6oiwdvWFKs27vEpmos42XuAMorvg6yotvgCaBQ/s1600/2018-12-12+153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3VCdywATovIGg5XfD0YUAZQQKreaXB-wACa3eJ7u_6aMLAVVGVkw4kSAnGdE1Pf5-UyUqXJapT38kp9bOFrSeoS-bdaIGQ20kA7yTc6oiwdvWFKs27vEpmos42XuAMorvg6yotvgCaBQ/s320/2018-12-12+153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM24cMlWCsuhyphenhyphen4mM-9Upkv1Tff9i9p2Cci5XrgucB5SzE_b-uasfiJsvjN6TbUMpJB1ChNTZ_N933JA-X7RKsGQUaiIAfFt9vJnP_gTna-C8qWBbupFXE0QvVfQEGflQq5nPaRwma8n6Zc/s1600/2018-12-12+154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM24cMlWCsuhyphenhyphen4mM-9Upkv1Tff9i9p2Cci5XrgucB5SzE_b-uasfiJsvjN6TbUMpJB1ChNTZ_N933JA-X7RKsGQUaiIAfFt9vJnP_gTna-C8qWBbupFXE0QvVfQEGflQq5nPaRwma8n6Zc/s320/2018-12-12+154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsAtJTNFD6fxC3jaTY5_u20bOpKafHSn1jMxPcXqA1dzB_ys5VpAdckmBvSDPuRfF-05lVf8SCnYhd9lXcWbxFFhLNQmaPH5l4ffI6RHJ_R8W8m7bkiSYYrekjlHRHqZddU962kKtnfQj/s1600/2018-12-12+155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsAtJTNFD6fxC3jaTY5_u20bOpKafHSn1jMxPcXqA1dzB_ys5VpAdckmBvSDPuRfF-05lVf8SCnYhd9lXcWbxFFhLNQmaPH5l4ffI6RHJ_R8W8m7bkiSYYrekjlHRHqZddU962kKtnfQj/s320/2018-12-12+155.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By the 12th century, Coimbra had established itself as a major center of administrative, economic, cultural, religious, military and political power and thus the true heart of the emerging Portuguese nation. The city's monasteries and churches would have stood out from the mass of buildings. Built from the ground up or rebuilt in the Romanesque style of architecture which served the new liturgy of the Roman church. This was the period that saw the building of the Church of Santa Cruz that we'd seen earlier as well as so many other churches built outside the city walls.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Romanesque capitals:</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqc5mcYF822R5UJwkFufPvpNaAutourZq5HFPB58ZtkqjvKFVtRhaCkotdkzHEKMeUISG32P7aGUbjN-T7v3_LzN-9ryWoR2RsVhK_zdB452QnNBCHr7YECgZnXa_ZxZflQeamoeaem4W/s1600/2018-12-12+165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqc5mcYF822R5UJwkFufPvpNaAutourZq5HFPB58ZtkqjvKFVtRhaCkotdkzHEKMeUISG32P7aGUbjN-T7v3_LzN-9ryWoR2RsVhK_zdB452QnNBCHr7YECgZnXa_ZxZflQeamoeaem4W/s320/2018-12-12+165.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ffoyZ57ybADZfhlmWeeerz3Q1hJJK87BTijHKZg2hiUsUUmhYM3cFheKVZE7IcisB2rzyQxNtnvy9o_OetIDbBARuYeERxc7seTc3LDEha9FNSFRyzSzRUypHf-ef4Yqw-MNHHD9smLS/s1600/2018-12-12+166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ffoyZ57ybADZfhlmWeeerz3Q1hJJK87BTijHKZg2hiUsUUmhYM3cFheKVZE7IcisB2rzyQxNtnvy9o_OetIDbBARuYeERxc7seTc3LDEha9FNSFRyzSzRUypHf-ef4Yqw-MNHHD9smLS/s320/2018-12-12+166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyou3xEa4rWYy10ZByEqeCL7Sj5HjxIpSgfVJ5iIwSv84Oro6df9MR6DLNDQViGAk6v1tABiK0UwNUpbKf7DlJMfxGXt0WA9ZvM2tKqAJW1_67QlvUk0wROzMJoLOEgZTsB6WFa5LWIjUm/s1600/2018-12-12+168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyou3xEa4rWYy10ZByEqeCL7Sj5HjxIpSgfVJ5iIwSv84Oro6df9MR6DLNDQViGAk6v1tABiK0UwNUpbKf7DlJMfxGXt0WA9ZvM2tKqAJW1_67QlvUk0wROzMJoLOEgZTsB6WFa5LWIjUm/s320/2018-12-12+168.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Mozarbic-influenced panel of the <i>Paschal Lamb,</i> possibly used as an altar front at the end of the 12th century, was considered as a masterpiece of the Coimbra Romanesque school.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlkg_eV_qW1eJFuma8l7BAVltY0aOd1V1_M62tEeZcELCEFv8pH6MmAwJXU1b1Gubi8PbtcbnGkULFhS-mZddpNDet5R8nmp7wbYSg9R4NyTPf6q269o-3JmUUoJsg9WaP9c1Uc7F_Ops/s1600/2018-12-12+177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlkg_eV_qW1eJFuma8l7BAVltY0aOd1V1_M62tEeZcELCEFv8pH6MmAwJXU1b1Gubi8PbtcbnGkULFhS-mZddpNDet5R8nmp7wbYSg9R4NyTPf6q269o-3JmUUoJsg9WaP9c1Uc7F_Ops/s320/2018-12-12+177.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The sculpture of the human form was very rare in the Portuguese Romanesque. The only known examples were from the 12th century. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNxkkL0uq03sVMLAyOoUmgQ9U4MH96vWF_PxvsdgpSiGuq9HTKmNpf3_ZiDknbyu1sH1X7gWzyns2O67T_ckPgXw5Hhu9nzjuUnw2JNS7eLYx5AuZLswEHiV7w59j_3f6iJkOzwklXvTQ/s1600/2018-12-12+181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNxkkL0uq03sVMLAyOoUmgQ9U4MH96vWF_PxvsdgpSiGuq9HTKmNpf3_ZiDknbyu1sH1X7gWzyns2O67T_ckPgXw5Hhu9nzjuUnw2JNS7eLYx5AuZLswEHiV7w59j_3f6iJkOzwklXvTQ/s320/2018-12-12+181.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRyk2Tqwp3ro8pZiogAYm4bFVPS3ElpQ-rN9k5yenETlx5g9ipFOZ6eGbTOQnLCF7wcWBmmJXTnd0SHLLRnX_X2YWYrvL7-RgT1auV7Hym_vvKt9jTonrB01DzILrPCz3f7rcCMUbs87T/s1600/2018-12-12+175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRyk2Tqwp3ro8pZiogAYm4bFVPS3ElpQ-rN9k5yenETlx5g9ipFOZ6eGbTOQnLCF7wcWBmmJXTnd0SHLLRnX_X2YWYrvL7-RgT1auV7Hym_vvKt9jTonrB01DzILrPCz3f7rcCMUbs87T/s320/2018-12-12+175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The remains of this incomplete <b>Cloister,</b> a rare example of the first phase of Romanesque architecture in Portugal, were discovered here in the 1930s and excavated.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eQFMt6FO8j9eDGQzwooVL9XcsZqWtdk3sc3pX1Z0uICXcI9fnSNgexIxy3w7ra0aTHuQXP-YnoQR35zJp4c7CoxMbVJXuUl09_nNA3rf5aHZ6kDM3FzyA1_LCaxD0OUYTEUWNAxMTNCy/s1600/2018-12-12+186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eQFMt6FO8j9eDGQzwooVL9XcsZqWtdk3sc3pX1Z0uICXcI9fnSNgexIxy3w7ra0aTHuQXP-YnoQR35zJp4c7CoxMbVJXuUl09_nNA3rf5aHZ6kDM3FzyA1_LCaxD0OUYTEUWNAxMTNCy/s320/2018-12-12+186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoKMdihIUvTZOF590iSlK1LcKVCS4S1wGbB8PlzJ5yGLtffBjPEPUD-N6tk5STMSvt9mI1GKGmL4d0tlTLtqY8l72nY_9iEf5urIO4EuUk9icrbDZFw5IPS_cvz5uHYE0RFhvplxhKP4R/s1600/2018-12-12+176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoKMdihIUvTZOF590iSlK1LcKVCS4S1wGbB8PlzJ5yGLtffBjPEPUD-N6tk5STMSvt9mI1GKGmL4d0tlTLtqY8l72nY_9iEf5urIO4EuUk9icrbDZFw5IPS_cvz5uHYE0RFhvplxhKP4R/s320/2018-12-12+176.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kQR8zCoMDHEI5tL6PI7eoMagttE9n6GqOaEhWQyxFYczfnO5E0JCCUZRDgYbLipJXbILiKj0dkqD9Y905d1MKFAQSojKgF-XhYaW4bddh1k1IATBUAYvEqZTylFFh94xIqaj4th6o5VI/s1600/2018-12-12+188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kQR8zCoMDHEI5tL6PI7eoMagttE9n6GqOaEhWQyxFYczfnO5E0JCCUZRDgYbLipJXbILiKj0dkqD9Y905d1MKFAQSojKgF-XhYaW4bddh1k1IATBUAYvEqZTylFFh94xIqaj4th6o5VI/s320/2018-12-12+188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Gothic Workshops of Coimbra:</b> The custom of interring prelates and nobles with recumbent effigies of the deceased in the interior of a church made a fundamental contribution to the development of sculpture from the middle of the 13th century onwards. Funerary inscriptions embellished with carving in bas-relief, which were placed on </span><span style="font-size: large;">walls inside chapels and churches were only common in Coimbra and at their most common in the 14th century. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbmtCrUgijc3r39x6i_Qv1kjcvv3a9mPHO-uOhfScJqeK2yxuJv-1UWT_fn-GT84K00FpXYYC4xgKGGvDr7OZ3WDGdkHOw0b944P-6htAJ7S3yf9_G94PfR2zqjJ_BGiNLpqdhvqL8TIm/s1600/2018-12-12+189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbmtCrUgijc3r39x6i_Qv1kjcvv3a9mPHO-uOhfScJqeK2yxuJv-1UWT_fn-GT84K00FpXYYC4xgKGGvDr7OZ3WDGdkHOw0b944P-6htAJ7S3yf9_G94PfR2zqjJ_BGiNLpqdhvqL8TIm/s320/2018-12-12+189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAGvyTQCoLSPYyG82hHDmdgM3aV9bVoh-52S-u71ta6ERjkd2OztCaP5pqpk2_149fI5Hn5ikkQbzV2hJWI736eg7CxTVo6gUyTQjb1ZeXFiybNR5Ac8w4AVi0MvU3gcC8hVz5weGyVVo/s1600/2018-12-12+193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAGvyTQCoLSPYyG82hHDmdgM3aV9bVoh-52S-u71ta6ERjkd2OztCaP5pqpk2_149fI5Hn5ikkQbzV2hJWI736eg7CxTVo6gUyTQjb1ZeXFiybNR5Ac8w4AVi0MvU3gcC8hVz5weGyVVo/s320/2018-12-12+193.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the museum's most famous pieces was this magnificent <i>Medieval Knight.</i><b> </b>Carved in the 14th century, it exalted both military and religious values and inspired medieval society. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqV1eeSpriSJAGT1zvDGRjtgKGivjLpezNoH2dvCPFX3TXXQOFZPdG3mWzk_oQi-WiO6I02_ki9_VC_L2FEb_vQ-ESbGbeYiddhAWZQE9ULcARSxsHO_PdiwFEbaqogOYYCCSpHbJQPbj/s1600/2018-12-12+195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqV1eeSpriSJAGT1zvDGRjtgKGivjLpezNoH2dvCPFX3TXXQOFZPdG3mWzk_oQi-WiO6I02_ki9_VC_L2FEb_vQ-ESbGbeYiddhAWZQE9ULcARSxsHO_PdiwFEbaqogOYYCCSpHbJQPbj/s320/2018-12-12+195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was only the second time we'd seen a version of <i>Our Lady the Expectant.</i> Her enormous hands rested on her abdomen in a case of realism.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YGf2yEnQQmaTy1PWAh1_QouNasnTT0G_toPxUs_qT92SaqlRQ-sauj5lklquIbYkjrSjCwSpW2vaIanzVycC7IpvKK3yKF-YN9Ejiiy8BH5Tw1Bo0v39zWls-Ih0o7YfC1u1c3NU23sB/s1600/2018-12-12+199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YGf2yEnQQmaTy1PWAh1_QouNasnTT0G_toPxUs_qT92SaqlRQ-sauj5lklquIbYkjrSjCwSpW2vaIanzVycC7IpvKK3yKF-YN9Ejiiy8BH5Tw1Bo0v39zWls-Ih0o7YfC1u1c3NU23sB/s320/2018-12-12+199.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Alabaster's</b> porous nature made it easy to paint and gild. During the 14th century, the easily carved and carved material gave rise to a flourishing industry in Nottingham, England, where there were extensive deposits of the best alabasters. The production of sculpted images, tombs, panels and altars reached a level of artistic quality that soon spread all over Europe. The subjects depicted were exclusively religious ones. The following pieces were executed between 1380 and 1450.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39l_Etru8DXLC1hli_Nn06tKWSHAQuD39D1HI7BW7KKuJD5-dUJxktACO2Qa_4q8hHn2U9d1iZQqM8eJ9uWmslIRq_sSXrUkBCsESbnwo_qt63wzAk2DfdUiyq4Ai2L-ZxwocQk9nQkma/s1600/2018-12-12+205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39l_Etru8DXLC1hli_Nn06tKWSHAQuD39D1HI7BW7KKuJD5-dUJxktACO2Qa_4q8hHn2U9d1iZQqM8eJ9uWmslIRq_sSXrUkBCsESbnwo_qt63wzAk2DfdUiyq4Ai2L-ZxwocQk9nQkma/s320/2018-12-12+205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbw8lMt9K1AkiavvoJ6X9XST98B50qifW5B8-Ow53T2hjMqsNTvQEH6nQSKKeLtomRdVUn2YZFN1ZilDAkXlgP82oXgQS6Yj2625LEYbqEnRZznz9DtmWdQduS1dSrikvilcmxq5-bByhF/s1600/2018-12-12+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbw8lMt9K1AkiavvoJ6X9XST98B50qifW5B8-Ow53T2hjMqsNTvQEH6nQSKKeLtomRdVUn2YZFN1ZilDAkXlgP82oXgQS6Yj2625LEYbqEnRZznz9DtmWdQduS1dSrikvilcmxq5-bByhF/s320/2018-12-12+206.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the first few years of the 16th century, Coimbra was a place where the paths of Flemish, German, French and Spanish artists all crossed, together with the different artistic styles they brought with them. For local sculptors it was a difficult choice between tradition and innovation. However, French influence soon dominated during the Renaissance with the move of important sculptors from France. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwZp3RNUwVYGjB6dZGs57p90DPXzpr1Ou0c9rKRFOYt9zH_bYwhkHBGaPKFhWVCm7iWm7OwIQOsNU8p1VKmBKM7n4K30SNZCQxHJokBTV-IVBIpFx04gUSZ6aOshjQp3NntdqFcx_VqW0/s1600/2018-12-12+210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwZp3RNUwVYGjB6dZGs57p90DPXzpr1Ou0c9rKRFOYt9zH_bYwhkHBGaPKFhWVCm7iWm7OwIQOsNU8p1VKmBKM7n4K30SNZCQxHJokBTV-IVBIpFx04gUSZ6aOshjQp3NntdqFcx_VqW0/s320/2018-12-12+210.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Museum notes described the humility of the raised gaze of the <i>Virgin of the Annunciation</i> </span><span style="font-size: large;">and her right hand showed her surprise that she'd been chosen to be the mother of God. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDLc25XVWM6cD11WCghHHzb9VSYPkdyaWb00cguBTlY82wDi3DCos9QN9fDY177IME6NVFxE_gRVpMeConWs3xXLhoLGebx403oQn67iiC88pnv3Wc-KQSB5FaBpWBNx9xdEWKiNWys1k/s1600/2018-12-12+211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDLc25XVWM6cD11WCghHHzb9VSYPkdyaWb00cguBTlY82wDi3DCos9QN9fDY177IME6NVFxE_gRVpMeConWs3xXLhoLGebx403oQn67iiC88pnv3Wc-KQSB5FaBpWBNx9xdEWKiNWys1k/s320/2018-12-12+211.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the museum highlights was the 14th century </span><span style="font-size: large;">wooden sculpture called </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Cristo Negro</i> depicted as a spindly armed, crucified Jesus. Until a decade ago, when this statue was cleaned and the candle soot was removed, it was considered to be a portrait of a black Christ. Imagine the power this dramatic statue must have had in the 14th century.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTOIyRUdsNVqsvi1BqGPYhfO7N_ADYP7hC83iUUeCeNjfFVTap3SgdiI6-OWhh_J_XI0Oku7X_gBM6jsKCpIcYMd_QWGneYHuf-Fn-Wb_Jkxrkjy4mxK_eSJ8zNscqitGq3_8kU7lZoZD/s1600/2018-12-12+216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTOIyRUdsNVqsvi1BqGPYhfO7N_ADYP7hC83iUUeCeNjfFVTap3SgdiI6-OWhh_J_XI0Oku7X_gBM6jsKCpIcYMd_QWGneYHuf-Fn-Wb_Jkxrkjy4mxK_eSJ8zNscqitGq3_8kU7lZoZD/s320/2018-12-12+216.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What I think was the single most largest and most impressive sight I can ever remember seeing in any museum was this Renaissance <i>Treasurer's Chapel</i> that formed part of the apse of the church of the <b>Convent of Santo Domingos</b> which was dismantled in 1963. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The chapel, dedicated to <b>Our Lady of the Assumption, </b>was a monumental work in the international Mannerist style that was common when it was built between 1553 and 1564. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Reconstruction of the chapel took place in what had been the internal patio of this museum.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTJnS7cx-JNs4ZXltU4Z2BJzkruMhJPvEIg5sIgUy2DfuQXpUcgCIEONyNlUUycWjeKSKbXHTHO6-lHsqVMr528USRBn3cfYojfONVkjCKTCHfgUizsTKf4_X9mSnsCZSeBST1wuNBYZe/s1600/2018-12-12+218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTJnS7cx-JNs4ZXltU4Z2BJzkruMhJPvEIg5sIgUy2DfuQXpUcgCIEONyNlUUycWjeKSKbXHTHO6-lHsqVMr528USRBn3cfYojfONVkjCKTCHfgUizsTKf4_X9mSnsCZSeBST1wuNBYZe/s320/2018-12-12+218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The upper panel showed the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> Coronation of the Virgin </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">flanked by Saints Peter and Paul in the niches.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEKLzhzyvAldd0LPWDqLqcaOf9lHDc0TFa_QTUR_5Pr-8x1c7jbWwdxPbPxl-FV70yG4S-FqPTzfqLvlqO7lnFG5HW5mrdZY8L1tQwQdJQUxJvSbonUHLLZ4lvovPePUSQZKLGzJPgv8r/s1600/2018-12-12+225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEKLzhzyvAldd0LPWDqLqcaOf9lHDc0TFa_QTUR_5Pr-8x1c7jbWwdxPbPxl-FV70yG4S-FqPTzfqLvlqO7lnFG5HW5mrdZY8L1tQwQdJQUxJvSbonUHLLZ4lvovPePUSQZKLGzJPgv8r/s320/2018-12-12+225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJXoQH8hx7BSFJlmEL86yLoGKmT2Cr1viujKB5q0IGqH1M3Eovffbuphqy2mI4smVH4hN_K4zZG3zrR0-B6p8GXXOTSQi_5hlIvi31Eu3vX_dAaNKowS0oVq9TL3prfiYBahLKEqJZ4E9/s1600/2018-12-12+230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJXoQH8hx7BSFJlmEL86yLoGKmT2Cr1viujKB5q0IGqH1M3Eovffbuphqy2mI4smVH4hN_K4zZG3zrR0-B6p8GXXOTSQi_5hlIvi31Eu3vX_dAaNKowS0oVq9TL3prfiYBahLKEqJZ4E9/s320/2018-12-12+230.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The large central panel showed the unfortunately headless </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">apostles who were present at the Assumption.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouOQByWlXDrOPg9K8KGNjVsHHz-19FQZdXpDnwAbsVvHgq84Wf-8f_v_VDQ-gXjlEP9ip1i8QQyrR2VWD872HyQHRNQe5nS-iSJO7QM-ofHTKixamCu_Y42c8zOuPHrY5gjkvu8jWCTVx/s1600/2018-12-12+226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouOQByWlXDrOPg9K8KGNjVsHHz-19FQZdXpDnwAbsVvHgq84Wf-8f_v_VDQ-gXjlEP9ip1i8QQyrR2VWD872HyQHRNQe5nS-iSJO7QM-ofHTKixamCu_Y42c8zOuPHrY5gjkvu8jWCTVx/s320/2018-12-12+226.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the court at the bottom was<b> </b><i>Christ Tied to the Column</i><b> </b>with<b> </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Mary Magdalene</i></span><b style="font-size: x-large;"> </b><span style="font-size: large;">in the background.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5TTjXEAm6BnXtJRsDd6fWL7rf6zUYU-umWOYkHJ8Lba29EW69GlL2eq-mlst5RZewXPQD8orGNxeN4Gx8H4qHHnR2_-LJK3tNBxu6qbO_8SLJN8FMuy4PRvBU5jOUWTAtUaDLJGuWhyC/s1600/2018-12-12+223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5TTjXEAm6BnXtJRsDd6fWL7rf6zUYU-umWOYkHJ8Lba29EW69GlL2eq-mlst5RZewXPQD8orGNxeN4Gx8H4qHHnR2_-LJK3tNBxu6qbO_8SLJN8FMuy4PRvBU5jOUWTAtUaDLJGuWhyC/s320/2018-12-12+223.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you <b>ever</b> have a chance to visit Coimbra, I can only recommend you run, not walk to the Machado de Castro Museum so you can also delight in this stunning chapel that was thankfully not lost for future generations to see when its church was torn down.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptbDZWtFImTIaukTL1tpnIJ127J5Ha8Wqv_TfRk7fkN7FX-lHNslzsHB_TdO-1CwVo2fQVLpun5m_Gj7U6SjRDhDqg-kamuaKly5AU_2OZH-DvvmdDP6oRul0TPMfNqyyLZv22Udnw4WN/s1600/2018-12-12+221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptbDZWtFImTIaukTL1tpnIJ127J5Ha8Wqv_TfRk7fkN7FX-lHNslzsHB_TdO-1CwVo2fQVLpun5m_Gj7U6SjRDhDqg-kamuaKly5AU_2OZH-DvvmdDP6oRul0TPMfNqyyLZv22Udnw4WN/s320/2018-12-12+221.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The production of large <b>terracotta sculptures</b> was well documented from the middle of the 17th century and, by the end of the 18th century, such large figures were found in the Stations of the Cross made by large foundries. How the <b>Cistercians</b> came to learn this art is unknown </span><span style="font-size: large;">but its origins probably lie in France or Italy where monumental terracotta works had been popular from the end of the 15th century.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiJYXBkDdtHO8pkuJMaZOkxP4CZxesLTop8uhkUvPzOGOfvgfX63QTo1vntHKFHhsdmahJITO7yZYD_yFZ8SNtl8PUVstqFUKXbk9NfY1tx9gDl-1fLy6gD0oK0bPYhaasVYhTebkqKZ6/s1600/2018-12-12+234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiJYXBkDdtHO8pkuJMaZOkxP4CZxesLTop8uhkUvPzOGOfvgfX63QTo1vntHKFHhsdmahJITO7yZYD_yFZ8SNtl8PUVstqFUKXbk9NfY1tx9gDl-1fLy6gD0oK0bPYhaasVYhTebkqKZ6/s320/2018-12-12+234.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>The Last Supper</i> by <b>Hodart</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">was made between 1530 and 1534 for the refectory of the Church of Santa Cruz. I could see why the unique piece in Portugal was described as an outstanding example of Renaissance sculpture. Never had either of us seen such an unusual and amazing depiction of The Last Supper. If you look at the images below, yo will see that no detail was overlooked, even down to the patches on the clothes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRZYUGIpy-l75F-qNoyjndiO5SDCNObluIFnkajEBbW4vCF1qmuQnbfd1DJ66EcjlAB1h4OhDXDKnTEM8lRqKqNNCZGz7bz9CRs5N729Ysq9M5WJjqP3rpuWX4i0L0XGJ89QBFx71YIPT/s1600/2018-12-12+236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRZYUGIpy-l75F-qNoyjndiO5SDCNObluIFnkajEBbW4vCF1qmuQnbfd1DJ66EcjlAB1h4OhDXDKnTEM8lRqKqNNCZGz7bz9CRs5N729Ysq9M5WJjqP3rpuWX4i0L0XGJ89QBFx71YIPT/s320/2018-12-12+236.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I believe this figure with the serene expression and majestic pose was Jesus.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqA7GdFcqdUhMXmAOxZPYvC5VK4foSjlWOb3xjoL0qkUteQs76P68ukRv_4r-C3kCGHAjbPzNA5EeNxXtozd2YyR2bElebnBfRMGesJn57AOdgZEIdsAi3uQ25NzYI-vr2ThD-TlTf9eR/s1600/2018-12-12+241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqA7GdFcqdUhMXmAOxZPYvC5VK4foSjlWOb3xjoL0qkUteQs76P68ukRv_4r-C3kCGHAjbPzNA5EeNxXtozd2YyR2bElebnBfRMGesJn57AOdgZEIdsAi3uQ25NzYI-vr2ThD-TlTf9eR/s320/2018-12-12+241.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was Judas.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidY2HOJWQ9_s7M1bf7UMfb3acv8JFtjEx73w5xzZRVRvGYOSlxDO4zZr3LZm10zi5c7XEl_80mcJsRyZmcmjmQ2GFBAkRNrFvmpVH8cMkl604rNHHEZa7JIZe5TPAjbG08iCYPLf8WXpo0/s1600/2018-12-12+243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidY2HOJWQ9_s7M1bf7UMfb3acv8JFtjEx73w5xzZRVRvGYOSlxDO4zZr3LZm10zi5c7XEl_80mcJsRyZmcmjmQ2GFBAkRNrFvmpVH8cMkl604rNHHEZa7JIZe5TPAjbG08iCYPLf8WXpo0/s320/2018-12-12+243.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't remember if ever we've been in a museum where there were signs pointing to something <b>outside</b> the museum we should pay attention to. At the Machado, it was suggested we look <i>Through the Windows</i> at the lantern on the cupola of the <b>Old Cathedral</b> "standing clear and brilliant amongst the roofs the roofs and backyards of the Old Town." It was added in the early 18th century in "bold contrast to the sobriety of the rest of the Romanesque building."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQfSDZG6K81unR1dYx5qEejOdshXHMx5OAdE5aMbR6_N9geBbFeI_ZNbD_5Dd25101plkisK_eFweUSzRrvD0Hy5zpgSUp4G9aET0iNQh4aTT0gcHQrDExlOUG3abikrj2NJ353SCjcGQ/s1600/2018-12-12+254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQfSDZG6K81unR1dYx5qEejOdshXHMx5OAdE5aMbR6_N9geBbFeI_ZNbD_5Dd25101plkisK_eFweUSzRrvD0Hy5zpgSUp4G9aET0iNQh4aTT0gcHQrDExlOUG3abikrj2NJ353SCjcGQ/s320/2018-12-12+254.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsJnFv_MnVIbZ5vjDVl5ts-RFzsWqZAIkJG5a2VC859I3vBPze3q6khAoRJlo6zZ2Yb6I7lBlPZ9iOgc3EvZN29DCORbcplO0jNczH20OT9gd5QZ4DLfSp7whNIVMdRemaKVUZN7fOHMA/s1600/2018-12-12+255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsJnFv_MnVIbZ5vjDVl5ts-RFzsWqZAIkJG5a2VC859I3vBPze3q6khAoRJlo6zZ2Yb6I7lBlPZ9iOgc3EvZN29DCORbcplO0jNczH20OT9gd5QZ4DLfSp7whNIVMdRemaKVUZN7fOHMA/s320/2018-12-12+255.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first painting workshop was documented in Coimbra at the end of the 14th century and it remained active until the end of the 16th century. The city then saw the start of a period of great works of Renaissance painting, commissioned from Lisbon workshops following the Flemish and Italian schools.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLMVIPZ-_G4BIkw698jWOrDeAIe8fVOUZQa06XLlLD69NIcZr_N-3f5s77-Ln1Nmx_d6kSHFVKzbDFt-GM1AU4YLA7LSxRwfZHqkDZzHz3yfIqt2aW6EVBEJDrJVHM-PpTI1bfBICODSq/s1600/2018-12-12+265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLMVIPZ-_G4BIkw698jWOrDeAIe8fVOUZQa06XLlLD69NIcZr_N-3f5s77-Ln1Nmx_d6kSHFVKzbDFt-GM1AU4YLA7LSxRwfZHqkDZzHz3yfIqt2aW6EVBEJDrJVHM-PpTI1bfBICODSq/s320/2018-12-12+265.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGF8MBv5ZANu2w6UfJmJNRp_T-RvGe-g4o-73rW8t0SZtCwr2eGAw3JxyRERdq2gQhXHQFMM_W89x6y-uv9UJbhcreqJTUrjVY70LeTOTYmulJQS3aw_TZ_90eElqYJrets2w49AI0Z9pC/s1600/2018-12-12+266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGF8MBv5ZANu2w6UfJmJNRp_T-RvGe-g4o-73rW8t0SZtCwr2eGAw3JxyRERdq2gQhXHQFMM_W89x6y-uv9UJbhcreqJTUrjVY70LeTOTYmulJQS3aw_TZ_90eElqYJrets2w49AI0Z9pC/s320/2018-12-12+266.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzXGqRHTkMXBWpDbZT2W8UDDZiqcgai3QoZu9uLQdjI7d8AOpNMLP89nPx4ga-rvYbIOFqRikiWqr7K-v0LR308tar4XJdk6lbRC7B5hdCnv8gK2CfDWkvD0ELyMDTEIsjb7FAxTd0NB-/s1600/2018-12-12+267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzXGqRHTkMXBWpDbZT2W8UDDZiqcgai3QoZu9uLQdjI7d8AOpNMLP89nPx4ga-rvYbIOFqRikiWqr7K-v0LR308tar4XJdk6lbRC7B5hdCnv8gK2CfDWkvD0ELyMDTEIsjb7FAxTd0NB-/s320/2018-12-12+267.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVYirtePYWz_ef96BJgqTKv76ORVAAZTcdf7XRXSikniyfuVwkulGqTTwk_xHTNZy8gWdpFv5U7NCq4lWwZD8GgngfdkoLu9p8pXweYZuFIOPs_7gLfmjrr-EUAY58TmXZtl50gbLqUCg/s1600/2018-12-12+272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVYirtePYWz_ef96BJgqTKv76ORVAAZTcdf7XRXSikniyfuVwkulGqTTwk_xHTNZy8gWdpFv5U7NCq4lWwZD8GgngfdkoLu9p8pXweYZuFIOPs_7gLfmjrr-EUAY58TmXZtl50gbLqUCg/s320/2018-12-12+272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The museum's <b>precious metals collection</b> consisted mainly of religious artifacts and illustrated the evolution of art from the Romanesque to the transitional period between the Baroque and Neoclassical.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiF0WLKDEX0BjTjX-_psRKlh3yn8uULHJrgOh64NLoDIGsw2RJYXiOpjFwMKgnyckQW9N1PlEn8kUMlbeZYV0N-OAmH9RCtRMacyhJ6XFgW3IN8-5lfy_EDhtwiMJzbl7FU9PbP_re55dQ/s1600/2018-12-12+277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiF0WLKDEX0BjTjX-_psRKlh3yn8uULHJrgOh64NLoDIGsw2RJYXiOpjFwMKgnyckQW9N1PlEn8kUMlbeZYV0N-OAmH9RCtRMacyhJ6XFgW3IN8-5lfy_EDhtwiMJzbl7FU9PbP_re55dQ/s320/2018-12-12+277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <i>Angel Monstrance of the Sacrament</i> was in the shape of a kneeling angel holding a shining star.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkg0Z-Fsyv6MYGaV-XbOaaAxT7W4_OvwYh50177Wa34EGcO_XqCBEfFA-5N3WMlqo9rt179meygTH4AD5JFYQtRmnnutV-JOA5DKw6HKp_GjqjQKTnBSvm5R7-mzjJNJ0rFsnY5_eruRl/s1600/2018-12-12+291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkg0Z-Fsyv6MYGaV-XbOaaAxT7W4_OvwYh50177Wa34EGcO_XqCBEfFA-5N3WMlqo9rt179meygTH4AD5JFYQtRmnnutV-JOA5DKw6HKp_GjqjQKTnBSvm5R7-mzjJNJ0rFsnY5_eruRl/s320/2018-12-12+291.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Through the museum's windows we saw some of the items collected by one of the university fraternity houses as some of the rowdier ones are often decorated with plunder from their pranks like stolen traffic signs, etc! As a result the locals say "At night many things happen in Coimbra!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the middle was the magnificent <i>Jesuit Tabernacle </i>from the early to mid 18th century.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_XCk34EfFeHGietPDnEM3Y62wuTYs1G1xqqeEqoLmxCGdA3ItUVIwW-3DUHjTQ2e5OduF9Vbdi1Jj3d9yWWAcfZyUCC-KneNuhDmUOToaugx4SrGXwruURjfIFOBSkqCINHDMpUU6Pt1/s1600/2018-12-12+298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_XCk34EfFeHGietPDnEM3Y62wuTYs1G1xqqeEqoLmxCGdA3ItUVIwW-3DUHjTQ2e5OduF9Vbdi1Jj3d9yWWAcfZyUCC-KneNuhDmUOToaugx4SrGXwruURjfIFOBSkqCINHDMpUU6Pt1/s320/2018-12-12+298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJRDv9uUgOO2nzvFutQWRZkewwxrPDAM5xnpT0_6twM884krgkNYY4ntFeS2nH5DzUUHNwLUqLmieH77Mxil7phNZxtajkm08PIC6QAYeUqBQTit3ktmuqeZr2G012LcUSpvGX7vyarJX/s1600/2018-12-12+301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJRDv9uUgOO2nzvFutQWRZkewwxrPDAM5xnpT0_6twM884krgkNYY4ntFeS2nH5DzUUHNwLUqLmieH77Mxil7phNZxtajkm08PIC6QAYeUqBQTit3ktmuqeZr2G012LcUSpvGX7vyarJX/s320/2018-12-12+301.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">During the 17th and 18th centuries, Portugal became one of the richest countries in the world in terms of <b>ivory sculpture</b> because of the country's colonial expansion and overseas missionary work. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Iom0nk69CinTUjgh6pKaRgKsPkah2V8lVERqFfzPnfacpM8zi8jyglmaFlaE3JNIXYMRZoA-GEy-4CTH_g9mdrOmjPm6VGNo9abQEIU6JCtCf6JucOXdQNO8zussU2t53jbBfRO6skym/s1600/2018-12-12+317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Iom0nk69CinTUjgh6pKaRgKsPkah2V8lVERqFfzPnfacpM8zi8jyglmaFlaE3JNIXYMRZoA-GEy-4CTH_g9mdrOmjPm6VGNo9abQEIU6JCtCf6JucOXdQNO8zussU2t53jbBfRO6skym/s320/2018-12-12+317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The religious scene in Portugal soon found itself enriched with small ivory figures likely intended for niches and oratories. That was why so many surviving examples exist in museums and private collections.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyfXD2YcNeXk239eOlYcP1xLU0PmqxQ5agki_eivRe1MO9hQ0rMoA4viDdCblDElr43rsI0RKPMN3kMgkvuE8onB4iufOvCsJ6bqIfq9jANxag6Dx6ZvRrZMH8tmEUXaF3dY14cXOKmE5/s1600/2018-12-12+318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyfXD2YcNeXk239eOlYcP1xLU0PmqxQ5agki_eivRe1MO9hQ0rMoA4viDdCblDElr43rsI0RKPMN3kMgkvuE8onB4iufOvCsJ6bqIfq9jANxag6Dx6ZvRrZMH8tmEUXaF3dY14cXOKmE5/s320/2018-12-12+318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <i>Good Shepherd</i> and <i>Christ on the Cross</i> were the most frequently depicted images.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another sign to add to my ever increasing 'bathroom sign collection!' The museum was a huge surprise to our stay in Coimbra with its stellar collections of Romanesque fragments, alabaster figures, the incomparable chapel, the terracotta figures, precious metals and so much more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhddQ6MN9f6qU8QzkjIQt53aorbIv_Wr06ow_rVCOKGCMTpYjoWnDu0S5dRgJOSH0uVz6ca7i1JQsoVuIuaBHPYou8yYNQW6RDqe7fFyRrqndEmUGQO2GmS5bBxfLIRedJAr8B9lN5q3o/s1600/2018-12-12+322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhddQ6MN9f6qU8QzkjIQt53aorbIv_Wr06ow_rVCOKGCMTpYjoWnDu0S5dRgJOSH0uVz6ca7i1JQsoVuIuaBHPYou8yYNQW6RDqe7fFyRrqndEmUGQO2GmS5bBxfLIRedJAr8B9lN5q3o/s320/2018-12-12+322.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> Exploring Coimbra's Monasteries the following day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on May 30th, 2019, from our home away from home for one-twelfth of the year in a cabin at Grayton Beach State Park in Florida.</i></span></div>
Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-71501686135211829742019-05-28T12:29:00.000-06:002019-07-19T21:28:02.969-06:0012/12: Charming Coimbra: Elevator/Funicular, Cathedrals & Upper Town <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>About two months ago </i><i>I returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow that really fun trip, here's a link to the newest blog: </i></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">After arriving in the Portuguese college town of <b>Coimbra</b> too late the previous day to see any of the sights </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">except to attend a fabulous fado concert</span><span style="font-size: large;">, Steven and I began exploring the Old Town. We began in the <b>Largo de la Portagem,</b> the main square, where there was a statue of the prime minister who, in 1834, shut down the city's convents and monasteries, thus earning the nickname 'friar killer.'</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the other side of the square was a fancy pink bank building and the <b>Hotel Astoria</b> behind it, both from circa 1900.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even though it was near mid-December, the bird-of-paradise plant was in full bloom!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A popular local place for coffee on the square was <b>Cafe Montanha</b> that had a large brass palm tree inside.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunzudeloVJ1y-9PGeqWyq9X-PJ7ATuGRWKqmRPc3zdWuc7-nJHoouA3g7DC9MjCbrgouOqpKG2scDZC0UJUouoOri-yoiXPGRMDwzeP7u0eJOE6cqsreDuiEGrHfmhrI1iR3-TqoxWgYB/s1600/2018-12-12+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunzudeloVJ1y-9PGeqWyq9X-PJ7ATuGRWKqmRPc3zdWuc7-nJHoouA3g7DC9MjCbrgouOqpKG2scDZC0UJUouoOri-yoiXPGRMDwzeP7u0eJOE6cqsreDuiEGrHfmhrI1iR3-TqoxWgYB/s320/2018-12-12+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What we later found to be also sold in many cafes in Coimbra were these <i>pastels de Santa Clara</i>, pastries made with almonds and marmalade. They looked far yummier before I knew what they included!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Steven and I had seen some cork products while on our day trip to <b>Sintra</b> near Lisbon but there was a far greater selection here of cork stores in Coimbra. I had so much fun buying a number of small items for myself and gifts for others back home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think the mammoth mural on the side of the building depicted <b>Sigmund Freud </b>but wondered why it was there in Coimbra.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtZ695hzhqlVOcMftOXax7PFYjiwutfC8ScZW_opkNE-yewn760UhDQa6daOa5WV0ZbBIl4oCCYl8UuA3l_lyNeRsg5Cre65DhQ0fIBq4itFu22uxkFDefwHVcpBl7zD4__zS-FQUAB8F/s1600/2018-12-12+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtZ695hzhqlVOcMftOXax7PFYjiwutfC8ScZW_opkNE-yewn760UhDQa6daOa5WV0ZbBIl4oCCYl8UuA3l_lyNeRsg5Cre65DhQ0fIBq4itFu22uxkFDefwHVcpBl7zD4__zS-FQUAB8F/s320/2018-12-12+013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The attractive square called <b>Praca do Comercio</b> was literally the place of commerce. As it was originally located just outside the city walls, it served as a kind of medieval duty-free zone where shopkeepers could trade without having to pay taxes. The streets leading away from the square had been named after the products made or sold there. It was clear to see that this part of town had seen better days as many of the storefronts were boarded up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Casa de Sorte</b> was one of the country's much loved lottery shops as well as a convenient place to buy stamps!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxgsldVe7tjy5hJedBNCVeZd8XrFcrNil3_FT1QAzgFZV3p-geKMTbF51IVV8Dcrngxk1i9PRrQGzds0nW-tDdFt7PYVF6a5Qbu-Xov1G_kmXNk5LHlStr2tkxLwszr8CQPxqRanEWkDe/s1600/2018-12-12+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxgsldVe7tjy5hJedBNCVeZd8XrFcrNil3_FT1QAzgFZV3p-geKMTbF51IVV8Dcrngxk1i9PRrQGzds0nW-tDdFt7PYVF6a5Qbu-Xov1G_kmXNk5LHlStr2tkxLwszr8CQPxqRanEWkDe/s320/2018-12-12+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nearby steps led up through an ancient arched gateway into the Old City and to the town's cathedral and famous university. The <b>Arco de Almedina</b> or <b>Gate to the Medina</b> in Arabic by the Moors acted as double gate with a 90 degree kink in the middle for easier defense. </span><span style="font-size: large;">According to travel writer Rick Steves, in times of attack, soldiers used two holes in the ceiling to pour boiling oil onto the attacking Moors! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After seeing the vibrant men's hat wear store so recently in Sevilla, Spain, it was rather sad to come across the <b>Bragas</b> men's store that sold mostly hats and ties as it, too, looked rather down on its luck. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJlv96Y31na0CXxjAjL_GmHmxiDR5cu412ZFLfYH_ISQgy-s-DeXpHGUNmk2Dzy8M4nEDkn1ysiSD8L688-MtcN5ScG8m_vWbwU8L01M6YVJWEqWQwMpQD2Cn0zOBoRUFZZGrQ5LNhCtA/s1600/2018-12-12+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJlv96Y31na0CXxjAjL_GmHmxiDR5cu412ZFLfYH_ISQgy-s-DeXpHGUNmk2Dzy8M4nEDkn1ysiSD8L688-MtcN5ScG8m_vWbwU8L01M6YVJWEqWQwMpQD2Cn0zOBoRUFZZGrQ5LNhCtA/s320/2018-12-12+031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <b>Church of Santa Cruz</b> was founded in 1131 with the support of <b>King Afonso Henriques</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">and was modified several centuries later. What a grand facade it had!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUanoLHRPcdpp7FAcLoXsGDw57bhY_n0C63Qf3H60NVucwTSw6hKHyrk1SArOJ80sgl-lycqiQPALyFoTTu_vTkXpyX7yDgCy2nk-f7Mj4NoYQ1BJNJVd_tp6Wdnq-0JVI9jymrGovantQ/s1600/2018-12-12+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUanoLHRPcdpp7FAcLoXsGDw57bhY_n0C63Qf3H60NVucwTSw6hKHyrk1SArOJ80sgl-lycqiQPALyFoTTu_vTkXpyX7yDgCy2nk-f7Mj4NoYQ1BJNJVd_tp6Wdnq-0JVI9jymrGovantQ/s320/2018-12-12+035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oclJNahKHXd-H83ecAmwdqYihDat9BAEpUgbyiSOBVV6foHTr9dfBxB4eT-Ov405R-08RmE5TaZy68F1mQWReqWt8NNM-VgT9r5CmwzebBNgQSiQp2OgXOfYLw77HEyOc2k0O0D0leMn/s1600/2018-12-12+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oclJNahKHXd-H83ecAmwdqYihDat9BAEpUgbyiSOBVV6foHTr9dfBxB4eT-Ov405R-08RmE5TaZy68F1mQWReqWt8NNM-VgT9r5CmwzebBNgQSiQp2OgXOfYLw77HEyOc2k0O0D0leMn/s320/2018-12-12+043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJF-D4DpNvjc_nz8eZNzkAgWEgaXuWNY042bo-LaIsfapq7SJRZ3tmnZxmBNpyT02Spr0hr2FHh_t_ufRI2XiCFSaZF9L95egNnMOP5rUY0vUyPmHvmuxVW4-W0mP0ltWQxNiBPU881SdY/s1600/2018-12-12+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJF-D4DpNvjc_nz8eZNzkAgWEgaXuWNY042bo-LaIsfapq7SJRZ3tmnZxmBNpyT02Spr0hr2FHh_t_ufRI2XiCFSaZF9L95egNnMOP5rUY0vUyPmHvmuxVW4-W0mP0ltWQxNiBPU881SdY/s320/2018-12-12+044.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before entering the church, we listened for a good while as university students displayed their musical talents for passersby to enjoy. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYWWPz3ks9wLv95d4v30NLFORqdiajj2vlQ81my1qLYHv1_uYPYKzaB3-sGfQuruYBYeg058bQXKhZm6IKKSO7KwjKaTA9WDWUouewuc1omMWlLlSN9ZOZ_d_2TDXBqLKaR78a986Yy8q/s1600/2018-12-12+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYWWPz3ks9wLv95d4v30NLFORqdiajj2vlQ81my1qLYHv1_uYPYKzaB3-sGfQuruYBYeg058bQXKhZm6IKKSO7KwjKaTA9WDWUouewuc1omMWlLlSN9ZOZ_d_2TDXBqLKaR78a986Yy8q/s320/2018-12-12+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3omMQRUn8TKwUr_au2B1lVSFDA4OgB95_1NzixzBAVbwMJsDpkhrAn6sLl-yGBaoQTG5a8e0aeUxemNfqCXmiDg1QGzZsVB6JIWqjCY3N2XMolwWVhQdMH1zARBmRb3lbu_PyFPvjcK4-/s1600/2018-12-12+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3omMQRUn8TKwUr_au2B1lVSFDA4OgB95_1NzixzBAVbwMJsDpkhrAn6sLl-yGBaoQTG5a8e0aeUxemNfqCXmiDg1QGzZsVB6JIWqjCY3N2XMolwWVhQdMH1zARBmRb3lbu_PyFPvjcK4-/s320/2018-12-12+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The church was lavishly decorated with 18th century tiles that told the stories of the discovery of the Holy Cross. Those blue tiles had me agog as they were just out of this world. Little did we know then we'd soon come across many more equally spectacular tiled churches in <b>Porto,</b> our next and final stop in Portugal. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tPXH0q7ndx0YA7Yn2AUv2rPzpbBqolV46OJ4zj6RAqAq6oKC8nzlYBfFV5Y8H7Scbk8HxDdDBcnAJYVoS3YLVLK2n_bFt_2XE93NMVNg9xSgQ8jq92QxhMqjmCQa8dZ6lpBpTFlONF9t/s1600/2018-12-12+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tPXH0q7ndx0YA7Yn2AUv2rPzpbBqolV46OJ4zj6RAqAq6oKC8nzlYBfFV5Y8H7Scbk8HxDdDBcnAJYVoS3YLVLK2n_bFt_2XE93NMVNg9xSgQ8jq92QxhMqjmCQa8dZ6lpBpTFlONF9t/s320/2018-12-12+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_lLKMdjDB4Qdkp0dSjsaVaLOoEwLNqraHnzZ2SrSBhljb0XtMDmHqCBsUp_N2zyfEIkfZHQj2qFmeONst4O7VaFaL1NWdBt65gR86_1c9OHRFx1506BhyphenhyphenrMFzNU4YgAsJF6OMShbSB4h/s1600/2018-12-12+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_lLKMdjDB4Qdkp0dSjsaVaLOoEwLNqraHnzZ2SrSBhljb0XtMDmHqCBsUp_N2zyfEIkfZHQj2qFmeONst4O7VaFaL1NWdBt65gR86_1c9OHRFx1506BhyphenhyphenrMFzNU4YgAsJF6OMShbSB4h/s320/2018-12-12+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The coffeehouse was attached to the church, not by mistake but by design as it was originally built as a church. However, it was abandoned in the 1830s when the government took possession of many grand religious buildings and their surrounding property. The cafe was a haunt of the town's intellectuals during the 19th century. The former altar was now used for lectures, poetry readings and concerts while the confessional had been converted into the women's restroom!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPl3kdKJlcu4oMAOJE_ZhSpxwoXm4B3f7GGtCWnw3ODk6TA9q1T7VMULiJjbJ4wqTNJmhhMFRh_nHZjSdiSCOqU47LYkxw2DKrQ7bDWNQBv68iGb5QWAbagrwqav7c2cmL0xsVMrAVYpPm/s1600/2018-12-12+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPl3kdKJlcu4oMAOJE_ZhSpxwoXm4B3f7GGtCWnw3ODk6TA9q1T7VMULiJjbJ4wqTNJmhhMFRh_nHZjSdiSCOqU47LYkxw2DKrQ7bDWNQBv68iGb5QWAbagrwqav7c2cmL0xsVMrAVYpPm/s320/2018-12-12+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's hard to see because it was a rather dreary day but the buildings in the square all had exquisite exterior tiles. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpag1rSpMKMRUYvoxPbhU2a3yOIqSL1x0FaJuPEb4hjAkFWc7TtbS6Bz3IN15ufTWzk99fNzW62wKr16SvvyFgu4u5Q17CU2I3FH_isBnWc0gnKUb9cdSEtmaXa0UoFELPrs_7Uw1Q44m/s1600/2018-12-12+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpag1rSpMKMRUYvoxPbhU2a3yOIqSL1x0FaJuPEb4hjAkFWc7TtbS6Bz3IN15ufTWzk99fNzW62wKr16SvvyFgu4u5Q17CU2I3FH_isBnWc0gnKUb9cdSEtmaXa0UoFELPrs_7Uw1Q44m/s320/2018-12-12+045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>City Hall:</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFR42N9z0MrudWBj74Q3NVXsKg0HWlwuVN9G6B_UYiupN-TPfJnL58s7R7QYhbZ0A1mqbRG5RzsD__A3oTVvC6WGcKuScu19CfGpe1P5AEHKZLC266BAU5WlEedET5FA39YBcspJuvYre/s1600/2018-12-12+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFR42N9z0MrudWBj74Q3NVXsKg0HWlwuVN9G6B_UYiupN-TPfJnL58s7R7QYhbZ0A1mqbRG5RzsD__A3oTVvC6WGcKuScu19CfGpe1P5AEHKZLC266BAU5WlEedET5FA39YBcspJuvYre/s320/2018-12-12+046.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the church square we kept walking toward the <b>Mercado Municipal</b> or covered market,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIw2MsGH5VNT5vx6zJnl1MtNt5-hmbxFHL9M0OGAyACrlWoxyS2oriELR08i8nDkvtkoILo5OSwps_n4BEigpMQHu9_QzuyAcr6ktlvfn6QCqm2ATBsjJJVzRjJEzHAVfqHlL5wyW3PkTB/s1600/2018-12-12+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIw2MsGH5VNT5vx6zJnl1MtNt5-hmbxFHL9M0OGAyACrlWoxyS2oriELR08i8nDkvtkoILo5OSwps_n4BEigpMQHu9_QzuyAcr6ktlvfn6QCqm2ATBsjJJVzRjJEzHAVfqHlL5wyW3PkTB/s320/2018-12-12+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">passing by a pretty park with a fountain that had once been a monastery cloister and Renaissance garden.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gCvlIwcVK3mgeb6TMkezIBtfcHqQxMA5F5dNNRGsS8tsNAebavByIjVb1SedIz-Pve0RIltSAjWVe-3erY-Nlu8KqXUvr1phkVWp2zN9zQS-do58qbbTknOzUl28HdsaZ7JvejKBk6PX/s1600/2018-12-12+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gCvlIwcVK3mgeb6TMkezIBtfcHqQxMA5F5dNNRGsS8tsNAebavByIjVb1SedIz-Pve0RIltSAjWVe-3erY-Nlu8KqXUvr1phkVWp2zN9zQS-do58qbbTknOzUl28HdsaZ7JvejKBk6PX/s320/2018-12-12+051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At last the market:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY646IpK0AOqAeFd18coW42rAnsypivRsJdWa-qeLc7Siqq8o0ZXie591ZbWOzszYnlhst9LQc-nbkolsO8utnbswCZR7fSNAt7YcJsMVs4JMB8Ioyt0VFmmgjbw6g7Nepr8_ezWTIAol5/s1600/2018-12-12+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY646IpK0AOqAeFd18coW42rAnsypivRsJdWa-qeLc7Siqq8o0ZXie591ZbWOzszYnlhst9LQc-nbkolsO8utnbswCZR7fSNAt7YcJsMVs4JMB8Ioyt0VFmmgjbw6g7Nepr8_ezWTIAol5/s320/2018-12-12+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTB3lmb0FN805ItwX7YzfvIad86twSYokfPVlpb9TATsRZYdxMM0je224PF4Uis8kN3XK_S12Ba_E30nb-dZgZZPLxUM6QpEy2EsAAfG4_JqX0L0AdsifyTXnDVAP7i1EjFrp2jIvLNL7E/s1600/2018-12-12+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTB3lmb0FN805ItwX7YzfvIad86twSYokfPVlpb9TATsRZYdxMM0je224PF4Uis8kN3XK_S12Ba_E30nb-dZgZZPLxUM6QpEy2EsAAfG4_JqX0L0AdsifyTXnDVAP7i1EjFrp2jIvLNL7E/s320/2018-12-12+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our noses easily led us to the section where fresh fish and dried cod were sold! The Portuguese are the world's biggest consumers of cod but, because cod is no longer available in nearby waters, it's imported from Norway.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6crOe-RytHilTAgTX4JX1UGxPIRUZ3g45K6u7IINoYrtMgjlD26F2FP1_emhPLIDuYP-Fi_G0j414pf9mK8eLyKTRuYZxtfYAmq5kgAQ2T-7-WSETiSC7W_ZGQs6HsOeLcBaWPKWGjFmO/s1600/2018-12-12+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6crOe-RytHilTAgTX4JX1UGxPIRUZ3g45K6u7IINoYrtMgjlD26F2FP1_emhPLIDuYP-Fi_G0j414pf9mK8eLyKTRuYZxtfYAmq5kgAQ2T-7-WSETiSC7W_ZGQs6HsOeLcBaWPKWGjFmO/s320/2018-12-12+058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgMDquv6n6StKN0gneteVYudJpbPanTkoIhI_i8vQIVFteYW3Cv7tvZ4arEGpw9bZpnM_T2hHx4TCfV6mB07OMoiA9nHVVfzmflYkZVQ9Eh-SlU7r6SkMq6O-NOK8ENAirOnwKaUZnsXZ/s1600/2018-12-12+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgMDquv6n6StKN0gneteVYudJpbPanTkoIhI_i8vQIVFteYW3Cv7tvZ4arEGpw9bZpnM_T2hHx4TCfV6mB07OMoiA9nHVVfzmflYkZVQ9Eh-SlU7r6SkMq6O-NOK8ENAirOnwKaUZnsXZ/s320/2018-12-12+059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just outside the market was the <b>Elevador do Mercado,</b> a combination elevator/funicular that took us quickly up the long steep hill for a very nominal fee rather than walking up a gazillion steps! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9scdYXyyHBpqNgCPVui5NbQ32OfgQbemP1s0qm9drmD-mo79sVUROWcugHl0xOpLXqCc6bjaOwcizSFzu80BR0ZJAh6JWTenVf59EC1BCF1qL42dfLfvQD4jBN0oqDO1WMilUoL1phJZ/s1600/2018-12-12+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9scdYXyyHBpqNgCPVui5NbQ32OfgQbemP1s0qm9drmD-mo79sVUROWcugHl0xOpLXqCc6bjaOwcizSFzu80BR0ZJAh6JWTenVf59EC1BCF1qL42dfLfvQD4jBN0oqDO1WMilUoL1phJZ/s320/2018-12-12+061.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The young attendant said he worked from 7 am until 9 pm and that he was especially busy in the summertime when tourists frequent Coimbra. Otherwise, university students whose campus we'd see in a minute or two use it as do residents living there and shop in the market down below. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTnKEr7SbZijikPVACPvKgPHW2WzXen57WJhjzAE78hsIbD1UTHjAkXTu2v10aBoyYUsdVTMqqUntsvow5nr6YNQ8mKUeoT4xFf7vOU33G8TKw5WNs16YNKS4scLJK0YrScziX1h9sMMu/s1600/2018-12-12+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTnKEr7SbZijikPVACPvKgPHW2WzXen57WJhjzAE78hsIbD1UTHjAkXTu2v10aBoyYUsdVTMqqUntsvow5nr6YNQ8mKUeoT4xFf7vOU33G8TKw5WNs16YNKS4scLJK0YrScziX1h9sMMu/s320/2018-12-12+063.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A view of the covered market we'd just visited:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznzcdALNL3D3P3rOO4g0u9R11Oi3DVxjhPa5Vq7HMli8xK2B2B3SBfpObVznGUYc-Z9vjeAh_b_Ut5hzFw2A2vlzAudFpyPWX8gQfkl0e0wTYF6qZ5_ILVcInebUsVLdxixYYCopNRl6W/s1600/2018-12-12+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznzcdALNL3D3P3rOO4g0u9R11Oi3DVxjhPa5Vq7HMli8xK2B2B3SBfpObVznGUYc-Z9vjeAh_b_Ut5hzFw2A2vlzAudFpyPWX8gQfkl0e0wTYF6qZ5_ILVcInebUsVLdxixYYCopNRl6W/s320/2018-12-12+064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had to stop halfway to transfer to the funicular for the final haul to the upper part of Coimbra. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyK2qSOgMHwTT0cQUaLF0CIdMkbq50umRGxxKlXa2693t36A9eGWJOZ5MwVf_IdcmRNungiXbw34RUHoFGAImUZFOq9ivvvjwL5Rqh6voHH7nJ3fiG4_7m8wC6XZEkfU4NQm8kooAtAPT/s1600/2018-12-12+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyK2qSOgMHwTT0cQUaLF0CIdMkbq50umRGxxKlXa2693t36A9eGWJOZ5MwVf_IdcmRNungiXbw34RUHoFGAImUZFOq9ivvvjwL5Rqh6voHH7nJ3fiG4_7m8wC6XZEkfU4NQm8kooAtAPT/s320/2018-12-12+066.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We still had pretty views of Coimbra even thought it was a cloudy day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIt2cY7-opVMipNhgZZyRc4fl2zdsnvqMo56JKyzkZ221vub1Iqva0lOZWlV8vf6FjhI7ae755USjY6gesCkNk3cjhe3phCfZcv2hsSja8bVikSo4-ktQKoVEQPKR-0Z9cem0d9VcfE51/s1600/2018-12-12+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIt2cY7-opVMipNhgZZyRc4fl2zdsnvqMo56JKyzkZ221vub1Iqva0lOZWlV8vf6FjhI7ae755USjY6gesCkNk3cjhe3phCfZcv2hsSja8bVikSo4-ktQKoVEQPKR-0Z9cem0d9VcfE51/s320/2018-12-12+068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BxjzcjM87DzgNc3_ZvJa-drC-I1lge9YGE3JPiuPRvbM3f_OM4lcSL4Rk196s5OyGmEv8SwJ5hMxu_1rXWruXdIuFfbz7j7Ko53pVkSn6IcFRbKbsxBc0JByvbmflrNOYC7lvuuhrEF-/s1600/2018-12-12+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BxjzcjM87DzgNc3_ZvJa-drC-I1lge9YGE3JPiuPRvbM3f_OM4lcSL4Rk196s5OyGmEv8SwJ5hMxu_1rXWruXdIuFfbz7j7Ko53pVkSn6IcFRbKbsxBc0JByvbmflrNOYC7lvuuhrEF-/s320/2018-12-12+069.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbomf7ppmmPiMVnkWUidLC6pK0h-3YOrF5E_Lv1NC7e0BFsUbjRPcqElLVhcxB_xPWRxmwx5-KWPHAAX3146-zcQ-yaNViGHqrU9wXZTVYJR2QmZCRSHUnmYTGCSFwp2WI6Y5m94wPKSQL/s1600/2018-12-12+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbomf7ppmmPiMVnkWUidLC6pK0h-3YOrF5E_Lv1NC7e0BFsUbjRPcqElLVhcxB_xPWRxmwx5-KWPHAAX3146-zcQ-yaNViGHqrU9wXZTVYJR2QmZCRSHUnmYTGCSFwp2WI6Y5m94wPKSQL/s320/2018-12-12+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFm0bvmI4082Wog44TadZPFVspfjChpxWGAYTUhTfhyqGLkI8olZ8wqTAzEuHN4oODWDBzA10VRH6GS3oTl8VamekTOftfsl7bRNO7QHMNYwZa2LO7AHi0HRaUeRMfzn6OOingVZ2l8bMJ/s1600/2018-12-12+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFm0bvmI4082Wog44TadZPFVspfjChpxWGAYTUhTfhyqGLkI8olZ8wqTAzEuHN4oODWDBzA10VRH6GS3oTl8VamekTOftfsl7bRNO7QHMNYwZa2LO7AHi0HRaUeRMfzn6OOingVZ2l8bMJ/s320/2018-12-12+074.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before we reached the university buildings, we noticed a fraternity house called the <b>Real Republica Cosarios das Ilhas</b> or <b>Royal Commune of the Island Pirates!! </b>There was a faded skull and crossbones on the wall that linked McDonald's and the G8, the group of the world's most powerful nations. The small university frat houses or <i>republicas</i> were home to about a dozen students normally from the same town or region.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIp1XfGJtjEZmSkoUfcXhF-Ovu-pO9b8kKBGpIi5RT3AuVu92jqSjB1a2IgXP37sG29xxZ0Tb66L7A1ZptpVNkatsg8f3h099d-xk7rwnqZkquGQhPQNLlQ5-ndssCE5aexPUDRs2ScDK/s1600/2018-12-12+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQIp1XfGJtjEZmSkoUfcXhF-Ovu-pO9b8kKBGpIi5RT3AuVu92jqSjB1a2IgXP37sG29xxZ0Tb66L7A1ZptpVNkatsg8f3h099d-xk7rwnqZkquGQhPQNLlQ5-ndssCE5aexPUDRs2ScDK/s320/2018-12-12+075.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> Sé Nova </b>or<b> New Cathedral</b> was originally a Jesuit church built slowly over a hundred years between 1598 and 1698. </span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When the Jesuits were expelled from Portugal by the <b>Marquis de Pombal </b>in 1759, Sé Nova became vacant and in 1772 cathedral status was transferred from the smaller Old Cathedral to the larger Sé Nova, located at the top of the hill in the historic higher part of the city called <b>Alta de Coimbra.</b> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1TStjYolhAaqk1kuNI7EUsNPijYiDSZO3Ak2_rTylu-VnfyBUg0xdSSOoxMeNBHarEsiXR4kezQ68mh6k5fed2wBil2SE5iNeaQhIjWw3_tzt0GEPoDBbRVFBVtDiRIxyC8KgyTAQsKC/s1600/2018-12-12+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1TStjYolhAaqk1kuNI7EUsNPijYiDSZO3Ak2_rTylu-VnfyBUg0xdSSOoxMeNBHarEsiXR4kezQ68mh6k5fed2wBil2SE5iNeaQhIjWw3_tzt0GEPoDBbRVFBVtDiRIxyC8KgyTAQsKC/s320/2018-12-12+078.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZFE3eHdya0EzNb0OaYOqUuuIwMzSxePMg4dXKJm1jJIBAB4KZy45ottozWibuWU4-2ByDGyJlaBo9qoWFCSfWmM_Fil5yLKCkY-n-3Sqf5VjiLoFzpxLRGZcgvGLM9UNatFnvBmloYTM/s1600/2018-12-12+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZFE3eHdya0EzNb0OaYOqUuuIwMzSxePMg4dXKJm1jJIBAB4KZy45ottozWibuWU4-2ByDGyJlaBo9qoWFCSfWmM_Fil5yLKCkY-n-3Sqf5VjiLoFzpxLRGZcgvGLM9UNatFnvBmloYTM/s320/2018-12-12+095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Chapel of Our Lady of Good Death:</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoXtWi7ZWdrzsoXbBlJ3yJCF1NY6vj1-orgwOlsjkUjL8jlpIxGuYTD_vuyb-B9_php0_91osiMWBmSQCTKQoeGd0FVXvdFKQISiDdOxHUxfk4oZGMX58bCJWnYWd6WwNrWA50Z8CpR50/s1600/2018-12-12+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLoXtWi7ZWdrzsoXbBlJ3yJCF1NY6vj1-orgwOlsjkUjL8jlpIxGuYTD_vuyb-B9_php0_91osiMWBmSQCTKQoeGd0FVXvdFKQISiDdOxHUxfk4oZGMX58bCJWnYWd6WwNrWA50Z8CpR50/s320/2018-12-12+086.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1tZX-uIRn2Zj4SFz0pA5rxKAnXtZ-_SdvKEeWgFmjGiSoLFiPWXOn99Y6oyWsq7AXTvZCcbyhzi0DD9nndZCfNdToFKKZgbHMDFHgM4gKreja4T6SY4gyb5ny-oWAQkGpggTA4yaXJQD/s1600/2018-12-12+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1tZX-uIRn2Zj4SFz0pA5rxKAnXtZ-_SdvKEeWgFmjGiSoLFiPWXOn99Y6oyWsq7AXTvZCcbyhzi0DD9nndZCfNdToFKKZgbHMDFHgM4gKreja4T6SY4gyb5ny-oWAQkGpggTA4yaXJQD/s320/2018-12-12+083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next chapel had been completely taken over by a very intricate Nativity Scene, complete with flashing lights!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidy3J-BsiWIJ_hyphenhyphen8ex_FSIUXdIkugUUzUJROyjcEc802yc8n93XR56LeuTGep-Olb2Wd1BBcYY_h6PgnoopEcgjG7iuXm3H0zse3Qh-0ile6CXUJBgjCGCJ7HVrdJAsqMz3Oo-fMIVfPYm/s1600/2018-12-12+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidy3J-BsiWIJ_hyphenhyphen8ex_FSIUXdIkugUUzUJROyjcEc802yc8n93XR56LeuTGep-Olb2Wd1BBcYY_h6PgnoopEcgjG7iuXm3H0zse3Qh-0ile6CXUJBgjCGCJ7HVrdJAsqMz3Oo-fMIVfPYm/s320/2018-12-12+088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEIthg0okqGWGrv_147OkRl5JdzwthKtGz3TYna1CNJ0-o0OqV6qby0kXBQ3P3t7yCHkQ7_biMz_gLjFSm-4tdiSe04E-tsWS-tCLKxzUhlgtD2Db9xWDPZGZaiT9awXnRgcapvssri_u/s1600/2018-12-12+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEIthg0okqGWGrv_147OkRl5JdzwthKtGz3TYna1CNJ0-o0OqV6qby0kXBQ3P3t7yCHkQ7_biMz_gLjFSm-4tdiSe04E-tsWS-tCLKxzUhlgtD2Db9xWDPZGZaiT9awXnRgcapvssri_u/s320/2018-12-12+089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0DD-IPcWdl5U3z9Iqzb3OHkM9jp-V4OU0Ug_vr3u8PAlwjRE_Bslxh65OA8o0AJTA6ea8P43OIQ_o5tbgkNwXL6JMSeuSbjhDXC-KhLPVC8tcTvZ3rXPlxiBKGCHPOt25HDb2g9l1owY/s1600/2018-12-12+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0DD-IPcWdl5U3z9Iqzb3OHkM9jp-V4OU0Ug_vr3u8PAlwjRE_Bslxh65OA8o0AJTA6ea8P43OIQ_o5tbgkNwXL6JMSeuSbjhDXC-KhLPVC8tcTvZ3rXPlxiBKGCHPOt25HDb2g9l1owY/s320/2018-12-12+090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vlq4gNJMGmJFy8YXwyHgSGjYfOV-sOzz4WzVg7RtuEB3ppyjjS0-ica8TS3xD4aEM41rVgmuw-xkanifVgJtRzNBMSWBUP3g280VMSZGNpPTeu-B27Fe2aV_GEb2FZESDUEhiF1vh1b8/s1600/2018-12-12+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vlq4gNJMGmJFy8YXwyHgSGjYfOV-sOzz4WzVg7RtuEB3ppyjjS0-ica8TS3xD4aEM41rVgmuw-xkanifVgJtRzNBMSWBUP3g280VMSZGNpPTeu-B27Fe2aV_GEb2FZESDUEhiF1vh1b8/s320/2018-12-12+092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DMD6Ur9IPTEuseYJ9S7_aReBTfTiwJpxLx9aw7e-NqAiAo7jhxj1qiEZrMpLZcY0lv_-3OSJSbJolZEz8HCOlvkF2vNoLcan-XhubuBMjQ-XEmomcsySrcinRqNj-x17fbL3BkotD9OS/s1600/2018-12-12+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DMD6Ur9IPTEuseYJ9S7_aReBTfTiwJpxLx9aw7e-NqAiAo7jhxj1qiEZrMpLZcY0lv_-3OSJSbJolZEz8HCOlvkF2vNoLcan-XhubuBMjQ-XEmomcsySrcinRqNj-x17fbL3BkotD9OS/s320/2018-12-12+093.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwH9xG2YUhg0csN0vMIBZjAYoml24bQ5fiRcLl7dfjUDjvHsIllzypxUVNa0KeoN6O4kAAn0ufNvoWiss15nqrfZQogstqnaE3wckraAeRclQmMyCOFCejgaKNpqXbRTL-QfRVDaaLYHTY/s1600/2018-12-12+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwH9xG2YUhg0csN0vMIBZjAYoml24bQ5fiRcLl7dfjUDjvHsIllzypxUVNa0KeoN6O4kAAn0ufNvoWiss15nqrfZQogstqnaE3wckraAeRclQmMyCOFCejgaKNpqXbRTL-QfRVDaaLYHTY/s320/2018-12-12+096.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To literally see more of the <b>Chapel of St. Ignatius of Loyola,</b> we had to put some money in a box for it to light up!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Across from the cathedral was the large fascist-style university square for the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> University of Coimbra </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">that was founded in 1290 and modeled after Europe's first university in Bologna, Italy, in 1139. The Portuguese dictator <b>Antonio Salazar</b> tore down half of Coimbra's Old Town to build these university halls in what has been called one of the worst cultural crimes in the country's history.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The utilitarian buildings contained the faculties of law, letters, medicine, science and the library.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had come to upper Coimbra to see primarily the city's famous university but got happily sidelined touring the <b>Machado Museum</b> and subterranean Roman ruins. They are the subject of the next post. We returned to the university which occupied a stately former royal palace from the time when Coimbra was capital of Portugal. When it was founded in 1290, it offered studies in law, medicine, grammar (!!) and logic. As seafaring became more important to the small nation, astronomy and geometry were also taught. It is still the country's most respected university though Lisbon's is far larger. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We walked through the university's</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <b>Porta Ferrea</b> where freshmen, traditionally wearing their black capes for the first time, pass through the <b>Iron Gate</b> to enroll.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The university's most important sights faced the <b>Old University Courtyard.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4cptobaYKhpXuY2A1qybgDLZ8ZmJPU2YUOclRfoMpAXVWDARSMvLNPSOch_3ascdYTShstqdo313RE45WIKtbs8MyYAOujewMmg6Q08B4pxjrWxEFWxpyZYgCnJnTaQ_dKE6CT22UtxX/s1600/2018-12-12+336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4cptobaYKhpXuY2A1qybgDLZ8ZmJPU2YUOclRfoMpAXVWDARSMvLNPSOch_3ascdYTShstqdo313RE45WIKtbs8MyYAOujewMmg6Q08B4pxjrWxEFWxpyZYgCnJnTaQ_dKE6CT22UtxX/s320/2018-12-12+336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBv3G68X77w_hoAyGNMPyPxB2UEE81WWZVLdJxvZUcPoZKfy-HR_8jsv7OrlJjYWplebuXjpIx_i0LLbanU0WWlR4jZmHgzyoGnJVjL8Xf2SLQbdT0YRnk6JPjeMASlJaCGDU3qIjjuce/s1600/2018-12-12+337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBv3G68X77w_hoAyGNMPyPxB2UEE81WWZVLdJxvZUcPoZKfy-HR_8jsv7OrlJjYWplebuXjpIx_i0LLbanU0WWlR4jZmHgzyoGnJVjL8Xf2SLQbdT0YRnk6JPjeMASlJaCGDU3qIjjuce/s320/2018-12-12+337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>King Joao's Library:</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1gYzHSTk_TT5iiVgecAN__HtLdBZH0EfxWmEgzDNCsv70tmwdU6VE5_i_6sdnXCrRXxdOV4Go-aeddNx_qO5ndHBQVmWfjLljhrnS0CCT5xC1AkF-mt69thy5PlA8nw1WamLGZPYVxnB/s1600/2018-12-12+338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1gYzHSTk_TT5iiVgecAN__HtLdBZH0EfxWmEgzDNCsv70tmwdU6VE5_i_6sdnXCrRXxdOV4Go-aeddNx_qO5ndHBQVmWfjLljhrnS0CCT5xC1AkF-mt69thy5PlA8nw1WamLGZPYVxnB/s320/2018-12-12+338.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>St. Michael's Chapel:</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLbw-s0kPM9piYd3tHxow_qRuz0XUTQynqUMddCh3ITUClY-gBwZTOGviDDEpzA-ISrp84FcJArZXZqW-A0IW3xuPZ_XC4r0qxZqn84_EsMaUuZ5Ww_qAGXU-g7u3hSXbf2aY7aLbqwAS/s1600/2018-12-12+339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLbw-s0kPM9piYd3tHxow_qRuz0XUTQynqUMddCh3ITUClY-gBwZTOGviDDEpzA-ISrp84FcJArZXZqW-A0IW3xuPZ_XC4r0qxZqn84_EsMaUuZ5Ww_qAGXU-g7u3hSXbf2aY7aLbqwAS/s320/2018-12-12+339.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The statue in the square was of <b>King Joao III</b> who permanently established the university in Coimbra and was responsible for modernizing Portugal's education system in the Renaissance style by empowering the Church. He allowed the Jesuits to be in charge of the university which became the center of Portugal's Inquisition. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNX1LZnOsOXliqxTf8-uq9BH-MaXhtTEtIPNJIqOzFRVbkIg1dxxrB7gp1DmymdA3R_f2JNRJGmtxBCMt1xf3x_K5zVmg6VV7tB9JQE6pqqnwwbVqVY1y-ACRpnEzvhLx9aq-24B4kDDDV/s1600/2018-12-12+340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNX1LZnOsOXliqxTf8-uq9BH-MaXhtTEtIPNJIqOzFRVbkIg1dxxrB7gp1DmymdA3R_f2JNRJGmtxBCMt1xf3x_K5zVmg6VV7tB9JQE6pqqnwwbVqVY1y-ACRpnEzvhLx9aq-24B4kDDDV/s320/2018-12-12+340.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The black capes worn by local students originated with the capes worn by Jesuits and clergy during the Inquisition. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnf8jYozpEvGz6O4I1h-QalScDP00kP2HVPv5Q9LTy6AeOscpPCKXT5-LIyusjML6712mFEEImfU9evPFn2RfV4t-G9eqzz7MV9SV9edSdky1v74s-gudbYOU60WpjXnMpHfGwLf73Hs8n/s1600/2018-12-12+341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnf8jYozpEvGz6O4I1h-QalScDP00kP2HVPv5Q9LTy6AeOscpPCKXT5-LIyusjML6712mFEEImfU9evPFn2RfV4t-G9eqzz7MV9SV9edSdky1v74s-gudbYOU60WpjXnMpHfGwLf73Hs8n/s320/2018-12-12+341.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The dreaded sound of the clock tower's bell was named the 'baby goat' for its nagging as it calls students to class. I was amused to read that the bell's clapper had been stolen on many occasions as no bell meant no class and no class meant big party! A larger bell aka 'the big goat' rings only on formal, important occasions. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirafj8OocS6x__Lb352nFTWfnNide4g0uFBmcR_JbCeiyJAuznD03eixouzVzSpEp4U0HINU4EkQ-tb8QpeoJi3bKFX2iZnGWF-dA0YT3UQ_NpxNfsxNOGIQuDvm6JSl6r6QE-A6j1hwua/s1600/2018-12-12+342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirafj8OocS6x__Lb352nFTWfnNide4g0uFBmcR_JbCeiyJAuznD03eixouzVzSpEp4U0HINU4EkQ-tb8QpeoJi3bKFX2iZnGWF-dA0YT3UQ_NpxNfsxNOGIQuDvm6JSl6r6QE-A6j1hwua/s320/2018-12-12+342.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-TMKSc3AAhoubzBe8dSpCSYD39TlCw-JH1-ULuXdH4NcgoruJI4pQuBEQqKR7WG5LJ8Aw2yQiXGrZA57iD8cPwoIf-tNBK2f-wbCij0vOMiIAkh9-D2EtkZjjNt5ddaLBIdLoVwKC79h/s1600/2018-12-12+344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-TMKSc3AAhoubzBe8dSpCSYD39TlCw-JH1-ULuXdH4NcgoruJI4pQuBEQqKR7WG5LJ8Aw2yQiXGrZA57iD8cPwoIf-tNBK2f-wbCij0vOMiIAkh9-D2EtkZjjNt5ddaLBIdLoVwKC79h/s320/2018-12-12+344.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other views of the impressive courtyard:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88ndaPZL-rtTHzFlqKWLUuzdzKrJpYDwiXQjoINGe6dCLk17GrTgqnUZ0cr_CA4HDGHH0Un9QukEcHINzWe5pMAnBBxIHC72gmqP69n3E8QCGKN2W7gtFbOtutZt1Ac7IdOT90c4tN255/s1600/2018-12-12+346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88ndaPZL-rtTHzFlqKWLUuzdzKrJpYDwiXQjoINGe6dCLk17GrTgqnUZ0cr_CA4HDGHH0Un9QukEcHINzWe5pMAnBBxIHC72gmqP69n3E8QCGKN2W7gtFbOtutZt1Ac7IdOT90c4tN255/s320/2018-12-12+346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We could have taken a tour of the university but, after being inside for so long visiting the museum and ruins, we decided to pass on it. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCDE7Iz_rgDIOE7Qe3MOeAOTUG2QewSn2NRFrFWGp2t4jCc87e_CVGYVJZXTNVORkn6V8YuNVOLsiokIY0n1bYWoIVyh2Q2x_O7aCYjWW5WKhKY3pAbsm62bPaDlj6_36fGZFvd31n2ov/s1600/2018-12-12+347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCDE7Iz_rgDIOE7Qe3MOeAOTUG2QewSn2NRFrFWGp2t4jCc87e_CVGYVJZXTNVORkn6V8YuNVOLsiokIY0n1bYWoIVyh2Q2x_O7aCYjWW5WKhKY3pAbsm62bPaDlj6_36fGZFvd31n2ov/s320/2018-12-12+347.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iuOAlke7G3qJM_M8oWs6GLd2PagvfY8-GRuC_NXgHR__ONK5yet9ug4Fzr6HbtkS1Twz72GukWEZJmCUpMWXArIjesBwpArJvXuHr-f89OoHU6bSopZazXhaXymlQCWor3-_0oEYU46U/s1600/2018-12-12+351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iuOAlke7G3qJM_M8oWs6GLd2PagvfY8-GRuC_NXgHR__ONK5yet9ug4Fzr6HbtkS1Twz72GukWEZJmCUpMWXArIjesBwpArJvXuHr-f89OoHU6bSopZazXhaXymlQCWor3-_0oEYU46U/s320/2018-12-12+351.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTKQm2k4eY4WWk-XkKCMnYoP-haslJH8ce0ijmp81ZDKl7Fr3K5yQLUDqhbhyphenhyphenmpOyPQEvpKfDAZ0RVs6zNdwFLWchRfZoUIspVFUdtk0jxEsyFWp9hZpK5DEgTHqymIvYxzluTpFHRMxi/s1600/2018-12-12+352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTKQm2k4eY4WWk-XkKCMnYoP-haslJH8ce0ijmp81ZDKl7Fr3K5yQLUDqhbhyphenhyphenmpOyPQEvpKfDAZ0RVs6zNdwFLWchRfZoUIspVFUdtk0jxEsyFWp9hZpK5DEgTHqymIvYxzluTpFHRMxi/s320/2018-12-12+352.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbmw2vJVXdZIbGrjSPh9K0NRODkBz0c7lXLMTw_o7qrhorU2PznFWgpD5PdHxfF85orSVeP4R_A6vS12T6q36nBlvTwEa123avqAwAbgyWQBp0HolrGv-pMgDW-6QlTroI7N5_ubTe9WW/s1600/2018-12-12+350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbmw2vJVXdZIbGrjSPh9K0NRODkBz0c7lXLMTw_o7qrhorU2PznFWgpD5PdHxfF85orSVeP4R_A6vS12T6q36nBlvTwEa123avqAwAbgyWQBp0HolrGv-pMgDW-6QlTroI7N5_ubTe9WW/s320/2018-12-12+350.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the courtyard we had great views of the <b>Mondego River.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi1pothCl7JlFeq9cwcbVmvZe58dexQ2sBKCtUGPhidcm6_6g6tJpQlljAVRAUXrlmkGRjb1REK2X90-YPKRRLetr8JBtqAlMycMXejIZgxIzNaIA3ZHDVqwENoCIwnoh6mM0K-GOB8fw/s1600/2018-12-12+349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi1pothCl7JlFeq9cwcbVmvZe58dexQ2sBKCtUGPhidcm6_6g6tJpQlljAVRAUXrlmkGRjb1REK2X90-YPKRRLetr8JBtqAlMycMXejIZgxIzNaIA3ZHDVqwENoCIwnoh6mM0K-GOB8fw/s320/2018-12-12+349.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we left the university, I wasn't sure initially whether these were students or nuns; they turned out to be the latter!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvLnaLI0B8brc-mADZkU2JYBAM7yOAIK0amKDYotXoqJZPm5E149sg_QLn60yivVukkvGMFEJbIfpe6JDiA9eKokhRYgHisJ7g6-RkUV7z8fmbbpXqauhN4xtzNiWGmEuLPE19Ahw-JIq/s1600/2018-12-12+353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvLnaLI0B8brc-mADZkU2JYBAM7yOAIK0amKDYotXoqJZPm5E149sg_QLn60yivVukkvGMFEJbIfpe6JDiA9eKokhRYgHisJ7g6-RkUV7z8fmbbpXqauhN4xtzNiWGmEuLPE19Ahw-JIq/s320/2018-12-12+353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the other side of these massive walls were the Roman ruins we'd seen before the museum.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Sy2LOxECkGvHLiTW91oefwsvg5ZMgZIaDJtrD66rp66RX_a9UUKkWOUyWtbcY62Y_CofwunCcZMvX08fALrxlRYSv4kyGKcrhb1g4Z_dj_GtKg2xrGjZAWGLROuwuYx1C-zE_zTLIqcy/s1600/2018-12-12+354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Sy2LOxECkGvHLiTW91oefwsvg5ZMgZIaDJtrD66rp66RX_a9UUKkWOUyWtbcY62Y_CofwunCcZMvX08fALrxlRYSv4kyGKcrhb1g4Z_dj_GtKg2xrGjZAWGLROuwuYx1C-zE_zTLIqcy/s320/2018-12-12+354.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ruins from another angle:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7mh1AtJr7H5CluhOfgXxyETD0y_OpfCA0ucmAYJ0FQDo1Ru71iss8UCIEGR6Z9VuQKuY0evwbL3HeTJm8wfXTSSGjSIVmPds8Y8qgcomdcfiN1uJ8jT9fpoz6HrmqJKFbN7BOLgkl0k2/s1600/2018-12-12+359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7mh1AtJr7H5CluhOfgXxyETD0y_OpfCA0ucmAYJ0FQDo1Ru71iss8UCIEGR6Z9VuQKuY0evwbL3HeTJm8wfXTSSGjSIVmPds8Y8qgcomdcfiN1uJ8jT9fpoz6HrmqJKFbN7BOLgkl0k2/s320/2018-12-12+359.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We walked </span><span style="font-size: large;">through the Upper Town </span><span style="font-size: large;">downhill along ancient Roman narrow streets toward the <b>Se Velha</b> or <b>Old Cathedral.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzKytJGUgxj1RB3aPLPSWVWwQJ98j2jVdPaXknpWtZTL3VLXK2Dz1GM8xwFa3Qmftfk3cQdRHYbt7-s81_sdk7oIEoywBnPsvFShFiy1VxNIgY3SKJKXGvVNdTUYMt8OluvsJSLRsAE9w/s1600/2018-12-12+361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzKytJGUgxj1RB3aPLPSWVWwQJ98j2jVdPaXknpWtZTL3VLXK2Dz1GM8xwFa3Qmftfk3cQdRHYbt7-s81_sdk7oIEoywBnPsvFShFiy1VxNIgY3SKJKXGvVNdTUYMt8OluvsJSLRsAE9w/s320/2018-12-12+361.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnbR00UfE8dvKFyT_q23n1gY8MQtQIeM_cU-7WlMylYGmhm5R_HmxZKFxrO7_ls4IRTJkGWdFS5e6HpImbizwQc2H0g-SPHNsNZ7UC38Yz15fLyBsPs4Ap85IM_sDMKIcmWAqbSyyQykS/s1600/2018-12-12+363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnbR00UfE8dvKFyT_q23n1gY8MQtQIeM_cU-7WlMylYGmhm5R_HmxZKFxrO7_ls4IRTJkGWdFS5e6HpImbizwQc2H0g-SPHNsNZ7UC38Yz15fLyBsPs4Ap85IM_sDMKIcmWAqbSyyQykS/s320/2018-12-12+363.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Windows that had white-paper squares and diamonds indicated that there was a student room to rent.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Bw5ISSuYXmXuYJpZwCl88VUJYYxNpzBnDgVgsw_THZFc-l7LstLMkhyphenhyphenaCNL7_qU3DQTZ2IeTYDLb3NMER0rgvOT2uAcJYzGRVk8oUE36cvLGDdpXcMEs4GAHgy6WeZYAV9eLcDM1vYWy/s1600/2018-12-12+364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Bw5ISSuYXmXuYJpZwCl88VUJYYxNpzBnDgVgsw_THZFc-l7LstLMkhyphenhyphenaCNL7_qU3DQTZ2IeTYDLb3NMER0rgvOT2uAcJYzGRVk8oUE36cvLGDdpXcMEs4GAHgy6WeZYAV9eLcDM1vYWy/s320/2018-12-12+364.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we'd seen so often in churches throughout Spain, Coimbra's Old Cathedral repeated the same old story: Christians built a church on a pre-Christian holy spot from the Visigoths in the 6th century, the Moors destroyed that church and constructed a mosque in the 8th century, and then the Christians evict the Moors in 1064 and built this church that was consecrated in 1184.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSJrZj6XOko5ftLtTZ2nCEu7WHaIeFvx-GumGpFepBTaYao7eU7rD34HRs1zNsqAV_JFwHSJ5VbKMgFuIqdoS-VATTHEpxtkmNEjkVAZLBcNvXAG9lmAIZtDZX1u7kSgCQ1iq1UvL8TQ5/s1600/2018-12-12+365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSJrZj6XOko5ftLtTZ2nCEu7WHaIeFvx-GumGpFepBTaYao7eU7rD34HRs1zNsqAV_JFwHSJ5VbKMgFuIqdoS-VATTHEpxtkmNEjkVAZLBcNvXAG9lmAIZtDZX1u7kSgCQ1iq1UvL8TQ5/s320/2018-12-12+365.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was no mistake that the cathedral appeared like a church-fortress as it was built in the middle of the Reconquista when the Moors, though the Moors had been pushed out, were still considered a risk. The Moorish-style columns and its fortified and practical facade with the arrow slits had no Christian motifs.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxjbetSRSeaE7sTKZO9ntNyePPHjAZCzIxwvWbhI_0TCO52VJkD94Kl-TeGeB77YUrQb54EgoCQWfbYidB8MQfITXF939U6JuZpGlIrrUGjwIE7uLx8yElkEXtn4TBUsPRDAkQ9d1pC83/s1600/2018-12-12+366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxjbetSRSeaE7sTKZO9ntNyePPHjAZCzIxwvWbhI_0TCO52VJkD94Kl-TeGeB77YUrQb54EgoCQWfbYidB8MQfITXF939U6JuZpGlIrrUGjwIE7uLx8yElkEXtn4TBUsPRDAkQ9d1pC83/s320/2018-12-12+366.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SeeGhRI_rKOGb7tavEKT9-OmgvkyU_l6GNB1npn0wPRBA6xFmnz6anB8EzcQ3tNRbBb06MsFVXyEmdWl0TLp-HZmvb5NQnWDQg269t-hFNN9YsHANh95XyzIjyzHai02-_wmIr3lawsV/s1600/2018-12-12+370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SeeGhRI_rKOGb7tavEKT9-OmgvkyU_l6GNB1npn0wPRBA6xFmnz6anB8EzcQ3tNRbBb06MsFVXyEmdWl0TLp-HZmvb5NQnWDQg269t-hFNN9YsHANh95XyzIjyzHai02-_wmIr3lawsV/s320/2018-12-12+370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the start of the nave, we saw holy water font shells that had been a 19th century gift from <b>Sri Lanka,</b> a country Steven and I are hoping to visit next spring as part of a longer trip to India, Bhutan, Tibet and other countries in Asia.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzYNzCx-pcKiftfGMbvdquoV0C__r1GFEQy-T7Ek3qO9o733u0zM-wx9624Bfs3Gxff5JxP46C304xeIR5_fmSFelIadrTsqPGvLvbAU0BOfFTigvmKGbHl7LS1Lsk4d6zplPCncougwS/s1600/2018-12-12+371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzYNzCx-pcKiftfGMbvdquoV0C__r1GFEQy-T7Ek3qO9o733u0zM-wx9624Bfs3Gxff5JxP46C304xeIR5_fmSFelIadrTsqPGvLvbAU0BOfFTigvmKGbHl7LS1Lsk4d6zplPCncougwS/s320/2018-12-12+371.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The walls were covered with some of the oldest tiles in the country and had been imported from Sevilla, Spain. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUPuS9qCvBHgMf06DXmVPFBk3KF338XBRvaVIgRxdlzFRbkPsgEY7_ZbvVYQEnqzBRRNqLQMa6uEFIclu6GLZeP7MGR01A7eWo9aC1T9sZ7NhntCsnsPDCwomzKxkQvcnqoCMye0j1LsP/s1600/2018-12-12+405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUPuS9qCvBHgMf06DXmVPFBk3KF338XBRvaVIgRxdlzFRbkPsgEY7_ZbvVYQEnqzBRRNqLQMa6uEFIclu6GLZeP7MGR01A7eWo9aC1T9sZ7NhntCsnsPDCwomzKxkQvcnqoCMye0j1LsP/s320/2018-12-12+405.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWWLt11gDTSu6vggnXHtSFZj3EUXbiqjKjvYT-eRcSD2Ea9V6mipSO6XPqiY8AyQRYTr9ZmCDEWBXUzxd3JccHfmk-HPDr8qR1Bq1RdZdvjFinMYyQ6RtJHEe9JiBuE9yUCVCnDiDV45p/s1600/2018-12-12+406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWWLt11gDTSu6vggnXHtSFZj3EUXbiqjKjvYT-eRcSD2Ea9V6mipSO6XPqiY8AyQRYTr9ZmCDEWBXUzxd3JccHfmk-HPDr8qR1Bq1RdZdvjFinMYyQ6RtJHEe9JiBuE9yUCVCnDiDV45p/s320/2018-12-12+406.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The sculpture was of the</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Virgin of the Rosary.</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SgyoZcQ2gevZNYSSYqHpnl-Qzoi-2VoKNlmpCrbO2UiX4H17xPVr3FpWySDe0f34qsFat2I8kVCKDjHDV0XpJc8aUa8HnD38eXi6luzU0Y232CzC4cAtPPbxiqbpI0qWsbwVsKAwbwT0/s1600/2018-12-12+373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SgyoZcQ2gevZNYSSYqHpnl-Qzoi-2VoKNlmpCrbO2UiX4H17xPVr3FpWySDe0f34qsFat2I8kVCKDjHDV0XpJc8aUa8HnD38eXi6luzU0Y232CzC4cAtPPbxiqbpI0qWsbwVsKAwbwT0/s320/2018-12-12+373.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ifTzC1UwrlGDpJqw4cSxYMhMmwYj_OI5bFQSDiofOVNraAkI7T6fgIKqW_b9g2Rzrwo50govUe7s8hpMKrxT7ksYWgqMpt7ek-a7beAR2eUmUMf2Zkmm3B2AQjXY92EjbSgAAuQ1GRGb/s1600/2018-12-12+375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ifTzC1UwrlGDpJqw4cSxYMhMmwYj_OI5bFQSDiofOVNraAkI7T6fgIKqW_b9g2Rzrwo50govUe7s8hpMKrxT7ksYWgqMpt7ek-a7beAR2eUmUMf2Zkmm3B2AQjXY92EjbSgAAuQ1GRGb/s320/2018-12-12+375.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I loved reading the story Rick Steves told behind this painting of <b>Queen Isabel</b> also called <b>St. Elizabeth.</b> The 13th Hungarian princess who had family ties to Portugal was known as always giving bread to the poor even though the king didn't like her doing so. One day she was occupied doling out bread from her skirt when the king arrived home early from a trip. Noticing she had pulled up her skirt and suspecting it was to hide the bread, he asked her what was inside. The queen refused to lie and lowered the skirt revealing, not bread, but miraculously roses that the bread had turned into! She was canonized as a saint in 1625 for this amazing act.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSW0qKvPrjYzaXaPqhHdSo9NAcH4QyzekLA6rK2vfjZzWk8WwlQ6SGLs_HnLIG7tjUNrZcml-AJ1LZUP9pXuae7BrbLr04jjVTeCJH7cj9ZlF_89hOlEnebJFwLvMpNFQMJuVja9o7McdM/s1600/2018-12-12+376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSW0qKvPrjYzaXaPqhHdSo9NAcH4QyzekLA6rK2vfjZzWk8WwlQ6SGLs_HnLIG7tjUNrZcml-AJ1LZUP9pXuae7BrbLr04jjVTeCJH7cj9ZlF_89hOlEnebJFwLvMpNFQMJuVja9o7McdM/s320/2018-12-12+376.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1e_v3TjUClPzQySkujU8Wt3nmIfJpY-VuE4JmMDRHiFHIqniZZXK2O6nO0f8jtCVeWJgcNY-bw7YcyetnSjKorzd_1Cvs9YJqQFtG1xfeRytFHygKhfKUwKwX_K69kfgrYb5icLGJAsQ/s1600/2018-12-12+379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1e_v3TjUClPzQySkujU8Wt3nmIfJpY-VuE4JmMDRHiFHIqniZZXK2O6nO0f8jtCVeWJgcNY-bw7YcyetnSjKorzd_1Cvs9YJqQFtG1xfeRytFHygKhfKUwKwX_K69kfgrYb5icLGJAsQ/s320/2018-12-12+379.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Main Altar</b> was just one of three in the church. It was described as a fine example of the late Flamboyant Gothic style and made by Flemish artists around 1500.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHahxMUdN1EzCCEF0UfzSDVe4TgkdDN8y_7wdSPi7zVdKsP0JaNYCacw18-eGTaLU225sQbPEpkSufGQPIcO6KEihiuBJKzsYscEkW_qSl8yp_nGNYAHzBqnWStFfaZ17kL5mQqAIFe8ci/s1600/2018-12-12+380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHahxMUdN1EzCCEF0UfzSDVe4TgkdDN8y_7wdSPi7zVdKsP0JaNYCacw18-eGTaLU225sQbPEpkSufGQPIcO6KEihiuBJKzsYscEkW_qSl8yp_nGNYAHzBqnWStFfaZ17kL5mQqAIFe8ci/s320/2018-12-12+380.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabRvOyKlTxMwZpRZPbCTLIaKxkqWkAjALK9ojVd1ELA90lHYegrFTRGGbYguFkHcQvsE83UJMzlwMp0wfIYctfDB-3AuI4c6ZS0Whv-ZK4jekjd4Ig_I1Bc01EnXXX7xauD72akFnZPVk/s1600/2018-12-12+381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabRvOyKlTxMwZpRZPbCTLIaKxkqWkAjALK9ojVd1ELA90lHYegrFTRGGbYguFkHcQvsE83UJMzlwMp0wfIYctfDB-3AuI4c6ZS0Whv-ZK4jekjd4Ig_I1Bc01EnXXX7xauD72akFnZPVk/s320/2018-12-12+381.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Renaissance-style</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Chapel of the Holy Sacrament </b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">from 1586 contained magnificent statues of Jesus and the Apostles as well as the Evangelists and Madonna with Child. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BD6W_ITUR6N8wn-jbYMGLlLZVPoH7g4Oc3Dx0oW_s6dF7MpmBeiQUnfXevZs6JzL9LsVpOJkuE_IdUOqEG7CBU31yMpqaFIxFF5LM_ShumVRZDNiQoYJaSOyAi20JejiQTYYDZjxNKLV/s1600/2018-12-12+385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BD6W_ITUR6N8wn-jbYMGLlLZVPoH7g4Oc3Dx0oW_s6dF7MpmBeiQUnfXevZs6JzL9LsVpOJkuE_IdUOqEG7CBU31yMpqaFIxFF5LM_ShumVRZDNiQoYJaSOyAi20JejiQTYYDZjxNKLV/s320/2018-12-12+385.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The work was sculpted by</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Jean de Rouen </b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">who was responsible for many of the sculptures we'd just seen in the Machado Museum and is the subject of the next post. If you look carefully, you'll observe that all </span><b style="font-size: x-large;">ten</b><span style="font-size: large;"> Apostles are looking at Jesus as he talks. The reason there were only ten and not twelve Apostles was the Renaissance desire for proportion and balance was more important than fact which meant there was only room for ten!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXG97Qqmw4U5l5QlcxmzBrLwf2jg41InZ3hU_35epY5eFY-gytfwb4StaubMo9mCC7M6sccsWieXGm8W6pk2aanl2EELuyk1EFCOYVpZ8iHFqspv3G8WipSILh_kA1uvsppjW3ONmfijv/s1600/2018-12-12+392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXG97Qqmw4U5l5QlcxmzBrLwf2jg41InZ3hU_35epY5eFY-gytfwb4StaubMo9mCC7M6sccsWieXGm8W6pk2aanl2EELuyk1EFCOYVpZ8iHFqspv3G8WipSILh_kA1uvsppjW3ONmfijv/s320/2018-12-12+392.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtPzoEViufHdf1jEXMMpp84ucxD4URPQoalp8xjyEJX03GrFGS3AXmnJfDB-IHn7m5Af_eP__TQyVD-ZX3-VU2B0r8PaZ6PeGCcNGOGn4JClzll1CNvdXZbFsw6QtzzkzoQx9olQ8er2H/s1600/2018-12-12+388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtPzoEViufHdf1jEXMMpp84ucxD4URPQoalp8xjyEJX03GrFGS3AXmnJfDB-IHn7m5Af_eP__TQyVD-ZX3-VU2B0r8PaZ6PeGCcNGOGn4JClzll1CNvdXZbFsw6QtzzkzoQx9olQ8er2H/s320/2018-12-12+388.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgM0uy4ovj1oAoUPGb6FJXhWMz970rsM7peg7lRKXlTYARSUMwF1wkwUTLr_7sFBE_djO2i07l5gtMYJGTtu6dNXLZgwYrOkJtLXl7gva1UVNZmnvvzRvDm7QUn8yT2NHRmSJP3SvCEorW/s1600/2018-12-12+390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgM0uy4ovj1oAoUPGb6FJXhWMz970rsM7peg7lRKXlTYARSUMwF1wkwUTLr_7sFBE_djO2i07l5gtMYJGTtu6dNXLZgwYrOkJtLXl7gva1UVNZmnvvzRvDm7QUn8yT2NHRmSJP3SvCEorW/s320/2018-12-12+390.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To the left of the main altar was the <b>Chapel of St. Peter</b> with Peter shown as being crucified upside down!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_PPa_-pGqv2ZTmrJFgHydsCwzrNuO46IfxSfhVlf-f6veBDVZNWsA2h7j-ZPm4xJIKAIAzImSul5qtNE8OUa_2wCtdWjgBxfGcLjeOkh0937SrqDvvX0nbq8PX3yCSumIJL76_ANWiL8/s1600/2018-12-12+394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_PPa_-pGqv2ZTmrJFgHydsCwzrNuO46IfxSfhVlf-f6veBDVZNWsA2h7j-ZPm4xJIKAIAzImSul5qtNE8OUa_2wCtdWjgBxfGcLjeOkh0937SrqDvvX0nbq8PX3yCSumIJL76_ANWiL8/s320/2018-12-12+394.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyccrh7G3Ue8tgAUsRstRZAaG_hGyrpLeOzZoEkl73cqMZmOGgFWUJOTedNdtHPK-rSnY3g3vpjvxQp8TP4IKpC5OphAKzosvi-e7BFQHx30WfsYABWVP8HwXAonIuoOfAe39mRmMhK5d/s1600/2018-12-12+395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyccrh7G3Ue8tgAUsRstRZAaG_hGyrpLeOzZoEkl73cqMZmOGgFWUJOTedNdtHPK-rSnY3g3vpjvxQp8TP4IKpC5OphAKzosvi-e7BFQHx30WfsYABWVP8HwXAonIuoOfAe39mRmMhK5d/s320/2018-12-12+395.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The peaceful cloister was the oldest Gothic one in Portugal.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8LCTpGvyy_mH7P58Dhf1B2RUctbDTb5Ulpoah6ee-geyGur6CAQnMHy8GZeSLtClNslGXsbb40BhMExpC4KDv72Y5Q8D0Xb-qtTQS2ytiAToeo2cYQZAEV8Fv6YTjoebHmzOL1gGlbph/s1600/2018-12-12+409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8LCTpGvyy_mH7P58Dhf1B2RUctbDTb5Ulpoah6ee-geyGur6CAQnMHy8GZeSLtClNslGXsbb40BhMExpC4KDv72Y5Q8D0Xb-qtTQS2ytiAToeo2cYQZAEV8Fv6YTjoebHmzOL1gGlbph/s320/2018-12-12+409.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the cloister, we had lovely views of the cathedral's dome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The tomb from 1064 in the cloister belonged to Coimbra's first Christian governor after the Reconquista period. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was such a low literacy rate in Portugal when the cathedral was being constructed that the workers had carve a number assigned to them to prove they had done the work and would therefore get paid! I think that was the first time we'd ever seen that happen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once back outside again, we walked around to the <b>North Portal</b> which was added in Renaissance times. As it had been made using soft limestone, it was inexpensive and an easy material to carve; however, it hasn't worn well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the busy Cathedral Square with its many cafes, we took the very steep stairway down towards the center of town where we'd started our day several hours ago.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5umTcIE5BRi_1m8cAJtR3-ZBxN87y3dAezEwlbHvXwr2UNJ18YGM4NS5wLe2mvoh6X9NOCiNSOBoa1uVajbvMUX9yzyPrI1Y7_JcmY3Lb_FJHnpih99ghjeanWaseGvaxw8j6J1P-oUFV/s1600/2018-12-12+368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5umTcIE5BRi_1m8cAJtR3-ZBxN87y3dAezEwlbHvXwr2UNJ18YGM4NS5wLe2mvoh6X9NOCiNSOBoa1uVajbvMUX9yzyPrI1Y7_JcmY3Lb_FJHnpih99ghjeanWaseGvaxw8j6J1P-oUFV/s320/2018-12-12+368.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The street was called <b>Rua Quebra Costas</b> or the <b>Street of Broken Ribs</b> as, at one time, there were no steps here and it <i>was</i> literally the street of broken ribs. You can imagine how dangerous this is when, during a strong rain, this street becomes a river!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The poster advertised the really enjoyable fado concert we'd listened to the night before at <b>Fado ao Centro.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV060sGDZnrHNF4KrWolnNZeBSjU9fieiTP9PaMioYZ7d20WbJBuRTGkPZ-fQ-Ww1OpiQ2vpylWKpIc3bzZBGZyDPVo0M0GII7oTnVf8JpqD9aEVuHXSXSz8ncH97R1pUWYk8pKbiyKogJ/s1600/2018-12-12+440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV060sGDZnrHNF4KrWolnNZeBSjU9fieiTP9PaMioYZ7d20WbJBuRTGkPZ-fQ-Ww1OpiQ2vpylWKpIc3bzZBGZyDPVo0M0GII7oTnVf8JpqD9aEVuHXSXSz8ncH97R1pUWYk8pKbiyKogJ/s320/2018-12-12+440.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was the charming statue of <b>Tricana</b>, the term given to a local woman wearing traditional folk clothing resting after a trip to the well. She represented the target of fado love songs and student Romeos!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We'd arrived back at the</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Almedina Gate and Tower </b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">that we'd seen near the beginning of our exploration of Coimbra that morning. It was the busiest and most important point of access for both military and civilian access within the city walls and was located in the lowest part of the walls. It was interesting to see from such a different perspective than we had that morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few steps further down was this <b>monument to fado</b> featuring the Coimbra-style Portuguese guitar draped with both the cape of a male student and the shawl of a woman. The bronze statue celebrated how fado connected the all male at the time university world with Coimbra's women. Steves reported that locals say a " good musician plays his guitar with art and passion, as if loving a woman."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were so glad we'd included a stop in Coimbra as there was so much to enjoy in the charming town.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> We'd made a detour before seeing the University of Coimbra and Old Cathedral to see some pretty interesting ruins and the very, very good Machado Museum.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on May 28th, 2019, from our home away from home every year in a cabin at Grayton Beach State Park on Florida's Panhandle. </i></span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-21036156982057772072019-05-21T19:44:00.000-06:002019-07-19T21:28:02.847-06:0012/11: Miracles in Fatima & Fabulous Fado Concert in Coimbra, Portugal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>About two months ago </i><i>I returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow that really fun trip, here's a link to the newest blog: </i></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">After Steven and I met some women </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">earlier on our trip on a pilgrimage tour </span><span style="font-size: large;">in <b>Lourdes, France,</b> who'd also spent time in <b>Fatima, Portugal,</b> one of the most important religious site for Catholics, we talked about altering our itinerary so we could stop there en route from Lisbon to <b>Coimbra,</b> our destination for the next few nights. We figured it would be crazy to miss it since we'd made a point over the last few years of seeing all the other well known pilgrimage sites over the years. It wasn't because I'm an ultra religious Catholic but because they're important places for all Christians and Steven and I always make a point of spending time in places of religious worship, regardless of the religion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were very fortunate that after a brief 90 minute bus ride to Fatima, the ticket taker in the bus station kindly agreed to keep our duffel bags and backpacks for us while we walked into town. I gave her, not the shirt off my back, but a fleece jacket as thanks for her kindness!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I read that, in 1917 the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in a field in Fatima. She brought with her requests for the recitation of the rosary, for sacrifices on behalf of sinners, and a secret regarding the fate of the world. Every local bishop since has approved the apparitions and deemed them worthy of belief, the highest recognition a Marian apparition can receive from the Church.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Some historical context:</b> In 1917, Portugal, like most of the rest of the world, was at war. As WW I raged throughout Europe, the country found itself unable to maintain its initial neutrality and joined forces with the Allies, in order to protect colonies in Africa and to defend their trade with Britain. About 220,000 Portuguese civilians died during the war; thousands due to food shortages, thousands more from the Spanish flu. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Besides the hardships of war, Catholics in Portugal were also facing a strong wave of anti-clericalism.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After the establishment of the Portuguese First Republic in 1910,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Catholic churches and schools were seized by the government, the</span><span style="font-size: large;"> wearing of religious clothing in public, the ringing of church bells, and the celebrating of popular religious festivals were all banned. Between 1911-1916, nearly 2,000 priests, monks and nuns were killed by anti-Christian groups. </span><span style="font-size: large;">This was the Portugal the Blessed Virgin Mary entered into when she appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima in 1917, delivering messages about war, peace, suffering, and conversion.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the summer of 1916, 10 yer-old <b>Lucia dos Santos,</b> the youngest of a family of seven children, began shepherding her family’s flock with three friends. During this time, an angelic figure appeared before the girls three different times as they were praying the rosary in the fields, but did not speak to them. almost a year later o</span><span style="font-size: large;">n May 13, 1917,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Lucia was shepherding with her two cousins, <b>Francisco </b>and<b> Jacinta Marto, </b>9 </span><span style="font-size: large;">and 7 years old respectively when Mary appeared for the first time. </span><span style="font-size: large;">She appeared as “a lady dressed all in white, more brilliant than the </span><span style="font-size: large;">sun” on top of a small tree in an open field called the</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Cova de Iria</b> or <b>The Cove of Irene</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">in the countryside of the small town of Fatima. She asked that the children come back to that same spot on the 13th day of the next six months.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What was reported as the sixth and final </span><span style="font-size: large;">Marian</span><span style="font-size: large;"> apparition took place on </span><span style="font-size: large;">October 13, 1917, when crowds of witnesses - </span><span style="font-size: large;">faithful and skeptics alike</span><span style="font-size: large;"> - </span><span style="font-size: large;">had grown to 70,000 gathered, eager to see the sign from heaven that Mary had promised on the same date the previous month. </span><span style="font-size: large;">What happened next has been described as </span><span style="font-size: large;">the <b>Miracle of the Sun</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">or “the time the sun danced" when Mary </span><span style="font-size: large;">cast her own light on the sun. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Numerous witnesses corroborated the phenomenon of the whirling, dancing colorful sun which at one moment seemed to be terrifyingly plunging toward earth, with the crowds “expecting the end of the world to come at any moment” one witness reported. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first statue that greeted us was of <b>Pope Pius XII.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We walked next to the huge and very modern but minor <b>Basilica of the Holy Trinity</b> which seemed more like an auditorium inside than any basilica I'd previously seen. Built in 1996, what I thought of as a very stark building received the Outstanding Structure Award in 2005 from an international group of engineers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was the most simplistic portrayal of Jesus on the Cross again I'd viewed. It was too modern for my taste.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWS-CgVjd6NDkWyev_0dnku0TL7qu6pAGsfW2_HAeadVQm9rndN41v7UO8MnEOj-ulFM6z7S26Kdd8XAVO-up2hB29DyrnyC_BZXCeGl0Y0T-yjeQdIMOr2bTUrkZF2v7z6WDLvPQAhAP/s1600/2018-12-11+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWS-CgVjd6NDkWyev_0dnku0TL7qu6pAGsfW2_HAeadVQm9rndN41v7UO8MnEOj-ulFM6z7S26Kdd8XAVO-up2hB29DyrnyC_BZXCeGl0Y0T-yjeQdIMOr2bTUrkZF2v7z6WDLvPQAhAP/s320/2018-12-11+024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The square between the minor Basilica and the <b>Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary </b>was immense as up to a million faithful congregate there the 13th of every month from May to October to attend vigils and processions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">People had come to light candles or say prayers at the site where Mary had appeared to the three shepherd children.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyL7oU2Ae8zWlXKQgwIqGHioAMs_MUoFDAzx-qieh0TxI0dDSpqYl6GE1sMGi4YVgR0yCBAvx0ODRNGqtntodbeADhdA7NJWyfL1snc8xt08iVUrC6hyphenhyphenBWmvLf4VM1GdxWfD3OF3rnSnU/s1600/2018-12-11+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyL7oU2Ae8zWlXKQgwIqGHioAMs_MUoFDAzx-qieh0TxI0dDSpqYl6GE1sMGi4YVgR0yCBAvx0ODRNGqtntodbeADhdA7NJWyfL1snc8xt08iVUrC6hyphenhyphenBWmvLf4VM1GdxWfD3OF3rnSnU/s320/2018-12-11+102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We walked to the main basilica next that was located at the far end of the square.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXXywJHnNtgGgxQAi6zMjx5eG7coby4-_c9eCkZPxzwyA9J9QX-VlV4Y7gi5lSV1nczHCqnB0PB3m1c32RyM4FImOhGzyRIoTsnsX5x23wHk79gGPvSkmunUISbwoa3t8ME4dr22QAqDb/s1600/2018-12-11+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXXywJHnNtgGgxQAi6zMjx5eG7coby4-_c9eCkZPxzwyA9J9QX-VlV4Y7gi5lSV1nczHCqnB0PB3m1c32RyM4FImOhGzyRIoTsnsX5x23wHk79gGPvSkmunUISbwoa3t8ME4dr22QAqDb/s320/2018-12-11+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was disconcerting to hear Christmas songs like </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Hark the Herald Angels Sing</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"> and others being sung in English of all things.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYFXGMHSvvf7iB8MBjemEutw4vmjhUObBHibANxZab9_9mGspmfvxq36QjVGai-3OQ9p13J-rGzde-p0tb_FhyphenhyphenbJ6Cwuc6t4svGNmbQbf_GA1AvbAVDMIBYs_JBDIF56x1dE3EC6RkvHO/s1600/2018-12-11+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYFXGMHSvvf7iB8MBjemEutw4vmjhUObBHibANxZab9_9mGspmfvxq36QjVGai-3OQ9p13J-rGzde-p0tb_FhyphenhyphenbJ6Cwuc6t4svGNmbQbf_GA1AvbAVDMIBYs_JBDIF56x1dE3EC6RkvHO/s320/2018-12-11+049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another view of the square with </span><span style="font-size: large;">the Basilica we'd first seen a</span><span style="font-size: large;">t the far end; in the foreground was the mostly open-air <b>Sanctuary</b> which we went to a while later.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhda7w_mGXIGqD3LFy7ZwwY0XYCvWAnW4-YZmkZp5TiG4guwIvA6lVKUvlYj18-YPSeiv2kSYuyMGEjyIIX7FiWHU50eq7faKi8kh4wVYI5vKa9-Rm3XE8PPwreT8Jv787GWpiztgWjQo1A/s1600/2018-12-11+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhda7w_mGXIGqD3LFy7ZwwY0XYCvWAnW4-YZmkZp5TiG4guwIvA6lVKUvlYj18-YPSeiv2kSYuyMGEjyIIX7FiWHU50eq7faKi8kh4wVYI5vKa9-Rm3XE8PPwreT8Jv787GWpiztgWjQo1A/s320/2018-12-11+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-OmNRzjB6S0cVGEujW4sVRUr61Vxk2z8XAzWjvO10uOxIVDfRo0qSkkhxFYFvUktC756jbZXO9i4HhvBkaPSVEBwjsKuortAeP4ckLmdxvm6xgrIc0IGyqMVCfGjQNkG2jZ-68jeMIGs/s1600/2018-12-11+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-OmNRzjB6S0cVGEujW4sVRUr61Vxk2z8XAzWjvO10uOxIVDfRo0qSkkhxFYFvUktC756jbZXO9i4HhvBkaPSVEBwjsKuortAeP4ckLmdxvm6xgrIc0IGyqMVCfGjQNkG2jZ-68jeMIGs/s320/2018-12-11+053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The interior of this basilica was far more traditional and therefore more to our liking!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTONIA6tK5bjabcHcxHf4xQScBCO9qLtNWULPrwCi_Q-89kwCYB5Jdqr87MxvuhiqhCCaJPTm1U8qDBmavO377Ezn1JLkpAQp5wwhoUDIIYGjcC7bqBvYP-GCNJs9JRAycuVbIPeMcOLy/s1600/2018-12-11+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTONIA6tK5bjabcHcxHf4xQScBCO9qLtNWULPrwCi_Q-89kwCYB5Jdqr87MxvuhiqhCCaJPTm1U8qDBmavO377Ezn1JLkpAQp5wwhoUDIIYGjcC7bqBvYP-GCNJs9JRAycuVbIPeMcOLy/s320/2018-12-11+057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HqPGDCaRrHr_0zpWssCGYVXeW51xztPvVU6nj69h3bzVg7gCB62LiSes0UkTZNf0htFxh9hcT-ltEsD4Tu78tbkCpFdX8IyiE3JtKXpTuIErz9ua6dtICe3TQxrVKN1XKfcR5qzaM1wM/s1600/2018-12-11+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HqPGDCaRrHr_0zpWssCGYVXeW51xztPvVU6nj69h3bzVg7gCB62LiSes0UkTZNf0htFxh9hcT-ltEsD4Tu78tbkCpFdX8IyiE3JtKXpTuIErz9ua6dtICe3TQxrVKN1XKfcR5qzaM1wM/s320/2018-12-11+061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On both sides of the Basilica were the </span><span style="font-size: large;">Stations of the Cross. This depicted</span><span style="font-size: large;"> the 11th one in which Jesus</span><span style="font-size: large;"> was resurrected. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnJtSbF69De49W-y-YqTEtQARVobLcmCeNF2RHr5EvnqJStWKDdEH05JhNTJxxM7WJX31b7Q55JfM5PkZvk8FgvnaJBZZ7Ww-OGseLoa2tBnt8qS_WF2UJMw0Rcam-_KiLNreacmTVAYj/s1600/2018-12-11+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnJtSbF69De49W-y-YqTEtQARVobLcmCeNF2RHr5EvnqJStWKDdEH05JhNTJxxM7WJX31b7Q55JfM5PkZvk8FgvnaJBZZ7Ww-OGseLoa2tBnt8qS_WF2UJMw0Rcam-_KiLNreacmTVAYj/s320/2018-12-11+063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7VVd5Whw_3wA9s2Cwa45yo3_RXF_rsvsMI8ort49hbAtPF-cyHEK1ug228GagbBKV_DkH6GVX4xr8XlQ4FpCSNcR_nkn_Lk2NCRAEQcm25k4F6FAdBAFTd7fXzO4OAg4TtbYZgf_Am1ZF/s1600/2018-12-11+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7VVd5Whw_3wA9s2Cwa45yo3_RXF_rsvsMI8ort49hbAtPF-cyHEK1ug228GagbBKV_DkH6GVX4xr8XlQ4FpCSNcR_nkn_Lk2NCRAEQcm25k4F6FAdBAFTd7fXzO4OAg4TtbYZgf_Am1ZF/s320/2018-12-11+064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The central tomb belonged to Lucia, the oldest of the three children who witnessed the apparitions and who later became a nun. She died in 2005 at the age of 97.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5DQsMtV3hGYJPLEQOdUjP9snMOY0AR2epjSvCl63Hxt4egLM3E1PNkLTaqEditeyv8N3L4UddjC43KsmLhGkh63zabmJTT5hXPM0-CwT9l43kI21aksNKtPUxxU1owMIhwZ-44Ymxt2j/s1600/2018-12-11+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5DQsMtV3hGYJPLEQOdUjP9snMOY0AR2epjSvCl63Hxt4egLM3E1PNkLTaqEditeyv8N3L4UddjC43KsmLhGkh63zabmJTT5hXPM0-CwT9l43kI21aksNKtPUxxU1owMIhwZ-44Ymxt2j/s320/2018-12-11+088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcNKXEYGiGAa_eIzMBlnA74hivALd2yo3LCZ_4Gu3tp9NCMABErEszccDNHVzkhWc9vUPjvceEQe227E-actdPYvDv6kR2Ng80biTcUGR8HdiarlXxWRXouPH-FkSYx1UFqdHeNMeolC9/s1600/2018-12-11+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcNKXEYGiGAa_eIzMBlnA74hivALd2yo3LCZ_4Gu3tp9NCMABErEszccDNHVzkhWc9vUPjvceEQe227E-actdPYvDv6kR2Ng80biTcUGR8HdiarlXxWRXouPH-FkSYx1UFqdHeNMeolC9/s320/2018-12-11+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Xrj7zMcHXgEf2ElMMKN6Qa-zZjAOU4JNvXvmDd6vibh_TPUkjLPK3sDCCbST3kReWE1AS_3w5173X-maLXH21BfcXYoQxz30kQBTCdCqtJoLAnkPd4ZEwwf_DIcfU4Fb71ulgci02-GI/s1600/2018-12-11+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Xrj7zMcHXgEf2ElMMKN6Qa-zZjAOU4JNvXvmDd6vibh_TPUkjLPK3sDCCbST3kReWE1AS_3w5173X-maLXH21BfcXYoQxz30kQBTCdCqtJoLAnkPd4ZEwwf_DIcfU4Fb71ulgci02-GI/s320/2018-12-11+076.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also saw the memorials and tombs for Jacinto and Francisco, the other young children who witnessed the Marian apparitions. They were canonized on May 13th, 2017, one hundred years after the first apparition. They both died within a few years of the apparitions from the flu pandemic that ravaged Europe. Their mother stated the children had told her they would die early.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFPrlXt_ysXXSr58xlAHVMfmqFvVnE9Da508JJg8kQtmzq64GzViSwEdfnQyjJ11MY-6N-v7ZHtgNZIbVX1FXvxf_bMwlTRDKWALLIBWO94i_d80V2uEMMqufR0-wtpYBgtwffVXpQW4V/s1600/2018-12-11+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFPrlXt_ysXXSr58xlAHVMfmqFvVnE9Da508JJg8kQtmzq64GzViSwEdfnQyjJ11MY-6N-v7ZHtgNZIbVX1FXvxf_bMwlTRDKWALLIBWO94i_d80V2uEMMqufR0-wtpYBgtwffVXpQW4V/s320/2018-12-11+086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Outside the basilica was another very simple manger scene.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OppO0LR1UbQ7QWaB61I0TYs3oUdHi4-QR-T16sNLDht6ByJj6OJ4ofpA9-S7TKbYGddmLertlLvVChXwz20fkR0SaltFDArrZMAYDT31Mjf18EsEOC-NVxaCGigxOJE18iZLzMkBfU7l/s1600/2018-12-11+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OppO0LR1UbQ7QWaB61I0TYs3oUdHi4-QR-T16sNLDht6ByJj6OJ4ofpA9-S7TKbYGddmLertlLvVChXwz20fkR0SaltFDArrZMAYDT31Mjf18EsEOC-NVxaCGigxOJE18iZLzMkBfU7l/s320/2018-12-11+094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We returned to the Sanctuary in time for Mass which was being celebrated in the light rain. All but the first picture were taken a bit earlier when we passed the then-empty Sanctuary on our way to the main basilica. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIs5Sev1tqFbT4DWIwjcmOco32peVK7yguY8BD-id1SM22qZPqM31-0b16JK0yzaUjoNv5DhY0Yv1VoGKFJKXi8DBQAiWQ_75bQIjcRHjbTjcyQjBKnUNIbeXqew-TGIFujbrc7XEdiKDa/s1600/2018-12-11+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIs5Sev1tqFbT4DWIwjcmOco32peVK7yguY8BD-id1SM22qZPqM31-0b16JK0yzaUjoNv5DhY0Yv1VoGKFJKXi8DBQAiWQ_75bQIjcRHjbTjcyQjBKnUNIbeXqew-TGIFujbrc7XEdiKDa/s320/2018-12-11+093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekjkNutYbLxlhYfRW047EOKCdSPg0xT9FfVzigREjF-RIrolJn_PAgjRdy8IS62DQkj-NPkDlc0th3sxcKrVg7pOqIYjKgB9oq1fQapvyoVe5i4HV_29GWBCMP-sdWtBQvrA3_PQ5z3Pb/s1600/2018-12-11+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekjkNutYbLxlhYfRW047EOKCdSPg0xT9FfVzigREjF-RIrolJn_PAgjRdy8IS62DQkj-NPkDlc0th3sxcKrVg7pOqIYjKgB9oq1fQapvyoVe5i4HV_29GWBCMP-sdWtBQvrA3_PQ5z3Pb/s320/2018-12-11+035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBTunKnzprGqqqR5OA1XtJObYYCNK-4woymU9z2xsF8o_WGDa7DqzhOFO9GOEW5XituHoJUl4TMiEO7gNKz5QzMnyY5JSw0XSsKf2pHFLqLucJkUW_miaKbqpxDHH3swj341L5nEtbLcK/s1600/2018-12-11+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBTunKnzprGqqqR5OA1XtJObYYCNK-4woymU9z2xsF8o_WGDa7DqzhOFO9GOEW5XituHoJUl4TMiEO7gNKz5QzMnyY5JSw0XSsKf2pHFLqLucJkUW_miaKbqpxDHH3swj341L5nEtbLcK/s320/2018-12-11+034.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another photo showing the mammoth square on our way back from the main basilica to the underground chapels marking the death of Jesus, his resurrection and the Blessed Sacrament located by the minor basilica:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2ixQ4YF8RPmd0pN8EGOVm9lALJ4GeICtxMdxw7QwBCCBYmHINouyD4GvP_4leC_IB0hVyntu6j7oi7issbFrHHIFSvGhh1_pMsaxZz64J8rOryPDBAvmnmQVEJfAxmGRRQgYW7tVKarf/s1600/2018-12-11+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2ixQ4YF8RPmd0pN8EGOVm9lALJ4GeICtxMdxw7QwBCCBYmHINouyD4GvP_4leC_IB0hVyntu6j7oi7issbFrHHIFSvGhh1_pMsaxZz64J8rOryPDBAvmnmQVEJfAxmGRRQgYW7tVKarf/s320/2018-12-11+095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pope Paul VI</b> visited Fatima on May 13th, 1967, on the 50th anniversary of the initial apparition.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpKAYaIpOa7DuBPBugl3QwHlzVs_OSTxtIAKJuWUoeFltKoe3EztT7n-7syGBloXsSlCZnJEAZL4j6dXk5SsFbDNxjOy2rUUeiZtjkj1h8CGoaUD89x5XoyGVeruH8ewnDdLPRbxm3vj7/s1600/2018-12-11+181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpKAYaIpOa7DuBPBugl3QwHlzVs_OSTxtIAKJuWUoeFltKoe3EztT7n-7syGBloXsSlCZnJEAZL4j6dXk5SsFbDNxjOy2rUUeiZtjkj1h8CGoaUD89x5XoyGVeruH8ewnDdLPRbxm3vj7/s320/2018-12-11+181.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigD2kxE0yuMYIAm57vhJ_0SMFF0wz2UC6YoskqGV4C5KqI9eV9pe5ecn8EY1zJ8BzlcIv7JT2otTyiUrAsbUt9aIRUgp1qYwNww4CngYOq0F6piuz2Z835GquJST7-jcU5cA_9P8Ng6lpS/s1600/2018-12-11+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigD2kxE0yuMYIAm57vhJ_0SMFF0wz2UC6YoskqGV4C5KqI9eV9pe5ecn8EY1zJ8BzlcIv7JT2otTyiUrAsbUt9aIRUgp1qYwNww4CngYOq0F6piuz2Z835GquJST7-jcU5cA_9P8Ng6lpS/s320/2018-12-11+118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The complex's ultramodern look continued by the chapels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was certainly glad Steven and I had taken the time to stop and visit Fatima on our way to Coimbra to see for ourselves the site where the apparitions took place but, as I'm sure you gathered by now, I found the entire complex very cold and stark except for the main basilica. I didn't feel 'moved' by what we witnessed as it all looked so barren and it was hard to 'feel' the miracles that had taken place in the Cove of Irene so long ago. Our experience in Fatima was so different from the time we spent in Lourdes just a couple of months previously where we felt a closer connection to the miracles and what had subsequently been built to mark that time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you've visited Fatima, I would love to read your comments and views.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRkUa9pfMZ5SSDbIJGJW_ccOXpM996O3MbFdeGNgznHywjLWp174OJwQLKfOg8amhX-wEvAc8mu4e9WkUT9JsodjiiZ8ViyyHKx68_7I6-vWaVEKkBP5aEg7TK2EvKlg_ZuB1QInN65C7/s1600/2018-12-11+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRkUa9pfMZ5SSDbIJGJW_ccOXpM996O3MbFdeGNgznHywjLWp174OJwQLKfOg8amhX-wEvAc8mu4e9WkUT9JsodjiiZ8ViyyHKx68_7I6-vWaVEKkBP5aEg7TK2EvKlg_ZuB1QInN65C7/s320/2018-12-11+114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We continued our journey to Coimbra next, a city located a further hour plus north that is known as Portugal's Oxford as it's home to the country's oldest and most prestigious university that was founded in 1290. Coimbra was the country's leading city while the Moors controlled Lisbon from the 8th to the 12th century and the country's capital for more than a hundred years from the 12th to the 13th century. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Months ago we'd reserved tickets to see on our first night in Coimbra a fado performance at <b>Fado ao Centro</b> in the city's Old Town. Fado music, as you may recall from my earlier post on visiting the Fado Museum in Lisbon, </span><span style="font-size: large;">is generally known for how expressive in nature it is, as well as being profoundly melancholic. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I read that generally in fado music, "the singer will sing about the hard realities of the daily life, balancing both resignation and hopefulness that a resolution to its torments can still occur." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fado music has two main varieties: Lisbon and Coimbra fado with the former being</span><span style="font-size: large;"> the more well-known of the two styles. The roots of <b>Lisbon fado</b> were in "social contexts that were set in marginality and transgression." It was frequently found in locations favored by sailors and prostitutes. In the early 1900s, it found a great following that, thanks to the popularity of the radio, found its place in homes throughout the country. In the 1990’s, fado found its place in the World Music circuits. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By contrast, <b>Coimbra fado</b> has such close ties to academic traditions at the University of Coimbra that the singers and other musicians wear the traditional academic wardrobe that consists of dark robes, capes and leggings. While Lisbon often appealed to those in the working-class fields, Coimbra appeals to the more privileged classes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are a few other differences in the fado styles between Lisbon and Coimbra, aside from the group of people the music appeals to. Lisbon fado can be sung by anyone regardless of gender, while fado in Coimbra is only sung by males generally as serenades to their girlfriends. Coimbra fado normally is about finding hope in the everyday hardships that people live through. In contrast, Lisbon fado suggests surrender when being faced with those hardships. Lisbon style often features improvisation during performances, whereas Coimbra is constantly rehearsed before performances.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The intimate space was perfect for the fado performance in which there was initially just one singer and two musicians. The former introduced each song, first in Portuguese and then in fluent English for the twenty or so people in the audience. He also took time to talk about the story behind each song, the writers, etc which was of huge help to those of us not very familiar with fado music. </span><span style="font-size: large;">He mentioned that fado music was based on poems that went back to medieval times and was now played on modern Spanish guitars. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The second singer was as compelling as the first.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The singer told us his next song would be about his singing to an an imaginary girlfriend sitting at her imaginary bedroom window who, if she were interested in him, would turn on and off her bedroom lights three times! You can see by his expression how he was fully immersed in the music and therefore so easily engaged the audience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In Coimbra, fado singers often stroll through the streets. If people like what they hear, they don't clap as they would in Lisbon but rather hmm along to show their applause and encourage the fado singers. We made sure to hmm!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The singer cum narrator told the audience that university students were very active during the 48 year-long <b>Antonio Salazar</b> dictatorship</span><span style="font-size: large;">, </span><span style="font-size: large;">creating songs but they had to be careful about what they sang </span><span style="font-size: large;">beca</span><span style="font-size: large;">use of censorship</span><span style="font-size: large;">. Fado music during the Salazar period was much more serious than before or since.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am no music critic but I thought the entire performance was riveting. Steven enjoys playing guitar and he was amazed at the stellar playing by both guitarists who were also music professors at the university. If you ever have a chance to see a fado performance, I urge you to take advantage of the opportunity as it will be one that you will always treasure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the performance all four musicians kindly made themselves available to chat with the audience while everyone enjoyed port wine and snacks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This lovely lady promoted fado music in Coimbra and worked at the small fado hall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Coimbra at night from our apartment near the city's old town:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> Exploring charming Coimbra.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted at long last on May 21st, 2019, from our home away from home for the next month at Grayton Beach State Park on Florida's Panhandle.</i></span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-56807272158733321232019-05-05T21:40:00.000-06:002019-08-19T10:34:11.726-06:0012/10: Lisbon Hodgepodge on our Last Day!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>About a month ago </i><i>I returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow that really fun trip, here's a link to the newest blog:</i></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hopping on <b>Tram 28</b> was both the easiest and most enjoyable way to get from the downtown core to Lisbon's <b>Basilica</b> as it wove in and out of so many neighborhoods </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">just feet from shops and people's front doors along narrow streets </span><span style="font-size: large;">on the forty-five minute ride.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Close enough, you think?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I loved how that tram route gave us an almost free tour of the city.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was just one of the many gaily decorated sardine shops we passed that Lisbon is known for.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3vfPlyPWoF2jIDB9LeYQBKodCa9b0s_mK5V0LcLSt5rXBdGGBOBSxs4s81QOkS48oxWkAA7y1SCS0H9-BjXnjK3dFVr5wTIK21tiuOISmYBX2WaEmmyDtgm30HQeEXayNtDMt8qRgcDX/s1600/2018-12-10+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3vfPlyPWoF2jIDB9LeYQBKodCa9b0s_mK5V0LcLSt5rXBdGGBOBSxs4s81QOkS48oxWkAA7y1SCS0H9-BjXnjK3dFVr5wTIK21tiuOISmYBX2WaEmmyDtgm30HQeEXayNtDMt8qRgcDX/s320/2018-12-10+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">An early morning look at the almost empty Christmas-ready <b>Camoes Square</b> en route to the basilica:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeNjI_GUBjA1EJeom9h379eTThoRyk-tWb1oPiVe3OEqMnBmYhVrpUSRWPbbXKSSngJmJuvk5HFpb2iXgK9BSG5QiK8rzDHF5DSdYoET78qPH6Bt52v_9Hs6RJVF8xy0vVKjeXRSemBx5/s1600/2018-12-10+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeNjI_GUBjA1EJeom9h379eTThoRyk-tWb1oPiVe3OEqMnBmYhVrpUSRWPbbXKSSngJmJuvk5HFpb2iXgK9BSG5QiK8rzDHF5DSdYoET78qPH6Bt52v_9Hs6RJVF8xy0vVKjeXRSemBx5/s320/2018-12-10+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGjzZMNpbdrL6hNkPXeYx1Kwi41Sq2DJHJoYqa-ULm1CTcz0iUD4fb0KVTSabp-Y9aYv5iW_fDa3g1dMwfiUCB0o9CvqJHNeQJemdVNuWn5f5Qr8FbpnivubfVxx0XchW6Aj0G1ovSJd4/s1600/2018-12-10+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGjzZMNpbdrL6hNkPXeYx1Kwi41Sq2DJHJoYqa-ULm1CTcz0iUD4fb0KVTSabp-Y9aYv5iW_fDa3g1dMwfiUCB0o9CvqJHNeQJemdVNuWn5f5Qr8FbpnivubfVxx0XchW6Aj0G1ovSJd4/s320/2018-12-10+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No traditional dark green or blue tile fronted this building!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZARvJ_6G5fgKJk-GsFCDcD69EkpzrApWlDgmMq5AEg-VpEX7XscpPGjrImbOFQWfH026hi9m4EorS3xG_sjODgApDywStFqyjgkFido8b0sIUd_i1pjTYYRNJdGbmkd4UfZ7jsUhROr28/s1600/2018-12-10+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZARvJ_6G5fgKJk-GsFCDcD69EkpzrApWlDgmMq5AEg-VpEX7XscpPGjrImbOFQWfH026hi9m4EorS3xG_sjODgApDywStFqyjgkFido8b0sIUd_i1pjTYYRNJdGbmkd4UfZ7jsUhROr28/s320/2018-12-10+039.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see why we chose to take the tram in order to avoid traipsing up and down the city's many hills.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OfukBLsvaiJJ5Wjq8b7BEM8TAdyNlzHvGj_PMepdYmL7f8ZfB8VXqjBsj3P_wUnjaqIT0sHbbe1uBYlUc9_i58vhCKRyD4mL5bJ6PuL0_C8VvsygcUN9LX6sAT9EmU1UQJH3X1ZHr0Bu/s1600/2018-12-10+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OfukBLsvaiJJ5Wjq8b7BEM8TAdyNlzHvGj_PMepdYmL7f8ZfB8VXqjBsj3P_wUnjaqIT0sHbbe1uBYlUc9_i58vhCKRyD4mL5bJ6PuL0_C8VvsygcUN9LX6sAT9EmU1UQJH3X1ZHr0Bu/s320/2018-12-10+040.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyMs6tJ77ZuW_H6NuKPp-KOjKxYIhgAoSqcCWimcHuEr8KJkm84lr2eolRZWBg7oil4yAlB7vlE8J6QH-MR3GmxbQlIT9I5kHQwl6kEbxc2y0vwgu3AISghpgsDzl2U7y0j2ZLA1s56Gl/s1600/2018-12-10+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyMs6tJ77ZuW_H6NuKPp-KOjKxYIhgAoSqcCWimcHuEr8KJkm84lr2eolRZWBg7oil4yAlB7vlE8J6QH-MR3GmxbQlIT9I5kHQwl6kEbxc2y0vwgu3AISghpgsDzl2U7y0j2ZLA1s56Gl/s320/2018-12-10+044.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Steven and I were both so struck by the lovely tile work that adorned so many building facades in Lisbon.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_F3P19e84OO6qkq0u_LdAF-DRNJL-SYhyphenhyphenXrmbKMQstHBgRBBWxtK0GNr0o6eXNmrDn7Kc2tXH3eEVrZfdsYxQ9Qy1GBGERzTtsNIAW6h_ZRczJVJILdoOcokJE6xsoMuZs_ZuWWEIr8X2/s1600/2018-12-10+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_F3P19e84OO6qkq0u_LdAF-DRNJL-SYhyphenhyphenXrmbKMQstHBgRBBWxtK0GNr0o6eXNmrDn7Kc2tXH3eEVrZfdsYxQ9Qy1GBGERzTtsNIAW6h_ZRczJVJILdoOcokJE6xsoMuZs_ZuWWEIr8X2/s320/2018-12-10+045.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiq_ZP3uN39LdrczTJzAzI1nlDneoUF_D_BW_E1vclx7rRv6oyCJhv6E0nngqCovjapp1vos2cNue_OXlugGPFp-sJ0VUJ9sxuI8zCEKkxrgKqvcwKkA-LOsJblou7mMg1MJ-vKlT4-YLP/s1600/2018-12-10+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiq_ZP3uN39LdrczTJzAzI1nlDneoUF_D_BW_E1vclx7rRv6oyCJhv6E0nngqCovjapp1vos2cNue_OXlugGPFp-sJ0VUJ9sxuI8zCEKkxrgKqvcwKkA-LOsJblou7mMg1MJ-vKlT4-YLP/s320/2018-12-10+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKq3CF96Y9Psg-aOMJIpJ1XwR3JCFAoSM2rzVmzf7Mgf4_XORB9xXcYw4cF4Y51vibOce3qoI7v56l67Xfsy6xPHPndf3oLUx74aHdw5DWZPF1nkzP45dYE-AwU6ZpFugK58IGeRKO_FL/s1600/2018-12-10+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKq3CF96Y9Psg-aOMJIpJ1XwR3JCFAoSM2rzVmzf7Mgf4_XORB9xXcYw4cF4Y51vibOce3qoI7v56l67Xfsy6xPHPndf3oLUx74aHdw5DWZPF1nkzP45dYE-AwU6ZpFugK58IGeRKO_FL/s320/2018-12-10+049.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The tram couldn't have been more convenient as its route ended at the Basilica which was ordered to be built by </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Queen Mary I</b> of Portugal (1734-1816), the first monarch to rule over all of what is considered today as Portugal and Brazil. She realized that, without a child and heir to the throne, the infighting between powerful nobles would divide her country which she had spent her life uniting. Queen Mary I was a deeply religious women and she prayed to God offering to build the greatest church of Lisbon if she were able to have a healthy child. Sadly, her son died two years before the church was completed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazOvnQrtGhhFc1WD0vlyTR0Gqm7dzm8tIjx1PO7mR2OqCk7glWcJYZCVXpMrUJTA10zU7OAffE-stWZA8ktJOMNgnvQap4zsKdrl6i7JLWOK-eNEPf01d4p39eNy72Y8P-brPpQAEZCDg/s1600/2018-12-10+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazOvnQrtGhhFc1WD0vlyTR0Gqm7dzm8tIjx1PO7mR2OqCk7glWcJYZCVXpMrUJTA10zU7OAffE-stWZA8ktJOMNgnvQap4zsKdrl6i7JLWOK-eNEPf01d4p39eNy72Y8P-brPpQAEZCDg/s320/2018-12-10+050.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoNBDKNGOVcwc9a5GHwrpzvo0ipytaJT_235ZMrsEt-dGXupZ5HLYDIlfBQTgvkay4-Q7qQo6z868T6XajnYs1TOuwboFW5_MkHfryAYEwzGHRrleOcrCjfWEvN2StvQWYpmG2BonLk70/s1600/2018-12-10+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoNBDKNGOVcwc9a5GHwrpzvo0ipytaJT_235ZMrsEt-dGXupZ5HLYDIlfBQTgvkay4-Q7qQo6z868T6XajnYs1TOuwboFW5_MkHfryAYEwzGHRrleOcrCjfWEvN2StvQWYpmG2BonLk70/s320/2018-12-10+051.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Steven and I knew we were well out of the city's normal tourist haunts when we entered the Basilica as it was pretty empty of worshippers or fellow tourists.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYu1jKqTo0AH-O1qawjoX4VcIR7DvxZ2rF6QtmfaFi6hiM_XMC6eqY28vhBvFT0Jcg1NjNaDNo29ZXzfXEOpu5nC3JP4MDEsitWk1z9yEBecNfhgW_QVIUfIlhpxFTfmN2bPmNQbxD4-vf/s1600/2018-12-10+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYu1jKqTo0AH-O1qawjoX4VcIR7DvxZ2rF6QtmfaFi6hiM_XMC6eqY28vhBvFT0Jcg1NjNaDNo29ZXzfXEOpu5nC3JP4MDEsitWk1z9yEBecNfhgW_QVIUfIlhpxFTfmN2bPmNQbxD4-vf/s320/2018-12-10+054.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The very ornate tile floor was decorated with the papal colors.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NW76P4sp2yyu76YEwjYlKvq2WsRfShuqhgj6Uf5TFzeYyRGZrmYgS77n7xWen72n-c__nqwe9fZ_12Y6uzX3rJlr6g2CRxZdjl5KYCTm0bnQzUOsGg87gAnvfM0gtulNxzOzQfu-pjre/s1600/2018-12-10+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NW76P4sp2yyu76YEwjYlKvq2WsRfShuqhgj6Uf5TFzeYyRGZrmYgS77n7xWen72n-c__nqwe9fZ_12Y6uzX3rJlr6g2CRxZdjl5KYCTm0bnQzUOsGg87gAnvfM0gtulNxzOzQfu-pjre/s320/2018-12-10+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvaxQuxHCSWu34NLlHTho4qN9xUg6dBfg_hE-LlUoHb_Nt-TDhUsfMq9uVfx28nDt7wQ-bKLhhPE40UtvgpWym56uhKavsQTliiY7E1Gq6B42n9wZg2hqjQjvcaOXX8eg-lS1vgBQ6hxh/s1600/2018-12-10+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvaxQuxHCSWu34NLlHTho4qN9xUg6dBfg_hE-LlUoHb_Nt-TDhUsfMq9uVfx28nDt7wQ-bKLhhPE40UtvgpWym56uhKavsQTliiY7E1Gq6B42n9wZg2hqjQjvcaOXX8eg-lS1vgBQ6hxh/s320/2018-12-10+058.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It seemed fitting that the elaborate empire-style tomb of Queen Mary lay within her beloved basilica.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VzwkGm9mDgM1uB0m3aPqaMVYHdJLQEPPJl-KRUWvi7H-0g5TAU6oNh2wtUZd7MA6v7vG88dB8q6W1XROtrC6GABRggmFGwgXnFxu1aYvo8QoUEgpBR5Qz50YN2tIGVcudTfqWF7VEveo/s1600/2018-12-10+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VzwkGm9mDgM1uB0m3aPqaMVYHdJLQEPPJl-KRUWvi7H-0g5TAU6oNh2wtUZd7MA6v7vG88dB8q6W1XROtrC6GABRggmFGwgXnFxu1aYvo8QoUEgpBR5Qz50YN2tIGVcudTfqWF7VEveo/s320/2018-12-10+064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZehZWRGNdmfFO4HGwVRnZ-uNJ3FWT12S4vd9cxZ_CxbR7S6b4HBFBxQdSdsUeB-88V3houU98hVPEoh29YnSMF3_elYUzK63xfXB_9PrhoFsxdohH_4jUiZBTXTUytsdJiDe_Rtp5ZUr9/s1600/2018-12-10+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZehZWRGNdmfFO4HGwVRnZ-uNJ3FWT12S4vd9cxZ_CxbR7S6b4HBFBxQdSdsUeB-88V3houU98hVPEoh29YnSMF3_elYUzK63xfXB_9PrhoFsxdohH_4jUiZBTXTUytsdJiDe_Rtp5ZUr9/s320/2018-12-10+089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think the basilica's major attraction was the 500-figure Nativity Scene which was sculptured out of terracotta and cork by the artist <b>Joaquim Machado de Castro.</b> Nativity scenes reached their height in Europe in the 18th century. Portuguese nativity scenes incorporated both scenes based on the Bible as well as those from daily life.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzyVxbkQ8_i7tCFjl0NCAHtnsjrnLferSAFPKqvsOBok1rK0uJNPLKpBYT8-S9NrDpn-H1MISkRnMm1FwH676jUTDykYuFYOpw4fYgk-_hXGbyIxyTxbBZQZGJLCZqEnLlntU-WznTwS7/s1600/2018-12-10+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzyVxbkQ8_i7tCFjl0NCAHtnsjrnLferSAFPKqvsOBok1rK0uJNPLKpBYT8-S9NrDpn-H1MISkRnMm1FwH676jUTDykYuFYOpw4fYgk-_hXGbyIxyTxbBZQZGJLCZqEnLlntU-WznTwS7/s320/2018-12-10+073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9PuHicdtfzIQA_GgmoibNBKW8sLDssICzG2TJKiYOEhsxID0ashEVGfCH5JS1QLTocG1reVGG2ndCINwUbOMRCTOj6vdx3GRVB7uZ7TEo8F8oy10GpE5xSme2pTzImlVzVY-OqnvhUqv/s1600/2018-12-10+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9PuHicdtfzIQA_GgmoibNBKW8sLDssICzG2TJKiYOEhsxID0ashEVGfCH5JS1QLTocG1reVGG2ndCINwUbOMRCTOj6vdx3GRVB7uZ7TEo8F8oy10GpE5xSme2pTzImlVzVY-OqnvhUqv/s320/2018-12-10+068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was remarkable getting a sense of how common people lived day-to-day in the late 18th century as they were portrayed washing their clothes, playing cards, having their fortunes told, etc! Just click on any of the images to get a better sense of the detail as de Castro brought the people to life.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHa3nd-TnE6vM05-M5YuCKwd36l_ECmrsOp2hzm0mF6uuKpzZywsJcq4k3oPm7IfJQBeSwJOx1LpeIW4JGUuj-Bs1xK5cLYWd2sZqCLTufrHIy8sL_Zzic33OpIuJfFXW0V3ra2Qu5QdH/s1600/2018-12-10+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHa3nd-TnE6vM05-M5YuCKwd36l_ECmrsOp2hzm0mF6uuKpzZywsJcq4k3oPm7IfJQBeSwJOx1LpeIW4JGUuj-Bs1xK5cLYWd2sZqCLTufrHIy8sL_Zzic33OpIuJfFXW0V3ra2Qu5QdH/s320/2018-12-10+069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHeCoQaOfGXBJVaqruojytUv_SS3AaPKcDzeYSkFNqfaWF9fJxap-4qubtcafv1lmRX2zd1WPvIeTXBGpo0tFwfHdfGbfCMtLJy0ao6_XIA0MDk5gCkyO7O4BOEAs4BL5gcv1AKtwW-8i/s1600/2018-12-10+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHeCoQaOfGXBJVaqruojytUv_SS3AaPKcDzeYSkFNqfaWF9fJxap-4qubtcafv1lmRX2zd1WPvIeTXBGpo0tFwfHdfGbfCMtLJy0ao6_XIA0MDk5gCkyO7O4BOEAs4BL5gcv1AKtwW-8i/s320/2018-12-10+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Balthazar</b> was depicted riding on horseback:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMsKBQ1cK9GiyL_oh1NNhfBQHhajkxMfvY1k_RNnxorzFRNuUB-TBiDrBZJVeHSF7k9nNqYy-IzO9gvB8HeuFfiojUiPzUs6U72M4EIoav-EKeU6vKFBxxdsEJZ35iUZt16fNtgMo5LSs/s1600/2018-12-10+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMsKBQ1cK9GiyL_oh1NNhfBQHhajkxMfvY1k_RNnxorzFRNuUB-TBiDrBZJVeHSF7k9nNqYy-IzO9gvB8HeuFfiojUiPzUs6U72M4EIoav-EKeU6vKFBxxdsEJZ35iUZt16fNtgMo5LSs/s320/2018-12-10+075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEj2y1-hRVZdYkukGmaX8X2BcnvGAAFF71HTl9wSxSLDA6f1C_R7mSA6MH5Tg24VVyn8huWGnozOcRgzlwUVqscj0GRZpU_O8p-z7qHyQBDeTa1-vv5lOVnUe8YtTtDt1upxu83V_GsCK/s1600/2018-12-10+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEj2y1-hRVZdYkukGmaX8X2BcnvGAAFF71HTl9wSxSLDA6f1C_R7mSA6MH5Tg24VVyn8huWGnozOcRgzlwUVqscj0GRZpU_O8p-z7qHyQBDeTa1-vv5lOVnUe8YtTtDt1upxu83V_GsCK/s320/2018-12-10+087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After getting such a kick out of the remarkable nativity scene at the basilica, we hopped on another tram to take us back downtown. I don't think Steven and I have ever been in a a city with as many varied transportation options as Lisbon had: tram, bus, funicular, escalators, elevators, and the metro plus of course countless steps to keep anyone in shape if you plan to dally in Lisbon for a bit! All the times we took the tram, we never encountered anyone verifying to see if people had scanned their passes after entering; it all appeared to be on the honor system.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5WFKeRHKFC8PPxujGcMPR-XzOCN6PKA5QCE624Z8gyn7MDwEI6J1fPVLStj3xJnNw1ytQuAnCkCyqMorwIIipgUlS0K3gfOnhsI0YJUBOrNi3jeUmEQfXuGWfhRZw56BLrclmaDdcY8v/s1600/2018-12-10+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5WFKeRHKFC8PPxujGcMPR-XzOCN6PKA5QCE624Z8gyn7MDwEI6J1fPVLStj3xJnNw1ytQuAnCkCyqMorwIIipgUlS0K3gfOnhsI0YJUBOrNi3jeUmEQfXuGWfhRZw56BLrclmaDdcY8v/s320/2018-12-10+090.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDMUSUlsZqxAGDXPBBPPd9SRenUfZh2y8kQcwcPvLBwgazI2Z2ocHUzjX0a0ZFL-P3cIf8rflUFxK7m4r49YllXuwa9_nprc55xTb7geuNUB4HOP_WYvd7qFwusaEVWg-zAU9Kp2dCNd2/s1600/2018-12-10+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDMUSUlsZqxAGDXPBBPPd9SRenUfZh2y8kQcwcPvLBwgazI2Z2ocHUzjX0a0ZFL-P3cIf8rflUFxK7m4r49YllXuwa9_nprc55xTb7geuNUB4HOP_WYvd7qFwusaEVWg-zAU9Kp2dCNd2/s320/2018-12-10+092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSptkMwFcEA-b933oRRhuXa4-ELnmcNPCA4tciHYux0tuA-hAwfjLi8vC5TZyaUZKb4CTGqQ1AOn8gMogHXQc4Igdpi5nWKSX4UVIPAsCvdnaSjup-rn6z3Ue4C6LOYePlOAv07iiQ2vYX/s1600/2018-12-10+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSptkMwFcEA-b933oRRhuXa4-ELnmcNPCA4tciHYux0tuA-hAwfjLi8vC5TZyaUZKb4CTGqQ1AOn8gMogHXQc4Igdpi5nWKSX4UVIPAsCvdnaSjup-rn6z3Ue4C6LOYePlOAv07iiQ2vYX/s320/2018-12-10+098.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The tram passed by the pretty <b>Church of Santos Ovelho </b>on its way back to the center of town.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oXPoEjdqhbkP2cdtdJTvDQkWXtPwRKMf7GegsHv3UmnJuRrRn8YjM6qekbCxlLW9M1w2JAwHICx-lrdu1zDmEarGEDWnN2gVcyrDvSXZqqu_xvEwpKg8zIQWDV_Zz6DOZyLcPsZlgL5F/s1600/2018-12-10+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oXPoEjdqhbkP2cdtdJTvDQkWXtPwRKMf7GegsHv3UmnJuRrRn8YjM6qekbCxlLW9M1w2JAwHICx-lrdu1zDmEarGEDWnN2gVcyrDvSXZqqu_xvEwpKg8zIQWDV_Zz6DOZyLcPsZlgL5F/s320/2018-12-10+101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We alighted the tram at the heart of the</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <b>Baixa District</b> to get our final look at the city's historic downtown before we departed Lisbon. After the city disastrous earthquake in 1755, the Baixa area was rebuilt, according to travel writer <b>Rick Steves,</b> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">on a grid pattern that felt almost military which made sense as it was constructed by military engineers who'd had experience building garrison towns overseas.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5YEeb7fiXuRydburNseTCuY70KAfJH5RzwGk1Djplycdxzysqx1MYO4dTvgfXwrwVo9rPCursS-_eRmwWTV_hiaXQo_eOFuoakfufMUBfiXbKzMHH9Y9fBavzB683-031mQbj9o63KUD/s1600/2018-12-10+105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5YEeb7fiXuRydburNseTCuY70KAfJH5RzwGk1Djplycdxzysqx1MYO4dTvgfXwrwVo9rPCursS-_eRmwWTV_hiaXQo_eOFuoakfufMUBfiXbKzMHH9Y9fBavzB683-031mQbj9o63KUD/s320/2018-12-10+105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the riverfront square bordering the Baixa was <b>Praca do Comercio</b> or <b>Commerce Square</b> where ships used to dock and sell their goods. It was the site of Lisbon's royal palace for 200 years preceding the earthquake. Following it and the tsunami and fire, the fearful king left for the safer <b>Belem</b> area, home of the <b>Jeronimos Monastery</b> and other similarly impressive sights we'd seen a couple of days previously.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The square was dominated by Lisbon's <b>Arch of Triumph</b> with famed explorer <b>Vasco da Gama</b> on the left and <b>Marques de Pombal</b> who rebuilt the city on the right. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the center of the square was the statue of <b>Jose I,</b> the king who ceded control of the government to his chief minister, Pombal. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The monument, built 20 years after the earthquake, portrayed the king astride his horse, a symbol of triumph, stomping on snakes who represented possibly Protestants as the symbol of evil. The elephants brought to mind Portuguese empire colonies in India and Africa. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the bottom of the square, a pair of Pombaline pillars representing Lisbon's gateway to the sea marked a little pier that gave us a pretty, water-level view of the <b>Tejo River.</b> Behind Steven was the 25th of April Bridge and the <b>Cristo Rei</b> or Christ the King statue similar to the far more famous one in Rio.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since it was low tide, we strolled along the beach for a bit looking to pick up a few shells for you <b>Zachary,</b> as we always do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Will:</b> I don't know of your travels have ever taken you to Lisbon but, if not, you should consider looking at the <b>Wines of Portugal Tasting Room</b> in the vast square if you visit Lisbon. I'm sure you would enjoy sampling from up to sixteen local wines: eight whites, eight reds, a green and a port!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Under an arcade near the arch was <b>Martinho da Arcada,</b> a cafe founded in 1782 where the wealthy would come to enjoy early ice cream made with mountain snow, lemon and spices. Can you imagine the novelty that must have been almost 250 years ago?! The place was a favorite hangout for Portuguese poet <b>Fernando Pessoa</b> and for early 20th century painters, writers and dreamers who shared revolutionary ideas here over coffee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Passing under the big arch took us through the pretty arcade adorned with the characteristic black and white cobbled sidewalk that is also found in <b>Rio de Janeiro</b> in Portugal's former territory of Brazil. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The mosaic limestone and basalt cobbles were first cut and laid by 19th century prison laborers. I read that the patterns are still chosen from a book of acceptable designs. The city government has wanted to replace them with modern pavement because they are both slippery and expensive to maintain but the locals have been clamoring to maintain the status quo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I, for one, would hate to see them go as they hearken back to a bygone age and are an integral part of the city's history. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Walking through the Baixa area, there were few churches that remained in the post-earthquake district. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The buildings were in the austere architectural style adopted immediately after the earthquake with exterior decoration added only in the 19th century after the Portuguese in colonial Brazil found that the tiles protected against humidity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The facade of the <b>Church of St. Nicola</b> faced a square but its entire exterior on its street-front side was disguised by green tiles, another form of post-earthquake Baixa. Never would we have known from the side there was a church around the corner!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFG53mFO-Y6KJpPxn68tsusHoo79lUPeRPviZWburQ093HlDtlp2guClYklcArCMABwQ4fLjAAKMQ9i1pl9HQxMnHOKqc_EuumqsyWIsFY6kTjyTNIYA-6X7IPBLbM7wUuxeIXk0AYJM4c/s1600/2018-12-10+176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFG53mFO-Y6KJpPxn68tsusHoo79lUPeRPviZWburQ093HlDtlp2guClYklcArCMABwQ4fLjAAKMQ9i1pl9HQxMnHOKqc_EuumqsyWIsFY6kTjyTNIYA-6X7IPBLbM7wUuxeIXk0AYJM4c/s320/2018-12-10+176.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Inside, about ten women were being led in a <b>Recitation of the Rosary</b> by another holding a microphone, something we've only witnessed a few other times. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIcnjQdTORA6yQ3f9n9dNvn2EED1hyphenhyphenbrb0wA8A8ux8psKn1M7hYVLVH7ZWpjBg5GLm150q4k0pxb7gK8jOGLrhnEN90Gj6aleyE0BsdgOz9HK3lJ7x6CR2w026pdaKWoJScQXTuv4FVuP/s1600/2018-12-10+166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIcnjQdTORA6yQ3f9n9dNvn2EED1hyphenhyphenbrb0wA8A8ux8psKn1M7hYVLVH7ZWpjBg5GLm150q4k0pxb7gK8jOGLrhnEN90Gj6aleyE0BsdgOz9HK3lJ7x6CR2w026pdaKWoJScQXTuv4FVuP/s320/2018-12-10+166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of blocks away we had a marvelous view of the <b>Elevador de Santa Justa,</b> one of the ways I described earlier locals and tourists can more easily access the city's hillier sections. The 150-foot tall iron tower connected the flat Baixa district we were in with another we'd explored a few days ago. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4TABzXPJnh1lx2xKHWywNRhwkzsQ7ZTOHXoH7gHk4-SUizOuJZ8osC_AaWcMOi5g_Ttk6Ut2yd9Ty5reYuV3peG5yK5fMxOSltAYpepGO-VY9sZg_pIjT_eMoVjUcmNvqsEtY5dS5Dru/s1600/2018-12-10+180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4TABzXPJnh1lx2xKHWywNRhwkzsQ7ZTOHXoH7gHk4-SUizOuJZ8osC_AaWcMOi5g_Ttk6Ut2yd9Ty5reYuV3peG5yK5fMxOSltAYpepGO-VY9sZg_pIjT_eMoVjUcmNvqsEtY5dS5Dru/s320/2018-12-10+180.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the corner of the rundown <b>Praca da Figueira</b> or <b>Fig Tree Square</b> was the thriving <b>Confeitaria Nacional,</b> a place little changed since the 19th century that displayed <i>conventuel</i> sweets. The tarts were special confections consisting of sugar and egg yolks made by nuns who used egg whites to starch their laundry and therefore had an abundance of yolks left over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the corner of the square was an historical statue of Portugal's <b>King Joao I</b> atop a horse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To get a sense of real Lisbon it was worth walking along <b>Rua Dom Antao de Almada</b> as the lane had several characteristic shops.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5HWHC3I7oaDGq2yilQNMD4Hlt02DgJUNwEQrzJy9o4uM2qRV9V8D2JyDXe5oqe9wneAIQhEmNRopSeCxOhjt32PgP0eTRWFt-AV6QaFoQNmtfC02V6nv1OWpbTmuObhWo5wapoNnXCLw/s1600/2018-12-10+190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5HWHC3I7oaDGq2yilQNMD4Hlt02DgJUNwEQrzJy9o4uM2qRV9V8D2JyDXe5oqe9wneAIQhEmNRopSeCxOhjt32PgP0eTRWFt-AV6QaFoQNmtfC02V6nv1OWpbTmuObhWo5wapoNnXCLw/s320/2018-12-10+190.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before we even reached this shop, we knew from its smell it sold cod which was part of of the country's heritage as a nation of seafaring explorers. Salted cod could keep on a ship for a year after soaking it in water to rinse out the salt. Doesn't that sound yummy - not!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the end of the lane facing another square was another church, the <b>Church of Sao Domingo,</b> which was the center of the Inquisition in the 1600s but was now considered one of the city's more active churches. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OumjJuS7upbXcRvA0RWmolU_a5Nfgj4rrxXZ9uiqLYuuuNAxI3Zn2GJi_oPzi5PEpfQZoJpwviW0Njs5tfFVVAJVcHIsvX4eJrkj3rAJdKtSc2oRZ3YzYpBbk-4pky8bR8CgIihrn-YE/s1600/2018-12-10+199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OumjJuS7upbXcRvA0RWmolU_a5Nfgj4rrxXZ9uiqLYuuuNAxI3Zn2GJi_oPzi5PEpfQZoJpwviW0Njs5tfFVVAJVcHIsvX4eJrkj3rAJdKtSc2oRZ3YzYpBbk-4pky8bR8CgIihrn-YE/s320/2018-12-10+199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The church was more or less rebuilt from the ruins left by the 1755 earthquake that happened on All Saints Day Sunday when most of the people were at church and the earth began to roll. Across the city, heavy stone church walls like these collapsed on their parishioners. The black soot on the walls and the charred stonework at the altar were evidence of the horrific fires that followed the earthquake.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBwrf9RZaZqpxvBesJoUNOWQbmG3h60uE7G7mxlDrYpCZTY-u-5zxBmdHPtVVV_Et3Py6qnaUbsWvfrb32GzSrlDuC-obENNbJj05eddTgQ07O8UNMyHyGo2UbAq9e3zBogBWd9BzoiIB/s1600/2018-12-10+205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBwrf9RZaZqpxvBesJoUNOWQbmG3h60uE7G7mxlDrYpCZTY-u-5zxBmdHPtVVV_Et3Py6qnaUbsWvfrb32GzSrlDuC-obENNbJj05eddTgQ07O8UNMyHyGo2UbAq9e3zBogBWd9BzoiIB/s320/2018-12-10+205.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Crumbling pillars from the earthquake were never fully restored.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The simple chapel of Portugal's most popular saint, <b>Our Lady of Fatima,</b> had the most candles. Her statue was joined by two of the three children to whom she appeared. As the third child was still alive when the chapel was constructed, he wasn't shown in heaven withe saint. There'll be more, by the way, in the next post about Our Lady of Fatima as we made an impromptu detour to the town of Fatima the next day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzT75fHiqeF5CZeyCebCMszG_cu_07icGjmCSojgSoKDMxu3BUQ0V1MoXglEK-IN1FEVKxF1f2m9E6YKMhJ0fJKagZjG_WGg1KP-6UY0ZBGLdl2QGnZRJRI76FtOL5eE2r0tpVDERUbTQ/s1600/2018-12-10+202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzT75fHiqeF5CZeyCebCMszG_cu_07icGjmCSojgSoKDMxu3BUQ0V1MoXglEK-IN1FEVKxF1f2m9E6YKMhJ0fJKagZjG_WGg1KP-6UY0ZBGLdl2QGnZRJRI76FtOL5eE2r0tpVDERUbTQ/s320/2018-12-10+202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rarely have we been in a church where the seats were at a different level than the surrounding floor like those at this church.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8izvnYZ7WS4rc4WNz_ZbalsSYSrcWdk8A8b3dp_cWNNoTy1zE__XJgwItCkKIufsZOwJOm7TcTiPNTEdXdfqcLaqKwzFsEHSlcpyN74vhVaPkoMu3msKiFlfbUXhrOlyQB_CjOrWWm-MC/s1600/2018-12-10+210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8izvnYZ7WS4rc4WNz_ZbalsSYSrcWdk8A8b3dp_cWNNoTy1zE__XJgwItCkKIufsZOwJOm7TcTiPNTEdXdfqcLaqKwzFsEHSlcpyN74vhVaPkoMu3msKiFlfbUXhrOlyQB_CjOrWWm-MC/s320/2018-12-10+210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the large square </span><span style="font-size: large;">just beyond the church </span><span style="font-size: large;">was <b>Largo de Sao Domingos</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">which would have been outside the old town walls. It was where people congregated to enjoy bohemian entertainment and keep local watering holes busy. In an ironic twist, the square </span><span style="font-size: large;">that was once a site of the city's 16th century slave market </span><span style="font-size: large;">has become a meeting point for immigrants from former Portuguese colonies.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55mF5UzaN_Cs-HddRI_eqO6pbLZhaAJ_oeK1_qsws1gylr5OErEq2voOSa2QxzzgaTH_clRpfvdOg4J8wEDLDF_h_uphaVilDIwNyucYWrzQS4_sS8Ya3JW9S6sQWP_5P098TQedBzuKu/s1600/2018-12-10+212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55mF5UzaN_Cs-HddRI_eqO6pbLZhaAJ_oeK1_qsws1gylr5OErEq2voOSa2QxzzgaTH_clRpfvdOg4J8wEDLDF_h_uphaVilDIwNyucYWrzQS4_sS8Ya3JW9S6sQWP_5P098TQedBzuKu/s320/2018-12-10+212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A stone monument on the square honored the Jewish massacre of 1506 in which thousands of Jews, who had sought refuge in Portugal after having been expelled from Spain, were then killed by the local populace after a drought ravaged the country. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FUeQt26iTEnbwxXe2J-HzDfzElhrx2q2r8gwSDHDW-j4H4ecoTaqRDzszirtbSojRbbw3QMkVJpnXK6VMVjB1OcPIowqqbCZE4F-SM9xBms-RRHG0iUq2fxQ2pm-uY2vfMhK3B-GxB2F/s1600/2018-12-10+213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FUeQt26iTEnbwxXe2J-HzDfzElhrx2q2r8gwSDHDW-j4H4ecoTaqRDzszirtbSojRbbw3QMkVJpnXK6VMVjB1OcPIowqqbCZE4F-SM9xBms-RRHG0iUq2fxQ2pm-uY2vfMhK3B-GxB2F/s320/2018-12-10+213.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By then we were in need of some liquid sightseeing and therefore sought out this local bar<i> </i>on the square! It was famous for serving the </span><span style="font-size: large;">favorite Lisbon drink, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Ginjinha,</i> a sweet liquor made from the <i>ginja</i> berry which was like a sour cherry with sugar, cinnamon and brandy. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-85e6L0U5BK5gyj_i7NjAHzPP-tpUx2mjHv1IFPNTyou-qZveTgmTZaUWeSBa5mOxc7-gTM6Vvlv1i9i_OS-F96r85MWqnozfAnWvqSaVUZhn34ZH7tEcrnk6coyxoCX9ouRyUphnb4UA/s1600/2018-12-10+222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-85e6L0U5BK5gyj_i7NjAHzPP-tpUx2mjHv1IFPNTyou-qZveTgmTZaUWeSBa5mOxc7-gTM6Vvlv1i9i_OS-F96r85MWqnozfAnWvqSaVUZhn34ZH7tEcrnk6coyxoCX9ouRyUphnb4UA/s320/2018-12-10+222.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrv331DIEB4UDt69ph90GyxuuGc0XvagZA5OqzhZT_eh-JHukY-3FG8ZFYCK9TIbzbwyulVRlJfKjtUMQrjUJXHTu6QtULIL2yK9PN1fE0yOzB6VX3CnXAfe94DGArLK6xHQwVNTJUu825/s1600/2018-12-10+224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrv331DIEB4UDt69ph90GyxuuGc0XvagZA5OqzhZT_eh-JHukY-3FG8ZFYCK9TIbzbwyulVRlJfKjtUMQrjUJXHTu6QtULIL2yK9PN1fE0yOzB6VX3CnXAfe94DGArLK6xHQwVNTJUu825/s320/2018-12-10+224.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had to wait a minute for the tram to pass to enter </span><span style="font-size: large;">the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <b>Se de Lisbon</b> or <b>Cathedral</b> that had such an immense fortress-like exterior that it was solid enough to survive the earthquake. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The cathedral was the first place of worship </span><span style="font-size: large;">that Christians built after they retook Lisbon from the Moors. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It was begun in 1150 </span><span style="font-size: large;">on the former site of a mosque</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">, indicating the</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Reconquista </b></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">was there to stay.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSw2m5G4tBQWkiRlmbOEt7F0IO408gN_3fTM_mkAxeCabhQ0ZTWsyLR2p824YgilmJzGwLVZw0heewCyv0O7BQkeauphyphenhyphenHxVT_Th64_egR6Ubn2kHZr05zVk-mp4KhbuczzLkqRmTJTGi/s1600/2018-12-10+229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSw2m5G4tBQWkiRlmbOEt7F0IO408gN_3fTM_mkAxeCabhQ0ZTWsyLR2p824YgilmJzGwLVZw0heewCyv0O7BQkeauphyphenhyphenHxVT_Th64_egR6Ubn2kHZr05zVk-mp4KhbuczzLkqRmTJTGi/s320/2018-12-10+229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was about the third time we'd seen the cathedral and every time there were tuk tuks out front waiting for rides!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Hk8N649cwJbhcMXthpiQmCoffH_0OoQXWjNFcMSfeKyorWkh0KDPRkkiqR79eayB3FqrgE8tPKClGT_2-Xu-vyLpdF4BV6r5P8itHdk3Usf8b-7tNsGZOVotlV5wMyuYKs4lfp4Vr_Rr/s1600/2018-12-10+252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Hk8N649cwJbhcMXthpiQmCoffH_0OoQXWjNFcMSfeKyorWkh0KDPRkkiqR79eayB3FqrgE8tPKClGT_2-Xu-vyLpdF4BV6r5P8itHdk3Usf8b-7tNsGZOVotlV5wMyuYKs4lfp4Vr_Rr/s320/2018-12-10+252.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With its rounded arches and dim, windowless nave, the interior was wholly Romanesque in style.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The church was the site of the 1195 baptism of <b>St. Anthony,</b> one of the country's favorite saints. The lovely tile panels around the baptismal font portrayed St. Anthony preaching to the fish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The only area of the city Steven and I still wanted to see before leaving Lisbon in the morning was the easternmost area where what looked like a few interesting sites were located. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Across from the futuristic Oriente train station was the soaring glass facade of Lisbon's biggest shopping center, <b>Vasco da Gama Mall,</b> that was originally the entrance to the <b>Lisbon World Exhibition</b> of 1998. It appeared like it had been "inspired by the main hall of a luxury cruise ship" as Steves so beautifully described. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Behind the mall was the</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Parque das Nacoes, </b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">the site of Expo '98. At the top of the</span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Grand Esplanade</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">were 155 flag poles arranged alphabetically, in Portuguese, representing the official participating countries and organizations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the far end of the line of flags was a 1.5 yard deep basin that was used for seaplanes before WW II.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Doesn't Steven look cute standing in front of <b>Gil,</b> the official mascot of Expo '98, who was named for the Portuguese navigator <b>Gil Eanes!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stopping to get a few groceries on our way back to the apartment, it was amusing coming across a Christmas tree made out of none other than cod!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were sure glad the escalator was working to take us way up to our apartment located in one of the hillier sections as we were tired after all we'd seen and done that last fun day in Lisbon! We were so glad we'd chosen to spend so many days in and around the capital as we felt we really had a good sense of the vibrant city and more than a just an introduction to the country's seafaring history. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> Goodbye Lisbon and onto Fatima and Coimbra!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on May 5th, 2019, from Chicago, Illinois, where we visited our daughters and son-in-laws for the weekend.</i> </span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-85301434637943475502019-04-29T21:25:00.002-06:002019-08-18T23:27:00.238-06:0012/9: Lisbon's Great Gulbekian Museum - A Walk through Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> About a month ago </i><i>I returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow that really fun trip, here's a link to the newest blog:</i></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Earlier in the day Steven and I had had a really great day exploring Lisbon's <b>Belem</b> neighborhood with its wealth of museums from the country's Golden Age when the tiny nation controlled so much of the world. Luckily, we'd saved enough time to seek out the <b>Gulbekian Museum,</b> considered the best of the city's 40 museums. The art museum, located two miles north of the city center, was named for <b>Calouste Gulbekian</b> (1869-1955), an Armenian oil tycoon who gave his immense art collection to Portugal as thanks for the asylum he was granted while living in Lisbon during WW II. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkddJMYLNJP_rxdncK1Z2VSX6hWWquaBhBe2MdU5rYGPJy0S67S9Cn32zkPrpP4Wdg7BfrpcxjpIzGm0Xot_yIH835y3ekvBiISKs9MWNudiZeGOjYlem7IbIZs_BM_3blEKattAFrYOdo/s1600/2018-12-09+423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkddJMYLNJP_rxdncK1Z2VSX6hWWquaBhBe2MdU5rYGPJy0S67S9Cn32zkPrpP4Wdg7BfrpcxjpIzGm0Xot_yIH835y3ekvBiISKs9MWNudiZeGOjYlem7IbIZs_BM_3blEKattAFrYOdo/s320/2018-12-09+423.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">According to travel writer <b>Rick Steves,</b> Gulbekian is considered to be "an inspirational model of how to be thoughtfully wealthy. He made a habit of 'tithing for art,' spending ten percent of his income on things of beauty, and his billion-dollar estate is still a vital arts foundation promoting culture in Portugal." His huge collection spanned 5,000 years of European, Egyptian, Islamic, and Asian art.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This monumental limestone sculptural group, called the <i>Homage to Jean Goujon</i>, was produced by French artis</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">t <b>Alfred-Auguste Janniot</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">during his studies in Rome from 1919-1924. When he returned to France, the grouping was exhibited outside the most visited pavilion in the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Decorative Arts. Janniot's name became the symbol for the Art Deco period and artistic movement. Calouste Gulbekian acquired the work in 1939 to place it in the gardens of his property.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were two wings off the entrance lobby: the pre-1500 and the post-1500; we began in the former, preferring to follow the museum's mostly chronological layout. That meant starting with Gulbekian's ancient <b>Egyptian treasures</b> which dated from 2500-500 BC. As the Egyptians from long ago believed that life really began after death, they carved statues to preserve the memory of the dead, whether it was a prince or a family pet. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The compact limestone Egyptian piece, called the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> Statuette of the Official Bes, </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">came from the early 26th dynasty which lasted 660-610 BC. The inscription called Bes "the king's friend."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The bronze <i>Cat with Kittens</i> was from the 26th dynasty, i.e. 664-525 BC. The cat was shown nursing her kittens atop a coffin that used to hold the cat's mummy so it was preserved for the afterlife. Egyptians liked to honor cats as they believed the cats helped the goddess <b>Bastet</b> keep watch over the household. Cats were so highly prized that cats were given gold earrings! This mother cat's ears were even pierced. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This <i>Egyptian Funerary</i> polychrome ebony statue was from the Middle Kingdom's 11th dynasty which was about 2000 BC. It was hard to fathom what phenomenal condition it was in all these millennia later. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the <b>Greece and Rome Gallery </b>(500 BC-500 AD), this beautiful terracotta <i>Vase</i> from circa 440 BC Greece was painted using the red-figure technique over a black background. The surface was divided into two horizontal sections using mythological themes. The scenes portrayed half-human satyrs chasing human women. I read it was designed to remind people of "the rational Greeks' struggle to overcome their barbarian, animal-like urges as they invented Western civilization."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Any satyr sculpture or monument Steven and I've seen in the past has appeared very ferocious and always with a scowl. That's why I was surprised at how friendly this Roman <b>Satyr's Head</b> from the mid-2nd century AD was.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 9th century BC alabaster <i>Bas-Relief</i> </span><span style="font-size: large;">came from the <b>Northwest Palace</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">in <b>Nimrud, Assyria, </b>now modern-day Iraq. It represented a bearded genie with the right hand raised in adoration and the left holding a smaller vessel containing purifying water. An engraved Assyrian inscription crossed over the genie with no regard to the sculpture, according to the custom of the scribes of the period. The text, a kind of summary of the great inscriptions of the kings, began with a long enumeration of the protecting gods and the titles of the monarch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This golden marvel depicted a bust of </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Alexander the Great </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">(336-323 BC)</span><b style="font-size: x-large;"> </b><span style="font-size: large;">wearing a jeweled crown or diadem with a round shield on one side. On the other, was Alexander's head with a ram's horn. Alexander used war to spread Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean, creating a cultural empire that would soon be taken over by Roman emperors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other magnificent coins:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the <b>Islamic World Gallery </b>(700-1500), we got to see items from all over the Islamic world Muslims might have decorated their homes with as they lived in Portugal which was as far west of Mecca as you could get back then.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> The Bowl with Birds in Mirror Profile </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">came from the late 13th century or early 14th century Iran, a country Steven lived in for two years and which we would both love to visit together if at all possible. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ovC_bkU5QDhUn9BcSDFlbJYPw5fwzodLzeqZFuCpmrubFwy-luJXpssUtlKK1M2hV8S41h7AiEmD-_jA_ztpKkGlOb5Ah8BRhiIFa9kJLs8EL3MymHTYRDhJzg1kOUGbvbfWrIb651my/s1600/2018-12-09+254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ovC_bkU5QDhUn9BcSDFlbJYPw5fwzodLzeqZFuCpmrubFwy-luJXpssUtlKK1M2hV8S41h7AiEmD-_jA_ztpKkGlOb5Ah8BRhiIFa9kJLs8EL3MymHTYRDhJzg1kOUGbvbfWrIb651my/s320/2018-12-09+254.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No collection of items from the Islamic part of the world would be complete without a stunning wool </span><i><span style="font-size: large;">Isfahan Carpet</span></i><span style="font-size: large;"> from 16th-17th century Persia.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJZu6mVW2J3t_61lifu-silxJwYYLWpoEQotlyGZpVkYHJBxlmp_Jc6ObcArkGd1nZHR0IZ8T-guAujd1BkQ1lH58t5dxeJ8MIZXdJWNED1Gs6QCFGsJ_LuC1VPtKD6IcgfnA7evK9zIj/s1600/2018-12-09+270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJZu6mVW2J3t_61lifu-silxJwYYLWpoEQotlyGZpVkYHJBxlmp_Jc6ObcArkGd1nZHR0IZ8T-guAujd1BkQ1lH58t5dxeJ8MIZXdJWNED1Gs6QCFGsJ_LuC1VPtKD6IcgfnA7evK9zIj/s320/2018-12-09+270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxrH8F3w8BgqYNnal03f2LYS6Voo5ftXlE_1vmjQgPg8q03pDPWKUEG7lAcdlHoVZY8kkMiw9Ht9N2PtbGMsIzmR5qsxwWtJ0MxkpjSLXuyhCj99bsDkfsou3oKavdeDB4GXT2wYSvA1q/s1600/2018-12-09+256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxrH8F3w8BgqYNnal03f2LYS6Voo5ftXlE_1vmjQgPg8q03pDPWKUEG7lAcdlHoVZY8kkMiw9Ht9N2PtbGMsIzmR5qsxwWtJ0MxkpjSLXuyhCj99bsDkfsou3oKavdeDB4GXT2wYSvA1q/s320/2018-12-09+256.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think the most spellbinding items we'd seen so far were the <i>Glass Mosque Lamps </i>- not only were they beautiful, there were actually Arabic quotes from the Koran on them. One said "Allah is the light of the world, shining like a flame in a glass lamp, as bright as a star."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fqR2ft8I4gPeLspmQKsmc-itbxH7bziKxMGzuy5h_ctaBAgy4ukG6lYCgRuApigv04eBeHYnF6gefisAZFAe9rQlWrYzvqDUMkCo0TlAE9nLjBfus07XSUMV9a6O2OxwNTgz6h8_KPjO/s1600/2018-12-09+260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fqR2ft8I4gPeLspmQKsmc-itbxH7bziKxMGzuy5h_ctaBAgy4ukG6lYCgRuApigv04eBeHYnF6gefisAZFAe9rQlWrYzvqDUMkCo0TlAE9nLjBfus07XSUMV9a6O2OxwNTgz6h8_KPjO/s320/2018-12-09+260.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgl71PFQ2JEYDBc4TucisCzdSjDSBB6FuHZeMMGKSR438ssPvMGkX5tzC3rKVwrnd6DcK_3mezcJzlp89jXTJTRaX5B6nS8bZv79_8SypLHWmNUHk7q6jzRmn-704u5aiPttv6X8ga4fzz/s1600/2018-12-09+261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgl71PFQ2JEYDBc4TucisCzdSjDSBB6FuHZeMMGKSR438ssPvMGkX5tzC3rKVwrnd6DcK_3mezcJzlp89jXTJTRaX5B6nS8bZv79_8SypLHWmNUHk7q6jzRmn-704u5aiPttv6X8ga4fzz/s320/2018-12-09+261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkVtmnR2hyWcFZZ31Pq4nWPULwYM7F5sbKn9C5LjNd9FIO0Ret-H8Q8K16orPmXI1a9mxZeHt1xmJVsTfb8k93mnCCBk-klXmxX5M7emx2rahduywZKRRADy7u-yso6zKKklMtMAzsqel/s1600/2018-12-09+264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkVtmnR2hyWcFZZ31Pq4nWPULwYM7F5sbKn9C5LjNd9FIO0Ret-H8Q8K16orPmXI1a9mxZeHt1xmJVsTfb8k93mnCCBk-klXmxX5M7emx2rahduywZKRRADy7u-yso6zKKklMtMAzsqel/s320/2018-12-09+264.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not to be outdone was this lovely, painted</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Tile Panel </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">from the second half of 16th century Turkey during its Ottoman period.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJ7MCplpIKrIWioMj1rgOdzpsGWD0stKlRBIAh9t9T_Xslg7u5XycmnPn1nP8KlEH1y9CGFkHECT5Xw50v1cxDVVadrcg6E4D4oNjnb005qKJCCRkI4NxSEEoWuC_ggiAjJhcXz05IIbu/s1600/2018-12-09+265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJ7MCplpIKrIWioMj1rgOdzpsGWD0stKlRBIAh9t9T_Xslg7u5XycmnPn1nP8KlEH1y9CGFkHECT5Xw50v1cxDVVadrcg6E4D4oNjnb005qKJCCRkI4NxSEEoWuC_ggiAjJhcXz05IIbu/s320/2018-12-09+265.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyny3O2Q2iqtvyfW9u8fmUnnORgBjTjM1ewMr6dhbIZ2h4jEPTGpZO3AjYzIO_nsIZaKeoNRNzPljIu7Z4wVwqLWoGAyctPIh24bSzKqNiOYroIpQmTqCYfyx2j5b5gkfyy0dV0wgRjj7/s1600/2018-12-09+267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyny3O2Q2iqtvyfW9u8fmUnnORgBjTjM1ewMr6dhbIZ2h4jEPTGpZO3AjYzIO_nsIZaKeoNRNzPljIu7Z4wVwqLWoGAyctPIh24bSzKqNiOYroIpQmTqCYfyx2j5b5gkfyy0dV0wgRjj7/s320/2018-12-09+267.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two more spectacular tile panels from the same period:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ88cryLjsMtciRnHxo7aPpfbnKoL2PO5536obTJr58x2T17z5IrNaTL2NzoiBvMbsUC0uLU-r_xHvA6lF3y2r8XRTlsbghIuxrMs2j2_-3sFWxos9iMEtEwc3FwaG3sFO81bQHDz4iUea/s1600/2018-12-09+268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ88cryLjsMtciRnHxo7aPpfbnKoL2PO5536obTJr58x2T17z5IrNaTL2NzoiBvMbsUC0uLU-r_xHvA6lF3y2r8XRTlsbghIuxrMs2j2_-3sFWxos9iMEtEwc3FwaG3sFO81bQHDz4iUea/s320/2018-12-09+268.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some other lovely items from the Iznik area of Turkey, also from the 16th century, really grabbed my attention as I love pottery, especially anything in the rich, cobalt blue color. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw90xiYYUNPa_398hR0wDlfCT05N2ddtzw2V5EBpHhj6Cq7XRztLlUdrleqq6txlqPz1-fAEyg5nk9_XKbLGf1CgjPY5cxWIhN3HApT6mjDQXjOiblsFnheltl_hFnwLEf2Uw_snXN3WoR/s1600/2018-12-09+271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw90xiYYUNPa_398hR0wDlfCT05N2ddtzw2V5EBpHhj6Cq7XRztLlUdrleqq6txlqPz1-fAEyg5nk9_XKbLGf1CgjPY5cxWIhN3HApT6mjDQXjOiblsFnheltl_hFnwLEf2Uw_snXN3WoR/s320/2018-12-09+271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBKLEFFk2GUr04Fd1_E0Kmn1i0ESp7pmc2R9V8t2SyrcY7GCPB_wNAHAn9ld6cCAVxjy_x_BO76Rpoa5OAtV9brCWCx3YjWw9W42x5ymmY9Lv0Ipkh3bpHkkj46cHd5Wgz4IUYrmhfDcD/s1600/2018-12-09+272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBKLEFFk2GUr04Fd1_E0Kmn1i0ESp7pmc2R9V8t2SyrcY7GCPB_wNAHAn9ld6cCAVxjy_x_BO76Rpoa5OAtV9brCWCx3YjWw9W42x5ymmY9Lv0Ipkh3bpHkkj46cHd5Wgz4IUYrmhfDcD/s320/2018-12-09+272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1O5J87BSe_7XoUlaQpgMcwim8cu1m_FhnK5EHxBPE5hFoRPQUlK6L9e_nzmMlszNCdRsh1kxNi7aH146UsTRnhqFaA_SollxiH8Y2QZDjm9Ej1km10iRl_15llme9ZJ-yhUPxgc7KEVM/s1600/2018-12-09+274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1O5J87BSe_7XoUlaQpgMcwim8cu1m_FhnK5EHxBPE5hFoRPQUlK6L9e_nzmMlszNCdRsh1kxNi7aH146UsTRnhqFaA_SollxiH8Y2QZDjm9Ej1km10iRl_15llme9ZJ-yhUPxgc7KEVM/s320/2018-12-09+274.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The <b>Far East Gallery</b> (1368-1644) was the next area of the world where Gulbekian amassed a wealth of items. For almost 300 years, the Ming dynasty ruled China, having reclaimed the country from Genghis Khan and his sons. When Portuguese traders reached the Far East, they brought back blue and white ceramics. In time, they became all the rage and helped inspire the creation of both Portuguese tiles and Dutch Delftware. (Steven and I looked forward to seeing the latter on a day trip from Amsterdam to Delft in about two weeks!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2m6A9hx3ZX1d6i0Xum50v27rEbX-EDtFE19WjiCpShZSzIwROrLgSiaNywOfDFOPG1mYJtK2mqkm4-5UjHjGGljA_mXjevHDojhHn4gzSZW0-DCQXZpW_hy5dKXyZyO2d3UuuTsKEzxNq/s1600/2018-12-09+277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2m6A9hx3ZX1d6i0Xum50v27rEbX-EDtFE19WjiCpShZSzIwROrLgSiaNywOfDFOPG1mYJtK2mqkm4-5UjHjGGljA_mXjevHDojhHn4gzSZW0-DCQXZpW_hy5dKXyZyO2d3UuuTsKEzxNq/s320/2018-12-09+277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> Three Jars and Two Vases </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">came from the mid-18th century Qing dynasty.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b1DAO9mOFsA3Lrgl4dUQUi_lJqNxsgEj5MgCfaewQzclbq5qe2QwiOWYEFtrgXZzecED5SxNohLwABPa43hfTQqJFvpRHSooAt83b9PCF-Eqb6WLDqtRmZCzg9EdhagwPVoodkzT8FM_/s1600/2018-12-09+278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b1DAO9mOFsA3Lrgl4dUQUi_lJqNxsgEj5MgCfaewQzclbq5qe2QwiOWYEFtrgXZzecED5SxNohLwABPa43hfTQqJFvpRHSooAt83b9PCF-Eqb6WLDqtRmZCzg9EdhagwPVoodkzT8FM_/s320/2018-12-09+278.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Interestingly, these early 18th century porcelain pieces were called <i>Pairs of Lions or Fo Dogs</i> - did that mean they were lions or dogs?!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7t3xHXw6wbb-LydFKFcejOtlNlajk-L98da5HSZcvtCuuYLN0gW9sArBtdImPUHHttOdkm72qx_4nP57tlfiA2R0coo2G4EE0uPEbmRjOCtagZ0TOxwJpHqVPUWp85EwdW7woUmJn_9Ei/s1600/2018-12-09+283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7t3xHXw6wbb-LydFKFcejOtlNlajk-L98da5HSZcvtCuuYLN0gW9sArBtdImPUHHttOdkm72qx_4nP57tlfiA2R0coo2G4EE0uPEbmRjOCtagZ0TOxwJpHqVPUWp85EwdW7woUmJn_9Ei/s320/2018-12-09+283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wouldn't it be amazing to have this late 17th century wood, lacquer and paper <i>Coromandel Screen</i> from China displayed in your home?! It was so beautiful.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNjeq5YePOaLSM6NXt_VmBeRXZGGDeqcpdp5GQWr9klNSewo__3zrlcsIg27bgvUTFYiYXaJhfRXN3gyHhSM3Ts_TaH0uo611YfimqvYXSMUnbodmXChZkDpE8RfskupqJCH8RbgaJm2W/s1600/2018-12-09+285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNjeq5YePOaLSM6NXt_VmBeRXZGGDeqcpdp5GQWr9klNSewo__3zrlcsIg27bgvUTFYiYXaJhfRXN3gyHhSM3Ts_TaH0uo611YfimqvYXSMUnbodmXChZkDpE8RfskupqJCH8RbgaJm2W/s320/2018-12-09+285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This 19th century Japanese <b>Silk Hanging</b> was a stunner, too.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggM3zOSDhRVOTzTjdbdcaHBXvI8mJ0mG2IczQeLtNHBVshj0bIHcrSPRzpqyvMh7k7c-GRbvBwKfPJk2lVYp8bFxvtJic3VQEAanSuF-uU4CjwuOqNv6zLPkbJ-5Ota0rzTZHQG1gUiSSt/s1600/2018-12-09+288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggM3zOSDhRVOTzTjdbdcaHBXvI8mJ0mG2IczQeLtNHBVshj0bIHcrSPRzpqyvMh7k7c-GRbvBwKfPJk2lVYp8bFxvtJic3VQEAanSuF-uU4CjwuOqNv6zLPkbJ-5Ota0rzTZHQG1gUiSSt/s320/2018-12-09+288.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BHTBk23vqHaugrwpNGV-sHSIRAYoxU4UIw5S4uBcNO3hXeC_zUJoJ7H4_BiHdreFCYGOjmfavsdEspSAjnxzEijLEqdh-w2PksfrfH0FEDh01GrBbBJWROUKDZImQLkosAuNAWmokDY3/s1600/2018-12-09+287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BHTBk23vqHaugrwpNGV-sHSIRAYoxU4UIw5S4uBcNO3hXeC_zUJoJ7H4_BiHdreFCYGOjmfavsdEspSAjnxzEijLEqdh-w2PksfrfH0FEDh01GrBbBJWROUKDZImQLkosAuNAWmokDY3/s320/2018-12-09+287.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This 18th century <b>Edo Period</b> Japanese box was the ultimate picnic basket and perfect for an excursion to the Japanese countryside.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQPCe8S9ndAw-HjrLnaIWD1o06UQeqUTcrG4to6Sh3Hd2N5rWo6-Vk15oOU0sBev6BzqI5PEK7lzgPCBPN0sxn0t7CrhmKKjODMC8listEUyLgTo7RgbYdMGH7KbOpFpYJDwTDIw9ix43/s1600/2018-12-09+290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQPCe8S9ndAw-HjrLnaIWD1o06UQeqUTcrG4to6Sh3Hd2N5rWo6-Vk15oOU0sBev6BzqI5PEK7lzgPCBPN0sxn0t7CrhmKKjODMC8listEUyLgTo7RgbYdMGH7KbOpFpYJDwTDIw9ix43/s320/2018-12-09+290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We then crossed into the next wing which focused on European art starting with the <b>Medieval Europe Gallery</b> (500-1500). While China was thriving and inventing, Europe, according to Rick Steves, was "stuck in a thousand-year medieval funk with the exception of Muslim Arab-ruled Spain and Portugal." Most Europeans from this 'Age of Faith' placed their spirituality into objects of Christian devotion. </span><span style="font-size: large;">This 14th century Flemish diptych (i.e. two screens) showed the <i>Coronation of the Virgin, Washing of the Feet, Crucifixion and the Ascension.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4MoiJd6m-XzMncHVGi2ORBs_V2XChS2xD6BlORGMvwm5InTKswVd7p11c8Z5WjAzzpUjO1sQFyVBEEGwiyPtlaeR3d8j5HL1q3bSdOL68t9U8ZRhWGMztqgRZB9Z-mjt2nubzVlXPf6Z/s1600/2018-12-09+294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4MoiJd6m-XzMncHVGi2ORBs_V2XChS2xD6BlORGMvwm5InTKswVd7p11c8Z5WjAzzpUjO1sQFyVBEEGwiyPtlaeR3d8j5HL1q3bSdOL68t9U8ZRhWGMztqgRZB9Z-mjt2nubzVlXPf6Z/s320/2018-12-09+294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 12th century Italian portrayal of <b>Christ</b> was created from chased and gilded bronze.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqahJyqdaXU6cyar7-TnpYz-Gr42L8SsGnkltjfBpkJlEog29ho1glihPV4vgbiDzTGMGZ6wAE0MFpKOBIpV34mu1TYqmAuhOL1ztJFhrNTwf7nzaa33JWkrFrdlc6dUUz4ZAkpr-O3EOn/s1600/2018-12-09+296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqahJyqdaXU6cyar7-TnpYz-Gr42L8SsGnkltjfBpkJlEog29ho1glihPV4vgbiDzTGMGZ6wAE0MFpKOBIpV34mu1TYqmAuhOL1ztJFhrNTwf7nzaa33JWkrFrdlc6dUUz4ZAkpr-O3EOn/s320/2018-12-09+296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The triptych of <i>Scenes from the Life and Death of the Virgin</i> by an unknown </span><span style="font-size: large;">French artist </span><span style="font-size: large;">was made of elephantine ivory with traces of polychrome. One like this enabled a priest traveling </span><span style="font-size: large;">on horseback </span><span style="font-size: large;">from one remote village to another that had no church to deliver a sermon as he had his own altar piece with him.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZoieBITZWW53tK8ZulablF2c_SZnE9TB1qfJnoVgKieAlPrUeGyc-LgttzL4Gxmovr82jrXtA71zLiWl9dND6IsTH0VHOAVicZ0v4WP_u9RrCa3rJcGjUv0XGHwuU4mliGM5KBLN3JIE/s1600/2018-12-09+299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZoieBITZWW53tK8ZulablF2c_SZnE9TB1qfJnoVgKieAlPrUeGyc-LgttzL4Gxmovr82jrXtA71zLiWl9dND6IsTH0VHOAVicZ0v4WP_u9RrCa3rJcGjUv0XGHwuU4mliGM5KBLN3JIE/s320/2018-12-09+299.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In monasteries, the monks with the best penmanship copied books called</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Books of Hours </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">and decorated them with scenes from the text. These Christian devotional books were initially written in Latin and commissioned by wealthy members of the nobility and of the rising bourgeoisie. The books were like time capsules as they preserved the knowledge of Greece and Rome until those cultures could reemerge a thousand years later in the Renaissance. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUhVfgb7N4YMx6N3yjjcvpZxmWh8AHQojxhemC_Vp3qV04qruEZeerAL_PM8zU1_QLllVBbssU9g17XJUDYO2y92fnQMTpt-g3zk7aSg6N_Q8uHYcuvRYbGhFaT30iiwwd-qQ-knh36Xn/s1600/2018-12-09+304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUhVfgb7N4YMx6N3yjjcvpZxmWh8AHQojxhemC_Vp3qV04qruEZeerAL_PM8zU1_QLllVBbssU9g17XJUDYO2y92fnQMTpt-g3zk7aSg6N_Q8uHYcuvRYbGhFaT30iiwwd-qQ-knh36Xn/s320/2018-12-09+304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljNY8sa_BuKwj_F2_CWAa74IfkJi2uJ5Ln0aCTXx4BRjIdeimxh0qJau0-VBSpW-5M975P_AcxnBqNKeA0V52cCgVlfFOqgYeK9DTXaqQgce3HNsCSgMYxupw9nodGraQ5cqKgMYx_Iu-/s1600/2018-12-09+305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljNY8sa_BuKwj_F2_CWAa74IfkJi2uJ5Ln0aCTXx4BRjIdeimxh0qJau0-VBSpW-5M975P_AcxnBqNKeA0V52cCgVlfFOqgYeK9DTXaqQgce3HNsCSgMYxupw9nodGraQ5cqKgMYx_Iu-/s320/2018-12-09+305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxCiGm1ZRC6VGiKLP3zT52KvpDP0k-PTIQZyawdj_0vXQfISccMqR-55tr7CrA8Uuc8HLMobVV6yef6W4q-yxqrb3EOiq3lyzvAw5rt_TjhHDlEcnnhEhkdHLnZi7y-FvHy1lKui39hvl/s1600/2018-12-09+308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxCiGm1ZRC6VGiKLP3zT52KvpDP0k-PTIQZyawdj_0vXQfISccMqR-55tr7CrA8Uuc8HLMobVV6yef6W4q-yxqrb3EOiq3lyzvAw5rt_TjhHDlEcnnhEhkdHLnZi7y-FvHy1lKui39hvl/s320/2018-12-09+308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next part of the enthralling museum focused on <b>Renaissance and Baroque Painting</b> from 1500-1700. When the birth of humanism began around 1500, painters began viewing God in the faces of ordinary people. An example of that was this oil portrait of a wrinkled old woman by the Dutch artist, <b>Frans Hals,</b> about 1626. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwRnIQf_V9rVdppBR1yoaDbmdTobKKKpcdKAnaQvwG9NNkbzd1HVJh1U6plH4x_1RKMu-uGJkGU7lPCWjfPA4btIUlq-EMwcaZE8aPr38YjxfkxG9j1fApdu2HsduFY7WcCAR9LohLzNm/s1600/2018-12-09+309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwRnIQf_V9rVdppBR1yoaDbmdTobKKKpcdKAnaQvwG9NNkbzd1HVJh1U6plH4x_1RKMu-uGJkGU7lPCWjfPA4btIUlq-EMwcaZE8aPr38YjxfkxG9j1fApdu2HsduFY7WcCAR9LohLzNm/s320/2018-12-09+309.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another, </span><span style="font-size: large;">by</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <b>Rembrandt</b> in 1645, was the<i> Portrait of an Old Man</i> whose </span><span style="font-size: large;">crease-lined hands told the story of his life.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJboJ3nZBMMltESsYsvCq3qoSteK-GZLsdghJ3WrOvmh3RJt_uK8KD4MsbLdyfBPCfzGEfHZ9sOBKdCRTxrEiqL8dWwBU7Gq6KCeYZewd5XpHKZ_N_0UZ798-HnM0kNHJBhTnZ7qcyV83Q/s1600/2018-12-09+311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJboJ3nZBMMltESsYsvCq3qoSteK-GZLsdghJ3WrOvmh3RJt_uK8KD4MsbLdyfBPCfzGEfHZ9sOBKdCRTxrEiqL8dWwBU7Gq6KCeYZewd5XpHKZ_N_0UZ798-HnM0kNHJBhTnZ7qcyV83Q/s320/2018-12-09+311.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These next two were described as being 'lesser works' by <b>Peter Paul Rubens</b> but I confess to not knowing what constituted his major versus lesser works.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCDSL4HtCOSBjIZREdXbqiusJ2inz8AB4_NEcb8bjMv8yM2TFewq855xpZLWbUMzuxn8bWbJBNNqrJK8yDDfaFQzp1asp8S8Ht7VN23psWfe2qiU_1MUjWzofdbmJQ6Y3dORBgfUd3AwW/s1600/2018-12-09+313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCDSL4HtCOSBjIZREdXbqiusJ2inz8AB4_NEcb8bjMv8yM2TFewq855xpZLWbUMzuxn8bWbJBNNqrJK8yDDfaFQzp1asp8S8Ht7VN23psWfe2qiU_1MUjWzofdbmJQ6Y3dORBgfUd3AwW/s320/2018-12-09+313.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ga1Ixop4eRbcVFs8SbVxspiJyCV3A_AYKudOWFhL17nNvT7hSP1BDFb_0G9JJy5xwbhvqxXiB656cAXaqN_CRtkwgIoFI5_1EQlerGHmFXGoeDB4oyL2n7vogSVHX4DbN4xzlQfHUw22/s1600/2018-12-09+315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ga1Ixop4eRbcVFs8SbVxspiJyCV3A_AYKudOWFhL17nNvT7hSP1BDFb_0G9JJy5xwbhvqxXiB656cAXaqN_CRtkwgIoFI5_1EQlerGHmFXGoeDB4oyL2n7vogSVHX4DbN4xzlQfHUw22/s320/2018-12-09+315.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For a long time, I've been intrigued by glorious tapestries from long ago so these early 16th century Italian ones called <i>The Dance</i> were particularly captivating.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU5THqdHC3v0yxX14kqyTwY5uxU9JVHJx2P2Kg8X3-AUIwWOWwDcM6XJW0vLsMR-ToYE1nrf3xGcdHr58_FmtjAkiE1a7xrGZiYYbYNMcMXvv2Z3yEYK9NKzQt35K4dxKnFHU1kr8NUMm/s1600/2018-12-09+320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU5THqdHC3v0yxX14kqyTwY5uxU9JVHJx2P2Kg8X3-AUIwWOWwDcM6XJW0vLsMR-ToYE1nrf3xGcdHr58_FmtjAkiE1a7xrGZiYYbYNMcMXvv2Z3yEYK9NKzQt35K4dxKnFHU1kr8NUMm/s320/2018-12-09+320.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-ZlN_8SnhsHMKEyWDktB6Ggde5bOrs5BkhM7cR-DRO4WG_-ksmvDCu4a1y5BzDamnYuAMyUJx4WJGmfRGM4GG6eZg_9KFwzq8H4VtG5jlWWuNpPP0FhHPJ-IOZfnph1ghaPNBHBzDM9w/s1600/2018-12-09+317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-ZlN_8SnhsHMKEyWDktB6Ggde5bOrs5BkhM7cR-DRO4WG_-ksmvDCu4a1y5BzDamnYuAMyUJx4WJGmfRGM4GG6eZg_9KFwzq8H4VtG5jlWWuNpPP0FhHPJ-IOZfnph1ghaPNBHBzDM9w/s320/2018-12-09+317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj076GZ2nehGegFAiiFMnEybs5NRXK4npTkVVy2XFh-nVZxfak2C34JVf9KZpf6WnJKwOFbouZGtfaSks8seH8-qTF2d2W5dnQm_UijGy_7y9oIlt0txwuuM3urchP0cjM_H4b6W21q0e2K/s1600/2018-12-09+318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj076GZ2nehGegFAiiFMnEybs5NRXK4npTkVVy2XFh-nVZxfak2C34JVf9KZpf6WnJKwOFbouZGtfaSks8seH8-qTF2d2W5dnQm_UijGy_7y9oIlt0txwuuM3urchP0cjM_H4b6W21q0e2K/s320/2018-12-09+318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was quite a change from having viewed so many fabulous paintings and tapestries in the previous galleries to displays of furniture once owned by French kings <b>Louis</b></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> XIV, XV and XVI </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">and Marie Antoinette and Madame Pompadour! The heavy, ornate, gilded furniture or that with animal-clawed feet was from Louis XIV's time. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmRO27ArLvo1-U4ipgz3zQC63bUf6JLLUsWMF2-EkoxNdFUo9ukQpRoXa5_Bz1vqKswnuShhPAP4XSfM-4Y31vRbP9WE2_-OBY3iM62SoL2wTOoqj7kMv7DQhaXZivAFpxnToK9F7HfL-/s1600/2018-12-09+324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmRO27ArLvo1-U4ipgz3zQC63bUf6JLLUsWMF2-EkoxNdFUo9ukQpRoXa5_Bz1vqKswnuShhPAP4XSfM-4Y31vRbP9WE2_-OBY3iM62SoL2wTOoqj7kMv7DQhaXZivAFpxnToK9F7HfL-/s320/2018-12-09+324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The lighter, daintier and Asian-themed style was a feature of Louis XV. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PMaj3Wy3BYevjX3LeMKgys6SwCrk5TG7cAzbnu5KTprg_bygNMdNQ2PxLhWuZ_u_dqk6ISFG-Q3XskVlzTQKTJsBEX1SevIcI0yAWyTI9BgHfpasQwhUsDk4GCm5vteXg6IDfzAdOJNO/s1600/2018-12-09+325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PMaj3Wy3BYevjX3LeMKgys6SwCrk5TG7cAzbnu5KTprg_bygNMdNQ2PxLhWuZ_u_dqk6ISFG-Q3XskVlzTQKTJsBEX1SevIcI0yAWyTI9BgHfpasQwhUsDk4GCm5vteXg6IDfzAdOJNO/s320/2018-12-09+325.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ-V1Mhu0WULsytnQL9VfbuGglrzxuxaTeM-4EXFilopAc_BqAu7nOjX7pFQR_Qn4JnCd1eipfk8-4gRVJbR4z_sHYGmJRATtBa_3xgcTg25v35-1Yuqsy32v8TGmUDU3a4O6E6Cqw43o/s1600/2018-12-09+327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ-V1Mhu0WULsytnQL9VfbuGglrzxuxaTeM-4EXFilopAc_BqAu7nOjX7pFQR_Qn4JnCd1eipfk8-4gRVJbR4z_sHYGmJRATtBa_3xgcTg25v35-1Yuqsy32v8TGmUDU3a4O6E6Cqw43o/s320/2018-12-09+327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Seeing such fabulous furniture was like being treated to our very own Home Show!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklsf6fNxwHQ5UCE3ln9Qx19NnukdW80igwo1DBx2lY9KLbqbksaJjK3JVo6gnZwPrM_8vAwRSv6_s2ajhwxyxapOAWfe2YxJcHLa0YGagbZxhd-Lq6sOcWSYrjAW_1pT8GmD8ly8zWqgB/s1600/2018-12-09+328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklsf6fNxwHQ5UCE3ln9Qx19NnukdW80igwo1DBx2lY9KLbqbksaJjK3JVo6gnZwPrM_8vAwRSv6_s2ajhwxyxapOAWfe2YxJcHLa0YGagbZxhd-Lq6sOcWSYrjAW_1pT8GmD8ly8zWqgB/s320/2018-12-09+328.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was fun listening to which clocks still worked in a room full of them! </span><span style="font-size: large;">This 18th century bronze </span><span style="font-size: large;">Mantel Clock called <i>Saint Germain</i> after an area in Paris</span><span style="font-size: large;"> was made by a master clock maker in 1748.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrXJMPQmIAiEm9Xsc1-jTszTiuD-juFlzvpCHdY1NTEfazGtNOJTkCIU2IEEG73QLo1vRlQi-QFTDFDBQa53yXEd8nW1SmhvjB68vWWgMyAi_ROlFUdURwaNUYrfJY1SeTtHLz20glZfT/s1600/2018-12-09+330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrXJMPQmIAiEm9Xsc1-jTszTiuD-juFlzvpCHdY1NTEfazGtNOJTkCIU2IEEG73QLo1vRlQi-QFTDFDBQa53yXEd8nW1SmhvjB68vWWgMyAi_ROlFUdURwaNUYrfJY1SeTtHLz20glZfT/s320/2018-12-09+330.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The style fashionable during the time of Louis XVI was stripped-down, tapered and more modern such as this set.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROsjbcCE3frbjvrw6Vwu5zYCZS4dJj4FNHHzyHrXAaqamegfnOQ7LF_Q8S8RskgBJ_xfxuX5JAJxvU6Usat3Qvh-aN0zDPXqsTrgYzHqrgqrDTFIAyRQxxqYGFsMxwfql9SvQzLd8FKRd/s1600/2018-12-09+332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROsjbcCE3frbjvrw6Vwu5zYCZS4dJj4FNHHzyHrXAaqamegfnOQ7LF_Q8S8RskgBJ_xfxuX5JAJxvU6Usat3Qvh-aN0zDPXqsTrgYzHqrgqrDTFIAyRQxxqYGFsMxwfql9SvQzLd8FKRd/s320/2018-12-09+332.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This French, bronze clock with a globe supported by cherubs and the time marked by a golden snake tongue was very striking and the loudest!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYDEvDcwzepS2YT8O8PKofn4QAQ3YwBRoZMaF_0xtcOaSohwd_cEs53tIUGtj77bQjZ9rAmlZEz6v_hB_k0WD41x-TVmVDgRms000zAOtwIKJBHD9qCMOW4WIdGUb42mLSeCQeugfZtw5/s1600/2018-12-09+335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYDEvDcwzepS2YT8O8PKofn4QAQ3YwBRoZMaF_0xtcOaSohwd_cEs53tIUGtj77bQjZ9rAmlZEz6v_hB_k0WD41x-TVmVDgRms000zAOtwIKJBHD9qCMOW4WIdGUb42mLSeCQeugfZtw5/s320/2018-12-09+335.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaOZewU6UFXq1U6_959haPV-4LWeNsuoF_KM0LxTleI-mKVq3pcZzHJHW9xQw933kuCyyJyEcAjmPnjzDFy19gJVz7rPSUe0hRyKLEihkwGEIs9kU_FDGxeBFAnoRcor4ShJm3D3CEIN2/s1600/2018-12-09+336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaOZewU6UFXq1U6_959haPV-4LWeNsuoF_KM0LxTleI-mKVq3pcZzHJHW9xQw933kuCyyJyEcAjmPnjzDFy19gJVz7rPSUe0hRyKLEihkwGEIs9kU_FDGxeBFAnoRcor4ShJm3D3CEIN2/s320/2018-12-09+336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From clocks we moved to the era of <b>Romantic to Impressionist Paintings</b> which spanned three hundred years from 1700-2000. When Europe ruled the world, art became increasingly refined. Young British aristocrats, like those shown in the portraits below painted by <b>Thomas Gainsborough,</b> did the European Grand Tour to see the most famous sights. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-x3N0VxgZVuEugfdA5DJL_qbh-WXgXhu2FHUu-pXoPCfKcASpPeR8vVSNKM8pv6r5yV1_jEjql-5H7l9yJzPfohdKS94sjrwKFr7zht7-MT_oJqKnToRAg6z17M_zoNhR_75HkRG5XumR/s1600/2018-12-09+338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-x3N0VxgZVuEugfdA5DJL_qbh-WXgXhu2FHUu-pXoPCfKcASpPeR8vVSNKM8pv6r5yV1_jEjql-5H7l9yJzPfohdKS94sjrwKFr7zht7-MT_oJqKnToRAg6z17M_zoNhR_75HkRG5XumR/s320/2018-12-09+338.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFcml-T2KrLTbB1NOrXwSQEKt8oaD14VkbMsNpGp7nM4luE-f3w2aAEQS63uPpYjhXCpxir-913J8nXaT2c10rtFiCXTYuZolJmu8JtpRp8Pr4gKPAyAbVyiwcF06V-Ewo_QELaJu2P6t/s1600/2018-12-09+340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFcml-T2KrLTbB1NOrXwSQEKt8oaD14VkbMsNpGp7nM4luE-f3w2aAEQS63uPpYjhXCpxir-913J8nXaT2c10rtFiCXTYuZolJmu8JtpRp8Pr4gKPAyAbVyiwcF06V-Ewo_QELaJu2P6t/s320/2018-12-09+340.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCryTmpeieIknSe6AYnr3h3tCuKl7M0OJnv_R0DG127e5k6uYuwGzHilz0Iy1ST3vtyS9ggfFFqMLHgmjZ4Vr7lnM1vQCRitHr1rWYH328PCJforpQcB923Oug_jfqMgK6ORYLnEENYqa/s1600/2018-12-09+345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCryTmpeieIknSe6AYnr3h3tCuKl7M0OJnv_R0DG127e5k6uYuwGzHilz0Iy1ST3vtyS9ggfFFqMLHgmjZ4Vr7lnM1vQCRitHr1rWYH328PCJforpQcB923Oug_jfqMgK6ORYLnEENYqa/s320/2018-12-09+345.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> Wreck of a Transport Ship </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">by English painter <b>John Turner</b> in 1810 depicted a stormy shipwreck that was evocative of the Romanticism style. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5CZsVu1pDMXW_cN5pVP5VFofX23gxoONYV6nioivwrw3XtzsnRgIBO3s7ZAHHgdZLQJ36iTHoL30rTobc7UhWfXy7j3T9WnhYYgukguhFWuu9oyBVvpxoAW_Cz8IWxpDksjpIVeYnjpr/s1600/2018-12-09+343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5CZsVu1pDMXW_cN5pVP5VFofX23gxoONYV6nioivwrw3XtzsnRgIBO3s7ZAHHgdZLQJ36iTHoL30rTobc7UhWfXy7j3T9WnhYYgukguhFWuu9oyBVvpxoAW_Cz8IWxpDksjpIVeYnjpr/s320/2018-12-09+343.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ivy:</b> You would have enjoyed seeing <i>Boats</i> painted by <b>Claude Monet</b> in 1868 since you're such a big fan of the French artist. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCNdZlTLHvaguET1OetmIbOlqn_kQboAGEmGu8t4i0vjVT_ReR4IDm23Ynn8__Hz4Z1XyRi90btNugDnD7XjMnVzzmguyE5QFUD72ymeHmjlIfL_CtuAN98yFpIhrMARkN_WslWiETIhl/s1600/2018-12-09+347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCNdZlTLHvaguET1OetmIbOlqn_kQboAGEmGu8t4i0vjVT_ReR4IDm23Ynn8__Hz4Z1XyRi90btNugDnD7XjMnVzzmguyE5QFUD72ymeHmjlIfL_CtuAN98yFpIhrMARkN_WslWiETIhl/s320/2018-12-09+347.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd never heard of French artist <b>Pascal-Adolfe-Jean Dagnan-Bouveret</b> but was very drawn to the 1887 composition of <i>Les Bretonnes au Pardon.</i> </span><span style="font-size: large;">At the end of the 19th century, artists were seduced by the suggestive power of the ancestral traditions of Brittany's peasants, one of which was the religious Pardon ceremony which dated back to the 15th century. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4OCZvv0doXISxR2vlcZHHeXnr4i165LBRhl0MEVb3kmqHZXQo8P5dyr3yhCqK8iMd-_FuBSKmWSWSn72-vVGsD-JO7IAgwdj8ZW1l-wjParoPyr6K1qb4aqh1JfGcbU0Fx4UwwewQ0Ul/s1600/2018-12-09+353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4OCZvv0doXISxR2vlcZHHeXnr4i165LBRhl0MEVb3kmqHZXQo8P5dyr3yhCqK8iMd-_FuBSKmWSWSn72-vVGsD-JO7IAgwdj8ZW1l-wjParoPyr6K1qb4aqh1JfGcbU0Fx4UwwewQ0Ul/s320/2018-12-09+353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Celebrated French sculptor <b>Auguste Rodin</b> created the impressive statue of <i>Jean d'Aire, Burger of Calais,</i> in 1913 and the bust of French writer <i>Victor Hugo</i> in 1866.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfrMy7Ghk4mUH86sHhEjYkMenvrBSf9Y1tzxrPmfeivuqbth9PDf0S9efpdCmylHnr_xsFMlaQbjO10EE8arVEc0Kp8e_9JqZkp3whkj6JmWGMhqRkSs1wi92St2CIqQBgaNcdxi_dZh7/s1600/2018-12-09+358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfrMy7Ghk4mUH86sHhEjYkMenvrBSf9Y1tzxrPmfeivuqbth9PDf0S9efpdCmylHnr_xsFMlaQbjO10EE8arVEc0Kp8e_9JqZkp3whkj6JmWGMhqRkSs1wi92St2CIqQBgaNcdxi_dZh7/s320/2018-12-09+358.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNubkQLxkaeqO8sRwK-Jxp3Z_BW8arW64Xtn-ASe6u-8sJ8MZotsKw78LIpXIJF2RgZiqkoc7lY8C5qPfnN7CR94wfqU2BGmva25O6Ja9Pux0F7oPmInUpohfSMh-2eDUh3LfV5536aMJh/s1600/2018-12-09+360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNubkQLxkaeqO8sRwK-Jxp3Z_BW8arW64Xtn-ASe6u-8sJ8MZotsKw78LIpXIJF2RgZiqkoc7lY8C5qPfnN7CR94wfqU2BGmva25O6Ja9Pux0F7oPmInUpohfSMh-2eDUh3LfV5536aMJh/s320/2018-12-09+360.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The breath of fresh air simplicity typical of the Realism style was evident in the 1863 <i>Self Portrait</i> by <b>Edgar Degas </b>and the subsequent charming paintings by<b> Mary Cassatt </b>and <b>Edouard Manet.</b> <b> </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWFrvuU3d51_TU7PBO9nVVlE6bKG5MzDeORoEDyDdDmui5e-N2qohejAqcBU7tDHN7m7ByTGJEWnP11Z3-wr8t355V3STuyY-iIBjPp_beTUOLsH069Id-Xc68UYfxIOx0nILBGfh9_yW/s1600/2018-12-09+362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWFrvuU3d51_TU7PBO9nVVlE6bKG5MzDeORoEDyDdDmui5e-N2qohejAqcBU7tDHN7m7ByTGJEWnP11Z3-wr8t355V3STuyY-iIBjPp_beTUOLsH069Id-Xc68UYfxIOx0nILBGfh9_yW/s320/2018-12-09+362.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3px42_imoUSPWjQl2tXfCklzcyUWsmhqpgzbsyXo0djF3C7LV2L_HDlDVPw1Y3DNx-XG1C5UPzAhVg8FliXJN_y-ofoP7DtAOLyzfBikuTKnp09WYWHtuspqCq60WiyFREwaoeaecSI8/s1600/2018-12-09+364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3px42_imoUSPWjQl2tXfCklzcyUWsmhqpgzbsyXo0djF3C7LV2L_HDlDVPw1Y3DNx-XG1C5UPzAhVg8FliXJN_y-ofoP7DtAOLyzfBikuTKnp09WYWHtuspqCq60WiyFREwaoeaecSI8/s320/2018-12-09+364.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvg7mfdiiprSWLXODaeYQIur45_UK0v1I9MtpxgFBUKv0BMEiTNOIa0ZTFRZuVFjWy-uVDPvaHFP1H7E60FKJ_LDPCIj8I-g1hRKUSXa55_hp011xfbzDhfySGMX4-F3pE4TuanyOTc7e/s1600/2018-12-09+366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvg7mfdiiprSWLXODaeYQIur45_UK0v1I9MtpxgFBUKv0BMEiTNOIa0ZTFRZuVFjWy-uVDPvaHFP1H7E60FKJ_LDPCIj8I-g1hRKUSXa55_hp011xfbzDhfySGMX4-F3pE4TuanyOTc7e/s320/2018-12-09+366.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What a pretty piece by another artist, <b>Sir Edward Burne-Jones,</b> I was unfamiliar with. The title was <i>The Mirror of Venus.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Almost the last part of the museum's main building was the sumptuous Art Nouveau glass work and jewelry of French designer <b>Rene Lalique</b> (1860-1945) whom </span><span style="font-size: large;">Gulbekian counted among his circle of friends.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Art Nouveau borrowed forms from nature as you can see in the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <i>Horseman Vase</i> and <i>Mice Vase</i>.</span><i style="font-size: x-large;"> </i><span style="font-size: large;">I wondered who would ever want a vase with mice on it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Can you even imagine using paperweights like these drop-dead gorgeous pieces?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look below at how Lalique fashioned ordinary dragonflies, orchids and beetles into breathtaking works of art when they were fashioned into jewelry and hair ornaments. You'll be stupefied by his brilliance! Post a comment below letting me know which piece is your favorite and why. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gulbekian amassed the largest set of jewels by Lalique. </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I felt the small Lalique gallery was worth the admission price alone as the pieces were simply gorgeous. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of, if not <b>the</b> most stunning sculpture gallery I'd ever seen was at the Gulbekian Museum as there were probably about forty impressive sculptures in just one room which were all grouped by their positions: standing, intertwined, nursing, etc. The first ones we admired were the timeless theme of the <b>standing,</b> upright or moving figures that were not always traditional male models. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Houdon's <i>Apollo,</i> sculpted in 1790, was considered as one of the most important works of the ancient world for its "classical inspiration in pose, theme and style" and because its composition refers to the famous <i>Apollo Belvedere</i> at one of the Vatican museums. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was mind boggling to learn that Rodin was denied access several times to the top art school in Paris. He ended up moving to Italy in 1875 where he came into contact with Michelangelo's work, an artist who exercised a profound influence over him. That same year Rodin began <i>The</i> <i>Age of Bronze</i> composition described as "a life-sized, innocent figure which awakens at the dawn of humanity - a work which incorporates a clear challenge of modernity to the idealistic interpretation of the standing figure. "</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMY7HHMaJAIqSVt6mrFyMhuvLoKecE7ams7xDPm3r0YHnRdD3yg1vghJAfT4qsNrRHSg1oWQ6q9eIx8uKdLdoK-W0VsZvy9Obv9bKziBQeW8Kosi0RQvFAHrZKdoJg-6zcYJBgDacqzZu7/s1600/2018-12-09+402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMY7HHMaJAIqSVt6mrFyMhuvLoKecE7ams7xDPm3r0YHnRdD3yg1vghJAfT4qsNrRHSg1oWQ6q9eIx8uKdLdoK-W0VsZvy9Obv9bKziBQeW8Kosi0RQvFAHrZKdoJg-6zcYJBgDacqzZu7/s320/2018-12-09+402.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As any sculpture formed of more than one figure constitutes a group, that brought up the complex question of the relationship the artist tried to establish with the theme of the union of two or more represented bodies in the <b>Intertwined</b> group. Some of the intertwined figures constituted and endless source of inspiration in the history of art.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The set of sculptures in the <b>Nursing</b> section recalled the extent that the theme of maternal feelings was present in French art during the 1870s. These themes were often suggested to the sculptors by their own family circles. </span><span style="font-size: large;">After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1, the representation of the child, just like that of the mother, became a central theme. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The last section in the Sculpture Gallery was devoted to <b>Crouching</b> figures. The individual figure called <i>Crouching Flora</i> by French sculptor <b>Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux</b> in 1870 was a feminine figure simultaneously revealing and hiding herself. It was inspired by a life model for the realistic representations of the face. The artist intended for people to walk around her to be enveloped in her beauty which was like the last sight of the classic style of the crouching figure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">It was hard to grasp that only about <b>one sixth</b> of the Founder's Collection was on display at any one time. If we were ever to return to Portugal as we hope to, I would certainly want to stop again at the Gulbekian Museum as it would be like seeing a brand-new museum! </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The collections in their diversity and quantity gave us a spectacular view of art and craftsmanship throughout the world and across so many cultures. </span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I appreciated how works by world famous artists were placed right by those by less well known but no less stunning pieces. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Museum's <b>Modern Collection</b> was a five minute walk through an enchanting park filled with bamboo plants and ponds with ducks. It </span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">featured the largest and most complete collection of modern and contemporary Portuguese art </span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">that was acquired by the museum's foundation after Gulbekian's death.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We only took the time to view the items on the first floor as the day had been long enough already since starting that morning in Belem and modern art is not normally 'our thing.' The first floor was devoted to sculpture which the museum described was suited to the commemoration of people and events. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't resist taking a photo of the <i>Wood Door from the Artist's Studio</i> that </span><span style="font-size: large;">was created by <b>Nuno Sousa Vieira</b> in 2008!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This 2005 piece by <b>Francisco Tropa</b> was titled <i>Untitled!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdbcVPlbV2NaBpcUDsDcGjXUoczje7JGUntkQE5VruVa9jtDrWLkHf1dNF0IS-qRKTCDk2gV-0JJi0Kq_r_oF-DIFaI0QiPKkH5rwh18fRxccmONmrpZUYYVSlbOuhsCdicYFg7VVMy7J/s1600/2018-12-09+441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdbcVPlbV2NaBpcUDsDcGjXUoczje7JGUntkQE5VruVa9jtDrWLkHf1dNF0IS-qRKTCDk2gV-0JJi0Kq_r_oF-DIFaI0QiPKkH5rwh18fRxccmONmrpZUYYVSlbOuhsCdicYFg7VVMy7J/s320/2018-12-09+441.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't for the life of me grasp the meaning behind this 1967 series called <i>The Ghost of Avignon</i> by <b>Antonio Areal. </b>If you can, please enlighten me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While taking the subway back to our apartment at the end of a long day, we were reminded that "All you need is art." I hope I have managed to persuade some of you who may visit Lisbon at some point in the future to make a beeline for the Gulbekian Museum - you'll be so glad you did!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> Our last day exploring Lisbon via the fun tram!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on April 29th, 2019, from a snowy day in Denver's suburb of Littleton.</i></span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-48798928021309574732019-04-22T23:23:00.002-06:002019-04-29T21:31:33.282-06:0012/9: Lisbon's Belem District: Gargoyles Galore & da Gama at the Monument!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> About a month ago </i><i>I returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow that really fun trip, here's a link to the newest blog: </i></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Steven and I took one of Lisbon's ubiquitous trams about five miles west of downtown to the city's <b>Belem</b> district. That was where so many sights </span><span style="font-size: large;">were located </span><span style="font-size: large;">from Portugal's <b>Golden Age of Discovery</b> when</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Vasco da Gama </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">and other explorers turned the minuscule country into Europe's wealthiest power. Before leaving from Belem on voyages during the Age of Discovery which began at the beginning of the 15th century and lasted until the end of the 18th century, sailors would stay and pray at the impressive white limestone <b>Monastery of Jeronimos.</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">It stretched for an amazing 300 yards along Belem's waterfront and was built by </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>King Manuel 1 </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">who ruled from 1495 as a 'thank you' for the discoveries made by his country's first explorers. Prior to that, sailors prayed at a humble church close by. The monastery was financed partially with 'pepper money,' a five percent tax on spices brought back from India. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the monks who lived at the monastery were Hieronymites or followers of <b>St. Jerome,</b> the edifice was called Jeronimos. I had never known before coming to the monastery that many monks joined the sailors/pirates on their trading/pillaging trips as they hoped to convert the heathens in the far off lands to Christianity. In addition, it was also news to me that many expeditions were financed by the <b>Order of Christ,</b> a brotherhood of soldier monks, according to travel writer <b>Rick Steves.</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After walking around much of the enormous building, we returned to the fancy <b>South Portal</b> to look at the sculpture of <b>Prince</b> <b>Henry the Navigator</b> standing between the doors. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Prince Henry was King Manuel's uncle and had built the original sailors' chapel on this site. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Above him was the king's patron saint, St. Jerome, with the lion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the main entrance to the church was the kneeling statue of King Manuel I and another image of whom I think was St. Jerome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The exquisite monastery was constructed in the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Manueline style, </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">Portugal's unique decorative style which was ornate, elaborate, intertwined and featured symbols from a family's coat of arms or motifs from the sea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The restored <b>Cloister</b> has been described as the architectural jewel of the many sights in Belem with its Manueline-style arcade where heads of state are received and many treaties are signed, including the one admitting Portugal to the European Union in 1986. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In one corner of the cloister was a large fountain topped by a lion where monks washed up before entering the <b>Refectory</b> or dining hall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The former dining hall, occasionally now used as a concert venue, had a </span><span style="font-size: large;">fan-vaulted ceiling that was a typical example of the Manueline style. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Under the thick stone ropes on the walls were lovely paneled tiles dating from 1780-1785 that depicted the flight into Egypt. On the wall opposite the windows there used to be a small wooden pulpit for the reading of the Holy Scripture and the lives of the saints during meals.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjta8hg6AoNXRs9JjTwRKAfURDji8-DnOZra1k7JrxFA15gvebnWzeOj0Aq08ylJEeEri-4fQ_qIYj9EE9jtSXYoTdsQLsV8GPJVomEQs0CJDp9U31ZL5jwkycu_XGY_diH86vZbDyHGKvX/s1600/2018-12-09+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjta8hg6AoNXRs9JjTwRKAfURDji8-DnOZra1k7JrxFA15gvebnWzeOj0Aq08ylJEeEri-4fQ_qIYj9EE9jtSXYoTdsQLsV8GPJVomEQs0CJDp9U31ZL5jwkycu_XGY_diH86vZbDyHGKvX/s320/2018-12-09+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8IBaI_bVVyqw5HfDcdTvdRQaLgGnKEsHbeR_wp-wdgl4v_BUAjeIFokBK3eGCDHkaQj7G3dX2_Qzbg1rboyf_t7mHzBPJ_5y_Nj-yq1LzMmKeTIu0csC_cloBPHVC4M16LBSVugknzm6/s1600/2018-12-09+458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8IBaI_bVVyqw5HfDcdTvdRQaLgGnKEsHbeR_wp-wdgl4v_BUAjeIFokBK3eGCDHkaQj7G3dX2_Qzbg1rboyf_t7mHzBPJ_5y_Nj-yq1LzMmKeTIu0csC_cloBPHVC4M16LBSVugknzm6/s320/2018-12-09+458.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The painting at the far end of the humongous dining room portrayed a nativity scene by an unknown artist from the 16th century.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmtIOT0Hde4OlAE6N7AxjWcJEoRGJtn4YB8P28dLaAwlsO_xlIdJKjUN78sFEQo3mt7ITS0ONzB8XPyQzYQ58Xoy4mrxsGUbX_aFIIddVcaLuj_zOYXI1fMRGbiWXzFgNxuzR4TGii8tR/s1600/2018-12-09+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmtIOT0Hde4OlAE6N7AxjWcJEoRGJtn4YB8P28dLaAwlsO_xlIdJKjUN78sFEQo3mt7ITS0ONzB8XPyQzYQ58Xoy4mrxsGUbX_aFIIddVcaLuj_zOYXI1fMRGbiWXzFgNxuzR4TGii8tR/s320/2018-12-09+027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We wandered back out to the gorgeous cloister again.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i8ZxAGnyk6vg4MqKRGW-krX2BZzcuwIxTKmkczMwwiM5FmcrQgjzQgy6pqRI2nskkvQvllxMopcR_ifYhprZqXGuTjH03eCvHCPY9dFm176vL-FnEe5dmbrTgGlEXHFG1Oeis2M4LLK-/s1600/2018-12-09+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i8ZxAGnyk6vg4MqKRGW-krX2BZzcuwIxTKmkczMwwiM5FmcrQgjzQgy6pqRI2nskkvQvllxMopcR_ifYhprZqXGuTjH03eCvHCPY9dFm176vL-FnEe5dmbrTgGlEXHFG1Oeis2M4LLK-/s320/2018-12-09+034.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5R_2LXmjAA4wqKpH1WwIYsvV6Y1utVOL4HsPu6fZ3aKoMyetGSzb-Dg2JuEJeLLERn8R0a3kV6IsOXll0Ow-Ea6HrZwoRkQlW0o05lEvnr9QMmsh9u7LBqVQCrVaQWKNYBV5jF8DIsBi/s1600/2018-12-09+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5R_2LXmjAA4wqKpH1WwIYsvV6Y1utVOL4HsPu6fZ3aKoMyetGSzb-Dg2JuEJeLLERn8R0a3kV6IsOXll0Ow-Ea6HrZwoRkQlW0o05lEvnr9QMmsh9u7LBqVQCrVaQWKNYBV5jF8DIsBi/s320/2018-12-09+035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was the burial spot for Portugal's most popular modern poet, <b>Fernando Pessoa.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzFRDCQ54_7aAR0VF85VU3muL5jPsc-TOB9gTFR3girH2UIRKDC8lK5VnnxF5mGEFONJIgJYLXgsPq3YEs-9lknCmEQ3h8bQ25NhMV0t5q9gxZ4FZaGK743N3voSRZIJ3CGHoKZzxkz5r/s1600/2018-12-09+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzFRDCQ54_7aAR0VF85VU3muL5jPsc-TOB9gTFR3girH2UIRKDC8lK5VnnxF5mGEFONJIgJYLXgsPq3YEs-9lknCmEQ3h8bQ25NhMV0t5q9gxZ4FZaGK743N3voSRZIJ3CGHoKZzxkz5r/s320/2018-12-09+038.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The light was just perfect to take pictures of </span><span style="font-size: large;">the intricate carvings and</span><span style="font-size: large;"> also try to find a monkey, kitten and cricket among the functioning rainspouts above the lower set of arches!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifl1MPz9fi91xu4b0M3oHbYTYNOrRCAIO_G-AmOvY46wJwTOrjBnQnT0ef5soAPd2iOj4149dpdOALXSCJdtyA9wLsrp4snqZ1PLUhXF90YMDb-AEF5320oM6kNRue8bLn1eXmeq23irhy/s1600/2018-12-09+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifl1MPz9fi91xu4b0M3oHbYTYNOrRCAIO_G-AmOvY46wJwTOrjBnQnT0ef5soAPd2iOj4149dpdOALXSCJdtyA9wLsrp4snqZ1PLUhXF90YMDb-AEF5320oM6kNRue8bLn1eXmeq23irhy/s320/2018-12-09+049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimYbpe0CRfK7CQd9h5yO8fbQjTLotLvlqOZUQWXeKJGc3x09EkPQkkksvBpwljC4fzsFfzIj2IWblDX8bgqHLpQ3URt-UOjylB5LDluqZ52uxLVQpr6kWKwBuxGkzEdNFVer9xZ1a5x0z/s1600/2018-12-09+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimYbpe0CRfK7CQd9h5yO8fbQjTLotLvlqOZUQWXeKJGc3x09EkPQkkksvBpwljC4fzsFfzIj2IWblDX8bgqHLpQ3URt-UOjylB5LDluqZ52uxLVQpr6kWKwBuxGkzEdNFVer9xZ1a5x0z/s320/2018-12-09+047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I could see how the Cloister was a pleasant place of mediation and recreation for the monks. With two stories and vaulted ceilings, it was built on a square plan with cross-cut corners. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOyd21HBnj9NDnqle5uv35Cj7YmykOXZTIJSOD9x1Rt6Yb2CZO7I8516_hFn1pQRXXCmpFVfbbrYV0y63x-tUgQ7avoASPbau0-RbWK-gGhFYDTskLlEKwCs_subYlXwEHYE8A0gSvaQ9/s1600/2018-12-09+452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOyd21HBnj9NDnqle5uv35Cj7YmykOXZTIJSOD9x1Rt6Yb2CZO7I8516_hFn1pQRXXCmpFVfbbrYV0y63x-tUgQ7avoASPbau0-RbWK-gGhFYDTskLlEKwCs_subYlXwEHYE8A0gSvaQ9/s320/2018-12-09+452.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Marveling at the exquisite stonework, I could certainly appreciate how the monastery was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If this was the kitten, it sure looked pretty ferocious!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Upstairs, we found both the cricket and alligator rainspouts!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The medieval imagery of the fantastic animals was superb and we hadn't even seen the church yet!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With hordes of other people we finally entered the monastery's church and noticed right away how the space seemed more open than earlier medieval churches, thanks in part to the slender, palm-tree-like columns.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rope-like arches evoked the mystery of undiscovered lands.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uZZMeMu0epj9JdxZHjUMe-cXEPkZI7jYE5BJKcC8zWrIRve-Uv57OyzgU3m5NeeXDQfjLZYv9Xhhj4iJC8JKa55RFHQJX8wX3KMAxPJlwVARB25__1ghtNDFEHDVAiow8MWbAK4eEYZ-/s1600/2018-12-09+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uZZMeMu0epj9JdxZHjUMe-cXEPkZI7jYE5BJKcC8zWrIRve-Uv57OyzgU3m5NeeXDQfjLZYv9Xhhj4iJC8JKa55RFHQJX8wX3KMAxPJlwVARB25__1ghtNDFEHDVAiow8MWbAK4eEYZ-/s320/2018-12-09+101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We made our way to the memorial to</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <b>Luis Vaz de Camoes</b> (1525-1780), one of the greatest Portuguese poets who wrote the maritime epic <i>Os Lusiades,</i> </span><span style="font-size: large;">an account of the exploits of the Portuguese navigators, particularly of da Gama, and the history of the Portuguese people. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYViUwmXPBEy-DhX5Qmustimpg0auTqYoeH9Uz1ZuL9bD108mu8LKVLuSWLiZ_G6-plVwNnGuO_zkiu5vEDj8VzBT-AeBZ5pnlGTb__bn6fCZhr1HS3EkKKucKQNqPZ3qYWFIeywZdAHsS/s1600/2018-12-09+108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYViUwmXPBEy-DhX5Qmustimpg0auTqYoeH9Uz1ZuL9bD108mu8LKVLuSWLiZ_G6-plVwNnGuO_zkiu5vEDj8VzBT-AeBZ5pnlGTb__bn6fCZhr1HS3EkKKucKQNqPZ3qYWFIeywZdAHsS/s320/2018-12-09+108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xKTmWHUPr7IDgAfYvBEqt_wohPQ5cr4becaz-v8Pzv3kKdIPLT-rUMRPYjGN2-JJ3BafDttVH3lQLcRSA1Pg2rkMm82zj7uERKwqEpj6YLq2ZAca06yWP_z6OP5G6c2w92WZCFN23wsp/s1600/2018-12-09+105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xKTmWHUPr7IDgAfYvBEqt_wohPQ5cr4becaz-v8Pzv3kKdIPLT-rUMRPYjGN2-JJ3BafDttVH3lQLcRSA1Pg2rkMm82zj7uERKwqEpj6YLq2ZAca06yWP_z6OP5G6c2w92WZCFN23wsp/s320/2018-12-09+105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Steves described Camoes as Portugal's Shakespeare and Casanova rolled into one: he was banished from the court for flirting with a noblewoman after university in Coimbra - a city we were headed to in a few days; lost an eye soldiering in Morocco; served jail time for brawling with a bureaucrat and caught a ship to India, luckily surviving a shipwreck en route. While working as a colonial administrator in India, he worked on his epic poem that has been compared to Homer's <i>Odyssey.</i> Camoes published what would become his masterpiece when he returned home in 1572. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDcYWbqYN4g8_9cHkK_nbwjarXCMezLrXrMAlVDWvriIugbH9j2_GBN6-yiUO8QfOqIp_lVB76x320IviaYESoyaXz0ltZl7E28IdYJksSqAuhELkwkolbtSZiQ8w_8fkTDvKiTJAQ5fr/s1600/2018-12-09+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDcYWbqYN4g8_9cHkK_nbwjarXCMezLrXrMAlVDWvriIugbH9j2_GBN6-yiUO8QfOqIp_lVB76x320IviaYESoyaXz0ltZl7E28IdYJksSqAuhELkwkolbtSZiQ8w_8fkTDvKiTJAQ5fr/s320/2018-12-09+110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I strongly recommend you to click on this picture to make it larger so you can see more clearly the detailed array of rope and knot features in the ceiling - they're incredible!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrGBlmOQF5mBeaw4rWRxmG6SY8O_0cIbRwOCmQ1qpR7hyphenhyphenkebnBNNt3JLQHyKOex_ECpHTBAwQ2pG8JpccrykWbXJ-gmXVPpsealWbx6yTDItMIQeq175HPSSzB4bM85quTwoLySrxDVkD/s1600/2018-12-09+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrGBlmOQF5mBeaw4rWRxmG6SY8O_0cIbRwOCmQ1qpR7hyphenhyphenkebnBNNt3JLQHyKOex_ECpHTBAwQ2pG8JpccrykWbXJ-gmXVPpsealWbx6yTDItMIQeq175HPSSzB4bM85quTwoLySrxDVkD/s320/2018-12-09+118.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just below them was the tomb belonging to </span><span style="font-size: large;">Vasco da Gama (1468-1524), the Portuguese navigator who established the sea link between Portugal and India in 1497, thereby setting a new trade route which gave the Portuguese supremacy in the Indian Ocean for over a century. The night before he left, da Gama prayed for a safe voyage in the small chapel that was located here prior to the monastery. The next day, he and 150 men set sail from Belem with four ships armed with state-of-the-art maps and sailing technology.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDEaIuhmXZjmPgIqAlV003WNQwXI9PxHBlboZC-vCKHGlgFu7KFf3bi-n-FlhsHligJhvVuMrEyeYPzPMWdmft6s7gCAfygCn7XOKoEpU2GRp941YAwuhnOj3D3vPVyz6JEaRLf5coDzo/s1600/2018-12-09+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDEaIuhmXZjmPgIqAlV003WNQwXI9PxHBlboZC-vCKHGlgFu7KFf3bi-n-FlhsHligJhvVuMrEyeYPzPMWdmft6s7gCAfygCn7XOKoEpU2GRp941YAwuhnOj3D3vPVyz6JEaRLf5coDzo/s320/2018-12-09+113.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was pretty mind-blowing being at da Gama's stunning tomb as I'd grown up learning about his exploits in school. Da Gama, called the "Admiral of the Seas of India," died there on Christmas Eve, 1524. He became so famous due to the tribute of King Manuel I who erected this large church, and the poet, Camoes, who turned da Gama's history-making voyage into his epic poem.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKNsuBDcJCWxUNAyZA0MFsIfoaRdmQDz16iRQGIu3elP4no8G2RSf_Wl9-EBz5uVmjdhs1fm3xTTpA_RV0IQvblUqiM-jZPU7jH5t1IDV2ZxjAWRMmdC-6Nzx8tcP5wNWI5qkKaHOJje2/s1600/2018-12-09+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKNsuBDcJCWxUNAyZA0MFsIfoaRdmQDz16iRQGIu3elP4no8G2RSf_Wl9-EBz5uVmjdhs1fm3xTTpA_RV0IQvblUqiM-jZPU7jH5t1IDV2ZxjAWRMmdC-6Nzx8tcP5wNWI5qkKaHOJje2/s320/2018-12-09+116.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the side of the tomb was a carving of one of da Gama's caravels or ships. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVFma0Udy5fyDwtvZlUedZUFKdTAXiT9wOSG_lt8ZUa3hF4cuVVCl2pvDLWuJbt-3LwsUAmPYN2gMPmi10no0ZZuCyUC6G_A-f4wgfqVMQM71nbwzILTWJjM1cQyvb-C6aw1Z4BW9LGxw/s1600/2018-12-09+120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVFma0Udy5fyDwtvZlUedZUFKdTAXiT9wOSG_lt8ZUa3hF4cuVVCl2pvDLWuJbt-3LwsUAmPYN2gMPmi10no0ZZuCyUC6G_A-f4wgfqVMQM71nbwzILTWJjM1cQyvb-C6aw1Z4BW9LGxw/s320/2018-12-09+120.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beside the ship was a </span><span style="font-size: large;">carved </span><span style="font-size: large;">globe surrounded by movable rings that was called an <b>armilliary sphere. </b>It was designed to determine the positions of the sun or other stars to help sailors track their locations on earth.The diagonal slash represented the path of the planets as they moved across the heavens. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXV26d3WHD9ASuZ6bsJGtGzK7b3eANUh4oPWFtEr-3p4X5Ymadc1BzURSyhFg8kyMhCo3Sh481ndO2D9q50Rt05MmY-NnWNmVRxIQH7rujeyFCIBQInICGPmn2QTXggKR9Itnpjjt8CWU/s1600/2018-12-09+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXV26d3WHD9ASuZ6bsJGtGzK7b3eANUh4oPWFtEr-3p4X5Ymadc1BzURSyhFg8kyMhCo3Sh481ndO2D9q50Rt05MmY-NnWNmVRxIQH7rujeyFCIBQInICGPmn2QTXggKR9Itnpjjt8CWU/s320/2018-12-09+121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddSvsfZ4zadHxu9U0E2d8HHaP3-DaggWP_s1-RD5a6cHVne3uoDGkIELYFSlvs-zatQQEq-vR_FqFJqxHkWPbGz1XNB4u4FKt5qbZSQmn6Zj29PRBIbxlnnEB9yTlFWm92qQ6uNZFOZFO/s1600/2018-12-09+130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddSvsfZ4zadHxu9U0E2d8HHaP3-DaggWP_s1-RD5a6cHVne3uoDGkIELYFSlvs-zatQQEq-vR_FqFJqxHkWPbGz1XNB4u4FKt5qbZSQmn6Zj29PRBIbxlnnEB9yTlFWm92qQ6uNZFOZFO/s320/2018-12-09+130.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nearly everything in the church survived the 1755 earthquake that was so severe it also rocked <b>Sevilla</b> in Spain. The stained glass didn't, though, and was replaced in 1940.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQ4DSjTVtPjuMFSsYmIPVc7PyfaQjaBblzimNdHSLP_tWA_8bukvr-Fzrl9ZB71qTn2OpgCQ3IEm3B0R6dSNbtM5LgV8LKoRMaPJ6jEYhcSdeXhcBhGuTOJxHRb45kYAyGsunQifD2oO6/s1600/2018-12-09+124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQ4DSjTVtPjuMFSsYmIPVc7PyfaQjaBblzimNdHSLP_tWA_8bukvr-Fzrl9ZB71qTn2OpgCQ3IEm3B0R6dSNbtM5LgV8LKoRMaPJ6jEYhcSdeXhcBhGuTOJxHRb45kYAyGsunQifD2oO6/s320/2018-12-09+124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0V2qzmrf6WHVQOyruW9gzFAuf9QAYNJcjzxm9dyMH6LyfaeKH84Y_-9YPg8T0EdA4AIvbFevdG7utlA_odOdcHCzG18ob_Atsqrl5eup9gYcH0xC46dt1admJF0z2ufULIlMzPQgCHVhB/s1600/2018-12-09+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0V2qzmrf6WHVQOyruW9gzFAuf9QAYNJcjzxm9dyMH6LyfaeKH84Y_-9YPg8T0EdA4AIvbFevdG7utlA_odOdcHCzG18ob_Atsqrl5eup9gYcH0xC46dt1admJF0z2ufULIlMzPQgCHVhB/s320/2018-12-09+125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We only had a glimpse from a distance of the magnificent <b>Renaissance Altar </b>as it was closed off to visitors. In the niches surrounding the altar, elephants - which were a Far Eastern symbol of power and more powerful and kingly than a lion - supported two kings and queens, including King Manuel I. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMviuqyIr56bsN-au5wNsUHdFVXOoACmaFtoaJISJ8OwD1BI-86qhBK1L7rdPLMIoRYO3q4kJINnrA6ORvyL3vRGQVu88eyUElDf9-hXeVgILYZT13IcSUscJ-g292isiuW88bOLoC-0Q/s1600/2018-12-09+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMviuqyIr56bsN-au5wNsUHdFVXOoACmaFtoaJISJ8OwD1BI-86qhBK1L7rdPLMIoRYO3q4kJINnrA6ORvyL3vRGQVu88eyUElDf9-hXeVgILYZT13IcSUscJ-g292isiuW88bOLoC-0Q/s320/2018-12-09+129.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4smcggeAAR-_cXl_bcxe3-tLmxTgUVkcQlvhggJ5F0hqISE_yfXmf_wucejhy6116hfaU-CNdLPNVgjs_fmmg44I2cet0rP82HCw2CZ4WV7NLjVuRdNJrkCHp92tsfH0F8J38elriROn/s1600/2018-12-09+127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4smcggeAAR-_cXl_bcxe3-tLmxTgUVkcQlvhggJ5F0hqISE_yfXmf_wucejhy6116hfaU-CNdLPNVgjs_fmmg44I2cet0rP82HCw2CZ4WV7NLjVuRdNJrkCHp92tsfH0F8J38elriROn/s320/2018-12-09+127.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were seven <b>wooden confessional doors</b> along one aisle, each one with ornamental carving around the doorway.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGGWKd3k6BsQpbJlKDbPEprgnZgQ91DrbYVW7bO965HM8uxU0zArJStQkgUXmFj0J_ZIPXGUUxd5QIx8xPjOkFoX-FiWRSeG5xGQw0p04f93x_EtnEeNeejrjjTa95R1XLS8wMUw-07Db/s1600/2018-12-09+131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGGWKd3k6BsQpbJlKDbPEprgnZgQ91DrbYVW7bO965HM8uxU0zArJStQkgUXmFj0J_ZIPXGUUxd5QIx8xPjOkFoX-FiWRSeG5xGQw0p04f93x_EtnEeNeejrjjTa95R1XLS8wMUw-07Db/s320/2018-12-09+131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just one of the doors, though, had what Steves described as a "festival of faces from newly discovered corners of the world."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SzikSrs1_Hqrwm9UByFns8fIvZFPBj8MMuWIjuUlY86cd3HMZrMBGbMxvwWGPdaTijksGMsRbaQikfiy2ijH8_D6u941AjbyxSGJAvxa3BjX4xKv4RQ0iL2eJAnvuWeOOxHj7lyZ9xUv/s1600/2018-12-09+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SzikSrs1_Hqrwm9UByFns8fIvZFPBj8MMuWIjuUlY86cd3HMZrMBGbMxvwWGPdaTijksGMsRbaQikfiy2ijH8_D6u941AjbyxSGJAvxa3BjX4xKv4RQ0iL2eJAnvuWeOOxHj7lyZ9xUv/s320/2018-12-09+133.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXn1piwi5M0OJdEYAFbRJa8n1JHSqOQroSdRQI8G-VDW_iTbRqBeGcuW2YlsGsVIVXyTQCyPGA5_b3aMQi147u2WE66P25JG9Ox2oBkuqbE-cMaSIiPiXyXEFaxXVZrWrDH-Zl9zm11yRW/s1600/2018-12-09+134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXn1piwi5M0OJdEYAFbRJa8n1JHSqOQroSdRQI8G-VDW_iTbRqBeGcuW2YlsGsVIVXyTQCyPGA5_b3aMQi147u2WE66P25JG9Ox2oBkuqbE-cMaSIiPiXyXEFaxXVZrWrDH-Zl9zm11yRW/s320/2018-12-09+134.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You'd think some of these gruesome expressions would surely put you off from wanting to confess your sins, don't you think?!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYrAfO4Jz9HIKIIkNkmE8i2BfnPzUXTJ7htfXXy6cEYbHrSDuhDWJJ8MUI8JQ4oSQCpBjEpO8LQooCcrwZ2ZLkFi-2Pnnz-iS_bB3bvfBB-dj8vOX6fzan45ineY9Vgwemjut76CKvM7x/s1600/2018-12-09+136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYrAfO4Jz9HIKIIkNkmE8i2BfnPzUXTJ7htfXXy6cEYbHrSDuhDWJJ8MUI8JQ4oSQCpBjEpO8LQooCcrwZ2ZLkFi-2Pnnz-iS_bB3bvfBB-dj8vOX6fzan45ineY9Vgwemjut76CKvM7x/s320/2018-12-09+136.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0q3Kolvx6rf7aHFzt3MdqMBBjLaUcFHmMhTFrcG2jhOtbNCeFazphuuhyphenhyphendcfMxOJ94AmoMtjkBr_0VY18PdPX1TEyb7ILIO-9XLKnEkIdKgmC2l-VNxZRBWDur-1lIssSSiyPZwDYYPe/s1600/2018-12-09+137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0q3Kolvx6rf7aHFzt3MdqMBBjLaUcFHmMhTFrcG2jhOtbNCeFazphuuhyphenhyphendcfMxOJ94AmoMtjkBr_0VY18PdPX1TEyb7ILIO-9XLKnEkIdKgmC2l-VNxZRBWDur-1lIssSSiyPZwDYYPe/s320/2018-12-09+137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the park across from the breathtaking monastery was a beautiful pond and this sculpture of two horses. I didn't see any explanation, however, of why they were there!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfz_xBDuOg7m_Cr7UEHT822mZZFFUAg590tfxE-ZfnQrOkMxjynPAkpnApkyKZzqI-Jzqrcg9bpNNfC-_V6BcR3NnG1apgt2f-jQM2DAgiYySMqKDv4aoaH6Af4wVgZLSFVOZDcXTU1Ld/s1600/2018-12-09+151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfz_xBDuOg7m_Cr7UEHT822mZZFFUAg590tfxE-ZfnQrOkMxjynPAkpnApkyKZzqI-Jzqrcg9bpNNfC-_V6BcR3NnG1apgt2f-jQM2DAgiYySMqKDv4aoaH6Af4wVgZLSFVOZDcXTU1Ld/s320/2018-12-09+151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgUS6eobWSA-VO-i3GAW2c7UhUXgf76cO1BUvpJNBEtQ87TCfsZO-3DCvoHMf8plGhitfKoDHZJj4sjlGDM59LtCBq9qImx8EUAKRlEgNxPJweiHyJuvuXoKluOEgIPzpXdx7QU2hzZip/s1600/2018-12-09+149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgUS6eobWSA-VO-i3GAW2c7UhUXgf76cO1BUvpJNBEtQ87TCfsZO-3DCvoHMf8plGhitfKoDHZJj4sjlGDM59LtCBq9qImx8EUAKRlEgNxPJweiHyJuvuXoKluOEgIPzpXdx7QU2hzZip/s320/2018-12-09+149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To give you a sense of the scale of what we'd just gawked at, here's a photo of Steven in front of the immense monastery on the left and the attached church on the right.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciTDXV1gYBMqfRSEpv7s4ke1jeD6swKV_9_lhLOwVvF7tYLFyeE3N_w6R3MjFlFT6QwpXpbsFQwSJmQi4qoBEFn87yu5Vlp8_FxJtD4Z5XTfwZly0ABqepvmKepm-dO3_hasknU__V0Kr/s1600/2018-12-09+152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciTDXV1gYBMqfRSEpv7s4ke1jeD6swKV_9_lhLOwVvF7tYLFyeE3N_w6R3MjFlFT6QwpXpbsFQwSJmQi4qoBEFn87yu5Vlp8_FxJtD4Z5XTfwZly0ABqepvmKepm-dO3_hasknU__V0Kr/s320/2018-12-09+152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A short walk away was the<b> Monument to the Discoveries,</b> a giant riverside monument built in 1960 to honor the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator. The shape was of a huge caravel ship - just like the one on da Gama's tomb - in full sail. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIOkMYbw2hx4sS_Qz2_2Z3x1YTMG4mBc76J9qhm2s2aySGTufL5faCxhqZr9UedApr8nyyfASK5FiaQe9EmR55UtVPDcaXuwlNIB3-rydhHLw4XXPNuWXUSURnvxFLpFgj4NabeigKfZG/s1600/2018-12-09+154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIOkMYbw2hx4sS_Qz2_2Z3x1YTMG4mBc76J9qhm2s2aySGTufL5faCxhqZr9UedApr8nyyfASK5FiaQe9EmR55UtVPDcaXuwlNIB3-rydhHLw4XXPNuWXUSURnvxFLpFgj4NabeigKfZG/s320/2018-12-09+154.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see I got a little bit dizzy holding the camera and looking at the optical illusion of waves on the flat, cobbled surface as we walked closer to the monument!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1Q4JuTydjuzVCfpC4C6g2uBUmuBU_5pMZx028QHgB49hgySqToN3De62e0UcHhGjXdU43dWcd6ydIKnP5LC8eaJ_hLxpj9TIf9JUePB5u4bBLE2-m6ignYcTF7WGkN0IZ-JoyYv9rtw7/s1600/2018-12-09+156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1Q4JuTydjuzVCfpC4C6g2uBUmuBU_5pMZx028QHgB49hgySqToN3De62e0UcHhGjXdU43dWcd6ydIKnP5LC8eaJ_hLxpj9TIf9JUePB5u4bBLE2-m6ignYcTF7WGkN0IZ-JoyYv9rtw7/s320/2018-12-09+156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMkq-gON38Nj2TCV5tBadQD3laj2YrHJ51W6a7Drr7RMuVA9VjygfjqNZ_V24fUEivcqXZOljzqSFc2qKlfEyd05t_wSkQxdQ_fS8H-QmCOiv4VfcvxkrKhki-vMUEd0wqhtu2Z2QsHC-/s1600/2018-12-09+155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMkq-gON38Nj2TCV5tBadQD3laj2YrHJ51W6a7Drr7RMuVA9VjygfjqNZ_V24fUEivcqXZOljzqSFc2qKlfEyd05t_wSkQxdQ_fS8H-QmCOiv4VfcvxkrKhki-vMUEd0wqhtu2Z2QsHC-/s320/2018-12-09+155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Henry the Navigator was at the helm </span><span style="font-size: large;">holding the model of the caravel and a map.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzuAOGHpjNfc5Kl2q97mhxts8iV-LjPzlFgk_vf4v8uQU4avpONj17s2incyboeXjTCZRuoMAIu-LISg23NToBO2GjW_T_slW-E14NnIPhFOPSIc5ue4dKC08aGdG4xnYpdpZVNjeyaMv/s1600/2018-12-09+463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzuAOGHpjNfc5Kl2q97mhxts8iV-LjPzlFgk_vf4v8uQU4avpONj17s2incyboeXjTCZRuoMAIu-LISg23NToBO2GjW_T_slW-E14NnIPhFOPSIc5ue4dKC08aGdG4xnYpdpZVNjeyaMv/s320/2018-12-09+463.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL3xAucWrgquh62t7gBcHo0UnfCf1YvBZIxNflbYQRcOq2kvF1bXntybIkl6vaSgQoGg9OR0XUaWBky_gogKvh99wJ7Ibv3qoo1iSs7y0HOGVB5LzOo-gdMld3ONGblMxdk-615arSWmI/s1600/2018-12-09+171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL3xAucWrgquh62t7gBcHo0UnfCf1YvBZIxNflbYQRcOq2kvF1bXntybIkl6vaSgQoGg9OR0XUaWBky_gogKvh99wJ7Ibv3qoo1iSs7y0HOGVB5LzOo-gdMld3ONGblMxdk-615arSWmI/s320/2018-12-09+171.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The great navigators, sailors, and explorers on board were shown behind him. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Various monks, crusaders with flags, and navigators with maps completed the crew.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicct7UGAN7xIHwu5E5L4PW-EgqH6pkA_Rm-7yc2WVrZWlt2_Qn8A6AWzfh3kY6RbExz7jStrhvji-sxMmQx3sHYEJsq44pbbFjD8j-QDEkk7oq9TUjO9cX_MBRfwKIcJXwgWXQWB6-ozSG/s1600/2018-12-09+160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicct7UGAN7xIHwu5E5L4PW-EgqH6pkA_Rm-7yc2WVrZWlt2_Qn8A6AWzfh3kY6RbExz7jStrhvji-sxMmQx3sHYEJsq44pbbFjD8j-QDEkk7oq9TUjO9cX_MBRfwKIcJXwgWXQWB6-ozSG/s320/2018-12-09+160.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySAE6TWsRi7XmYTAJ03qYaVMIG1GvAPskg-Zx8MnnOmBY9pxCFcM1EttuEPSAAdv_CdMkatNDn3wpKvJFuLT6EOEYXlsRvbPI3tZfPm99GfGAfcL7tDGSmtBxFxJe3TjtmQad-3ae_AbG/s1600/2018-12-09+161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySAE6TWsRi7XmYTAJ03qYaVMIG1GvAPskg-Zx8MnnOmBY9pxCFcM1EttuEPSAAdv_CdMkatNDn3wpKvJFuLT6EOEYXlsRvbPI3tZfPm99GfGAfcL7tDGSmtBxFxJe3TjtmQad-3ae_AbG/s320/2018-12-09+161.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The pillory, decorated with the Portuguese coat of arms and a cross, was placed in each spot discovered by the Portuguese.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUz_k1YXrXMgS65p0NZHJamr9dbI10bH1g6q9qw7pU1xDFolTcf_lKZFmPSStfuRfx7Jh3uXthlQo7vdybWScCKvhS9EWfIZF8771AhgoVngjV1o9qCQSNOTAXzmLlBoeQ0foRJnXPDZ7Y/s1600/2018-12-09+168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUz_k1YXrXMgS65p0NZHJamr9dbI10bH1g6q9qw7pU1xDFolTcf_lKZFmPSStfuRfx7Jh3uXthlQo7vdybWScCKvhS9EWfIZF8771AhgoVngjV1o9qCQSNOTAXzmLlBoeQ0foRJnXPDZ7Y/s320/2018-12-09+168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This section recognized those who Christianized foreign lands with their mighty swords.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcCjrYgj73oCsmyxRHIxnnfD5z7IYv-wKClxTXZtSmK5z3MoMAjQJosKOjE9jqPjIRKH7yHwxwhjv9ebB9tGUsrIh2eh9uJzlhPxFLCsqXR9csLk66kmePu7_q8_IbYJtbDq2E1J2vEf1/s1600/2018-12-09+163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcCjrYgj73oCsmyxRHIxnnfD5z7IYv-wKClxTXZtSmK5z3MoMAjQJosKOjE9jqPjIRKH7yHwxwhjv9ebB9tGUsrIh2eh9uJzlhPxFLCsqXR9csLk66kmePu7_q8_IbYJtbDq2E1J2vEf1/s320/2018-12-09+163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Luis de Camoes was depicted holding his famous poem <i>The Lusiads</i> on a scroll.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwg4mz3lWHDojTV9_iLQdPOlCt780MxGtPGpJXZdmDwve0ALdkBPFep_2gA_pL44nQ_8t9ZupsgXg_wgMSTFIX6xEdRjBa_vcYJGbpfxjqt-QkIWDxAH3B9YRUGu6VSOUyFOhxmvOHkWP/s1600/2018-12-09+167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwg4mz3lWHDojTV9_iLQdPOlCt780MxGtPGpJXZdmDwve0ALdkBPFep_2gA_pL44nQ_8t9ZupsgXg_wgMSTFIX6xEdRjBa_vcYJGbpfxjqt-QkIWDxAH3B9YRUGu6VSOUyFOhxmvOHkWP/s320/2018-12-09+167.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2dz6aWm17lzfgWJVOtHQ5-cMndA2BqSNdNPTxs1AzZSCvbbficrt3auYMhgldszhBcbGPCOtus6bjg7y217duPl5tgqYbdhy837SMs7_MipCDzlB2W_Ni-CgJk6m5nqQaOwY4sIjoxpm/s1600/2018-12-09+177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2dz6aWm17lzfgWJVOtHQ5-cMndA2BqSNdNPTxs1AzZSCvbbficrt3auYMhgldszhBcbGPCOtus6bjg7y217duPl5tgqYbdhy837SMs7_MipCDzlB2W_Ni-CgJk6m5nqQaOwY4sIjoxpm/s320/2018-12-09+177.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SMVGiu3OIp1vsyH4r7GljfClb7DOSYtNcsQDP8I2R9KUk2b0Dq53M9IspC1KQfo4yPkJG9GpO-h7ydAq2VR4R9ADaGBm6XK9ZnGi7no9K4iPpmJEIAp0Cvh5rdhGJgYtUFR2ABMXXba-/s1600/2018-12-09+162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SMVGiu3OIp1vsyH4r7GljfClb7DOSYtNcsQDP8I2R9KUk2b0Dq53M9IspC1KQfo4yPkJG9GpO-h7ydAq2VR4R9ADaGBm6XK9ZnGi7no9K4iPpmJEIAp0Cvh5rdhGJgYtUFR2ABMXXba-/s320/2018-12-09+162.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What a glorious day it must have been to go sailing on the <b>Rio Tejo </b>and passing by the eye-popping monument!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wWc45IO-Fxr9KCZeuUofZ3cOCnpfb9NbtVcrgkA983SfQccPXZTO1kCqj7sjQRTUIeA9KuepnOXVL24UnoQUQii3kXc5RzX9ztehCry4VbmIT530mft71FrnqSCoQdf7Jyvucvv_ZxcV/s1600/2018-12-09+175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wWc45IO-Fxr9KCZeuUofZ3cOCnpfb9NbtVcrgkA983SfQccPXZTO1kCqj7sjQRTUIeA9KuepnOXVL24UnoQUQii3kXc5RzX9ztehCry4VbmIT530mft71FrnqSCoQdf7Jyvucvv_ZxcV/s320/2018-12-09+175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A view from the monument's other side:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdZDkdJj1ghd077ByX11-3eAuYY2ZpLG-YHn75C9Y1q94MpyMHZyAtuXWJDB5FpQQ-3V_MLewaraIXPAtg9LyFbysDTkYZXdMvlLgO3ybljUmU2mcOpEHCHcnuiHD1VRMWP6bMhwrcxk6/s1600/2018-12-09+176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdZDkdJj1ghd077ByX11-3eAuYY2ZpLG-YHn75C9Y1q94MpyMHZyAtuXWJDB5FpQQ-3V_MLewaraIXPAtg9LyFbysDTkYZXdMvlLgO3ybljUmU2mcOpEHCHcnuiHD1VRMWP6bMhwrcxk6/s320/2018-12-09+176.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The only woman depicted on the monument was <b>Philippa of Lancaster,</b> Henry's British mother.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQB7184G74P9C7fZHgh0zDr_P7lobjGyifFEAFG1APgcO5AwCehwmt2Jiczx82lUoZXXLxMzxnFXT-6JI-F2EaSTYmUuxzTmdfp4ZGw1XtPBVQobHUFbrzvfSVxVPWacPJJrkgv7LhA7hq/s1600/2018-12-09+180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQB7184G74P9C7fZHgh0zDr_P7lobjGyifFEAFG1APgcO5AwCehwmt2Jiczx82lUoZXXLxMzxnFXT-6JI-F2EaSTYmUuxzTmdfp4ZGw1XtPBVQobHUFbrzvfSVxVPWacPJJrkgv7LhA7hq/s320/2018-12-09+180.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In front of the monument was a marble map in the pavement that was a gift from South Africa. We could follow Portugal's explorers as they made their way from their tiny nation in Europe, first heading south to the coast of Morocco in 1415 where they conquered the Muslims in God's name; they then headed west and southwest on the open waters of the Atlantic, discovering the <b>Madeiras</b> and the remote <b>Azore Islands</b> in 1420 and 1427 respectively. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZroQVsIT4KaSpIZJ3dyJqmrzKLnBAEkz-cAS2gnQzyA8A4yiQoG-zK2T4QdNuiCw_H_IT7DbuIqDYjmQ1WbVFTDQO1Cb6Hys8mkTq8JMqjE3QeLVTfZJNxFWbjuaQ-YTB9ZsLDesUUXL/s1600/2018-12-09+186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZroQVsIT4KaSpIZJ3dyJqmrzKLnBAEkz-cAS2gnQzyA8A4yiQoG-zK2T4QdNuiCw_H_IT7DbuIqDYjmQ1WbVFTDQO1Cb6Hys8mkTq8JMqjE3QeLVTfZJNxFWbjuaQ-YTB9ZsLDesUUXL/s320/2018-12-09+186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Cape of Good Hope on the southern tip of South Africa </span><span style="font-size: large;">was rounded in 1488 by <b>Bartolomeu Dias.</b> That enabled da Gama to discover the sea route to Asia where he and others would use to colonize India, Indonesia, Japan and China between 1498 and 1557.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt03jWwFv0fCUtOvhyrmWsz7_9yvvm9IUiTpycIFAngzb6Rmg8U9FP-702X7T5xVsi116HF7k8V85uxyqzHGoINQ9pMehxbOopkqnyPcom4DjVkAeW2fIq6Dj6EhrTui_mjQqBtaZnPjSc/s1600/2018-12-09+184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt03jWwFv0fCUtOvhyrmWsz7_9yvvm9IUiTpycIFAngzb6Rmg8U9FP-702X7T5xVsi116HF7k8V85uxyqzHGoINQ9pMehxbOopkqnyPcom4DjVkAeW2fIq6Dj6EhrTui_mjQqBtaZnPjSc/s320/2018-12-09+184.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 1500, Diaz and <b>Pedro Cabral</b> - an explorer I'd never heard of before that day - landed on the tip of Brazil hoping to avoid windless seas on their way down the African coast. The country ended up being an agricultural goldmine for Portugal. Two hundred years later, gold and gems were found in Brazil which kick started the Portuguese economy again.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEIEwyAF55GYrsl6g45cQaBMaB9Z9-lF1dzEQ8xo-dvaBN-lBaXxosyEjnCwQHofCWE7m-3qL3nIJsbNvFCfODiN2_EWbvBrhrhixMOc281p9Ve8lFtTNbKCn2ETBUmDbO8RUCG6HghjJ/s1600/2018-12-09+181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEIEwyAF55GYrsl6g45cQaBMaB9Z9-lF1dzEQ8xo-dvaBN-lBaXxosyEjnCwQHofCWE7m-3qL3nIJsbNvFCfODiN2_EWbvBrhrhixMOc281p9Ve8lFtTNbKCn2ETBUmDbO8RUCG6HghjJ/s320/2018-12-09+181.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">According to Rick Steves, Portugal's global empire peaked by 1560 with the filthy-rich country claiming, but not occupying, the entire coastline of Africa, Arabia, India, the Philippines, and south China, plus Brazil! But all the wealth was wasted on the country's ruling class who neglected to reinvest it in the future. The eventual result was, over the next four centuries, all of their colonies were lost to other European countries or to local revolutions. From the once mighty empire, it is more than a tad ironic that the first places to be discovered, the Madeiras and the Azores, are all that remain and the latter ones are largely autonomous.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Having had our fill of Portuguese history and explorers for at least a while by then, we just strolled along the pretty waterfront.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39fp8iEA5HhO2r9OpW0-KiC2lnxLa5LsgZB3x3NTjf_MetIMXoVd5Vi2sREnJynefqbRtm6NoQGDqaBSp0efR5XTJxe86_ZfVh-hGPZPDKwakkOxdcJqa435lvLErQzFws1o7AWSZ-HAz/s1600/2018-12-09+190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39fp8iEA5HhO2r9OpW0-KiC2lnxLa5LsgZB3x3NTjf_MetIMXoVd5Vi2sREnJynefqbRtm6NoQGDqaBSp0efR5XTJxe86_ZfVh-hGPZPDKwakkOxdcJqa435lvLErQzFws1o7AWSZ-HAz/s320/2018-12-09+190.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Behind me was the Vasco da Gama Bridge and the monument. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvpTSIpWAcONlgBZ9zMWYLusyjzkQ8TMSnNkK1qwMjV96kfa1c24GaPPkywUjKtIo7IIzSI2peoapWVO00dg3UCO4mDgjr3OE5c33E1Khh42j0AxLIF3EhbBhn-tmO6JfY3vQIHJyWqGm/s1600/2018-12-09+192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvpTSIpWAcONlgBZ9zMWYLusyjzkQ8TMSnNkK1qwMjV96kfa1c24GaPPkywUjKtIo7IIzSI2peoapWVO00dg3UCO4mDgjr3OE5c33E1Khh42j0AxLIF3EhbBhn-tmO6JfY3vQIHJyWqGm/s320/2018-12-09+192.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIWWPSr8iWK6Nm8BgvycS-k3VWuzO4dea8F1XFPpRh8hJD8nMxCsSOzwRf-312ucJhggk2zoIBksg_QrE0Stz0kzCydK4q_zCKdXfDuaUuCmJJfuioVEO7VwcuMGY-JT37WGDhO4duj-f/s1600/2018-12-09+195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIWWPSr8iWK6Nm8BgvycS-k3VWuzO4dea8F1XFPpRh8hJD8nMxCsSOzwRf-312ucJhggk2zoIBksg_QrE0Stz0kzCydK4q_zCKdXfDuaUuCmJJfuioVEO7VwcuMGY-JT37WGDhO4duj-f/s320/2018-12-09+195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The towering Christ the King statue on the far side of the river was very much like the one in Rio we saw in 2017 while we explored much of South America. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw41KseTfvm9basMBSu_DSZm6CanQmQhxffgZf06NriktPOQMy7hNaH79mBAWki-SD2T6KDNUwMXASt-J7wpA9r97e6gMvOJaJYR9AwDjn0qz45YOjy6lDdJvRbK9nMRU1kFPjd9odkJp7/s1600/2018-12-09+193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw41KseTfvm9basMBSu_DSZm6CanQmQhxffgZf06NriktPOQMy7hNaH79mBAWki-SD2T6KDNUwMXASt-J7wpA9r97e6gMvOJaJYR9AwDjn0qz45YOjy6lDdJvRbK9nMRU1kFPjd9odkJp7/s320/2018-12-09+193.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">About a half hour's walk along the waterfront was the <b>Belem Tower</b> that was built in 1515 and was the last sight sailors spotted as they left their homeland and the first they eyed when they returned home. When the tower was built, the river nearly went to the walls of the monastery and the tower was mid river.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4SFNKM_T00EIVd_HbJogyY74JgjiW5GySATKcP527rtRHsT6LLGX6c1XlpGJgC2vvdk_zJGtNQuFHe-J-ViRG-wHdTpHWZ52LlRJrW1iIydpcCyh6sDd96h2YIaq0SeggxCdyVlLVADj/s1600/2018-12-09+198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4SFNKM_T00EIVd_HbJogyY74JgjiW5GySATKcP527rtRHsT6LLGX6c1XlpGJgC2vvdk_zJGtNQuFHe-J-ViRG-wHdTpHWZ52LlRJrW1iIydpcCyh6sDd96h2YIaq0SeggxCdyVlLVADj/s320/2018-12-09+198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The float plane on the grassy lawn was a monument to the first flight across the South Atlantic from Portugal to Brazil in 1923. The original plane beat Charles Lindbergh's <i>Spirit of St. Louis</i> across the North Atlantic by five years.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1usjNOYlJc9rnc6lAGUMeH-7RwmrtTUn9DLzEkPSvnlHu7CQpKX7y58OqIV9E0JRHyWN8srgajCnNjkNpGsYrOJ3z_8H5_YsCZqE8AkJa1j91eXsdo3CLk-5Ejk7qyt4UrLXe1RzcPJZ/s1600/2018-12-09+199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1usjNOYlJc9rnc6lAGUMeH-7RwmrtTUn9DLzEkPSvnlHu7CQpKX7y58OqIV9E0JRHyWN8srgajCnNjkNpGsYrOJ3z_8H5_YsCZqE8AkJa1j91eXsdo3CLk-5Ejk7qyt4UrLXe1RzcPJZ/s320/2018-12-09+199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We really enjoyed every lick of the ice cream cones on our stroll back along the waterfront!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We didn't want to leave the Belem district without stopping at <b>Casa Pasteis de Belem</b> cafe, the birthplace of the custard tart that's called <i>pastel de nata</i> throughout the country but was simply <i>pastel de Belem</i> here. Since 1837, residents have been stopping at the cafe to pick up their beloved tarts piping hot out of the oven. There was a pretty long line to buy some of the 20,000 tarts the cafe cranks out each day. Steves attributed part of the cafe's popularity to the fact that supposedly only three people know the exact proportions of the ingredients and that they're always available so fresh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My Steven was pretty happy with his custards - I don't think they even made it back to our apartment in Lisbon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> Later that afternoon we went to the superlative <b>Gulbekian Museum,</b> a treasure trove of art.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on April 22nd, 2019, from Littleton, Colorado.</i></span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-75900315017626765262019-04-19T22:37:00.001-06:002019-07-19T21:28:26.764-06:0012/8: Day Trip to Sintra: Palaces, Castles and Villas, Oh My!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I returned about three weeks ago after being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow that really fun trip, here's a link to the newest blog: </i></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a> </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sintra,</b> located just 15 miles northwest of Lisbon, was considered the perfect place for centuries for Portugal's aristocracy to escape form life in the capital. The mix of manmade fantasy castles set amid lush green valleys and hazy views of both the Atlantic and Lisbon was the summer getaway for the country's kings. People with money and a wish to be close to royalty constructed their palaces amid luxurious gardens nearby. According to travel writer <b>Rick Steves,</b> <b>Lord Byron</b> called the "bundle of royal fancies and aristocratic dreams a 'glorious Eden.' "</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was a quick train ride from the center of Lisbon to Sintra and then a bus ride to <b>Pena Palace,</b> our first stop of the day. The magical hilltop palace high above Sintra was commissioned by Portugal's very romantic prince, German-born <b>Prince Ferdinand</b> who was a cousin of England's Prince Albert and the husband of Queen Victoria. A German architect was hired to build a fantasy castle, mixing elements of German and Portuguese style but the prince ended up with a "crazy Neo-fortified casserole of Gothic towers, Renaissance domes, Moorish minarets, Manueline carvings, and Disney playfulness" as Steves so beautifully described what we were about to see. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to visit Sintra in the summer as we still had to wait thirty minutes for the bus to the ticket office, then wait another ten minutes in line for the shuttle uphill to the palace, and then forty minutes to actually <b>enter</b> Pena Palace!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The palace was built in the mid to late 1800s and looked so well-preserved that it felt just like the day in 1910 after the royal family fled Portugal during a popular revolt that later made way for the current modern republic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After hiking up a ramp, we entered at this Moorish doorway with what was described as having alligator decor although it looked like snakes to us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The drawbridge was neat except for the fact it didn't draw!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Steven and I were both so agog at this most unusual palace we spent several minutes just content looking in every direction as each was so different.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The sculpture above the doorway was of</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Triton, </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">the half-man, half-fish who was the allegorical gateway of the Creation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Inside was a bust of King Ferdinand who built the castle from 1840 until his death in 1885. Though he was German, he did much to preserve Portugal's architectural and artistic heritage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the Courtyard we learned the palace was built on the site of a 16th century monastery and that the courtyard was the site of the cloister. The monastery housed followers of the hermit monk, <b>St. Jerome.</b> The spot was a popular pilgrimage for its statue of <i>Our Lady of the Feathers</i> as <i>pena</i> means feather in English. In 1498 <b>King Manuel</b> was in this courtyard when he eyed famous Portuguese explorer <b>Vasco da Gama</b> sailing up the river returning from his great voyage. The king then transformed what was a humble wooden monastery into the stone palace to celebrate and give thanks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Manueline Cloister </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">from 1511 had two floors; its patio walls were covered in 16th century Hispano-Arabic tiles. When the monastery was converted into a palace, the arches were closed off with windows and the cloister galleries began serving as corridors. The windows were removed in 1930. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the courtyard, we followed the one-way route around the courtyard popping into several rooms on the way. The monastery's original room used for communal meals was converted into the private <b>Dining Room</b> for the royal family. T</span><span style="font-size: large;">he room's 16th century walls and ceiling were covered in gorgeous tiles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Pantry</b> included the royal family's finest Limoges china with the monogram of King Ferdinand II.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_mXILZeRLUgbUZmFt3QvJkleBE-ZcPivttXj-aAbnOl-d959AzTA-rDGkI_0M9OVhmknRcSxIzD6XGSADNYJbOGkTmre-YBioyblu7vKAJh70C9HiSTXi0afGfmLZ-mCqPuExoMxHP_U/s1600/2018-12-08+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_mXILZeRLUgbUZmFt3QvJkleBE-ZcPivttXj-aAbnOl-d959AzTA-rDGkI_0M9OVhmknRcSxIzD6XGSADNYJbOGkTmre-YBioyblu7vKAJh70C9HiSTXi0afGfmLZ-mCqPuExoMxHP_U/s320/2018-12-08+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The workshop or</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Atelier of Carlos I </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">had been the former monastery's Chapter House. The paintings on cloth hanging on the walls from 1890 that were attributed to the monarch depicted nymphs and satyrs. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_fKAbTkEHLwsQOf5afrmGPVEQQr4KPpB0BpaJnHKegZ4wOVkx5afx9ZuyCBLuOJ_2UqpY-ciwzagzo6SFtWxyLRnulG902oyZK8QcWbuv1QGAwNpiLfp3EK_wuHQ2cWcKqhujUHaveNw/s1600/2018-12-08+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_fKAbTkEHLwsQOf5afrmGPVEQQr4KPpB0BpaJnHKegZ4wOVkx5afx9ZuyCBLuOJ_2UqpY-ciwzagzo6SFtWxyLRnulG902oyZK8QcWbuv1QGAwNpiLfp3EK_wuHQ2cWcKqhujUHaveNw/s320/2018-12-08+068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYWCow16IhIoChyphenhyphenTRmhWDR7rYevKYi-5Ihf9p_QzpCVE-8ITLzKn0__D2n4yWA9JJHP69RzgPKxM5QdmMufjCAUFJ8uUEK9T7sx0xhwUPHQRTSMhH8SZjEK2znWrOyDLTysPxQBbEN0Wi/s1600/2018-12-08+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYWCow16IhIoChyphenhyphenTRmhWDR7rYevKYi-5Ihf9p_QzpCVE-8ITLzKn0__D2n4yWA9JJHP69RzgPKxM5QdmMufjCAUFJ8uUEK9T7sx0xhwUPHQRTSMhH8SZjEK2znWrOyDLTysPxQBbEN0Wi/s320/2018-12-08+069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The former dormitory of the monastery was divided into sleeping quarters in the 19th century. After 1890, this area became King Carlos' <b>Bedroom.</b> The king was partial to cutting-edge comforts including a shower and tub imported from England and even a phone so he could listen to the opera when he didn't feel like commuting to Lisbon!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYf43a11oHY0KZt0hmW2aALBQ57lUDsigGS5tbvcVemYRnGSbfsuyotKg4BEqT-uBoBfgZd53vcBpwBfmXJmK8R9dSbrmr0EhEpDrN1IVRugu8z9_SYT8f8grPVi0d01yBL9OMCwP72a_/s1600/2018-12-08+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYf43a11oHY0KZt0hmW2aALBQ57lUDsigGS5tbvcVemYRnGSbfsuyotKg4BEqT-uBoBfgZd53vcBpwBfmXJmK8R9dSbrmr0EhEpDrN1IVRugu8z9_SYT8f8grPVi0d01yBL9OMCwP72a_/s320/2018-12-08+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOPyZqaL-dT-KQ_eOHOWhEd_gXCPtzhW64I0k9tYKSU581CReFkPQWqjRz5jEubGRnQy6gNWz9ku9A3phXAISGNUnNPxnfyClMrWIMoxLuVUAnapmuCwGIgZcA7AVzN4CX5Gzaf61gj7C/s1600/2018-12-08+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOPyZqaL-dT-KQ_eOHOWhEd_gXCPtzhW64I0k9tYKSU581CReFkPQWqjRz5jEubGRnQy6gNWz9ku9A3phXAISGNUnNPxnfyClMrWIMoxLuVUAnapmuCwGIgZcA7AVzN4CX5Gzaf61gj7C/s320/2018-12-08+077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamEh2Mye9zBQYqVoUqANTPIe8hqpPNuCR_f6PJp4dR3P15eFVDcvjzJEWaWe919vjRHvhoQxUhIIHHYbqrukRy-VmH0D7Cs-dFEojDE4Jm8c90V96GbjRORuPv5-q9n_DYwMsadZytlIE/s1600/2018-12-08+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamEh2Mye9zBQYqVoUqANTPIe8hqpPNuCR_f6PJp4dR3P15eFVDcvjzJEWaWe919vjRHvhoQxUhIIHHYbqrukRy-VmH0D7Cs-dFEojDE4Jm8c90V96GbjRORuPv5-q9n_DYwMsadZytlIE/s320/2018-12-08+080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here you get a sense of how packed the palace was for some reason that day in early December!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vqXDCiJOhKl-_Xo4DOkqLb6i09tMQwU_GYOtr_ulbeoCFIHt8OsiKMRqyMm_sPtVvO_xkRuwAeQyWwYlz6OqM39c9cR1Pg8u0dEUP3mTQh4UrJfmwyhOKbA4PV8x7-IovB9m-KWjJ0_N/s1600/2018-12-08+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vqXDCiJOhKl-_Xo4DOkqLb6i09tMQwU_GYOtr_ulbeoCFIHt8OsiKMRqyMm_sPtVvO_xkRuwAeQyWwYlz6OqM39c9cR1Pg8u0dEUP3mTQh4UrJfmwyhOKbA4PV8x7-IovB9m-KWjJ0_N/s320/2018-12-08+083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The walls in this <b>Niche</b> from the original Monastery of Our Lady of Pena were encrusted with small stones, shells and porcelain fragments. There used to be a clay sculpture of St. Jerome here. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANTuUGQie-M-1uh2xEC1rJI4A6jR3lBK-2IVWKsN9Cy9TCndXeemtgdmbQAR6mDr694ruNAKBZAKPwnB1FjcI93Qf5_sWj8NKryAejKgKQo9EK8oZo1ubsh144EJ3F0t_s8Fw9MmaB78M/s1600/2018-12-08+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANTuUGQie-M-1uh2xEC1rJI4A6jR3lBK-2IVWKsN9Cy9TCndXeemtgdmbQAR6mDr694ruNAKBZAKPwnB1FjcI93Qf5_sWj8NKryAejKgKQo9EK8oZo1ubsh144EJ3F0t_s8Fw9MmaB78M/s320/2018-12-08+090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We held onto an unusual dragon-like handrail as we headed upstairs! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulHBmID9egeSGUj72w_YZbTCca0IyUCYRVYe0w9DO5HhFaqPlYxNHQgx_-GkCNmtsKoFKGJuJGLUnN0RXwuebwzbny_9FYWuHEAQ0pxKzG2X7jbyoDEc0lBOuCOBlE1MlbcjPL7474TSg/s1600/2018-12-08+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulHBmID9egeSGUj72w_YZbTCca0IyUCYRVYe0w9DO5HhFaqPlYxNHQgx_-GkCNmtsKoFKGJuJGLUnN0RXwuebwzbny_9FYWuHEAQ0pxKzG2X7jbyoDEc0lBOuCOBlE1MlbcjPL7474TSg/s320/2018-12-08+096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6_3Oii9m7U4RneUfE3cFmLibzgOHAc26zJBJym_3JHeQVZgpGVCgBA2yuI2ZiLDe0xGQEU1AJ5hZ_g12gIfcwOsbC7v5K_0jcGAosjjVDvIjmNmqVzSAe3xhPFtluBpFHebVk2iZTb9o/s1600/2018-12-08+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6_3Oii9m7U4RneUfE3cFmLibzgOHAc26zJBJym_3JHeQVZgpGVCgBA2yuI2ZiLDe0xGQEU1AJ5hZ_g12gIfcwOsbC7v5K_0jcGAosjjVDvIjmNmqVzSAe3xhPFtluBpFHebVk2iZTb9o/s320/2018-12-08+097.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The upper floor of the Manueline monastery, known as the <b>Piano Nobile</b> or "noble floor" was originally divided into fourteen cells connected by an internal corridor that were later reconstructed by Ferdinand II into rooms with vaulted arches for his private quarters. Ferdinand II's bedroom later belonged to his second wife, <b>Countess Edla,</b> and by <b>Queen Amelia</b> after 1890. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZA-JPOE1CJFuIdNlqvUzh_tzrRMGVAcilPPoapma1HRvsnsPvqZlgxy9TIDdAN_Zg3IRSEozAxR7szEq-OKxLyAGGrgzvE0veAF3WFptStmotdeZ4zMY5I2Olsb7zDSX5vEXdOL7C3RIJ/s1600/2018-12-08+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZA-JPOE1CJFuIdNlqvUzh_tzrRMGVAcilPPoapma1HRvsnsPvqZlgxy9TIDdAN_Zg3IRSEozAxR7szEq-OKxLyAGGrgzvE0veAF3WFptStmotdeZ4zMY5I2Olsb7zDSX5vEXdOL7C3RIJ/s320/2018-12-08+116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The early 1900s was a very difficult time for the royal family with the king and his eldest son assassinated in 1908. His youngest son,</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Manuel II, </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">became king until he, his mother the queen, and others in the royal family fled Portugal during the 1910 revolution. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrYida8IqRHzPS3czEqD16PenueJ6_cg7hrpaHVfQhGjOJQVWrEV1FbUoxApZczvTJeN-JvBlR0E6S1iOd5Ta8NtN9Uf10S5-_pI4ivCfLxqtqZkmRoV6otrHT0yDWtY4vSlj7UQfxK26/s1600/2018-12-08+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrYida8IqRHzPS3czEqD16PenueJ6_cg7hrpaHVfQhGjOJQVWrEV1FbUoxApZczvTJeN-JvBlR0E6S1iOd5Ta8NtN9Uf10S5-_pI4ivCfLxqtqZkmRoV6otrHT0yDWtY4vSlj7UQfxK26/s320/2018-12-08+113.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0TLYmFt_KkPuhA-qOGgxn3UE3PvESK3T2nvvSbltzZlhuXfvk0nUvIcHfo47AXA2znThC3yGt9QpgXIzCppd9zM9uzzTvQW09bTpr1Escrsd-B8CyZrM77czcIg0bC2b_TgMJS4IjeEF/s1600/2018-12-08+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0TLYmFt_KkPuhA-qOGgxn3UE3PvESK3T2nvvSbltzZlhuXfvk0nUvIcHfo47AXA2znThC3yGt9QpgXIzCppd9zM9uzzTvQW09bTpr1Escrsd-B8CyZrM77czcIg0bC2b_TgMJS4IjeEF/s320/2018-12-08+115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Queen Amelia installed her <b>Tea Room</b> between her private quarters and her office so she could receive her most intimate visitors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A room that had been the Tea Room under King Ferdinand II was converted into the <b>Telephone Room</b> during the reign of King Carlos. Unfortunately however, the telephone that was normally in here had been removed for restoration but even it wasn't the original one but rather the palace telephone exchange that had been installed in the service rooms.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95J9ikGcn3KvguklBqQ-B8sQxKNpswFME90kb4cZkT5mPWvG8h78mnv3VAx4DwKgjraEpbt_go37_OiVJlaQdYG5AMNPObCDLl7hCSuqqa-GIoB3dwe_Opqj76BtL9Wng2X23RvhVWeFZ/s1600/2018-12-08+137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95J9ikGcn3KvguklBqQ-B8sQxKNpswFME90kb4cZkT5mPWvG8h78mnv3VAx4DwKgjraEpbt_go37_OiVJlaQdYG5AMNPObCDLl7hCSuqqa-GIoB3dwe_Opqj76BtL9Wng2X23RvhVWeFZ/s320/2018-12-08+137.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The stunning</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Arabic Room </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">which portrayed an Islamic style of architecture using perspectives to create an illusion of space, was used as a sitting room for visitors of the royal family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were many more rooms on this floor by the way, but I only included the most interesting ones for you. At the end of the floor was the delightful <b>Queen's Terrace.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After quickly going through several smaller rooms, we spent more time in the <b>Great Hall</b> which was King Ferdinand's main space for hosting receptions though it was originally used as a <b>Billiards Room.</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The torchbearers and chandelier were specifically designed for this room. Three windows featured stained glass from Central Europe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Stag Room </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">was intended as a banquet room but it was designed as a room for knights. It therefore should have had heraldic stained-glass motifs on the windows and antique weapons displayed underneath the fake stag heads.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJlQPKQsV93ow40Css9naCdnLp50eKSIokhMD__9T7CmpJeGItZF7iJLeorH5VqwAH0YNrJlZPlCf1dUSaUAJO93KaSFO-lGbpzSo5L4tYz44NGGdeexCt7hfaMoYVsGQkLNOzKIPnQmq/s1600/2018-12-08+194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJlQPKQsV93ow40Css9naCdnLp50eKSIokhMD__9T7CmpJeGItZF7iJLeorH5VqwAH0YNrJlZPlCf1dUSaUAJO93KaSFO-lGbpzSo5L4tYz44NGGdeexCt7hfaMoYVsGQkLNOzKIPnQmq/s320/2018-12-08+194.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The center of the room's ceiling resembled a palm tree. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzwt9EWRCiSpLwxfLE1PjZtqTAKjl1A6x6BcU2ZN6qFfZpPK7cXJWlSFRUgzjAH0rTW2mqOV2KQYtwKlSMULRQKk9yEerucROWeUdQy8f64k_pCXbx3ee9o8B5XtnwQK9sK05FHoqL0i2/s1600/2018-12-08+197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzwt9EWRCiSpLwxfLE1PjZtqTAKjl1A6x6BcU2ZN6qFfZpPK7cXJWlSFRUgzjAH0rTW2mqOV2KQYtwKlSMULRQKk9yEerucROWeUdQy8f64k_pCXbx3ee9o8B5XtnwQK9sK05FHoqL0i2/s320/2018-12-08+197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ferdinand II's grand passion was collecting stained glass including these spectacular panels from the 17th to 19th centuries which were placed in the Stag Room.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eUD-kEvumonwHEr4PDRNyS2ntyW8BdfoMthXJ6C50qWxMcNTHCSvW1kkFCDLoDb_253p1iA2OxpDHhyphenhyphen8IpDegObnDkAHCiNR4sBRB7MraIAsIPYCe_8NbcjVxtiQjK7QDAsI4w8ES5GB/s1600/2018-12-08+200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eUD-kEvumonwHEr4PDRNyS2ntyW8BdfoMthXJ6C50qWxMcNTHCSvW1kkFCDLoDb_253p1iA2OxpDHhyphenhyphen8IpDegObnDkAHCiNR4sBRB7MraIAsIPYCe_8NbcjVxtiQjK7QDAsI4w8ES5GB/s320/2018-12-08+200.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Downstairs was the mammoth kitchen.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbtlj2geG8Ork3G5areTAjUX_gchhBIWVTRiv5CktqD4mv6zChvKBKRGhZMQCWbRnDJOKoaz5wgjOnLMQxnj1c45AjgVT1gnIG8lHGmRwYkXzFZJx9MLVkiDzVRb8YRfAgw4l-Al_38Ks/s1600/2018-12-08+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbtlj2geG8Ork3G5areTAjUX_gchhBIWVTRiv5CktqD4mv6zChvKBKRGhZMQCWbRnDJOKoaz5wgjOnLMQxnj1c45AjgVT1gnIG8lHGmRwYkXzFZJx9MLVkiDzVRb8YRfAgw4l-Al_38Ks/s320/2018-12-08+206.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPGet5HfG90K-EQRT7hBihefuhUOW_1MHtbTJKko2HuSkUyt2zL6Bpn0WfQ9QchAJnggiGLA6dwBP49-EwlgiT85FQCoEVWJr7jxs8cXI5-zMVcm0NMO4CshElFPAGK_jjcC0dMfgLkEY/s1600/2018-12-08+208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPGet5HfG90K-EQRT7hBihefuhUOW_1MHtbTJKko2HuSkUyt2zL6Bpn0WfQ9QchAJnggiGLA6dwBP49-EwlgiT85FQCoEVWJr7jxs8cXI5-zMVcm0NMO4CshElFPAGK_jjcC0dMfgLkEY/s320/2018-12-08+208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back on the <b>Inner Patio,</b> we had more intriguing views of the Disney-like palace including the ornamental doorway with the scowling Triton we'd seen on arrival. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBBTVX9UJRMlplrOa9j_sY7YbH_5w4ln53duK0puRJXqR5Z5-JwqFbxuUPtIKUOZrkHiyzkuZ8LBhxAkUaVOjlm3Q91J7mYC39hvK_eT5rjqsfbuD_3pAxKwLDuAvQ9NBqwCZHlqiUzBW/s1600/2018-12-08+211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBBTVX9UJRMlplrOa9j_sY7YbH_5w4ln53duK0puRJXqR5Z5-JwqFbxuUPtIKUOZrkHiyzkuZ8LBhxAkUaVOjlm3Q91J7mYC39hvK_eT5rjqsfbuD_3pAxKwLDuAvQ9NBqwCZHlqiUzBW/s320/2018-12-08+211.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We took the stairs up to the pointed dome covered with green and white tiles which was the family's sumptuous private <b>Chapel. </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">The original 16th century monastery church was used by King Ferdinand II as his palace </span><span style="font-size: large;">chapel.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Its Gothic nave with the pointed arches was completely lined with polychrome tiles in the 17th century.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">The alabaster and black marble limestone altarpiece was completed between 1529 and 1532 by a French sculptor. The New Testament scenes depicted the Nativity, the Annunciation, the Presentation at the Temple, the Adoration of the Magi and the Flight from Egypt. The central niche portrayed the Resurrection of Christ. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back on the patio, we searched for, and luckily found, a small door under the chapel directing us to the <b>Wall Walk</b> which allowed us to walk all around the palace for great views of it and the surrounding countryside. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the distance was the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Moorish Castle </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">that we'd seen briefly on arrival at the train station and which we walked toward next. B</span><span style="font-size: large;">uilt around the 10th century by the Muslim occupiers of the Iberian Peninsula, the castle acted as a watchtower over the Atlantic Coast and also as an observation post of the city of Lisbon.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzpNY4Bal8ddUFbsWB4hakZomCbHhh1TQCtHblGFbp-f0MPEHH262LIM_mmqopoFzkFZU_fiLWErIZVLojAgQ8tr2Z2m1iQ8w__01rIfYFq344Tlo1LWP4rs9tw1mYV9Spf19Ga4GK4Ys/s1600/2018-12-08+241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzpNY4Bal8ddUFbsWB4hakZomCbHhh1TQCtHblGFbp-f0MPEHH262LIM_mmqopoFzkFZU_fiLWErIZVLojAgQ8tr2Z2m1iQ8w__01rIfYFq344Tlo1LWP4rs9tw1mYV9Spf19Ga4GK4Ys/s320/2018-12-08+241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We came across the second circle of walls around the castle which were built to provide better protection to the people, animals and crops who had settled on the hillsides. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Castle Pena was unlike any palace we'd ever toured before with its odd exterior colors and playful design. The castle, though, looked like a castle lover's dream come true as it was one of the most classically formed castles found anywhere! Though it was built by the Moors, the castle was taken by Christian forces in 1147.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Muslim occupants of the castle settled on the southeastern slope of the hill where the foundations of homes and silos were found. Typical 10th-12th century Islamic cultural artifacts were discovered as well as remains of deer, sheep, wild boar, broad beans and peach, plum and olive stones.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The former <b>Church of Sao Pedro de Canaferrim</b> was built in the 12th century following the 1147 Reconquista or Reconquest. It was the first parish church in Sintra and was used for worship until the 14th century. After 1840, it was transformed by King Ferdinand II into a romantic ruin as part of the landscape of Park Pena. It now housed </span><span style="font-size: large;">the Interpretation Center of the History of the Castle where objects found during the archaeological excavations were exhibited.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The works promoted by King Ferdinand II damaged part of the Christian necropolis located around the church. A small <b>tomb</b> was built to place the remains that had been unearthed. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The headstone</span><span style="font-size: large;"> included an engraving of a crescent and a cross and the following epitaph: "What man has assembled, only God can set apart" which alluded to the fact it was impossible to distinguish whether the human remains were Christian or Muslim.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As <b>Arms Square</b> was the largest area of the castle, the military garrison was originally placed there. During the remodeling carried out in the 19th century by King Ferdinand II, the space was transformed into an idyllic setting with plenty of seating and elements evoking the Moorish past such as the blind horseshoe-arched door. Some flowerbeds represented on a map dating back to 1898 have been recreated. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A tour of the castle involved climbing up and down lots of stairs from one tower along the </span><span style="font-size: large;">twisting and turning</span><span style="font-size: large;"> wall following the contours of the land as it connected to a taller hilltop tower. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRV4Be1piNrMMRSqdhlsz-ybHeU-4YlukA1SDsQgd3fv-c7800w4XwSR3Ghyphenhyphen9T0C6mvujuOfRX412LPwNM3KmNV85LM9gSDT5m9A4lNGiZp0z8RglUGBPdeuUG7lnw0_QKpzdymnODePN/s1600/2018-12-08+296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRV4Be1piNrMMRSqdhlsz-ybHeU-4YlukA1SDsQgd3fv-c7800w4XwSR3Ghyphenhyphen9T0C6mvujuOfRX412LPwNM3KmNV85LM9gSDT5m9A4lNGiZp0z8RglUGBPdeuUG7lnw0_QKpzdymnODePN/s320/2018-12-08+296.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">View of Sintra below us that we'd make our way down to later. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4Xzh4gDXHKosQ59qKAlaXxjEZV-aJQxmDI_euREudbH72STiaYELjq_ZQuo_HamIy-54OusDe1g8uXkKNQy3H77Cb_sRgnZwClGrJOZRGSh6WcP7Lj92o4C6TOH9TG1rwkJfEasGdbFL/s1600/2018-12-08+295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4Xzh4gDXHKosQ59qKAlaXxjEZV-aJQxmDI_euREudbH72STiaYELjq_ZQuo_HamIy-54OusDe1g8uXkKNQy3H77Cb_sRgnZwClGrJOZRGSh6WcP7Lj92o4C6TOH9TG1rwkJfEasGdbFL/s320/2018-12-08+295.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Royal Tower</b> in the distance:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVEXaFOJs9rPQ61bfKjsm30AL5zVZB-8YqG2Slhlf6fxrRroNM2S-1q1M2c_7uOo5g2ZrXoQ4d57J-n-KttSp3wnQprLq-NQNUwfRF2BC5COfs30jYupT7T0Lv4z6hD7ri4eFLcnQcYsI/s1600/2018-12-08+298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVEXaFOJs9rPQ61bfKjsm30AL5zVZB-8YqG2Slhlf6fxrRroNM2S-1q1M2c_7uOo5g2ZrXoQ4d57J-n-KttSp3wnQprLq-NQNUwfRF2BC5COfs30jYupT7T0Lv4z6hD7ri4eFLcnQcYsI/s320/2018-12-08+298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBGTlXIdcFj-fXDfwVvR8YRIPIVsezlS92P1nQM4UzT2XnlhcMNQvLFb0h6kcag-Q3ZuThMMF3hI4LPjWT3LtTzJkDyGnTQwLrWncsAh-KsZlmS_5uI7pwakz4NyogLlWCu6Zz49tK7hs/s1600/2018-12-08+300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBGTlXIdcFj-fXDfwVvR8YRIPIVsezlS92P1nQM4UzT2XnlhcMNQvLFb0h6kcag-Q3ZuThMMF3hI4LPjWT3LtTzJkDyGnTQwLrWncsAh-KsZlmS_5uI7pwakz4NyogLlWCu6Zz49tK7hs/s320/2018-12-08+300.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriPWKfwNZi3ivYlFD4fNUklkejSskJ_3hy05vSWtpWj5eBFTN013p53vzc3oArxVoW7m8ax-nc5-GvGZVWcrtNNhbNWkuV_9L4yC1i1nV2WsXIAX0da_HSwE1NuLoAaZqpKsLRrOHbj7O/s1600/2018-12-08+301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriPWKfwNZi3ivYlFD4fNUklkejSskJ_3hy05vSWtpWj5eBFTN013p53vzc3oArxVoW7m8ax-nc5-GvGZVWcrtNNhbNWkuV_9L4yC1i1nV2WsXIAX0da_HSwE1NuLoAaZqpKsLRrOHbj7O/s320/2018-12-08+301.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6CPhwUOfb2RxlhQ1VhhkuTvi1BHAykf4OYm8ULudL9fSkWuixcGT_-1rwiJWRcLQnrKwtFEM9AIOktLwpu-IfK6mysXvNi_Qb1DQRPln0HY4egZ3n_LobHmHV9jc8Z2AZYDV6YXGgeRz/s1600/2018-12-08+303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6CPhwUOfb2RxlhQ1VhhkuTvi1BHAykf4OYm8ULudL9fSkWuixcGT_-1rwiJWRcLQnrKwtFEM9AIOktLwpu-IfK6mysXvNi_Qb1DQRPln0HY4egZ3n_LobHmHV9jc8Z2AZYDV6YXGgeRz/s320/2018-12-08+303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthm-hdAfmtl6jl4ufUIaT1QofgW9TWhgLYkpnzkz21Yr9Pd8KEQiUGc47Fp-d46Q7-ovdFFNxXZrrgmsoZHjZVa_a_yQd4PzR0aMJQnNGHn6ZWEdYcigaqs1NTcXf4qvq0Ea4I3AsdXFg/s1600/2018-12-08+556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthm-hdAfmtl6jl4ufUIaT1QofgW9TWhgLYkpnzkz21Yr9Pd8KEQiUGc47Fp-d46Q7-ovdFFNxXZrrgmsoZHjZVa_a_yQd4PzR0aMJQnNGHn6ZWEdYcigaqs1NTcXf4qvq0Ea4I3AsdXFg/s320/2018-12-08+556.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the summit of the Royal Tower, we had great views across to Pena Palace perched on an adjacent hilltop.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMLRKyoHsZHyOWKuDJ4xwGDtKMEsDCrNa1IG100dsgSU7254OPgwGYgvq_cZr2kQONogPeMx0kbY4pKNE_RgIM9xIybBCkOktXnhTOQgs76ARyQhGY44JNf9ZaDM3XLTksQj5_OmJ_ppM/s1600/2018-12-08+304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMLRKyoHsZHyOWKuDJ4xwGDtKMEsDCrNa1IG100dsgSU7254OPgwGYgvq_cZr2kQONogPeMx0kbY4pKNE_RgIM9xIybBCkOktXnhTOQgs76ARyQhGY44JNf9ZaDM3XLTksQj5_OmJ_ppM/s320/2018-12-08+304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcpXA_pc5y6t4gS5-ax9hMgFQtDoq4LDpHLCyi8p8EWKCGC1xgqIlStqJNDqp2fljW8aRqUa_rJ-D0fiIlW1-8PXLmKT9GHbMGX62HlAup2Fe1w9Q4GZli571VZLEnu_cv8vLBQk8tA3q/s1600/2018-12-08+308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcpXA_pc5y6t4gS5-ax9hMgFQtDoq4LDpHLCyi8p8EWKCGC1xgqIlStqJNDqp2fljW8aRqUa_rJ-D0fiIlW1-8PXLmKT9GHbMGX62HlAup2Fe1w9Q4GZli571VZLEnu_cv8vLBQk8tA3q/s320/2018-12-08+308.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After a well-earned rest, we made our way into town down a lovely terraced path rather than taking the far less comfortable ride in an overstuffed bus. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The path took us directly below the Moorish Castle.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BYBxz-4Sl250fp0mX24JHM8nn8FNQavZgLmGlE9HGcy_Xd5Xf1Jp-64fPr3uQBq-8MeOHmJlJBYrs_MTX_Hpn1ZmujCquSQqJFCsAh2qx2hfIFQ_6PylfivUKMC18GCc5k6TsAA9odMh/s1600/2018-12-08+315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BYBxz-4Sl250fp0mX24JHM8nn8FNQavZgLmGlE9HGcy_Xd5Xf1Jp-64fPr3uQBq-8MeOHmJlJBYrs_MTX_Hpn1ZmujCquSQqJFCsAh2qx2hfIFQ_6PylfivUKMC18GCc5k6TsAA9odMh/s320/2018-12-08+315.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7-7ENaLpUi1eOw5iFoOGPOrrvSMKbLl6oUNFjFLFf-qgujGMdAO9BYsKZLODO9iI7xh-8SDRMRT4UJREv0GWjWrVjCJyCKp-X5SpSVnWOg9Rkrtua1iF2YNig32XwOxgVMLPTP4dcFpZ/s1600/2018-12-08+318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7-7ENaLpUi1eOw5iFoOGPOrrvSMKbLl6oUNFjFLFf-qgujGMdAO9BYsKZLODO9iI7xh-8SDRMRT4UJREv0GWjWrVjCJyCKp-X5SpSVnWOg9Rkrtua1iF2YNig32XwOxgVMLPTP4dcFpZ/s320/2018-12-08+318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The sheer rock face called the <b>Cliffs of Amizade</b> were a popular spot for rock climbers as could be seen by the regular crevices.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_U2OqCljUe9vf_uCWbA31jBdmwIL-VNlk788G_lFmHKbaF1WGaMIOwKqfJC7zYjHIh-kJhhxV_Q7oH8kgPgfJPhk-WHYpq98XE-fpBl8hjOXlrbEg_9IY8tqIchsW998BNQ-Dp9Ig-Ew/s1600/2018-12-08+319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_U2OqCljUe9vf_uCWbA31jBdmwIL-VNlk788G_lFmHKbaF1WGaMIOwKqfJC7zYjHIh-kJhhxV_Q7oH8kgPgfJPhk-WHYpq98XE-fpBl8hjOXlrbEg_9IY8tqIchsW998BNQ-Dp9Ig-Ew/s320/2018-12-08+319.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgco5pKrYw1cRCO6P_pF7AeXmGEb9znvPoXpbg_p5aKsS6QTVOkEH-0w0ZO_Ac4A_UjtLD_DS9w9GLcjqvhJFaErknH65OZ-1KejPv6JdkpNLf6lADH451xj-hQmajMnLVooEcESCkEF7st/s1600/2018-12-08+320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgco5pKrYw1cRCO6P_pF7AeXmGEb9znvPoXpbg_p5aKsS6QTVOkEH-0w0ZO_Ac4A_UjtLD_DS9w9GLcjqvhJFaErknH65OZ-1KejPv6JdkpNLf6lADH451xj-hQmajMnLVooEcESCkEF7st/s320/2018-12-08+320.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another take on a 'hole in the wall!'</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEmFk4eQIlM01I781_yX9Qq5XvzXeb1EnJ6JFVSEWTHIj60Oh-GqZ2CcZgDsx81pQzXYiPGwaZhqaZYbwPvRvXSY90cYHo-WnrYkzOdFDwYMC8M4Rqha0sofIJkAVZV3sNCvTi8T1dnkd/s1600/2018-12-08+324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEmFk4eQIlM01I781_yX9Qq5XvzXeb1EnJ6JFVSEWTHIj60Oh-GqZ2CcZgDsx81pQzXYiPGwaZhqaZYbwPvRvXSY90cYHo-WnrYkzOdFDwYMC8M4Rqha0sofIJkAVZV3sNCvTi8T1dnkd/s320/2018-12-08+324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Neither of us sat down on this 'throne' but it did look inviting!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1JzqdXh_BEOp87e1hyuZ59Q7_qO4F0qIlz3ktHOkSkQhwqpLdzBNDT22k0fhi33BXg5ABHGcVhEyNWHM13tPdr-NJKgzjbjY5XIZBXQhlYggZxVZ410xqlKfXZKFafeqjfpaYdUFSpTO/s1600/2018-12-08+326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1JzqdXh_BEOp87e1hyuZ59Q7_qO4F0qIlz3ktHOkSkQhwqpLdzBNDT22k0fhi33BXg5ABHGcVhEyNWHM13tPdr-NJKgzjbjY5XIZBXQhlYggZxVZ410xqlKfXZKFafeqjfpaYdUFSpTO/s320/2018-12-08+326.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We sure didn't expect to see such beautiful flowers blooming in December. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaV57ue4rCzA3eSEu-BtF6bNSFJRsaO7nHY2KK12FTEHWd-ZbcTGNsHOUYK6sc_nQZwWg68-XhswtRIh8HHqhzcqT2wR748Bu0Pj9XG2pZ7rU99l66hrvXbIsmGqfrvYTnIMqa_FyfN5Oo/s1600/2018-12-08+327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaV57ue4rCzA3eSEu-BtF6bNSFJRsaO7nHY2KK12FTEHWd-ZbcTGNsHOUYK6sc_nQZwWg68-XhswtRIh8HHqhzcqT2wR748Bu0Pj9XG2pZ7rU99l66hrvXbIsmGqfrvYTnIMqa_FyfN5Oo/s320/2018-12-08+327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVI2LHnWslpEgFtmzREyMQ8-d6U33DkLFD7OzysBp4pd5w2zIRuC5_3G6hTe5vnTIgKRd40rVbbaxBgnobmW0QdQ7yIXaE3B037x8_qb6itMLwm9r_oVoYCj03w0LOM-87RtkYfwJ0oR8I/s1600/2018-12-08+328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVI2LHnWslpEgFtmzREyMQ8-d6U33DkLFD7OzysBp4pd5w2zIRuC5_3G6hTe5vnTIgKRd40rVbbaxBgnobmW0QdQ7yIXaE3B037x8_qb6itMLwm9r_oVoYCj03w0LOM-87RtkYfwJ0oR8I/s320/2018-12-08+328.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The trail led us through the grounds of <b>Vila Sassetti</b> which was designed by a set decorator and looked like an old Roman house with a terracotta roof.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPIki7Outc2YnyxsiUq7WSpElE8QIxB82zCnQjO75asahD56JAX3qjFzrQgKqDgjKisHrd6YSAot_Bh560mO4sOO5SKx1ewcFPBDIjNRmeKMDOwW3XFMOIFTRM8PBy7RX_1yOV0_TH002/s1600/2018-12-08+329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPIki7Outc2YnyxsiUq7WSpElE8QIxB82zCnQjO75asahD56JAX3qjFzrQgKqDgjKisHrd6YSAot_Bh560mO4sOO5SKx1ewcFPBDIjNRmeKMDOwW3XFMOIFTRM8PBy7RX_1yOV0_TH002/s320/2018-12-08+329.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEXaHW4CHSK0xeB6d02bZ7xJl1UA-NBY2gB84MH-zKmYpfI7lE9_zh97WLzs3YtM2ZXN576qk0rxdomuY8ylRcmcIAa30ZVLVdLpxBxBUJLLx5LbpxHvPngnGQyha8WeyFkkmoSkU4kyo/s1600/2018-12-08+331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEXaHW4CHSK0xeB6d02bZ7xJl1UA-NBY2gB84MH-zKmYpfI7lE9_zh97WLzs3YtM2ZXN576qk0rxdomuY8ylRcmcIAa30ZVLVdLpxBxBUJLLx5LbpxHvPngnGQyha8WeyFkkmoSkU4kyo/s320/2018-12-08+331.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was glad the villa's owners had kindly put a sign out indicating these gorgeous flowers were <b>Camellia Japonica</b> and specifically <i>Variegata Superba Portugal</i> as I'd never have known what they were. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We felt like interlopers as we wandered around the villa even though we knew it was okay to do so. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nU2opsUwDwcp_53AKjI1Vco5lW3s-8Vu45mV2aAzQpkwQOomT7dxQgbdxM01vh6fZkC_bI-b1fNkGb_QKiypBW2f4t0Mo10OpFe5kOkvqL2XIGBoSJqUmj6D63rGm02qekygHeeKK7J6/s1600/2018-12-08+339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nU2opsUwDwcp_53AKjI1Vco5lW3s-8Vu45mV2aAzQpkwQOomT7dxQgbdxM01vh6fZkC_bI-b1fNkGb_QKiypBW2f4t0Mo10OpFe5kOkvqL2XIGBoSJqUmj6D63rGm02qekygHeeKK7J6/s320/2018-12-08+339.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The gardens had all been so lovingly cared for but we didn't see any staff or people who appeared to belong there.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vobwBl1LPR7Xk6qbt19Sj9NoPiNcbzuf_mD-1YY3SN7oSk7Q2bbkx38_18djSQcOBaC1bz3J_Pb3lryTGZTmflVK_GCaxaEQfzfOy1n5wRSlFWdLCfEmrBCYWotDbb_T1KIy1v-9ZkAv/s1600/2018-12-08+347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vobwBl1LPR7Xk6qbt19Sj9NoPiNcbzuf_mD-1YY3SN7oSk7Q2bbkx38_18djSQcOBaC1bz3J_Pb3lryTGZTmflVK_GCaxaEQfzfOy1n5wRSlFWdLCfEmrBCYWotDbb_T1KIy1v-9ZkAv/s320/2018-12-08+347.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was a far fancier 'throne' but again we didn't choose to sit a spell. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vSMXSw6B2B6Ck547lPCXJWtfHaQB188WDebbTtxGbtsnw87fQi61KFh7LV5FLRuw1TwOkwMQLTtxwSLhbW4S_jnUkdfWswTN_RASLbqKl8roJQZi4xd2L4EhqcfuuRzHu5blMRlTh3BJ/s1600/2018-12-08+360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vSMXSw6B2B6Ck547lPCXJWtfHaQB188WDebbTtxGbtsnw87fQi61KFh7LV5FLRuw1TwOkwMQLTtxwSLhbW4S_jnUkdfWswTN_RASLbqKl8roJQZi4xd2L4EhqcfuuRzHu5blMRlTh3BJ/s320/2018-12-08+360.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nor did we opt to sit on this totally moss-covered bench!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The villa's water features were lovely and serenely peaceful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All too soon after such a glorious walk, we found ourselves in the town of Sintra where tile pictures on building walls attracted our attention. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Z75tehVW4-VeZkVdZ5e4k5dAdG2k2MmxguVwm4TZyzv40SxHNDvrw6RvAwRdZgcmvf_3FHboflyMGEO9jOyGhiSBZbQ2wPUAO3tYkC2ONKS7cQgTtpyATD6wl9Wf2Vy0goi91FgVDcyu/s1600/2018-12-08+373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Z75tehVW4-VeZkVdZ5e4k5dAdG2k2MmxguVwm4TZyzv40SxHNDvrw6RvAwRdZgcmvf_3FHboflyMGEO9jOyGhiSBZbQ2wPUAO3tYkC2ONKS7cQgTtpyATD6wl9Wf2Vy0goi91FgVDcyu/s320/2018-12-08+373.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The main square was dominated by the <b>National Palace</b> also called the <b>Palace of Sintra</b> which also dated back to Moorish times but most of what people can now see was from the 15th century reign of <b>King Joao I</b> as well as later ornamentation from the 16th century. As this was Portugal's oldest surviving palace, it was still used for official receptions. The palace was the residence of the Portuguese royal family from the 12th century. In the Middle Ages, it was used as the court's summer retreat for hunting. Royals lived here until 1910 when the kingdom was done away with and was replaced with a republic.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLokKt9JaCMXcIzl2rIrgKf59ckkSSArRh8BaqHpzU0LHigYKiQ74TmD4YbffTN3ILbxiUEpvE-ZYGiuHMe4oPR4U92BWjYoWNqRXRFSk7TuPVfDDfuYgv-_DKYF406V807CQTJ1_Dg52c/s1600/2018-12-08+379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLokKt9JaCMXcIzl2rIrgKf59ckkSSArRh8BaqHpzU0LHigYKiQ74TmD4YbffTN3ILbxiUEpvE-ZYGiuHMe4oPR4U92BWjYoWNqRXRFSk7TuPVfDDfuYgv-_DKYF406V807CQTJ1_Dg52c/s320/2018-12-08+379.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Halaberdiers Hall</b> was the palace's original Grand Hall and was built at the beginning of the 15th century. The exquisite tile details dated from that period but were restored after the country's 1755 earthquake. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The palace's banquet room was called the <b>Swan Room</b> after the king's daughter - who loved swans - married into a royal house in Belgium. The king missed his princess so much that he decorated the ceiling with her favorite animal. What a daddy's girl she must have been!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX950Wyq_6iPhCklu1CthD6-a8k2QAqa5fwOZI9klRC-otZ2qbgqurt8_HSuYAuTt3nzQa-XzGZYZf9Ey9ZWIXBfoYT5ZC-LURxw0zeTq-0arm4_0CQkosxYEMe5AWYQ8tMyNeEa5Ak_TA/s1600/2018-12-08+393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX950Wyq_6iPhCklu1CthD6-a8k2QAqa5fwOZI9klRC-otZ2qbgqurt8_HSuYAuTt3nzQa-XzGZYZf9Ey9ZWIXBfoYT5ZC-LURxw0zeTq-0arm4_0CQkosxYEMe5AWYQ8tMyNeEa5Ak_TA/s320/2018-12-08+393.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The soup tureens on the sideboard were in the shape of roosters. I have never been able to understand why souvenirs in so many countries we've visited are rooster-themed. If anybody has any idea why, I'd sure love to know, not that I have any particular dislike for the barnyard animal!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As this was a fortified medieval palace, there were no fancy gardens outside but rather a <b>Central Patio</b> within its protective walls to encourage all to linger awhile. </span><span style="font-size: large;">On the walls were 'dry-cord' tiles that had the rooster's foot motif that dated from the late 15th or early 16th centuries. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NPgcs8r4uhuIsfgNJjLaRUmG0HjxJUuiH_ucRu6JyObROYh-kn0GqJJDG1FAGIbYhAME1pYkauLJD0oEN36gVJoBn4KC6_ISMuJp_r_EVcy74XzEZDrhvPXjmOHDKcCYJIQMxtTHCERZ/s1600/2018-12-08+516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NPgcs8r4uhuIsfgNJjLaRUmG0HjxJUuiH_ucRu6JyObROYh-kn0GqJJDG1FAGIbYhAME1pYkauLJD0oEN36gVJoBn4KC6_ISMuJp_r_EVcy74XzEZDrhvPXjmOHDKcCYJIQMxtTHCERZ/s320/2018-12-08+516.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Monumental chimneys </span><span style="font-size: large;">that provided powerful suction to remove smoke from the </span><span style="font-size: large;">medieval </span><span style="font-size: large;">kitchen </span><span style="font-size: large;">were visible from the patio.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86-CtPd7c7A4pqQN7kxvZl7WdMrO9yJMGxsghN84gMfe66BBZlrTzf766lnfELARLynNsvPas0obmwMCJAP4wj9CxvEPjgZjvpHQaOWcjOA9o1uE36-U2ZWJM9HP8jMhASJrNpY7S9mwZ/s1600/2018-12-08+395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86-CtPd7c7A4pqQN7kxvZl7WdMrO9yJMGxsghN84gMfe66BBZlrTzf766lnfELARLynNsvPas0obmwMCJAP4wj9CxvEPjgZjvpHQaOWcjOA9o1uE36-U2ZWJM9HP8jMhASJrNpY7S9mwZ/s320/2018-12-08+395.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The twisted column in the middle of the courtyard displayed the coat of arms of </span><span style="font-size: large;">King Manuel I.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaymM_MEo2SBUG_x4wTLiv-QbI080CD0YbdmGohcZ31nAgajrv8oW6KASjfCjmHKxLjrmEhZ4lRS20ERD2Ic7IeYpRGFv2AwDGwyLkicIh0LFKEpyD7tOBHzKTP93gVNGzQ2fVdn9LGx53/s1600/2018-12-08+398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaymM_MEo2SBUG_x4wTLiv-QbI080CD0YbdmGohcZ31nAgajrv8oW6KASjfCjmHKxLjrmEhZ4lRS20ERD2Ic7IeYpRGFv2AwDGwyLkicIh0LFKEpyD7tOBHzKTP93gVNGzQ2fVdn9LGx53/s320/2018-12-08+398.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I loved the story of the <b>Magpie Room</b> as told by Rick Steves! Apparently the queen caught King Joao I being a little too friendly with a lady-in-waiting. Joao had this ceiling painted with magpies after being frustrated by his court who was abuzz with gossip. He had each magpie illustrated with the king's slogan - <i>Por bem</i> which meant "For good" to defend his honor!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was the castle's only room to retain its 15th century name. Notables were received in the room also known as the Chamber of State. The 15th century Moorish tiles were brought from Spain before the development of the famous Portuguese tiles and are considered some of the finest Moorish-Spanish tiles in all of Iberia. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3DEDac5DPd_b28lVtkIPK_jmRkIa71O3KHPmYhgEmXmvtJEo6JZBi_DL6aczsnzKIPQXhpzdKp-51bniNvhY-eVsArJ4eXpufuR-Ite9f86EWZ7FVdruOAEsjfYXzirxi6fpdXDdECmY/s1600/2018-12-08+401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3DEDac5DPd_b28lVtkIPK_jmRkIa71O3KHPmYhgEmXmvtJEo6JZBi_DL6aczsnzKIPQXhpzdKp-51bniNvhY-eVsArJ4eXpufuR-Ite9f86EWZ7FVdruOAEsjfYXzirxi6fpdXDdECmY/s320/2018-12-08+401.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">See the ornate ebony, silver and painted copper headboard on this Italian Renaissance bed? The <b>Bedchamber</b> belonged to <b>King Sebastian, </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">the young ruler who went to battle in Africa, following the Moors even after they were chased out of Europe. </span><span style="font-size: large;">He disappeared in 1578 at only 24 years of age. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Portugal was then ruled for just two years by his great-uncle and the throne was passed on to his great uncle,</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> King Philip II of Spain </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">which led to 60 years of Spanish rule in Portugal. As you may recall from the first Lisbon post, "Sebastianists" awaited his mythical return until the 19th century and some still do so to this day when things go awry!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuWb3YNudDS4ETkeT0gZjwT4lURZ0vp8LqkM2bbmX06prWaaNcRxeX1P3MtJZqdj08owINuN9uNsmhfhyphenhyphenxMftH48UsDzdf1PkgZ-fxcU3IZwG8JkKShndaQSC0Z9JMkOB9ErN5LLdIIwP/s1600/2018-12-08+407+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="1600" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuWb3YNudDS4ETkeT0gZjwT4lURZ0vp8LqkM2bbmX06prWaaNcRxeX1P3MtJZqdj08owINuN9uNsmhfhyphenhyphenxMftH48UsDzdf1PkgZ-fxcU3IZwG8JkKShndaQSC0Z9JMkOB9ErN5LLdIIwP/s320/2018-12-08+407+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The room's tiles, from the time of <b>Manuel I,</b> are considered the first Portuguese tiles. The corn on the cob motif topping the tiles was a reminder of Portuguese discoveries in the Americas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Mermaid Room </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">which received its designation from its 18th century painting on the ceiling had been known as the <b>Wardrobe</b> in the 15th century. How I loved the palace's intriguing ceilings as we'd never seen such unusual ones before!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Julius Caesar Room</b> was so named because its 16th century wool and silk Flemish tapestry depicted a scene from the life of the Roman general turned ruler on one wall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We stepped onto the balcony where we had a glorious view of the forested hillside and the Moorish Castle and all its towers we'd just walked along.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ceiling of the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Galleon Room </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">was painted with checkered tiles portraying ships flying the flags of the great nautical powers of the day. It was constructed at the end of the 16th century although the ceiling decorations dated from the next century. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The room contained an exquisite 17th century Spanish cabinet made of wood, turtle shell, ivory, wrought iron and velvet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The most breathtaking room in the palace had to be the spectacular <b>Blazons Hall</b> also called the Coat of Arms Room. The golden dome replete with blue tiles honored Portugal's loyal nobility. The king's coat of arms at the top was surrounded by those of his children. Below those was a ring of stags and finally, at the bottom, the coats of arms of all but one of the country's noble families. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not surprisingly, there was only a blank niche for the missing family as they had planned a revolt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 18th century tiles that depicted hunting and courtly scenes on all the walls looked like magnificent tapestries - I was gobsmacked by their beauty. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another amazing room was the <b>Chinese Room</b> with its charming 18th century ivory and bone model of a Chinese pagoda. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Downstairs, we stepped onto a private balcony where we peered down into the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Palatine Chapel </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">that was built at the beginning of the 14th century but underwent a number of changes in the 15th century. The gorgeously decorated ceiling showed its Mudejar or Islamic influence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The wall frescoes were equally appealing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Arab Room,</b> the bedchamber of King Joao I at the beginning of the 15th century, was adorned with Moorish tiles and even a fancy fountain in the middle! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Manueline Room</b> had hand-carved stone ropes over the doors and a grand chandelier. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It was the main hall and the last of the extensive building campaigns of the royal residence and was built by Manuel I at the beginning of the 16th century. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We exited onto the Central Patio where we peeked for the first time into the blue-tiled</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Grotto of the Baths. </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">Was I ever delighted that we took the time to look into the grotto as the</span><span style="font-size: large;"> rare fresco paintings in a geometric pattern created an illusory effect or </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">trompe l'oeil</i><span style="font-size: large;"> over the entrance way and were absolutely phenomenal!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The tile panels on the grotto's walls depicted fountains, gardens and noble scenes. On the ceiling, the worked plaster featured the <b>Creation of the World,</b> the <b>Four Seasons</b> and mythological themes. They were all just out of this world. If we hadn't been so tired by then, I could have spent ages looking at the tiles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tiny openings in the walls provided for the exit of water in jets crisscrossing the room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wonder how many people visit Sintra and pay scant attention to the remarkable National Palace thinking it surely couldn't be much from its unassuming exterior. In my mind, it was by itself worth coming to visit Sintra as the decor throughout had been stunning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After being culture vultures for most of the day, we had lots of fun wandering up and down the town's narrow streets looking at the shops which had interesting woven and cork items for sale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cork postcards showed lovely tile scenes as well as the omnipresent roosters!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Walking through the charming town toward the train station was quite a treat because of the displays of public art that adorned the sidewalks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If we hadn't been hurrying to catch the train back to Lisbon, I would have loved to spend time looking at the really neat and pretty cork items set out for people who just had to pass by this spot. I knew Portugal was famous for its cork products and had faith we'd see more just as attractive cork products in the next week or so we still had left in the country. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If we weren't so pressed for time <b>and</b> so 'palaced out' by then, it might have been fun to also visit the <b>Quinta da Regaleira,</b> the 1912 mansion and garden built for a disgruntled monarchist two years after the royal family had been deposed. I read the gardens "were an utter delight with fanciful follies, secret underground passages, and lush landscaping."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Steven and I loved our day away from Lisbon in Sintra; I don't know about Steven but, hands down, my favorite sight all day had been the National Palace. That and the idyllic hike down from the overblown Pena Palace to the Moorish Castle via Vila Sassetti had made for a perfect day. We didn't even mind too much when we had to stand on the train all the way back to Lisbon as we'd had such a delightful day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> Visiting Lisbon's Belem District for sights straight from Portugal's Golden Age!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on April 19th, 2019, from the first really hot day of the year in our hometown of Littleton, Colorado.</i> </span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-43626847196196546292019-04-14T20:04:00.000-06:002019-07-19T21:27:04.718-06:0012/7: The Age of Discovery & Lisbon's Superb Museum of Ancient Art<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I returned about three weeks ago after being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow that really fun trip, here's a link to the newest blog: </i></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a> </span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After spending most of the day exploring one of Lisbon's interesting neighborhoods, Steven and I wanted to finish it off by touring the <b>Museum of Ancient Art</b> located a mile west of downtown. It was fun trip out there: taking a trolley first and then walking up a lot of steps which we knew to be the norm in the capital! The museum wasn't 'ancient' as in Greek and Roman antiquities but rather referred to Portugal's <b>Age of Discovery</b> when the Portuguese ruled the seas in the 15th and 16th centuries. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The museum's background:</b> By 1560, one could sail from Lisbon to China without ever losing sight of land explored by Portugal according to travel writer <b>Rick Steves.</b> The riches of the world poured into the small country: spices from India and Java; ivory, diamonds and slaves (sold to New England plantations) from Brazil; as well as knowledge of new customs, animals and plants gained from everywhere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It seemed incredulous that little Portugal was able to pull all this off. But they were motivated by the basest of motives: greed as they wanted to break the Arab and Venetian monopoly on spices such as pepper whose price was increased by 1,000 percent by the time it reached European dining tables. Other motives were the crusading Christian spirit, a sense of adventure and an affinity for science. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Portugal also had the advantage of its Atlantic location which led to a strong Maritime tradition and one of Europe's first unified nation states which financed expeditions. The country was aided by a group of scientists who developed navigational devices based on their knowledge of shipbuilding, astronomy and maps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We started on the museum's top floor which showcased Portuguese painting and sculpture. The <i>Panels of St. Vincent</i> was a series of paintings by the late 15th century master <b>Nuno Goncalves</b> in which a group of 60 real people - from royalty to sailors and beggars - surrounded Lisbon's patron saint. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the paintings contained the only recognized portrait of <b>Prince Henry the Navigator</b> who was responsible for setting Portugal on the path to exploration. Prince Henry was shown as an older man dressed in black with a wide-brimmed hat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>St. Mark the Evangelist</b> was created in polychrome and gilded walnut from 1510-1525.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircYl09vDLOvbHvXZl3QY5JlDY6Yfxetazu1FkAiQZ-b57hOgTIJXigSlSpwbvST0xB7HbUqfDI7miTEh7fpK2v5DcngB9c5ad3jLzsWfmrF-5p1-NZuX-MezeEa5Jm8sAz5nd6SebJIPS/s1600/2018-12-07+278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircYl09vDLOvbHvXZl3QY5JlDY6Yfxetazu1FkAiQZ-b57hOgTIJXigSlSpwbvST0xB7HbUqfDI7miTEh7fpK2v5DcngB9c5ad3jLzsWfmrF-5p1-NZuX-MezeEa5Jm8sAz5nd6SebJIPS/s320/2018-12-07+278.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPl_OXJshc3gWvai1ZLs_rBZcOrD13LSC9UdyFOKkj8BsYn404zJQ2eBYMSn8aO7Tuf68atmDL0lD6P1AKyBO8ZrOY-2MNWZ54W5tt8wW9oM4avW7TWSpVgN-dnHH_nhuJLBkhwj2yrjG/s1600/2018-12-07+280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPl_OXJshc3gWvai1ZLs_rBZcOrD13LSC9UdyFOKkj8BsYn404zJQ2eBYMSn8aO7Tuf68atmDL0lD6P1AKyBO8ZrOY-2MNWZ54W5tt8wW9oM4avW7TWSpVgN-dnHH_nhuJLBkhwj2yrjG/s320/2018-12-07+280.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Time of the Altarpieces:</b> In the late 15th and early 16th centuries, the main Portuguese cathedrals and monasteries commissioned large altarpieces, frequently at the initiative of the king himself. They were either paintings or sculptures or both together but they were always set within carved woodwork that divided the different scenes, based on religious themes, creating a narrative. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzh7UW16MsiMHyBL6qsI-nu0VE7j1_iaZzd07r7aZAjnmY6aHFQetq8AI-KCnbzGCBPVIGStVJHCKWoFmuJX9MuZF9uwf60Ijh24obNdngirN9zbilbY4iimZCcTkzja0M_jezegnTUlm/s1600/2018-12-07+285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzh7UW16MsiMHyBL6qsI-nu0VE7j1_iaZzd07r7aZAjnmY6aHFQetq8AI-KCnbzGCBPVIGStVJHCKWoFmuJX9MuZF9uwf60Ijh24obNdngirN9zbilbY4iimZCcTkzja0M_jezegnTUlm/s320/2018-12-07+285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The model of these altarpieces used throughout the Iberian Peninsula was invariably the same: an arrangement of horizontal rows, with several paintings or sculptures in each one, divided by vertical posts or pillars. The structure was normally covered by a curtain which was opened during religious festivities and services. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1c-rj8N50w3Teur8IZXGXbHe8DYq_emcBT0XXjqCufPY58QDq0W1pmcWPc_CL5SrtIP5QRDqTc4MuArGLH5udZXGJ6xMBi9C0xJJ7iMkzI5kkbb_5hdgEeccLmUFUjYuRLKJZSBSEexbp/s1600/2018-12-07+281+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1c-rj8N50w3Teur8IZXGXbHe8DYq_emcBT0XXjqCufPY58QDq0W1pmcWPc_CL5SrtIP5QRDqTc4MuArGLH5udZXGJ6xMBi9C0xJJ7iMkzI5kkbb_5hdgEeccLmUFUjYuRLKJZSBSEexbp/s320/2018-12-07+281+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The impact of these altarpieces was enormous, because of their monumental size, the colorfulness of the paintings, the representation of the saints and their stories, and the brilliance of the carved and gilded woodwork. Various texts from the time referred to the astonishment that they aroused. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mcIUDgz2VxY-EN28g7TV1rEIOWVU3qFvnF7LhwKLCjEHpvlzGQX8EK0vbe8ewzQOGHdTAXTfYQJM_Iyty9vlOjYpMfuAiK1T-nMViXH7-J1hrwhU4ALA5IkB2bnXDuMehaz9TKM_37G7/s1600/2018-12-07+287+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1600" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mcIUDgz2VxY-EN28g7TV1rEIOWVU3qFvnF7LhwKLCjEHpvlzGQX8EK0vbe8ewzQOGHdTAXTfYQJM_Iyty9vlOjYpMfuAiK1T-nMViXH7-J1hrwhU4ALA5IkB2bnXDuMehaz9TKM_37G7/s320/2018-12-07+287+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7QC8K4hOKh2gRNoWBNUNFSoKtAm6EOK7pMm5JSS-NQIwCeebt_o0xpWdfZDmuIiU2-tQox0K5walYcTjgXw7mEl4buTR-JRHBPe1ABxBW4GG7WgiroNba_qTf4OVDCfISvqgq_U39qtR/s1600/2018-12-07+288+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7QC8K4hOKh2gRNoWBNUNFSoKtAm6EOK7pMm5JSS-NQIwCeebt_o0xpWdfZDmuIiU2-tQox0K5walYcTjgXw7mEl4buTR-JRHBPe1ABxBW4GG7WgiroNba_qTf4OVDCfISvqgq_U39qtR/s320/2018-12-07+288+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Frei Carlos</b> was a Flemish painter who took religious vows in 1517 when he joined the <b>Order of the Hieronymite Monks.</b> The monasteries of this Order, which received the support of the king himself, were afforded multiple artistic commissions in the first decades of the 16th century. Frei Carlos' workshop was particularly active in this context, both in the production of paintings for altarpieces and in the creation of small-sized devotional pieces. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSJyEGjrlhGKGgQHzC-HyeFTq02anWcsycU_BTWqryo1AkuucUm1oNh3fRNi5kX5zSzbjHJGjTa-UpCQvMvWLspO85xg3XwbDz2fdhSX50vAgMk7S8GCL5YM9XE3LeDqxcbADXkzJzXuo/s1600/2018-12-07+290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSJyEGjrlhGKGgQHzC-HyeFTq02anWcsycU_BTWqryo1AkuucUm1oNh3fRNi5kX5zSzbjHJGjTa-UpCQvMvWLspO85xg3XwbDz2fdhSX50vAgMk7S8GCL5YM9XE3LeDqxcbADXkzJzXuo/s320/2018-12-07+290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The early 16th century limestone <i>Two-headed Fountain</i> was one of the most unusual pieces I'd seen. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It was composed of a twisted column decorated with the scales of a reptile that ended in two spouts in the form of a crowned head, one male and one female. The serpent and guardian of the waters entwined around the twisted column underlined the king's power over water which was an essential element for the welfare of the people. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfAE6FZ-GLF6XnQx46DsowgAdXespmG_rOMqiMSwXKaUPEJLn_N2KRLSu98nNf6Jw6DVhfvQGOQ4e6q8V3eH2XW-hM7iIDWfKdLnRku8g17ENs4d6_EK5ZKhPEyNXehli-JbnEXH_FB_M/s1600/2018-12-07+291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfAE6FZ-GLF6XnQx46DsowgAdXespmG_rOMqiMSwXKaUPEJLn_N2KRLSu98nNf6Jw6DVhfvQGOQ4e6q8V3eH2XW-hM7iIDWfKdLnRku8g17ENs4d6_EK5ZKhPEyNXehli-JbnEXH_FB_M/s320/2018-12-07+291.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqih_tmZm9V1O-OUkJKkEbKyJkia5qvJuxiPAxJCa9c4jVkw3OSSUc9c7VH5TAQgbNzlJS6J_fg_zNawLp_xrh7mDmepIjLSvKy7LYynmXvoLxN4IJPV2tdJIvwPQG0TQLlHjHZ4unBl_r/s1600/2018-12-07+294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqih_tmZm9V1O-OUkJKkEbKyJkia5qvJuxiPAxJCa9c4jVkw3OSSUc9c7VH5TAQgbNzlJS6J_fg_zNawLp_xrh7mDmepIjLSvKy7LYynmXvoLxN4IJPV2tdJIvwPQG0TQLlHjHZ4unBl_r/s320/2018-12-07+294.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hyjNmkDOLDz40kPTIh9iggGum5h3c9aNpUBJ23HoFSqL5VYuDbZg7iojVVjVRJHXoA1Ykx3MpLi2ENacmu3XCLBb3MAxJ2Up01fp2djDYuTGkKN8RN4NrM1e8jox0LS3eAvgP6y_gTDg/s1600/2018-12-07+306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hyjNmkDOLDz40kPTIh9iggGum5h3c9aNpUBJ23HoFSqL5VYuDbZg7iojVVjVRJHXoA1Ykx3MpLi2ENacmu3XCLBb3MAxJ2Up01fp2djDYuTGkKN8RN4NrM1e8jox0LS3eAvgP6y_gTDg/s320/2018-12-07+306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Medieval Sculpture Gallery</b> was as impressive as it was huge. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6XfQOVCnOG7rGGrGETu3NP4A0AfFLD7UFQtFCXRw6_RWERt2fQeOPDeBlVIq1JWcTqL7tIb28k8sutr7SbHVslxXx6mWwV9kkBu4gg6MdcfhTBWQQmVUSyI7CTyZLmO-dj-mHTt5q7am/s1600/2018-12-07+295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6XfQOVCnOG7rGGrGETu3NP4A0AfFLD7UFQtFCXRw6_RWERt2fQeOPDeBlVIq1JWcTqL7tIb28k8sutr7SbHVslxXx6mWwV9kkBu4gg6MdcfhTBWQQmVUSyI7CTyZLmO-dj-mHTt5q7am/s320/2018-12-07+295.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkK2-gQEMrO1IPYp_xl4w5Ajwx13_cWXvV0-kPDLwL4NEps5Ck-z4sSL81ZzpXYHXaIJX6yqHWnSEPZizg3wC7PFrcMD_E9KHc0tIGkFd23fwSvsdUN6cJWE0kFBUfokBQXz_U9xwXuku4/s1600/2018-12-07+296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkK2-gQEMrO1IPYp_xl4w5Ajwx13_cWXvV0-kPDLwL4NEps5Ck-z4sSL81ZzpXYHXaIJX6yqHWnSEPZizg3wC7PFrcMD_E9KHc0tIGkFd23fwSvsdUN6cJWE0kFBUfokBQXz_U9xwXuku4/s320/2018-12-07+296.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfRFOvSbeN4Pobk_DDv2Bg9nzn1IXJ8Vy7B7jBhBt6C_4YMRbBksKDkSRQ-wvVQAbslDlDPF32iBHTAVRCphJpCBtkgkNh4a2GN62eBQE3LCxHTQE0sXJRCAHZGAwcXAbaDYyJ59OnY6U/s1600/2018-12-07+298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfRFOvSbeN4Pobk_DDv2Bg9nzn1IXJ8Vy7B7jBhBt6C_4YMRbBksKDkSRQ-wvVQAbslDlDPF32iBHTAVRCphJpCBtkgkNh4a2GN62eBQE3LCxHTQE0sXJRCAHZGAwcXAbaDYyJ59OnY6U/s320/2018-12-07+298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPm__hCGrBkHanb9nyOLdHeL50LcuCCe1-jzS7cJV7NOyf21lnV9-FnT-QxgK-Isw6eoIemReJOPBIm3IofPQjM3N-r36EoI4HY7BaZyRidbRujJL-3geykb1FUVQG7oOgcK-Xr64-lYx-/s1600/2018-12-07+300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPm__hCGrBkHanb9nyOLdHeL50LcuCCe1-jzS7cJV7NOyf21lnV9-FnT-QxgK-Isw6eoIemReJOPBIm3IofPQjM3N-r36EoI4HY7BaZyRidbRujJL-3geykb1FUVQG7oOgcK-Xr64-lYx-/s320/2018-12-07+300.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Diogo Pires-O-Velho</b> who was active from 1473-1514 was called a 'sculptor who served the king.' From left to right, these were <i>The Holy Trinity, Mother and Child</i> and <i>St. James</i>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B1yZa38VN6IJ4uufrQ719V90ucjRHUKAFJ4FWQC6P4arSmmE79qTAN2f86T6oZfQNBmUSzc3iz9zzR_zk3XUH95OVonBa5L476vsPgzlFW9kXVrfSnSgRs05DeNudY4N_S2JrJz0Jjfz/s1600/2018-12-07+301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B1yZa38VN6IJ4uufrQ719V90ucjRHUKAFJ4FWQC6P4arSmmE79qTAN2f86T6oZfQNBmUSzc3iz9zzR_zk3XUH95OVonBa5L476vsPgzlFW9kXVrfSnSgRs05DeNudY4N_S2JrJz0Jjfz/s320/2018-12-07+301.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SgIk9mRo-qlnVDeyLyq4by0tejjNNt5SnB3GHJv7NEcBHTGyEJseLUCC-uHET7f0pd7bAYjZTkC0ABarLtkpaglstIUfj1R1LefcHyT0fki4D6UPrOH3CYVUm3FmtzblKiHPZ7lRyMvu/s1600/2018-12-07+304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1SgIk9mRo-qlnVDeyLyq4by0tejjNNt5SnB3GHJv7NEcBHTGyEJseLUCC-uHET7f0pd7bAYjZTkC0ABarLtkpaglstIUfj1R1LefcHyT0fki4D6UPrOH3CYVUm3FmtzblKiHPZ7lRyMvu/s320/2018-12-07+304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Never had we seen a statue or any image I recall of a pregnant Mary as we did in the polychrome limestone <i>The Virgin of Expectation</i> from about 1340-1350. I read that this unusual theme was common in rural parts of Portugal where the Virgin's fertility was her most persuasive quality in recruiting local followers. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5or9xh9sh0bimhSkYYQywfoGhkdBm1BXri38EN45p-_pUbOYvitQVCPuAsIdEeMRDdGasy-LYFtFze9FRxH5u8J1cVIa1EtSuZc19J7Ds5l0jq_ac-N6LNaTDeQZLG8AAUKmKFH1f_1_r/s1600/2018-12-07+307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5or9xh9sh0bimhSkYYQywfoGhkdBm1BXri38EN45p-_pUbOYvitQVCPuAsIdEeMRDdGasy-LYFtFze9FRxH5u8J1cVIa1EtSuZc19J7Ds5l0jq_ac-N6LNaTDeQZLG8AAUKmKFH1f_1_r/s320/2018-12-07+307.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the middle floor were items that Portuguese explorers brought home from their far-flung travels in galleries called Art from the Portuguese Discoveries. One of the most enchanting was the <i>Namban Folding Screen</i> in which its paintings depicted the Portuguese from a 16th century Japanese perspective. 'Namban' meant the barbarians from the south which referred to the Portuguese. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPb8BR5P5IJ8TZ8kjuzMBCY2pDBYRmQdniILCd-kNYcTedFc53nrQ2A9ibNgXwO3VBUKCsyU9lesHrE7XxbrxXFElyTaIXPd2WF5OE9Ua1ZNsCrd7C8-PFo3qupzopjTnflJtPEfmJVOai/s1600/2018-12-07+311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPb8BR5P5IJ8TZ8kjuzMBCY2pDBYRmQdniILCd-kNYcTedFc53nrQ2A9ibNgXwO3VBUKCsyU9lesHrE7XxbrxXFElyTaIXPd2WF5OE9Ua1ZNsCrd7C8-PFo3qupzopjTnflJtPEfmJVOai/s320/2018-12-07+311.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Screens were generally made in pairs and consisted of a variable number of hinged leaves, covered with paper and finished off within a thin lacquer frame. The accuracy of the representation, the attention given to the Portuguese merchants and the description of their valuable cargo made these two screens an unique historical and visual document about the relations between Portugal and Japan. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW25Uqrig_5wrfjvku1xmwLkTex6RMbyGh02YzoebjPFNVuhLuDEvTkA1zqX99xybyeVw6lsWAd2B06dFlUR5_KtSGNyFg_Pt-2R48f3M6MFULYCLktI5Glm9OD_FSsRxWDcZJZr1LZviL/s1600/2018-12-07+315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW25Uqrig_5wrfjvku1xmwLkTex6RMbyGh02YzoebjPFNVuhLuDEvTkA1zqX99xybyeVw6lsWAd2B06dFlUR5_KtSGNyFg_Pt-2R48f3M6MFULYCLktI5Glm9OD_FSsRxWDcZJZr1LZviL/s320/2018-12-07+315.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Portuguese were the first Europeans to make contact with the Japanese and gave the people guns, a new deep-frying technique now known as tempura as well as Catholicism. The city of Nagasaki was founded by Portuguese Jesuits!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJlWdY6aCp0LOoJOLZelTVdMRgEu0Pqxn3vQOPdb85aYFb8DUN9CVfn8EbJA5kjPwTJ_wLW1hJaGXblFkk-p-r6DDju212M0GdvuHBQcIqmhyphenhyphenylY8_0ZPOE4ZreqYqg20fMq5trQPNqTJ/s1600/2018-12-07+317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJlWdY6aCp0LOoJOLZelTVdMRgEu0Pqxn3vQOPdb85aYFb8DUN9CVfn8EbJA5kjPwTJ_wLW1hJaGXblFkk-p-r6DDju212M0GdvuHBQcIqmhyphenhyphenylY8_0ZPOE4ZreqYqg20fMq5trQPNqTJ/s320/2018-12-07+317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDhNzND9HN8IwzH0nmgbJEg6-lR-m6OlJ1S2TSxymadWIP1o5nhpfEKzED7kQjopqvtf90Ff0LYb1EhGX1_YtPr09zf2gtq2rpqRqAWxI-nwnLlU_rJHZCHFJ87B0rp7NMf-G40Up2Ypf/s1600/2018-12-07+318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDhNzND9HN8IwzH0nmgbJEg6-lR-m6OlJ1S2TSxymadWIP1o5nhpfEKzED7kQjopqvtf90Ff0LYb1EhGX1_YtPr09zf2gtq2rpqRqAWxI-nwnLlU_rJHZCHFJ87B0rp7NMf-G40Up2Ypf/s320/2018-12-07+318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-MZ-cBsXn8v9tOke5Z64RNxmYt0VGNvEJSRCaVGaWkpPPrJ39_hNfb1tJZahYel4IE_aOATu3Bjh56L6jtt7arvEZ9Yli0Ab7q6FkqGSHetisRM9w7_RYGmfNtv8l0daOVl7QTCv2-Wi/s1600/2018-12-07+319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-MZ-cBsXn8v9tOke5Z64RNxmYt0VGNvEJSRCaVGaWkpPPrJ39_hNfb1tJZahYel4IE_aOATu3Bjh56L6jtt7arvEZ9Yli0Ab7q6FkqGSHetisRM9w7_RYGmfNtv8l0daOVl7QTCv2-Wi/s320/2018-12-07+319.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3t7l9lvBusuiN599LaHjrFyJcNXtkfEfNN5DXcE968DdjQUvVfvgB1YzB-VOIBBhObTvyXBtiU8q63XIEmus4T4VD2j2l8X_ml1N1cDJGu3aXYBcSINgALUQ4kClk1i9SpjxkzZL3tgc/s1600/2018-12-07+321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3t7l9lvBusuiN599LaHjrFyJcNXtkfEfNN5DXcE968DdjQUvVfvgB1YzB-VOIBBhObTvyXBtiU8q63XIEmus4T4VD2j2l8X_ml1N1cDJGu3aXYBcSINgALUQ4kClk1i9SpjxkzZL3tgc/s320/2018-12-07+321.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The rest of the floor was full of exquisite furniture, large vases, ivory carvings, fine china and ceramics. I could imagine how astonishing these treasures must have seemed when Portugal's early explorers returned with them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvPUXdjObnkdiDUICmcjlKiNpiVhxJKRiyRy3Gm1sWximKNN4D-nZ6Dc2zV13quhcsRhEb3NImjzgsgn2xHpUUJMp4zImYZppreoZNSWlLbZB7lI28qjxraWQcMsJJk_3c2c4cpmRPKER/s1600/2018-12-07+325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvPUXdjObnkdiDUICmcjlKiNpiVhxJKRiyRy3Gm1sWximKNN4D-nZ6Dc2zV13quhcsRhEb3NImjzgsgn2xHpUUJMp4zImYZppreoZNSWlLbZB7lI28qjxraWQcMsJJk_3c2c4cpmRPKER/s320/2018-12-07+325.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqN1vleAbW6rAwjB2Stkl7L_u0cGit_moq98_PH56LDwxIsCfT2W57xIuSJ4wXcJ8n0_qYG_LbW-3tq6u0DsUFxBYMpWNTZ6keCcWjHqd1xY5Z4mGxLHY6zakMyyTxoZ8ubbkaAy9CCBrC/s1600/2018-12-07+326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqN1vleAbW6rAwjB2Stkl7L_u0cGit_moq98_PH56LDwxIsCfT2W57xIuSJ4wXcJ8n0_qYG_LbW-3tq6u0DsUFxBYMpWNTZ6keCcWjHqd1xY5Z4mGxLHY6zakMyyTxoZ8ubbkaAy9CCBrC/s320/2018-12-07+326.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ItqIcUSIxr509-jrhJ8n2ShSSpmG1Rz-ZP3FJ4LEp0gKRsIioH01ktPwl8zOWEFFAG6m-ltFYMoUcE3H6LyIRJSwDXQDgvJTIMKpkFZc_ZHT2TXQcA0u2EbaTR6rLcdCni5u98QO9cz_/s1600/2018-12-07+327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ItqIcUSIxr509-jrhJ8n2ShSSpmG1Rz-ZP3FJ4LEp0gKRsIioH01ktPwl8zOWEFFAG6m-ltFYMoUcE3H6LyIRJSwDXQDgvJTIMKpkFZc_ZHT2TXQcA0u2EbaTR6rLcdCni5u98QO9cz_/s320/2018-12-07+327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This teak, ebony and ivory cabinet came from 17th century Goa, India.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPec05yf_zre_ItRJ_LB10_2IHtcoTQGI0LRrqwcGAVBHiABLF0TeLIFpVm_tKnVzu3wcmMC73i-VVWEBfdLodWtz_4CjgYfIqRDtHAcHxenqsgmsLhi9PKudtduBROJgUIgANjQNrbD3-/s1600/2018-12-07+328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPec05yf_zre_ItRJ_LB10_2IHtcoTQGI0LRrqwcGAVBHiABLF0TeLIFpVm_tKnVzu3wcmMC73i-VVWEBfdLodWtz_4CjgYfIqRDtHAcHxenqsgmsLhi9PKudtduBROJgUIgANjQNrbD3-/s320/2018-12-07+328.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These Afro-Portuguese <b>oliphants</b> or musical horns made from elephant's tusks came from 16th century</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Sierra Leone, </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">a country in West Africa on the Atlantic Ocean.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0BefQ-BeXzh02Xi8tQt50nCbGuUBefn7x7zg87dBf4UJyOgqt9M8qoPxMUBOuMBihUUK4lriqZy7bPceF-ro_9r8pCzWB7G6GAhGpVISdLZ9YnoBw_Po_5YlK_2ChWWSKJhN7A0H1pYk/s1600/2018-12-07+330+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0BefQ-BeXzh02Xi8tQt50nCbGuUBefn7x7zg87dBf4UJyOgqt9M8qoPxMUBOuMBihUUK4lriqZy7bPceF-ro_9r8pCzWB7G6GAhGpVISdLZ9YnoBw_Po_5YlK_2ChWWSKJhN7A0H1pYk/s320/2018-12-07+330+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This remarkable 16th century <b>ivory salt cellar</b> was thought to have come from <b>Benin,</b> a French-speaking West Africa nation. The incredible piece was one of the first artistic and rare examples of the crossing of cultures brought about by the Portuguese Discoveries. Using European prototypes, this and other ivory pieces from Benin were distinguished by their careful depiction of the Portuguese with the artists detailing long hair, variously styled beards and slender, pointed noses. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The clothes of the figures and the background of the composition, though, reproduced textile patterns that are still manufactured in the looms of present-day Nigeria. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs1SAGkWGPvh1vbBavUlQ2obrCpVbTaVteeM3aW6ZJYbgwneox5Qw34sFm7cfeKiXcmTy8snBKSra0tXQDCn3lyh45eAUQrXHewhJPN_2PVo9IK-2t8y6j9XJZ6kL8PeTENAB61UXINyx/s1600/2018-12-07+332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs1SAGkWGPvh1vbBavUlQ2obrCpVbTaVteeM3aW6ZJYbgwneox5Qw34sFm7cfeKiXcmTy8snBKSra0tXQDCn3lyh45eAUQrXHewhJPN_2PVo9IK-2t8y6j9XJZ6kL8PeTENAB61UXINyx/s320/2018-12-07+332.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These striking tiles came from Damascus as a gift from <b>Calouste Gulbenkian,</b> an Armenian oil tycoon who founded what is regarded as the city's best museum, the <b>Gulbenkian Museum,</b> that we'd also see in a couple of days.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUc9nSG-XX7SlSUc6lU8eg2SkTNu7iw1W8eD4m6OtKbuwYEyBYW1xnqFylRUDdtzIg9NSfq8D6_ve7DPR2ZwCzW7TPLYg3ZIHupoD91hpFzo-QhkP9IeDvz0MRb8IUJD-PR8loVRLKlhe/s1600/2018-12-07+406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUc9nSG-XX7SlSUc6lU8eg2SkTNu7iw1W8eD4m6OtKbuwYEyBYW1xnqFylRUDdtzIg9NSfq8D6_ve7DPR2ZwCzW7TPLYg3ZIHupoD91hpFzo-QhkP9IeDvz0MRb8IUJD-PR8loVRLKlhe/s320/2018-12-07+406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the richest pieces of Portuguese baroque gold and silverware was the gorgeous gold <b>Bemposta Monstrance</b> or Communion-host holder designed by the architect <b>Mateus Vicente</b> and made for Lisbon's <b>Bemposta Palace.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_6VYhcdp951Zd2p0G1JwDtJXr5eFzni67kVCmDjGKhU3G7G1tBAS53oeQMK-uiX_wEYhNXecKChnk1pyka0J9jX8vW5vmVjs8X58DfoLTQG_K5V-Ihxu04rJJmNmvV23ZdHbpxo7vGBp/s1600/2018-12-07+337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_6VYhcdp951Zd2p0G1JwDtJXr5eFzni67kVCmDjGKhU3G7G1tBAS53oeQMK-uiX_wEYhNXecKChnk1pyka0J9jX8vW5vmVjs8X58DfoLTQG_K5V-Ihxu04rJJmNmvV23ZdHbpxo7vGBp/s320/2018-12-07+337.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Its carrying case was behind it in the same freestanding glass case.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil196ZDp5mSsnhqGIDU3kIwohQEysi-HSAov8FWmCqa_HNhimNNWqTEHJ3x3UhhgQ1SZCYaTWoL8SsFzL5LYpPnTMBMVkQImU2MW8k1Ll5HoZrAmMW09iXz-QxTNPnLHPXZgUO6Gj6X5LB/s1600/2018-12-07+341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil196ZDp5mSsnhqGIDU3kIwohQEysi-HSAov8FWmCqa_HNhimNNWqTEHJ3x3UhhgQ1SZCYaTWoL8SsFzL5LYpPnTMBMVkQImU2MW8k1Ll5HoZrAmMW09iXz-QxTNPnLHPXZgUO6Gj6X5LB/s320/2018-12-07+341.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was case after case of magnificent gold and silver items.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The table centerpiece was designed by</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Thomas Germain, </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">the most famous French silversmith of his time, and was modified and finished by his son. Dedicated to the theme of hunting, the piece reflected the popularization of the ritual of the 'French service' begun by Louis XIV where food was placed on the table in successive services, the number of which would vary according to the lavishness of the banquet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the most striking and unusual for me was this </span><span style="font-size: large;">17th century silver and gilt </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>crozier </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">made from quart and colored glass. I had to look up and see what a crozier was as it was a new term for me. I learned it was </span><span style="font-size: large;">a hooked staff carried by a bishop as a symbol of pastoral office.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsw_HkE2U3BTkHZHukX8nQ1OvYNV-5dUKbdo3tu_0c1-wYJkfM0RaJyY6MQMjT3FCceAHocz-UGqGAe4B5Ui8LS2pZxzeXJQKMZBsg_BrXdQrCoeaSNxwh0hH5k5IFbsE3hR-sAvAgusey/s1600/2018-12-07+349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsw_HkE2U3BTkHZHukX8nQ1OvYNV-5dUKbdo3tu_0c1-wYJkfM0RaJyY6MQMjT3FCceAHocz-UGqGAe4B5Ui8LS2pZxzeXJQKMZBsg_BrXdQrCoeaSNxwh0hH5k5IFbsE3hR-sAvAgusey/s320/2018-12-07+349.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even more exquisite than the <b>Bemposta Monstrance</b> was this <b>Belem Monstrance</b> that had been commissioned by <b>King Manuel I</b> and made from East African gold brought back by <b>Vasco da Gama.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxd-t6jml_jPdGkchoMcWu2liFR8eDTim7gXST3KZjvJMVK4AYwTLMHFzRjNgd_l415bXp15P69AzhbHsxs6FtiDsbEkBRlowmvRjvuz2w_pyHPJGu6s2CQRw-ND7uX7hSC1GJ_3jtEv2/s1600/2018-12-07+352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxd-t6jml_jPdGkchoMcWu2liFR8eDTim7gXST3KZjvJMVK4AYwTLMHFzRjNgd_l415bXp15P69AzhbHsxs6FtiDsbEkBRlowmvRjvuz2w_pyHPJGu6s2CQRw-ND7uX7hSC1GJ_3jtEv2/s320/2018-12-07+352.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7umtrdP-cB1Zhqa4QCJj0LJc0FRQB6coH8YxykxOQw13LTMcWeh_jYB5nZygl9dLq2gDPFbEekbfnWA1VZiYhY1MKn8eBd-1H3Iv5aMvTP0-EvHwDTIhlheoP3gkd861DooOnD9f56wl/s1600/2018-12-07+354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7umtrdP-cB1Zhqa4QCJj0LJc0FRQB6coH8YxykxOQw13LTMcWeh_jYB5nZygl9dLq2gDPFbEekbfnWA1VZiYhY1MKn8eBd-1H3Iv5aMvTP0-EvHwDTIhlheoP3gkd861DooOnD9f56wl/s320/2018-12-07+354.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The remarkable piece included the 12 Apostles gathered around the glass case for the Communion wafer as the glass top popped off. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhHxuzxzyJik88MX0kWXGgf1yCO7_UNpA5fV1hRW4cpS2ACCx5P1Rz7WwFEawKjazGCkn2m38qy2PyG7WoXqc4KNySTEQ9upsYCwAjsSKPBPMujxx-3bXylGqaKfe0The-GdkLDLKJYYo/s1600/2018-12-07+353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhHxuzxzyJik88MX0kWXGgf1yCO7_UNpA5fV1hRW4cpS2ACCx5P1Rz7WwFEawKjazGCkn2m38qy2PyG7WoXqc4KNySTEQ9upsYCwAjsSKPBPMujxx-3bXylGqaKfe0The-GdkLDLKJYYo/s320/2018-12-07+353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A painting of 17th century Lisbon before the devastating earthquake hit the city in 1755 included the ship-clogged <b>Rio Tejo.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwS-h0q7zjomjHlQI9A9u60Wi3MqG8L21W-5WwqnTeTEzpOpvh-GwjYMtmdmoXjKa9tr5erI08Ghyphenhyphen38Gfk5QQcHkUJlaH62MoTqY35AWPk4V_L3cV75CIix5YCEDXxoqvXSeuYAvPQc9m/s1600/2018-12-07+361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwS-h0q7zjomjHlQI9A9u60Wi3MqG8L21W-5WwqnTeTEzpOpvh-GwjYMtmdmoXjKa9tr5erI08Ghyphenhyphen38Gfk5QQcHkUJlaH62MoTqY35AWPk4V_L3cV75CIix5YCEDXxoqvXSeuYAvPQc9m/s320/2018-12-07+361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wg3SXp2lscU6oatNKG66RCv8Z79ncW0J6yz9skaRisaT1cvjSjfUd-03vKlQd3OZBWFZH655nJ7uL4hxkIz2sB1ZYzjZvoyiX2nWIc14GGgLVlBHiFHk-qxV37sRqyOH0PmKB-b1DCZG/s1600/2018-12-07+365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wg3SXp2lscU6oatNKG66RCv8Z79ncW0J6yz9skaRisaT1cvjSjfUd-03vKlQd3OZBWFZH655nJ7uL4hxkIz2sB1ZYzjZvoyiX2nWIc14GGgLVlBHiFHk-qxV37sRqyOH0PmKB-b1DCZG/s320/2018-12-07+365.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A <i>Panoramic View of Lisbon</i> in the 18th century:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbOMRR4u6y6Q38V07UPyQVF-S21FE1EOuuoE0FYBZ9qOf9qz86MHBk2Y8GbZHLyI3iRFjaK3mkoblwQPGER6Ywi-oDrwhGvS4TYWVoYL8WI9NNvpt4ic5Y5OsqwkPxQDSN_IUZsaitEGS/s1600/2018-12-07+364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbOMRR4u6y6Q38V07UPyQVF-S21FE1EOuuoE0FYBZ9qOf9qz86MHBk2Y8GbZHLyI3iRFjaK3mkoblwQPGER6Ywi-oDrwhGvS4TYWVoYL8WI9NNvpt4ic5Y5OsqwkPxQDSN_IUZsaitEGS/s320/2018-12-07+364.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The young Roman soldier, winged and standing on a cloud represented </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>St. Michael the Archangel,</b> was depicted raising his right arm to wield the sword (now disappeared) with which he defeated the rebellious angels who called into question the power of God. The sculpture, completed in the mid 18th century, came from the Royal College of St. Patrick in Lisbon where Irish clergy were trained as missionaries.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qdiFyILwgMvU6NYoZqDQJe-hAhgeQRfZKFAeP4P0GXfCOjjFrJ2lx4pk2vHQzYInHfgD0ssaDK_7UQCmZgGJQzjsP5lwGZNB0GibGbjG6e-MowRzpPUsE2mn-tRRJTXvylktv1p5mNVi/s1600/2018-12-07+366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qdiFyILwgMvU6NYoZqDQJe-hAhgeQRfZKFAeP4P0GXfCOjjFrJ2lx4pk2vHQzYInHfgD0ssaDK_7UQCmZgGJQzjsP5lwGZNB0GibGbjG6e-MowRzpPUsE2mn-tRRJTXvylktv1p5mNVi/s320/2018-12-07+366.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <i>Virgin and Child medallion</i> was from Florence in the 15th to 16th century. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The double border frame was comprised of a garland of fruits and flowers and a sequence of white cherubs against a blue background. It was set around a marble medallion with a representation of the Virgin and Child, accompanied by two young children. Such a design was characteristic of the first quarter of the 16th century. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7TdQyvrGMPHmu-6ouASdr_x1HnyFBYNPLa5YUuZOkNEmhKkLpi2EBxGeAyhToysgGgCWD2u9ACmvB-ZcwYq3Frjay8qKoLVUdriN-LmjNW6qt1rRq3mxirXhU9a4ipM2zXxzDC7QWVst/s1600/2018-12-07+371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7TdQyvrGMPHmu-6ouASdr_x1HnyFBYNPLa5YUuZOkNEmhKkLpi2EBxGeAyhToysgGgCWD2u9ACmvB-ZcwYq3Frjay8qKoLVUdriN-LmjNW6qt1rRq3mxirXhU9a4ipM2zXxzDC7QWVst/s320/2018-12-07+371.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_iFLx1qrys6Z4u9GEDyF3eeNevpTWG1dBSCC1MPTYr0_9z9eSeLF7_rMR9sVBoz_yvuKxcf2_YwTdLnJsAeVeKwSIQhn6sROZzI8_QO9e-kyZTKLCd3PRkTXOt2PmbDNhd4d1gTBFQmU/s1600/2018-12-07+374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_iFLx1qrys6Z4u9GEDyF3eeNevpTWG1dBSCC1MPTYr0_9z9eSeLF7_rMR9sVBoz_yvuKxcf2_YwTdLnJsAeVeKwSIQhn6sROZzI8_QO9e-kyZTKLCd3PRkTXOt2PmbDNhd4d1gTBFQmU/s320/2018-12-07+374.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the ground floor was the museum's collection of European paintings. The Dutch painter, <b>Hieronymus van Aiken</b> but more commonly known as <b>Hieronymus Bosch,</b> created the </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Triptych of the Temptations of St. Anthony Abbot</i> was described as a "radical reflection on sin, the troubles of the world, penitence and salvation, populated with monsters and hybrid beings in landscapes and environments of enigmatic fantasy, reflects the theatrical imagination that accompanied the festivities carried out in the painter's home city."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the reverse was</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> The Betrayal of Christ and the Way to Calvary.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyV7B93Pzh2LDIb999lMsVmHL_Qhnyrd2SzctHMcJIZsycjFBRaD9WajNsK8a4gyM0jPV1QDrvIPdAE-9XIF6Nelq7XIm5Ni-D3A8j3d8uM5zUdez0sDqWtzKiz7v1TSO6IA9TryhFSW3i/s1600/2018-12-07+376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyV7B93Pzh2LDIb999lMsVmHL_Qhnyrd2SzctHMcJIZsycjFBRaD9WajNsK8a4gyM0jPV1QDrvIPdAE-9XIF6Nelq7XIm5Ni-D3A8j3d8uM5zUdez0sDqWtzKiz7v1TSO6IA9TryhFSW3i/s320/2018-12-07+376.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Albrecht Durer,</b> the gifted and versatile German artist of the Renaissance, </span><span style="font-size: large;">painted <i>St. Jerome</i> in 1521. St. Jerome, always depicted with a skull, was an important figure in Lisbon as he was the primary person behind the <b>Monastery of Jeronimos</b> in <b>Belem,</b> a district five miles west of downtown Lisbon that we'd see in a couple of days.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoDC-PHOpgMYSricVQuTstssotbW7MpdsBG4gooBOgCCOP0YZ1xxoXkhnvgXzEiorviMh5Xv3wvu8DOZ-DizRG4fRmofuYwMhriW3VtG1IVAwCHJRvy4OXITmqjIxKHo8_8puoEPNTNvv/s1600/2018-12-07+384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoDC-PHOpgMYSricVQuTstssotbW7MpdsBG4gooBOgCCOP0YZ1xxoXkhnvgXzEiorviMh5Xv3wvu8DOZ-DizRG4fRmofuYwMhriW3VtG1IVAwCHJRvy4OXITmqjIxKHo8_8puoEPNTNvv/s320/2018-12-07+384.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was very drawn to the early Italian Renaissance paintings of the <i>St. Anne and the Virgin</i> and <i>St. Barbara.</i> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGoDZPJgnwov_5833MHKsVQul3Q6NJAvimv8netxUyzltQSHZ7jrci2jveAuUfkXbccTJbfMjAaX0bzQBlD4YGOKP-ZU5jfmpARopONPKyQ83mQPe5uSGGCNYqUI6kV76U_r8ngHWHmkKq/s1600/2018-12-07+388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGoDZPJgnwov_5833MHKsVQul3Q6NJAvimv8netxUyzltQSHZ7jrci2jveAuUfkXbccTJbfMjAaX0bzQBlD4YGOKP-ZU5jfmpARopONPKyQ83mQPe5uSGGCNYqUI6kV76U_r8ngHWHmkKq/s320/2018-12-07+388.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We exited through the elaborate Baroque doorway that was one of the few remaining remnants of the palace that had been purchased by the brother of the powerful <b>Marques de Pombal,</b> a minor noble who was asked to rule the government by the lazy <b>King Jose I</b> in 1750. Pombal was responsible for expelling the Jesuits to keep them from monopolizing the education system, putting the <b>Bishop of Coimbra</b> in prison and severing relations with the Pope. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMTKRpUwgc5rmPl_GQ85GaKGVxHiIgqkP0MVuDxxWJtshqQR7AxhosWUX2QhK3znXLubHhqiBgkYru9t23S7bM73oe5EwxEXSRA4sL2EzfGHkuoncQfrQH4TX5DYmHjzYCMC4Lrxzqmui/s1600/2018-12-07+391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMTKRpUwgc5rmPl_GQ85GaKGVxHiIgqkP0MVuDxxWJtshqQR7AxhosWUX2QhK3znXLubHhqiBgkYru9t23S7bM73oe5EwxEXSRA4sL2EzfGHkuoncQfrQH4TX5DYmHjzYCMC4Lrxzqmui/s320/2018-12-07+391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you ever are lucky enough to visit Lisbon, I urge you to stop at the Museum of Ancient Art. You'll be so happy you did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the way back to our apartment we passed yet another shop selling a zillion cans of sardine which must be a staple of the Portuguese diet. They looked so attractive and I would have been sorely tempted to buy a few except I remembered the ghastly smell from my youth when my father ate them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of our amusing experiences in a long time had been riding the funicular up and down Lisbon's hills earlier that day!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75Sv8fISpxOzsnmpwbMcJyALSy_C1BQzGPdzovdIEENyuulz7c9q1ZDzc1-cWu_c7anUXVQCK9oNX12GijpmHEB3Ks5HOh97VHiDDfEnK9JbEMp3lUZwQaYfi6f0FSGSbbznn8fVt10o6/s1600/2018-12-07+412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75Sv8fISpxOzsnmpwbMcJyALSy_C1BQzGPdzovdIEENyuulz7c9q1ZDzc1-cWu_c7anUXVQCK9oNX12GijpmHEB3Ks5HOh97VHiDDfEnK9JbEMp3lUZwQaYfi6f0FSGSbbznn8fVt10o6/s320/2018-12-07+412.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> Visiting the magical <b>Pena Palace</b> and more in <b>Sintra</b> on a day trip from Lisbon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on April 14th, 2019, from sunny Littleton, Colorado.</i></span></div>
Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-11419874977693648372019-04-10T22:26:00.000-06:002019-04-18T14:50:58.394-06:0012/7: Lisbon's Bairro Alto & Chiado Neighborhoods: Funiculars, Dressing Statues & Jesuits!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I returned two weeks ago from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow</i></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> that really fun trip, </span></i><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">here's a link to the newest blog: </span></i></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our apartment was in a hilly section north of Lisbon's city center so each day of our stay we were faced with dealing with lots of graffiti and walking down many steps but the latter were better than having to go up them! </span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmw6AJ2yw0K0RmHWANJSx3D2P-6oFhChFmER7Xu6b6qQFxlfnHYc2Rn5nc2alWvdukLvrjvVWDe18pPfV3e61HhGqx0fOGUQpOxnNwqB5kat4nggiccx2QaQG4G-yL7rVwFDt8X-jzIki/s1600/2018-12-07+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmw6AJ2yw0K0RmHWANJSx3D2P-6oFhChFmER7Xu6b6qQFxlfnHYc2Rn5nc2alWvdukLvrjvVWDe18pPfV3e61HhGqx0fOGUQpOxnNwqB5kat4nggiccx2QaQG4G-yL7rVwFDt8X-jzIki/s320/2018-12-07+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Very colorful sardine cans!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_L6bmczE8TKP_gYyO1qEUCXsqGhyphenhyphenWuut27u6e1Lt6JaSgT34IXhMDGvlrzJE27u2WS1dcvid7LM_e-q14aI_oKZbHjBZ5slBvEKqZ6K-SfTa7_Eb-IGtIDDLHBHulx98hOff2nweO0LA/s1600/2018-12-07+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_L6bmczE8TKP_gYyO1qEUCXsqGhyphenhyphenWuut27u6e1Lt6JaSgT34IXhMDGvlrzJE27u2WS1dcvid7LM_e-q14aI_oKZbHjBZ5slBvEKqZ6K-SfTa7_Eb-IGtIDDLHBHulx98hOff2nweO0LA/s320/2018-12-07+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After having his backpack stolen two days earlier in Sevilla's gorgeous <b>Plaza de Espana,</b> we spent some time looking for another one to get him through the last few weeks of our trip. There were lots of choices in <b>Rossi,</b> the historic center and the city's bustling cultural heart. Because of its elongated shape, historians think it was likely a Roman racetrack 2,000 years ago.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDs9ETULNrUrVZU1phrC21I3sR71Sy4oz8it9Hy489pqwj4UYeOL8UUUZoLxxOMrYs3bPfT4rIFFmb-XPuyIy6jZQNsl-PxrRFBX8KzMeIdbYn0vLq02G8khAp7pwFVG5wEVtN56EKqlQ/s1600/2018-12-07+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDs9ETULNrUrVZU1phrC21I3sR71Sy4oz8it9Hy489pqwj4UYeOL8UUUZoLxxOMrYs3bPfT4rIFFmb-XPuyIy6jZQNsl-PxrRFBX8KzMeIdbYn0vLq02G8khAp7pwFVG5wEVtN56EKqlQ/s320/2018-12-07+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The wavy pattern in the stone pavement reminded us right away of the similar patterns found all over <b>Rio de Janeiro.</b> These evoked waves encountered by the country's great explorers. Both of us got slightly nauseous as we looked down while crossing the square.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwWhD6U5MmcI3jPYJQ8A1aH7ZfUt8_-sLd-vZ4K9G53YQR81tauotMW8AN2_Mit8aF0SLVwj3HE8JQSMqlYL7OI5D11HF1pffpmKwo8JxFZ8khIvDJRv76LSamgSaaMen1IiC8f7osD3E/s1600/2018-12-07+009+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwWhD6U5MmcI3jPYJQ8A1aH7ZfUt8_-sLd-vZ4K9G53YQR81tauotMW8AN2_Mit8aF0SLVwj3HE8JQSMqlYL7OI5D11HF1pffpmKwo8JxFZ8khIvDJRv76LSamgSaaMen1IiC8f7osD3E/s320/2018-12-07+009+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the square's center was a column honoring <b>Pedro IV,</b> the king of Portugal and emperor of Brazil. Even though some maps still refer to the square as <b>Praca Dom Pedro IV,</b> residents still call it Rossi after the central train station at one corner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In one corner of the square we saw the <b>Elevador de Santa Justa</b> and the ruined convent against the city's skyline. We'd return there later. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ASs6xqNdBoFunMhouE5PJw7E22wqxZ0nWWLd8zz6txU8flisQmw3QLENeVJ495zCnws3-e844mK6AoUWH4Gz9hxtM1sbnxgivLrsGSBzhcGz6VV_dAk1Fh8x5xn6AgT1yvR-4NlkQzo6/s1600/2018-12-07+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ASs6xqNdBoFunMhouE5PJw7E22wqxZ0nWWLd8zz6txU8flisQmw3QLENeVJ495zCnws3-e844mK6AoUWH4Gz9hxtM1sbnxgivLrsGSBzhcGz6VV_dAk1Fh8x5xn6AgT1yvR-4NlkQzo6/s320/2018-12-07+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A palace that was used as the headquarters of the Inquisition once occupied the square. When it was torn torn down in an effort to erase its memory, the <b>National Theater</b> was built in its place.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFFEdKV8WuL_9a0TrxAi1GQ6qmVm3MnQK1CNroWwXwgmbTOHf8JLYYx0c0IetOHuHgFxsKgvN4KB-V_fuhyphenhyphenIeLJcpv3oEJ-gYNP-vA8eh7Uhyphenhyphen-OKvTlnTOtwDyOX4rw26fSguAMrsRzrR/s1600/2018-12-07+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFFEdKV8WuL_9a0TrxAi1GQ6qmVm3MnQK1CNroWwXwgmbTOHf8JLYYx0c0IetOHuHgFxsKgvN4KB-V_fuhyphenhyphenIeLJcpv3oEJ-gYNP-vA8eh7Uhyphenhyphen-OKvTlnTOtwDyOX4rw26fSguAMrsRzrR/s320/2018-12-07+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXojopuszjSR2sMSvE_f2PW44Uz-W4jeimZ_BPMAQYjsW_3eCaC7JTJb0muLVxAsPGFGMvSgd8omHQsB1gKpcq5zSzizWl2hu38_XmY-uUaHHALsYpuktTgwBMiq9CdAWZPUsk3AY_RP1C/s1600/2018-12-07+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXojopuszjSR2sMSvE_f2PW44Uz-W4jeimZ_BPMAQYjsW_3eCaC7JTJb0muLVxAsPGFGMvSgd8omHQsB1gKpcq5zSzizWl2hu38_XmY-uUaHHALsYpuktTgwBMiq9CdAWZPUsk3AY_RP1C/s320/2018-12-07+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was another view of the National Theater from early the next morning as we walked by it en route to the train station and our day trip to Sintra. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNJnP_GgNT0kTVJuLJ9RqU2y-j0x0rT-zXe3i7Zuh-Zl3C7bK6SIptybyd0NVuZup71fqDBIcU79ojMme7vnSPqM78ngRrs4Q8siJDr3k68muX9SGaKmswJDtlN4xpLJyhiGNZC9ZFFuc/s1600/2018-12-08+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNJnP_GgNT0kTVJuLJ9RqU2y-j0x0rT-zXe3i7Zuh-Zl3C7bK6SIptybyd0NVuZup71fqDBIcU79ojMme7vnSPqM78ngRrs4Q8siJDr3k68muX9SGaKmswJDtlN4xpLJyhiGNZC9ZFFuc/s320/2018-12-08+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sM4uaNXS9lHA9E16pLEQuZJnIyMVDcYcUxFdP_5Ki8haqI0ClD5OJqO2q3lGIg4xMzWoGDIVfwV-q70GUS6hEMa7p5EfzjnwUAgUnlPTrm1ucM1i4HvNBwMlds9KBJ-e0B_65MjsGX2D/s1600/2018-12-07+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sM4uaNXS9lHA9E16pLEQuZJnIyMVDcYcUxFdP_5Ki8haqI0ClD5OJqO2q3lGIg4xMzWoGDIVfwV-q70GUS6hEMa7p5EfzjnwUAgUnlPTrm1ucM1i4HvNBwMlds9KBJ-e0B_65MjsGX2D/s320/2018-12-07+016.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A view standing from in front of the National Theater and looking back toward Pedro's column:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLO_8gqwYelwC2wNns0-IO-NQKQX8zLU3pqrhcX4H2NMD0_K1xtWkeYUoqbrg-BErZFpAWGEjrwLl-n-72W65v6REBwW4cvNh40rmuENPjCyBUAVzHVuTfCC4ar-1fknl_PUr9oilosTQ/s1600/2018-12-07+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLO_8gqwYelwC2wNns0-IO-NQKQX8zLU3pqrhcX4H2NMD0_K1xtWkeYUoqbrg-BErZFpAWGEjrwLl-n-72W65v6REBwW4cvNh40rmuENPjCyBUAVzHVuTfCC4ar-1fknl_PUr9oilosTQ/s320/2018-12-07+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The circa 1900 facade of the Rossi station was called Neo-Manueline after <b>King Manuel I</b> and referred to the more ornamental than structural style which blended late Gothic features and Mudejar or Moorish elements. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplmTEYI868KmXda34Tmza62fGlwqM3Q-WDHrJx-GIQG4lReHl8TXGd5sFzROZgjXkwgXwaq7vwS3a_MEwW_ali5ElRi7NAJDWfLCtumCVSnh4Zb8sxZVjzAtoKU9meaMHyV61Zjf3QIwd/s1600/2018-12-07+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplmTEYI868KmXda34Tmza62fGlwqM3Q-WDHrJx-GIQG4lReHl8TXGd5sFzROZgjXkwgXwaq7vwS3a_MEwW_ali5ElRi7NAJDWfLCtumCVSnh4Zb8sxZVjzAtoKU9meaMHyV61Zjf3QIwd/s320/2018-12-07+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was supposed to have been a statue of the romantic, dashing and young <b>King Sebastian</b> in the center of the two arches but it must have been gone for restoration. He disappeared in 1580 while on an ill-fated crusaded in Africa. As there was no direct heir, the crown went to Philip II of Spain who became Philip I of Portugal. He promised to abandon the throne if Sebastian ever returned. Ever since, Portuguese people have dreamed of Sebastian returning and even nowadays, in a time of crisis, their hope is their Sebastian will save the day!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXeiR-DPt8edKRYPUgAZEbk0WGmbxM2zcc_-FLXJ87Xy0LVVRiMz5q3ATnZ_dCIQRhbVzxeQuwdFMdCNCmBqi9fgfgw0moCLpRtryz4BgtnL-BAUjmAAdwDEzaapAKEBL1C1D38p4XUlU/s1600/2018-12-07+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXeiR-DPt8edKRYPUgAZEbk0WGmbxM2zcc_-FLXJ87Xy0LVVRiMz5q3ATnZ_dCIQRhbVzxeQuwdFMdCNCmBqi9fgfgw0moCLpRtryz4BgtnL-BAUjmAAdwDEzaapAKEBL1C1D38p4XUlU/s320/2018-12-07+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just up from the station was the <b>Praca dos Restaurados,</b> a monumental square that connected Rossio with Lisbon's long and grand Avenida da Libertade. The obelisk in the center celebrated Portuguese independence from Spain in 1640 even though they didn't get any assistance from the still-missing Sebastian!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAkYMYwjNnTSyLqxnE450HcjufcPVqSUYNkQXoIH0Q0pAFIo2MNviLgamxnO3VToFnVIA5WXCnZaKHnUxNoMigQO7DPBvpokBLHqQEZl0uFC7sXMK7bC0aWExtT72fnWHg9zBCwcsOE55/s1600/2018-12-07+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAkYMYwjNnTSyLqxnE450HcjufcPVqSUYNkQXoIH0Q0pAFIo2MNviLgamxnO3VToFnVIA5WXCnZaKHnUxNoMigQO7DPBvpokBLHqQEZl0uFC7sXMK7bC0aWExtT72fnWHg9zBCwcsOE55/s320/2018-12-07+025.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Overlooking the square was the 1920s Art Deco facade of the <b>Eden Theater.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ljx3lfe-nrM8-T_2zSYET2hHcg_9n5xEm3Y7XA8IEcw9Du4qDWMu0cR8ErT1bvkmWlGXMEw9MB92C7UrdFtR1JU8mNiWCgqYe8P_9UD_XnAfOBsLY3dpeGdHhFJw-2FW-sfogLpSJ3NL/s1600/2018-12-07+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ljx3lfe-nrM8-T_2zSYET2hHcg_9n5xEm3Y7XA8IEcw9Du4qDWMu0cR8ErT1bvkmWlGXMEw9MB92C7UrdFtR1JU8mNiWCgqYe8P_9UD_XnAfOBsLY3dpeGdHhFJw-2FW-sfogLpSJ3NL/s320/2018-12-07+027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtid9rKNY7pjb-UtV2BhSzo3wLVe_bnCGQa518FE6_FryRSXvL8hPvaMKbEpaX5cnMQvkh7TrTw_Ul_UeFVumnlYOONG453AiOgNmzYbm19cpnzvnDhc71-odtOnZSRnoJplpeHS5jTKzd/s1600/2018-12-07+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtid9rKNY7pjb-UtV2BhSzo3wLVe_bnCGQa518FE6_FryRSXvL8hPvaMKbEpaX5cnMQvkh7TrTw_Ul_UeFVumnlYOONG453AiOgNmzYbm19cpnzvnDhc71-odtOnZSRnoJplpeHS5jTKzd/s320/2018-12-07+029.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A hundred or so yards further up the boulevard was </span><span style="font-size: large;">the <b>Gloria funicular</b> that opened to the public in 1885 to connect the Restaurados Square with</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Bairro Alto </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">or High Town, our destination for a walk through one of the three downtown neighborhoods. In 1915, the Gloria was the second funicular to be installed in the city of seven hills; it was declared a National Monument in 2002.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ_tB_si3LlwQC4pksj1QgWmDEhasJmcPu1YQxk_OCDOygqD6NWGtpO6HBAcVXsigPiFbKZsTk0T12sDbDjsEjStnBU9JLWZ-xUNwgODsrGo4ByK_vhe32GYaZu8-ZpdmbmyeY3j60Atc/s1600/2018-12-07+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQ_tB_si3LlwQC4pksj1QgWmDEhasJmcPu1YQxk_OCDOygqD6NWGtpO6HBAcVXsigPiFbKZsTk0T12sDbDjsEjStnBU9JLWZ-xUNwgODsrGo4ByK_vhe32GYaZu8-ZpdmbmyeY3j60Atc/s320/2018-12-07+030.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCerH4pmXv7St728oSjxEMEa5EV-rfIZnTSiXHgibjZ3eoCTA8_MpZQnJTza2oMWYWpfYhog1mJCWKghSNaozs2Omqx805JfZ1J6pfCN5v3N1rx6YZ3J4qBanPKceemM7A7ErZnc9F9SkT/s1600/2018-12-07+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCerH4pmXv7St728oSjxEMEa5EV-rfIZnTSiXHgibjZ3eoCTA8_MpZQnJTza2oMWYWpfYhog1mJCWKghSNaozs2Omqx805JfZ1J6pfCN5v3N1rx6YZ3J4qBanPKceemM7A7ErZnc9F9SkT/s320/2018-12-07+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was so much fun riding the funicular along the very narrow streets rather than hiking up the steep hills along the tracks. What was especially nice was that it wasn't simply for tourists, but a means for locals to get more easily from one area of the city to the other.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuo-Nov_C-6n06AfQSqCQ8xkR8OM-a5Z3UZnRxASxapaWi0VKal-1q6LBHBscVc_4DSkeuPUN1BUvBmdevfxRGthXgJOvEsm4B6ihcG8dympTKG2dRYVqNCkQnOLTJldkEQYT2RXMzqiwI/s1600/2018-12-07+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuo-Nov_C-6n06AfQSqCQ8xkR8OM-a5Z3UZnRxASxapaWi0VKal-1q6LBHBscVc_4DSkeuPUN1BUvBmdevfxRGthXgJOvEsm4B6ihcG8dympTKG2dRYVqNCkQnOLTJldkEQYT2RXMzqiwI/s320/2018-12-07+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeRNdIDJFrUzcThF1cD11sVDNQmHM9Z5JaaLWsqNZhv0xUfriqHvdQPYWBP5cP42aPnoXTGFyUUmBEZe-z9N-SbKEEumGCE4VKbmCMHbAL5zUuY0ml4qVtKzJkulL3HP4-zKq91zQnXiW/s1600/2018-12-07+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeRNdIDJFrUzcThF1cD11sVDNQmHM9Z5JaaLWsqNZhv0xUfriqHvdQPYWBP5cP42aPnoXTGFyUUmBEZe-z9N-SbKEEumGCE4VKbmCMHbAL5zUuY0ml4qVtKzJkulL3HP4-zKq91zQnXiW/s320/2018-12-07+051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIA6UQKgke0wz92gWUAW99E-UPhMoroapU2_bXJ7od-E2G0i89YxFyISfLbyqOCePHl9CH8wJVYOFWYRo3vgWE0Cmeh3-UHAtewCMRU_p2Xlt_3_SL2OE5CbFOjvy6dUIZYAlGgrat1UM/s1600/2018-12-07+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIA6UQKgke0wz92gWUAW99E-UPhMoroapU2_bXJ7od-E2G0i89YxFyISfLbyqOCePHl9CH8wJVYOFWYRo3vgWE0Cmeh3-UHAtewCMRU_p2Xlt_3_SL2OE5CbFOjvy6dUIZYAlGgrat1UM/s320/2018-12-07+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A common sight throughout Lisbon were places to stop to get a drink of sangria.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRzjBIcDoWsK-KGauWsIVku83P90Zig6hmViyP84ucw_QaIvmG2_MOKk4sFKPcXwE2PSpk59o30UbkUQkzn6XJI84vVNUT6Kc0UNPYIqnUex8XXqpVnk-hRO7jKxfiUHFEd1ubbeBVfWi/s1600/2018-12-07+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRzjBIcDoWsK-KGauWsIVku83P90Zig6hmViyP84ucw_QaIvmG2_MOKk4sFKPcXwE2PSpk59o30UbkUQkzn6XJI84vVNUT6Kc0UNPYIqnUex8XXqpVnk-hRO7jKxfiUHFEd1ubbeBVfWi/s320/2018-12-07+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just up from the funicular stop at the end of the line was a small park which had a bust honoring a 19th century journalist and a barefooted delivery boy. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tq92xmVXSRkSRP4Gn66PAYBvD0mN6lwvFHlkOyYz5qjSGDuArX5pD2L3NdfO-PHJUj6WHfNGqNcGOCWRZs1ypIkhdo4N8r8wa7JbpKn70Qh81fZxLYZCzfWjq60sTZGCU_Dy_BxL2ofy/s1600/2018-12-07+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tq92xmVXSRkSRP4Gn66PAYBvD0mN6lwvFHlkOyYz5qjSGDuArX5pD2L3NdfO-PHJUj6WHfNGqNcGOCWRZs1ypIkhdo4N8r8wa7JbpKn70Qh81fZxLYZCzfWjq60sTZGCU_Dy_BxL2ofy/s320/2018-12-07+044.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of greater interest, though, was another of Lisbon's Miradouro or viewpoints; from the <b>Miradouro de San Pedro de Alacantara,</b> we had a panoramic view of the <b>Castle of St. George</b> we'd toured yesterday after arriving from Sevilla </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9Xv4Hq2BYxgqoef73Xj5LMFVmA0Ip2ofFy6oN6zTuqN_XcH7eT7QH0fa7jYULnrTS8sMYr_0q2lG15-18fOWtvg7y1cEUKxflxHfhKXjqbgSLQq0PxEDZ5XN92UMUXgL8DBwICaNaVGk/s1600/2018-12-07+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9Xv4Hq2BYxgqoef73Xj5LMFVmA0Ip2ofFy6oN6zTuqN_XcH7eT7QH0fa7jYULnrTS8sMYr_0q2lG15-18fOWtvg7y1cEUKxflxHfhKXjqbgSLQq0PxEDZ5XN92UMUXgL8DBwICaNaVGk/s320/2018-12-07+047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had more fun than Steven wandering around the Christmas market although he does love to window shop so we make a great pair.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqDWU2i_-v7w4e-7Qv5Vn2wyfiM2jQOxC8ot0RbGL4soXRPTKsHWk71RzPAVNPv0p2eL0lOoI5yHRsFxHItx0tTwdojG3ZnVQ0JoJ3vRgVa3a1FxfdUzfGM-ij3ionJ02LRZ97_BLMqg_/s1600/2018-12-07+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqDWU2i_-v7w4e-7Qv5Vn2wyfiM2jQOxC8ot0RbGL4soXRPTKsHWk71RzPAVNPv0p2eL0lOoI5yHRsFxHItx0tTwdojG3ZnVQ0JoJ3vRgVa3a1FxfdUzfGM-ij3ionJ02LRZ97_BLMqg_/s320/2018-12-07+049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Travel writer <b>Rick Steves</b> describes Bairro Alto as one of the most characteristic and charming districts in the city. When it was designed in the 16th century with what was then a very modern grid-plan layout, the area was home to ship workers when Portugal was a world power and its ships placed the Portuguese flag around the globe. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCi00akmdEFs319H_AGbrlCTdxxP0BLt0WVIhA8NtXllu1E1N9wvXmiMRJDi9dTc1kqCl7HqSLc8rulPAm1lc_cwRqYo3D84bbAf0Cg3xOaQofNmWz5TgG-fWFHTTSAYlzKjp63u1fZEvD/s1600/2018-12-07+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCi00akmdEFs319H_AGbrlCTdxxP0BLt0WVIhA8NtXllu1E1N9wvXmiMRJDi9dTc1kqCl7HqSLc8rulPAm1lc_cwRqYo3D84bbAf0Cg3xOaQofNmWz5TgG-fWFHTTSAYlzKjp63u1fZEvD/s320/2018-12-07+057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The area seemed pretty gritty now and was less charming than we expected. It appeared that no neighborhood was immune to the graffiti we'd already seen so much of in the Alfama district. Both of us liked Lisbon but the overwhelming amount of graffiti did get us both down after a few days and certainly 'colored' our view of the capital. But I am getting ahead of myself. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdquLlwsza169dcwFW2N6e-Ak2Te-OGVXjrRBqJFC-RAMHAm3uxFEcj44kNjI2TxlJleiNgJ3ICqiRkGNz_ETve5Br2ME9YprjtxfLPvBZ4LitUVKDBy26SwgwEtEXyzaLOCdHw8cAkFVe/s1600/2018-12-07+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdquLlwsza169dcwFW2N6e-Ak2Te-OGVXjrRBqJFC-RAMHAm3uxFEcj44kNjI2TxlJleiNgJ3ICqiRkGNz_ETve5Br2ME9YprjtxfLPvBZ4LitUVKDBy26SwgwEtEXyzaLOCdHw8cAkFVe/s320/2018-12-07+058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking at the glass half-full side of things, the tile work, iron balconies and small cafes were of moderate interest. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapOfdyQsYxWwNkxBr0FTVUjZm78F4d1byTs41vExxvY5Vk0KMnyazvPTrCY8fU0ppgvUQLASu8u3jDRd83YuXxjz7cfXxIkM84REmyeuVqQQRyS4P4_8qB8J_48JUSrg1lIGgfkjjbiFo/s1600/2018-12-07+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapOfdyQsYxWwNkxBr0FTVUjZm78F4d1byTs41vExxvY5Vk0KMnyazvPTrCY8fU0ppgvUQLASu8u3jDRd83YuXxjz7cfXxIkM84REmyeuVqQQRyS4P4_8qB8J_48JUSrg1lIGgfkjjbiFo/s320/2018-12-07+059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcHF6kdzLPKaIykFGqsYO1gRun1mZJwMg3FC4wCL6ORc0I5ShB9lCR1a_pymGqskJsoXMKpVCB6fhroVpn1wJpzv3yDaOeragNoUYRD6S15DfgD54nvDelPrUV4MS0PZivz9lwIVEwoaG/s1600/2018-12-07+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcHF6kdzLPKaIykFGqsYO1gRun1mZJwMg3FC4wCL6ORc0I5ShB9lCR1a_pymGqskJsoXMKpVCB6fhroVpn1wJpzv3yDaOeragNoUYRD6S15DfgD54nvDelPrUV4MS0PZivz9lwIVEwoaG/s320/2018-12-07+060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully, it didn't take us long to reach the more attractive <b>Largo Trinidade Coelho</b> where the 16th century <b>Sao Roque Church</b> was located. The church, one of the first few Jesuit ones in the country, was dedicated to the saint who protected people from disease and plagues.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBmOPSVNcduBuhFO2NXQfh1KavcEG_PbuivkNOGmOHOvKHIPE0DOEmSuqPyOaQYkuw1KZ6llc0HM7Mv3jgFR6_HGdRK57G10dREFnFtfMB5tvkpdANAYEiYC8sOKC0XwcIhzAynTuEi_X/s1600/2018-12-07+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBmOPSVNcduBuhFO2NXQfh1KavcEG_PbuivkNOGmOHOvKHIPE0DOEmSuqPyOaQYkuw1KZ6llc0HM7Mv3jgFR6_HGdRK57G10dREFnFtfMB5tvkpdANAYEiYC8sOKC0XwcIhzAynTuEi_X/s320/2018-12-07+064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITKzKmCf492MlqeKO4ozvNVJJaMGsjBr2BOMCkHSlb-qPYLAdqMC7YsQkA5erkD_jb0J2bTGMhj9qeRSqf4DoE0H83N1fAJHPYaadtsisw3j0BhikXpM1qdXbNanXuB8f44uddVfZJLcb/s1600/2018-12-07+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITKzKmCf492MlqeKO4ozvNVJJaMGsjBr2BOMCkHSlb-qPYLAdqMC7YsQkA5erkD_jb0J2bTGMhj9qeRSqf4DoE0H83N1fAJHPYaadtsisw3j0BhikXpM1qdXbNanXuB8f44uddVfZJLcb/s320/2018-12-07+065.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The painted wood ceiling was unusually perfectly flat even though it looked like it had a false dome. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMjiySEaOskz3KSeRHSTPos81LKUdf53DFGMGG-zE6t3RLh2PxBzI8L1ofz7j8oDjQNXtnFuwY8RioDPLhJS9kjiMIVet04Zp8oodwxkkGhQoyvdXgqh-N2RFTNcEsGZGTpf3ec12tmJ3/s1600/2018-12-07+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMjiySEaOskz3KSeRHSTPos81LKUdf53DFGMGG-zE6t3RLh2PxBzI8L1ofz7j8oDjQNXtnFuwY8RioDPLhJS9kjiMIVet04Zp8oodwxkkGhQoyvdXgqh-N2RFTNcEsGZGTpf3ec12tmJ3/s320/2018-12-07+066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the floor, the numbered panels had represented nameless tombs as they contained lots of people. However, when parishioners no longer wanted plague victims rotting under their feet in the 19th century, the practice was discontinued so the tombs were empty.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuCFN0MNVfkCdyRCooIEhIRTehfyasfCItqJVhyphenhyphenyh080ZPoCucHrWNPt4NCXE56RkQTEw7j2ywc5zTHDtv_7Ul60SINr1bElNaEIdE637yr0KWsEwwtR44rKqX6nJBKt6aaclCxq0L0n0/s1600/2018-12-07+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuCFN0MNVfkCdyRCooIEhIRTehfyasfCItqJVhyphenhyphenyh080ZPoCucHrWNPt4NCXE56RkQTEw7j2ywc5zTHDtv_7Ul60SINr1bElNaEIdE637yr0KWsEwwtR44rKqX6nJBKt6aaclCxq0L0n0/s320/2018-12-07+069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you can see, there were many side chapels, each one as rich and ornate as the last.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihYbOMEsx8z8U8mlbFOJAF0yzDiLmrd0OK_4OLAoM6GV9G7gBw2tdBvoTDcofNuwJ5WVNSS7Xmfz2w_a7fEhu016SFwwljShA6cyIej1Yg-8YsSpOo47kKj1E6LTyioebC_mJYhAJw3mR/s1600/2018-12-07+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihYbOMEsx8z8U8mlbFOJAF0yzDiLmrd0OK_4OLAoM6GV9G7gBw2tdBvoTDcofNuwJ5WVNSS7Xmfz2w_a7fEhu016SFwwljShA6cyIej1Yg-8YsSpOo47kKj1E6LTyioebC_mJYhAJw3mR/s320/2018-12-07+072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The paintings in the <b>Chapel of St. Anthony of Lisbon</b> were created by a Portuguese artist who had trained in Rome between 172 and 1719.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jmrW22l_lSN9DveElTJGpUK3nORl802Cs7V9dlVr30M2bJvJ6OuEDChYO8mfZ1WCbVnpe8TVr2stkw9TNdczJRQ55I6X0Y8Bz6dcn2s2yir1zpNTeRTPMe62cxGktanUfXdtcAoFSVw5/s1600/2018-12-07+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jmrW22l_lSN9DveElTJGpUK3nORl802Cs7V9dlVr30M2bJvJ6OuEDChYO8mfZ1WCbVnpe8TVr2stkw9TNdczJRQ55I6X0Y8Bz6dcn2s2yir1zpNTeRTPMe62cxGktanUfXdtcAoFSVw5/s320/2018-12-07+073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Chapel of Our Lady of Piety </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">was decorated with gilt woodcarving and early 18th century Florentine-influenced inlaid marble. The cherubic angels were just adorable. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4mHx8Ftx6bgYsTA7YQrW1pJxJwd7yn3cMi82jkRUAQNOgCbH4DXYEzU6TZbjM-DFeCTapA_Pys80_YAfB1eFBpP7NSI1gkSwb-JGlHq3ZCHRVfAegjUmqeM-rmns23p-d7sd71bFKCpw/s1600/2018-12-07+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4mHx8Ftx6bgYsTA7YQrW1pJxJwd7yn3cMi82jkRUAQNOgCbH4DXYEzU6TZbjM-DFeCTapA_Pys80_YAfB1eFBpP7NSI1gkSwb-JGlHq3ZCHRVfAegjUmqeM-rmns23p-d7sd71bFKCpw/s320/2018-12-07+078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The highlight was the <b>Chapel of St. John the Baptist</b> with its gold and lapus lazuli columns. If you thought it may have come out of the Vatican, you're right because it did! The chapel, made from precious metals and by a team of Italian artists in Rome, was the site of one papal Mass before it was taken apart and transported in sections to Lisbon. It was the most expensive chapel ever constructed in the country per square inch.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjEVDxpKR5Bvsb5OcTH-ZZC5BofYGV-FeMEaVOVcC0nhwDVjAi_rBDSyaLEk8aMPmILp7MKahyphenhyphen390xw4n0-MSE1FALRH2G0lrZ7sobZ2uqqJAar1RK0pSP6gMGjrP0_9-tvrtr82mcC27/s1600/2018-12-07+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjEVDxpKR5Bvsb5OcTH-ZZC5BofYGV-FeMEaVOVcC0nhwDVjAi_rBDSyaLEk8aMPmILp7MKahyphenhyphen390xw4n0-MSE1FALRH2G0lrZ7sobZ2uqqJAar1RK0pSP6gMGjrP0_9-tvrtr82mcC27/s320/2018-12-07+082.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1Fd0-kEv-h0ioN2VDvQ7mVnbZlh0jHDlCH-1SRN8wAFGBBeTiJ1v2XD9mEQZiqBwQx1VBLHWY7T7HQv9oVTyOtA9__feyXB-bxkwX_fhJw_faECZ8Q6GAnK8N1n95ZnnR0jfke1SfEZM/s1600/2018-12-07+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1Fd0-kEv-h0ioN2VDvQ7mVnbZlh0jHDlCH-1SRN8wAFGBBeTiJ1v2XD9mEQZiqBwQx1VBLHWY7T7HQv9oVTyOtA9__feyXB-bxkwX_fhJw_faECZ8Q6GAnK8N1n95ZnnR0jfke1SfEZM/s320/2018-12-07+094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQOm8s4LSkLsysfFKejm2MZir2a2QEkClWS9fOTbHU0GMC8ketHOcsr4ZaqrJOWHdBXaVdcdvMojg43LHCzUEhgXbc_oMHsnMxwznc4d0jNAQU36h-2aFI2-kjbhzOBQrai_ZWgszwqsR/s1600/2018-12-07+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQOm8s4LSkLsysfFKejm2MZir2a2QEkClWS9fOTbHU0GMC8ketHOcsr4ZaqrJOWHdBXaVdcdvMojg43LHCzUEhgXbc_oMHsnMxwznc4d0jNAQU36h-2aFI2-kjbhzOBQrai_ZWgszwqsR/s320/2018-12-07+092.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If I hadn't read the information provided, I would never have guessed the walls were filled with intricate <b>mosaics</b> designed to take the place of paintings which could be damaged from candle smoke and incense. I could barely comprehend the labor involved in creating such masterpieces over five hundred years ago.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgioTClekHSEXxY7u3EoYUnrSt7o8hhB8oAnNY8doY9QdTkigJyrg-MaC-7kc800bZiqrAqL0w-D8D844SclC5A6h4AYBm9sJ2EzQlnugVIasiPN167_o_O6lC_Y7astvrOzGpELbPz_M/s1600/2018-12-07+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgioTClekHSEXxY7u3EoYUnrSt7o8hhB8oAnNY8doY9QdTkigJyrg-MaC-7kc800bZiqrAqL0w-D8D844SclC5A6h4AYBm9sJ2EzQlnugVIasiPN167_o_O6lC_Y7astvrOzGpELbPz_M/s320/2018-12-07+085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32BK8NarbZINiLNsDz7HWJGkiGFAl8GM7kGiGsmk2gvElsSpBGUmOkWhnkIwGpqjXWVTKkOHCYkjWHxxNCqqsOGzBBx0xzkPuo6NjS0CoHjStbpGH65QXEJgpuSoop4l9wE2okoFAPhKC/s1600/2018-12-07+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32BK8NarbZINiLNsDz7HWJGkiGFAl8GM7kGiGsmk2gvElsSpBGUmOkWhnkIwGpqjXWVTKkOHCYkjWHxxNCqqsOGzBBx0xzkPuo6NjS0CoHjStbpGH65QXEJgpuSoop4l9wE2okoFAPhKC/s320/2018-12-07+089.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j-z7kRMNGuyVr8ae1Fsbji46mTxIQBgc0GGk7x7eZivD9toB9Jg8Jw5W9qJUt4t8IyIxVwXEXxRKn4fD536jjQ7283cAop2kB_rk__kjbhrl6fJ-K7t6zUvtpt_2rhUuVUekJ8IK3Mr4/s1600/2018-12-07+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j-z7kRMNGuyVr8ae1Fsbji46mTxIQBgc0GGk7x7eZivD9toB9Jg8Jw5W9qJUt4t8IyIxVwXEXxRKn4fD536jjQ7283cAop2kB_rk__kjbhrl6fJ-K7t6zUvtpt_2rhUuVUekJ8IK3Mr4/s320/2018-12-07+090.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The equally stunning mosaic floor of the chapel was adorned with the spherical symbol of Portugal.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzwmkzx3_9HJu-dCyr1tj7kM7yFbi3oAPiliI0ujhrXc6-WYTHmG91CH4al8NXMcDkWe7ziHng3iovkVcyQLfDp__X-zHKGk-SmIeeX98pgfLjmubDoGnykxj7xTAC2Q5BNe0pbNQRoiz/s1600/2018-12-07+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzwmkzx3_9HJu-dCyr1tj7kM7yFbi3oAPiliI0ujhrXc6-WYTHmG91CH4al8NXMcDkWe7ziHng3iovkVcyQLfDp__X-zHKGk-SmIeeX98pgfLjmubDoGnykxj7xTAC2Q5BNe0pbNQRoiz/s320/2018-12-07+086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another, not too shabby chapel (!!), the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Altar of the Holy Martyrs, </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">was created at the end of the 16th century to showcase the vast collection of relics assembled by an ambassador of Philip II's in Lisbon during King Sebastian's shortened reign. It was donated to the Jesuits in 1588.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3NBPtKTjldIV0rjRwnLpQW5AHiHHCh1er4osac1aezqYlHUVA5mE29qJ-hG1eCaZagU0KqSBx_qjBjbXr14HbdokLPE0VAkRvDbu26AanYwCX7iyfzABq9j71k3mejuF63NP60sxsR5r/s1600/2018-12-07+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3NBPtKTjldIV0rjRwnLpQW5AHiHHCh1er4osac1aezqYlHUVA5mE29qJ-hG1eCaZagU0KqSBx_qjBjbXr14HbdokLPE0VAkRvDbu26AanYwCX7iyfzABq9j71k3mejuF63NP60sxsR5r/s320/2018-12-07+095.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Main Chapel</b> was built at the end of the 16th century for <b>Joao de Borja's</b> sepulcher. Its seven paintings rotate according to the liturgical calendar which was something I'd not heard of before. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIYPlmM6PgvP36sTALXQaENunrzq8mehFQxoJhke9qbLV7nj8DCRQ4XXBUX0KSv88ATvXEAqKl9YfrkBmpKGGqWdY5e5rrGbMgXra50hmHziXsvblo2WufHRWBTTcDwmD4DjmFlfGxpWE/s1600/2018-12-07+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIYPlmM6PgvP36sTALXQaENunrzq8mehFQxoJhke9qbLV7nj8DCRQ4XXBUX0KSv88ATvXEAqKl9YfrkBmpKGGqWdY5e5rrGbMgXra50hmHziXsvblo2WufHRWBTTcDwmD4DjmFlfGxpWE/s320/2018-12-07+099.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1I0GuVlayVUcBDrh3kfgM83Z65gBNfUL4yrXX_2VdheiZWXCjNwe5K7pvCuTw0M23kbfCKtAU6YSsM4h79MZtMo-iQ6G2WSDjmnuSXBgcmb1BkXuUgkykHrqkHWkqN2XW__GQWIMDZ1qI/s1600/2018-12-07+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1I0GuVlayVUcBDrh3kfgM83Z65gBNfUL4yrXX_2VdheiZWXCjNwe5K7pvCuTw0M23kbfCKtAU6YSsM4h79MZtMo-iQ6G2WSDjmnuSXBgcmb1BkXuUgkykHrqkHWkqN2XW__GQWIMDZ1qI/s320/2018-12-07+101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwCMHg0KLZyNdNmh5biKJD0HKyOsWYVnouiZTJTr25E1buQOTVI1jr9hHF1qZYhhWi7R2yerIkW0gaTiDiXDFLsh1HJYb3SKxJTjIb7QR-wfsA99i7WLlcjS2uPibwFbOVpr_oO4jl6jC/s1600/2018-12-07+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwCMHg0KLZyNdNmh5biKJD0HKyOsWYVnouiZTJTr25E1buQOTVI1jr9hHF1qZYhhWi7R2yerIkW0gaTiDiXDFLsh1HJYb3SKxJTjIb7QR-wfsA99i7WLlcjS2uPibwFbOVpr_oO4jl6jC/s320/2018-12-07+103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just like the Altar of the Holy Martyrs, the <b>Altar of the Holy Virgins</b> was created to exhibit the relics collected by the same ambassador and similarly donated to the Jesuits in 1588.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmCvb-gnnoEmED2k11ge7Kr3pVzcGZOs3CuTcKy0nAMLJJ7GXdhEl0D4g7oEjgnwEXhdfeNcVj6dui3b5cgRQ1pYF8eHiUkTve3B5kOWEAg4KGWtDZxcpgyqgkRhMz7_ALE1Epbm8-zZ_/s1600/2018-12-07+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmCvb-gnnoEmED2k11ge7Kr3pVzcGZOs3CuTcKy0nAMLJJ7GXdhEl0D4g7oEjgnwEXhdfeNcVj6dui3b5cgRQ1pYF8eHiUkTve3B5kOWEAg4KGWtDZxcpgyqgkRhMz7_ALE1Epbm8-zZ_/s320/2018-12-07+104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRyJKlZ7Xm_x4Lpt6aojL_G9U9BVpbg2FAJPJqRWqSxl2Z9NrQGrvniPC_UTgYVLhpdcJdb4yEO_YPbmM4UWIZbr5htjdj3WpinfbXT9rMVVwgQAcuosH_V4ZAKuRiYJfSKLyIzgNX6No/s1600/2018-12-07+105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRyJKlZ7Xm_x4Lpt6aojL_G9U9BVpbg2FAJPJqRWqSxl2Z9NrQGrvniPC_UTgYVLhpdcJdb4yEO_YPbmM4UWIZbr5htjdj3WpinfbXT9rMVVwgQAcuosH_V4ZAKuRiYJfSKLyIzgNX6No/s320/2018-12-07+105.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I loved this image from another of the chapels.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-L57UkbvFPefrR5biv_n5nrk7NKeHQ2Ud3Mwf6tSZbhpfqtVo2NRLcO7iTZ37CQ8TzHH1J6v0tc8ZtstYUNL6bLFrk-aGif-d41BEiSPbg0GmvfnXixWBrBTW5HPkL7q841UI5coRIAy/s1600/2018-12-07+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-L57UkbvFPefrR5biv_n5nrk7NKeHQ2Ud3Mwf6tSZbhpfqtVo2NRLcO7iTZ37CQ8TzHH1J6v0tc8ZtstYUNL6bLFrk-aGif-d41BEiSPbg0GmvfnXixWBrBTW5HPkL7q841UI5coRIAy/s320/2018-12-07+109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The affiliated</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Museum of Sao Roque </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">opened to the public in 1905 to contain the important treasures of Italian art from the church's Chapel of St. John the Baptist. A shrine was first constructed in 1506 to hold a relic of St. Roch whose miracles helping victims of plague were then popular in southern Europe. Though the shrine was later demolished, four painted panels of its altar piece remained which alluded to the saint's life.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7pkbKYmKUkRQcMYomy0T-bIalNsTRTsGRHO2R5VNu3jmPsTrk8EgD9NbcAev9jTIHJaYg0X36HW-AL4l_HtTxUr4q2KWT-dPF2XX3DbS4wDkgJUGpzN0vnbb_alGKevA80KVW2w71BY_/s1600/2018-12-07+167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7pkbKYmKUkRQcMYomy0T-bIalNsTRTsGRHO2R5VNu3jmPsTrk8EgD9NbcAev9jTIHJaYg0X36HW-AL4l_HtTxUr4q2KWT-dPF2XX3DbS4wDkgJUGpzN0vnbb_alGKevA80KVW2w71BY_/s320/2018-12-07+167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyhZU9B3Djp6wFI5JTMTCrih_6scFYzhAt3mHXC9G-AfAAIAnXStqAUMWq2a0t5RzVOSUFI65yI1pkGvqp6yxpBDjgarSgNmWiCoU8EQrV6lgMmbgchkWp7UrYcwkTgcOwihNEfPhADLa/s1600/2018-12-07+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyhZU9B3Djp6wFI5JTMTCrih_6scFYzhAt3mHXC9G-AfAAIAnXStqAUMWq2a0t5RzVOSUFI65yI1pkGvqp6yxpBDjgarSgNmWiCoU8EQrV6lgMmbgchkWp7UrYcwkTgcOwihNEfPhADLa/s320/2018-12-07+116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before visiting the church and museum I hadn't been aware that the Society of Jesus or Jesuits had been created in 1534 by St. Ignatius of Loyola with the aid of the Portuguese <b>King Joao III</b> and other important people representing royalty and the Catholic Church. The Ignatian priests chose the Shrine of Sao Roque to construct their Jesuit home or Professed House. These paintings were from their residence.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GLbZG0r-csU_cjpP41ZMVXgntX54zNlx35wwwL4p4Hqj1TJpbWctkclG98XwgfD6iBlaI4IG56DhZyhqlxvy95IFmH28F69pqpzHrvPTUN-fIQE_UhyOH9pkoK_y-6_tVpOM4jZVAHij/s1600/2018-12-07+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GLbZG0r-csU_cjpP41ZMVXgntX54zNlx35wwwL4p4Hqj1TJpbWctkclG98XwgfD6iBlaI4IG56DhZyhqlxvy95IFmH28F69pqpzHrvPTUN-fIQE_UhyOH9pkoK_y-6_tVpOM4jZVAHij/s320/2018-12-07+121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdmE4JEBz03k5P9WTwl7Kf_i-_bmnbmnp3HAaW4_Dd2xdMM8i_WKRKA6rGAPspwWL3_JtF6bhLLKlzAlaW39fJ10JGsvKxrODmJGZYeWIxThKB30TiLTamgdQB-IQ-xu4nQCXIShX_q5Z/s1600/2018-12-07+122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdmE4JEBz03k5P9WTwl7Kf_i-_bmnbmnp3HAaW4_Dd2xdMM8i_WKRKA6rGAPspwWL3_JtF6bhLLKlzAlaW39fJ10JGsvKxrODmJGZYeWIxThKB30TiLTamgdQB-IQ-xu4nQCXIShX_q5Z/s320/2018-12-07+122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSWiqVeZ26hBOh-7jfIMpfXsZSB_cka-PTQt_JDJTCmm-14zurdPVKHZzAb3Aff_RiIf0LaIJ8JQbTWCV5HSB-12xT-vfbPyG7rstqqeqHbsjpy__Q9ONRPOYmHYjqxQ5H2RgxiZb193d/s1600/2018-12-07+123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSWiqVeZ26hBOh-7jfIMpfXsZSB_cka-PTQt_JDJTCmm-14zurdPVKHZzAb3Aff_RiIf0LaIJ8JQbTWCV5HSB-12xT-vfbPyG7rstqqeqHbsjpy__Q9ONRPOYmHYjqxQ5H2RgxiZb193d/s320/2018-12-07+123.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The set of relics kept in the Church of Sao Roque was unequaled in Portugal because in large part of the donation from the Jesuits. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSX7lY139WziNroIMKqpgC39MAtyvhvkia8yRWC9bQLJuznmR85q03LvGreDHph_9A4IenL86pC9VBP4Jhk4gxWLPXkrN6J20Oxcmyaj147eTEpV3Hm6EwtFK3UaTlew1eiSAa4gsoNwA/s1600/2018-12-07+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSX7lY139WziNroIMKqpgC39MAtyvhvkia8yRWC9bQLJuznmR85q03LvGreDHph_9A4IenL86pC9VBP4Jhk4gxWLPXkrN6J20Oxcmyaj147eTEpV3Hm6EwtFK3UaTlew1eiSAa4gsoNwA/s320/2018-12-07+125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtW5FEzGcsCCy8_gSkP-zvjXvleMbN2x5YVDapORD8yM-TTLOWH2DNm_uSdKEwc2N4Y6YfkKjHYXNr5Vp3I_chs0sM60J5puNYTbqFEe5eCqv9j4gBvxzI_qTscVVig5ATRFx6KxTyNbbE/s1600/2018-12-07+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtW5FEzGcsCCy8_gSkP-zvjXvleMbN2x5YVDapORD8yM-TTLOWH2DNm_uSdKEwc2N4Y6YfkKjHYXNr5Vp3I_chs0sM60J5puNYTbqFEe5eCqv9j4gBvxzI_qTscVVig5ATRFx6KxTyNbbE/s320/2018-12-07+126.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_M-HmfzdlWKr7yWO62wxEwmBWXvtXtWQcuv8sG9JQVFzYFb8Tk8Fv6pawkoXpeKjfqD2vZZZWwO6HAsQBeq_sWGvIphXZvCAeUGjoFU5oZSgeealjVXKpcsLNBOhYoUGfrvl75OEgx42/s1600/2018-12-07+127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_M-HmfzdlWKr7yWO62wxEwmBWXvtXtWQcuv8sG9JQVFzYFb8Tk8Fv6pawkoXpeKjfqD2vZZZWwO6HAsQBeq_sWGvIphXZvCAeUGjoFU5oZSgeealjVXKpcsLNBOhYoUGfrvl75OEgx42/s320/2018-12-07+127.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Jesuits, at a time of crisis in the Roman Catholic Church because of the reformist movement begun by <b>Martin Luther,</b> used images as a form of religious propaganda in order to promote the unity of the faithful in support of the Pope. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7AyWVUooOCkzULryeq9fg9ErcLzNpiN8eJMbNN2uryanuCNs-0UqCEhFadSAFC581L2ayhmB6GZZqI6WvWqR11NK3_WBP5IX09Uk3-UAOYA2dcy7sXiCvOk5_Zzw-1-eAIUreoFcy8e7/s1600/2018-12-07+139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7AyWVUooOCkzULryeq9fg9ErcLzNpiN8eJMbNN2uryanuCNs-0UqCEhFadSAFC581L2ayhmB6GZZqI6WvWqR11NK3_WBP5IX09Uk3-UAOYA2dcy7sXiCvOk5_Zzw-1-eAIUreoFcy8e7/s320/2018-12-07+139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They exhibited works illustrating episodes in the life of Jesus, the Virgin and their martyr saints in their churches. The saints most venerated by the Jesuits were presented through paintings and sculptures. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5ZQCfNTx9FqibPiOI-wzi7i3TWacE_MnphimpYbhOHl4sgqVaHzVk0Yt9Vyw-Ze9v08NJIItaAMoGV3GJIHmTtLSVfjc7sB6rUSOExEG2b_F3OsOBBEePRiWpIsx_A-iWcjrlbbSk6J0/s1600/2018-12-07+136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5ZQCfNTx9FqibPiOI-wzi7i3TWacE_MnphimpYbhOHl4sgqVaHzVk0Yt9Vyw-Ze9v08NJIItaAMoGV3GJIHmTtLSVfjc7sB6rUSOExEG2b_F3OsOBBEePRiWpIsx_A-iWcjrlbbSk6J0/s320/2018-12-07+136.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAnA8Gg06CShTiAgxyiqaculeOKPpXKw5CRTIU5M8_TCu61cvQHDcdfaABX8WH37XeH5uR1emKvEbi6L0QNtNsiPOjPCJmYDnwDdoVbDw5hyphenhyphenYQ9uYc89xO5U0jDGD7ZZEYKvJkYD3Fdr7/s1600/2018-12-07+130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAnA8Gg06CShTiAgxyiqaculeOKPpXKw5CRTIU5M8_TCu61cvQHDcdfaABX8WH37XeH5uR1emKvEbi6L0QNtNsiPOjPCJmYDnwDdoVbDw5hyphenhyphenYQ9uYc89xO5U0jDGD7ZZEYKvJkYD3Fdr7/s320/2018-12-07+130.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfSkzy_yGcl9Qk5C6mgc6PhqCYOfs7QmbPU6M0FXEhvs3UNjcSSVH2dtAGZJQnw3ZdzDjDEkDnthvu3NYt4kftRC12UmXrY_9FzEvCtG5ZmIPQcedhlnS5USwJLjT48JRocDx12TKuur1/s1600/2018-12-07+131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfSkzy_yGcl9Qk5C6mgc6PhqCYOfs7QmbPU6M0FXEhvs3UNjcSSVH2dtAGZJQnw3ZdzDjDEkDnthvu3NYt4kftRC12UmXrY_9FzEvCtG5ZmIPQcedhlnS5USwJLjT48JRocDx12TKuur1/s320/2018-12-07+131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These 17th and 18th century polychrome wood pieces were called 'dressing sculptures' as they had movable</span><span style="font-size: large;"> limbs to allow them to be dressed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpT4yPyYYkt4Q22_z3ebecl1l-9FEUkeV7iwSm1k05qiKudwHrd5NYlTmtIaZ4GNEnr4NnZI4muwROiL-fc9vxece878Ba6Bc8opaDks8BCVVzUAufKKEqNmB1xfCfvOKRV9A8n58tezMX/s1600/2018-12-07+132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpT4yPyYYkt4Q22_z3ebecl1l-9FEUkeV7iwSm1k05qiKudwHrd5NYlTmtIaZ4GNEnr4NnZI4muwROiL-fc9vxece878Ba6Bc8opaDks8BCVVzUAufKKEqNmB1xfCfvOKRV9A8n58tezMX/s320/2018-12-07+132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We knew from experience that no museum of religious art would be complete without some Flemish tapestries and the Sao Roque Museum was no exception as it had the <i>Trojan War Cycle</i> from the 17th century. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_LkX6UywnCEYaOXH3U5OTCFMiNn96T-zQPJXiGq5fZTV_4Lp8gY1K1khFV6DB7tOh5Ep5uVnjwUwTiYaG_1D-RJS0lM2K3o3hfJ2RnY_jZTz9TtZHNgRyqGQCeOrA2cW1Lw-TJxKsqIm/s1600/2018-12-07+140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_LkX6UywnCEYaOXH3U5OTCFMiNn96T-zQPJXiGq5fZTV_4Lp8gY1K1khFV6DB7tOh5Ep5uVnjwUwTiYaG_1D-RJS0lM2K3o3hfJ2RnY_jZTz9TtZHNgRyqGQCeOrA2cW1Lw-TJxKsqIm/s320/2018-12-07+140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGhkNS44SktOwnSQAHfy6bU__B3_ZQM2Oqk6lUC0cu537LPDm0CHsgb2xt1IhUc8yQ6Ha1BZIEFb0EY8ihsqbjpptxbUofDjss59JSqyZkXO-81VRJmEH8tD0Uod0MnetDHjjkrMg38Gz/s1600/2018-12-07+141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGhkNS44SktOwnSQAHfy6bU__B3_ZQM2Oqk6lUC0cu537LPDm0CHsgb2xt1IhUc8yQ6Ha1BZIEFb0EY8ihsqbjpptxbUofDjss59JSqyZkXO-81VRJmEH8tD0Uod0MnetDHjjkrMg38Gz/s320/2018-12-07+141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGwu_Hwf8Vy_d39eBrd898P5vnQfq2vqQEUGERiYhGJZrdv1L1JDct1mzozzbZmdRHUDg3PbBOB3jA0U9yQxFaQEsIbcR4rHgILpDJLW5lAXWZnEKcsQpsth2fSb1eDyRcQ2f3Ic6jmte/s1600/2018-12-07+143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGwu_Hwf8Vy_d39eBrd898P5vnQfq2vqQEUGERiYhGJZrdv1L1JDct1mzozzbZmdRHUDg3PbBOB3jA0U9yQxFaQEsIbcR4rHgILpDJLW5lAXWZnEKcsQpsth2fSb1eDyRcQ2f3Ic6jmte/s320/2018-12-07+143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My Catholic friends: Have you ever heard of a Baptismal Shell? This 18th century one was the first for me. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbe9tP5SBVmMOs54HNV8NPuvBKcjQcZoc2X6xa5tnRUg91255q60LHeLKfnFePpCC5pV9PtblhWDaPDC8dSh_UhjCCLL4Hz-JSYwnr8_PA476Q28CdVUs0dzmHFoXmf9mdWepkAWaoTdt/s1600/2018-12-07+145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbe9tP5SBVmMOs54HNV8NPuvBKcjQcZoc2X6xa5tnRUg91255q60LHeLKfnFePpCC5pV9PtblhWDaPDC8dSh_UhjCCLL4Hz-JSYwnr8_PA476Q28CdVUs0dzmHFoXmf9mdWepkAWaoTdt/s320/2018-12-07+145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am always rather appalled when I see such wildly extravagant (in my opinion) jewels in Catholic churches such as this silver piece with inlaid diamonds and amethysts from the 19th century as I think the money would have been better spent to help those in need.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1YI6NFcgWlfGCJaZ2wt5hzu4BLXnkSJ_B48iPjxtKwgc1KzLsDZfqiNvRYnnqQEB4hgZ8VonzNCINL5l7FJg7T6c_zc5mzLg8n_PrLsDKOaKnnF6mLIbYKo10RjRqLVCgqHOAJ3TMg8X/s1600/2018-12-07+148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1YI6NFcgWlfGCJaZ2wt5hzu4BLXnkSJ_B48iPjxtKwgc1KzLsDZfqiNvRYnnqQEB4hgZ8VonzNCINL5l7FJg7T6c_zc5mzLg8n_PrLsDKOaKnnF6mLIbYKo10RjRqLVCgqHOAJ3TMg8X/s320/2018-12-07+148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The embossed silver and chiseled silver and ivory altar set was from the 18th century. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkb8E5wtE5FgGRItxq2WRb0MaYtRTpuGHCZrg0jsLtZjlB1YK517RIDRh9ggnDcXzLtNzCJPcegC_Q5IPz3cgX7lkgJd_URalNpQZuQJlq9IJtYLVJxIVBcQ52dmgcAR4qrRFLagDi6zJ/s1600/2018-12-07+151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkb8E5wtE5FgGRItxq2WRb0MaYtRTpuGHCZrg0jsLtZjlB1YK517RIDRh9ggnDcXzLtNzCJPcegC_Q5IPz3cgX7lkgJd_URalNpQZuQJlq9IJtYLVJxIVBcQ52dmgcAR4qrRFLagDi6zJ/s320/2018-12-07+151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">S<b>anta Casa da Misericordia de Lisboa</b> was founded in 1498 under the auspices of <b>Queen Leonor</b> to help relieve the social and health problems in Portugal. The Misericordia adopted the image of the Virgin with an open cloak in a protective gesture which was extended to all social classes as its identifying symbol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gold, gold and more gold: It was apparently rare to find such rich and intact 18th century liturgical vestments as these. Commissioned in Rome and using gold and diamonds from Brazil, the pieces were executed by some of the most notable goldsmiths and embroiderers of the period.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitivu0DOW1FyJdFyoytQILBnDVcppQNkAcd9U9EblSbmKG1qxET4xlubmbhboNtjtB0e6aQWOsRN4-yTG8HtEYigdjW30CPDl364M-vRb5qyfYcknNzaf1_-1k-zI14RHKFjonvjJzly5p/s1600/2018-12-07+157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitivu0DOW1FyJdFyoytQILBnDVcppQNkAcd9U9EblSbmKG1qxET4xlubmbhboNtjtB0e6aQWOsRN4-yTG8HtEYigdjW30CPDl364M-vRb5qyfYcknNzaf1_-1k-zI14RHKFjonvjJzly5p/s320/2018-12-07+157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's been a while since I was able to add to my 'collection' of bathroom signs! Luckily, even though we'd just arrived in Portugal after spending so long in Spain, Steven and I were both able to get by with the new language. No doubt it helped having spent time in Brazil a year ago as part of our 3.5 month long trip to South America. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtaO4oztX4BCXoDJr500Ull-D3MLQLo4Z3DeseZeL_BXbTd7GterD5Slk7E7c-qaj4awMXjUKI7wBR7n3wlr1pQZfGv8PmAv-L2nKlz7ikdjYshRRJrzBAa0f4rO17j-GMNdPq-nEWW5ih/s1600/2018-12-07+166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtaO4oztX4BCXoDJr500Ull-D3MLQLo4Z3DeseZeL_BXbTd7GterD5Slk7E7c-qaj4awMXjUKI7wBR7n3wlr1pQZfGv8PmAv-L2nKlz7ikdjYshRRJrzBAa0f4rO17j-GMNdPq-nEWW5ih/s320/2018-12-07+166.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back out on the church square was the statue of a lottery ticket seller and two lottery kiosks nearby. Locals who buy into the <b>totoloto</b> like to rub the statue's well-polished ticket for good luck. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Down the street a bit was <b>Cervejaria da Trinidade,</b> billed as the oldest beer hall in the city and definitely worth a look for its 19th century tiles. Its main room was once a dining hall for monks and still held the pulpit from which the Bible was read as the monks ate. After religious orders were abolished in 1834, the monastery became a brewery!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Further down the hill was <b>Bairro do Avillez,</b> one of several restaurants owned by celebrity chef <b>Jose Avillez</b> whose goal is to bring traditional Portuguese recipes into the current century. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21uXtz_ZzFPhjRTEVwXZ01ZYWC4-GsQrz-FtJayPrFCPc-DLl_CetzUTbGK-MNJEc9ypxirAdknqDp-92aW4rI07cFUf-j2WSWN9usyXv3x5o3nkXYuVOXE_JMkMNaor-feux8ozR4Pm8/s1600/2018-12-07+178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21uXtz_ZzFPhjRTEVwXZ01ZYWC4-GsQrz-FtJayPrFCPc-DLl_CetzUTbGK-MNJEc9ypxirAdknqDp-92aW4rI07cFUf-j2WSWN9usyXv3x5o3nkXYuVOXE_JMkMNaor-feux8ozR4Pm8/s320/2018-12-07+178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Largo do Carmo </b>or square was decorated with old fountains and jacaranda trees imported from South America that bloomed with purple flowers in June.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One side of the square was taken up with the headquarters of the <b>National Guard</b> which was the last stand against the country's former dictatorship under <b>Antonio Salazar</b> who was modern Europe's longest ruling dictator. Portuguese people won their freedom in 1974 in a peaceful protest called the <b>Carnation Revolution,</b> a term that arose when revolutionaries put flowers in the guns of the soldiers guarding the building, making it clear that the time for democracy had come. The round plaque on the ground marked the event.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had seen the remains of the <b>Convento do Carmo</b> from Rossio Square that morning - now we saw far more of the convent that was almost entirely destroyed in the 1755 earthquake from Carmo Square. What remained were the delicate Gothic arches of the church that were preserved as a permanent reminder of the disastrous event. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the distance we caught yet another glimpse of the castle with the flags flying high.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">An architect who studied under <b>Gustav Eiffel</b> completed the 150 foot tall <b>Elevador de Santa Justa</b> in 1902 to connect the upper and lower parts of town. We didn't pay to climb the spiral stairs to the lookout at the top as we figured the views we already had were plenty good enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 100 year-old <b>Cafe A Brasileira</b> was a local institution for caffeine junkies after originally being a shop selling Brazilian products. Neither of us have ever cared that much for coffee, though, to want to while away time in a cafe while traveling. We're much more partial to relax and wind down in parks than cafes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The statue out front was of Lisbon poet <b>Fernando Pessoa</b> who was the city's creative </span><span style="font-size: large;">and literary soul during the 1920s and 1930s. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lina:</b> When you and Dan visited Lisbon, I wonder if you noticed the street lamps decorated with </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">the symbol of Lisbon: </span><span style="font-size: large;">a ship carrying the remains of <b>St. Vincent</b> and guarded by two ravens?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Walking along <b>Rua Garrett</b> in the neighboring Chiado neighborhood, we were again struck by the mosaic sidewalks.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iDCJNEhyC7ELvJ9sRMd9mKo6Md_zB5KHlDuJM_v6h-DjoU5_Be0_-z8My8m6Dp87QDbPiTVGYdFwhxwICxag2ywdDNxi_gVsEsfDg9dvzja_ANs38N6u3zML7JO0ueMgozG1EGL_hfW3/s1600/2018-12-07+215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iDCJNEhyC7ELvJ9sRMd9mKo6Md_zB5KHlDuJM_v6h-DjoU5_Be0_-z8My8m6Dp87QDbPiTVGYdFwhxwICxag2ywdDNxi_gVsEsfDg9dvzja_ANs38N6u3zML7JO0ueMgozG1EGL_hfW3/s320/2018-12-07+215.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Bertrand Bookstore </b>was listed by Guinness World Records as being the oldest operating bookshop as it was established in 1732. How my father would have loved it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Janina:</b> When, dear friend, have you seen a shop with your name on it before? Guess you'll have to go to Lisbon to check it out yourself one day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was but one of the many tiled buildings that caught our eye in the Chiado shopping district.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The street ended at the pretty swish six-floor shopping center called <b>Armazazens do Chaido</b> that we did spend some time in as they had a handy food court on the top floor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few minutes' walk from the mall was <b>Praca Luis de Camoes,</b> named for the great writer standing on the pillar and leaning on a sword. With that stance, he appeared more of a fighter than a man of words. I think this may well have been the largest Santa I've ever seen!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyone who's been to Portugal know of the country's national treat known as <i>pastel de nata</i> or custard tart. We'd read the best place in town to get them was <b>Manteigaria.</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately my photo doesn't do justice to the pastries filled with gooey custard that were then popped into a 750 degree oven to get just the right amount of caramelizing on top. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While Steven rested in the park above, I had great fun poking in the very upscale tile shop called <b>Fabrica Sant' Anna</b> that had been in existence since 1741. I finally came away with a small Christmas tile that I liked although Steven thought I should have bought something we could always look at to remind us of our time in Lisbon. That would be a great idea IF we ever return to Lisbon!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERodjpJOLfTOHlZzGdw3KcJ8gNNqSO99bsTmO9z4jcy3YDiVw1NC5zuPPeCnGfhvy5gI1_zoRaMvCVmaKzyXvx-rQf4eeKLyWR2DFMcpd38jcDQW3MaeJzTOkz3evD3hBnAxNY0j-UBpm/s1600/2018-12-07+236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERodjpJOLfTOHlZzGdw3KcJ8gNNqSO99bsTmO9z4jcy3YDiVw1NC5zuPPeCnGfhvy5gI1_zoRaMvCVmaKzyXvx-rQf4eeKLyWR2DFMcpd38jcDQW3MaeJzTOkz3evD3hBnAxNY0j-UBpm/s320/2018-12-07+236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I mentioned a while back, the Bairro Alto meant the Upper Town so we had lots and lots of steps to walk down as Lisbon should really be nicknamed the City of Hills!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I read that the elegant <b>Museum of Pharmacy and Health</b> had been nominated for the European Museum of the Year. However worthwhile it may have been, we weren't interested in looking at anything more than its exterior!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the same terrace was this equally attractive building that I think was a hotel but not sure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Facing the sea was the monument to the <b>Cape of Good Hope</b> that was certainly far different than the one we saw in South Africa a few years back! This was known as the <b>Cape of Torment</b> and personified the Cape as a monster as popularized by poet Camoes who almost deified the country's great explorers who had to overcome such demons in their seafaring voyages. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rather than walking down countless more steps to the lower part of town, we again elected to take another funicular - who wouldn't when it was so much fun, pretty inexpensive and we could sit back and relax?! The <b>Elevador da Bica</b> funicular </span><span style="font-size: large;">opened to the public in 1892 as the city's most picturesque route. It, too, was declared a national monument in 2002. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHs5HrY91MkJOb4yuj_GhBuXRQVM68Hqc4cvu-FIVUSdno7plDU1A-7iCgWju3Zk6T8RNWmPlcGOy7wWAjfXVIrymBA3W_61dY6OPrIEiaGDPjNO-AQSxOi2gMtSbUWr2Yt40K6mj2vXkZ/s1600/2018-12-07+255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHs5HrY91MkJOb4yuj_GhBuXRQVM68Hqc4cvu-FIVUSdno7plDU1A-7iCgWju3Zk6T8RNWmPlcGOy7wWAjfXVIrymBA3W_61dY6OPrIEiaGDPjNO-AQSxOi2gMtSbUWr2Yt40K6mj2vXkZ/s320/2018-12-07+255.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">People had to scurry out of the way when the funicular was passing by as it traveled down such narrow streets there wasn't much room between it and the shops or homes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When two passed side by side, there were only inches to spare!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We took it to the end of the line before then hopping on a bus along the waterfront to the Museum of Ancient Art. However, I shall leave that to anther day as this post is long enough and my day is done! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> I haven't yet decided; either The Museum of Ancient Art or our exciting day trip to Sintra!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on April 10th, 2019, on the second of Denver's 'bomb cyclones' this year.</i> </span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-34661906209107827352019-04-08T22:08:00.000-06:002019-04-10T12:51:04.186-06:0012/6: Lisbon's Castle of Sao Jorge, Alfama & Fado Music<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I returned two weeks ago from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow</i></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> that trip, </span></i><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">here's a link to the newest blog:</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After spending the last six weeks mostly in Spain, we took a quick morning flight from Sevilla to <b>Lisbon,</b> the capital of Portugal, a country that has been at the top of so many travel lists for the last couple of years at least. We were curious to see what all the 'hype' was about, but had only allocated ten days to explore the capital and two other cities north of there near the end of our 4.5 month long trip. It would give us a taste at least of what so many travel bloggers have been talking about and a sense of whether we'd want to return in the future for a longer hiatus. Hint: we definitely do!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Scenes I liked from one of the metro stops in Lisbon:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2v4RCf-tBUGdYWueqF_oQWBIDtiMwelLlRGKw67osvAQV20D38NCrS75lCfSJNQCqcG323hWU3yEsrJrrFp4FC7Y44vJAP_RVX0O8aApOa7dhWfXf3EHaFv5yq7muCPcpcyAHq0M-ekmK/s1600/2018-12-06+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2v4RCf-tBUGdYWueqF_oQWBIDtiMwelLlRGKw67osvAQV20D38NCrS75lCfSJNQCqcG323hWU3yEsrJrrFp4FC7Y44vJAP_RVX0O8aApOa7dhWfXf3EHaFv5yq7muCPcpcyAHq0M-ekmK/s320/2018-12-06+002.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After finding our way to our third-floor apartment we'd rented in the very hilly city for the next five nights, we dumped our bags and began exploring our own <b>Alfama</b> neighborhood. Known as the colorful sailors' quarter, travel write <b>Rick Steves</b> wrote that it dated back to the age of Visigoth occupation from the 6th to the 8th centuries and was also a bustling district during the Moorish era before finally becoming the home of Lisbon's mariners. It was hard not to be struck immediately by the amount of graffiti we saw - we realized soon that it was not just limited to this area but sadly seemed to be typical of the entire city.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyf47RWlsPjfkk4KP4MCYyRG79su-IMrq_GQI6K15ULxK2PrEsfKI8TQSVXCDl4zsQOVlI53RkeaxQrsr16wW01b2u8i3N65YFSinR4rgvk3GvLy4ZmmMnm-RubCaARUd8DtpLBy02OMPT/s1600/2018-12-06+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyf47RWlsPjfkk4KP4MCYyRG79su-IMrq_GQI6K15ULxK2PrEsfKI8TQSVXCDl4zsQOVlI53RkeaxQrsr16wW01b2u8i3N65YFSinR4rgvk3GvLy4ZmmMnm-RubCaARUd8DtpLBy02OMPT/s320/2018-12-06+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nearby was the highest point in the city, the <b>Sao Jorge Castle</b> and its <b>Gate</b> that were part of a fortification that went back to the 11th century when Moors built it to house their army and provide a safe haven for the powerful people when they were under siege. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the center of the terrace was a statue of <b>Alfonso Henriques,</b> a warlord with a strong personal army who </span><span style="font-size: large;">founded Portugal</span><span style="font-size: large;"> in 1147 when he besieged the former Moorish castle for five months until the residents gave in. According to Steves, all school children know of their country's first king and Reconquista hero. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the Christian noble Henriques called for help to vanquish the Moors from his newly founded Portugal, the Crusaders who helped him prayed to Sao Jorge or</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> St. George </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">as he's known in English. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The castle's namesake</span><span style="font-size: large;"> is often portrayed slaying a dragon and, we remembered, was especially popular in Ethiopia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Strolling along the ramparts we had marvelous views overlooking the <b>Rio Tejo,</b> one of five main rivers in the country but four of which come from Spain. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking southward, in the foggy distance we could just make out the Golden Gate-like <b>25th of April Bridge</b> which led to the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Cristo Rei </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">or Christ the King statue on the other side of the river.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZwYJsMU0b39jTYSt_nrkoa2ur1JLPNlingYnLO6dNkOshRlJcsoyzD_wL_MIyJMGUtN_V7OzO834ZtaYQvsSwHKqUOSHffA-rE6AddJrPHcUdVbHxeAhGy0SVLuFapnCgmbXce9W69MA/s1600/2018-12-06+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZwYJsMU0b39jTYSt_nrkoa2ur1JLPNlingYnLO6dNkOshRlJcsoyzD_wL_MIyJMGUtN_V7OzO834ZtaYQvsSwHKqUOSHffA-rE6AddJrPHcUdVbHxeAhGy0SVLuFapnCgmbXce9W69MA/s320/2018-12-06+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The castle's sloping walls were typical of castles of the period and were designed to withstand 14th century canon balls. Portugal's royalty lived in the castle until the 16th century when they moved to a palace. The castle became a military garrison and remained so even after suffering major damage in the 1755 earthquake. It became a national monument in the 20th century. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVefUBhj1rue0K-eqpOoaEf86w-XCT_HMorz9pJW2LdDk4-Obe3UYCDrdjPYbeaU5RcZlSk9okd_Z3bm_NdwDtTq6kiP3VHG5X7ipURxF_ucWbBMv3kKrDH4jis5CiTZp3_ev-Nda7XvG/s1600/2018-12-06+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVefUBhj1rue0K-eqpOoaEf86w-XCT_HMorz9pJW2LdDk4-Obe3UYCDrdjPYbeaU5RcZlSk9okd_Z3bm_NdwDtTq6kiP3VHG5X7ipURxF_ucWbBMv3kKrDH4jis5CiTZp3_ev-Nda7XvG/s320/2018-12-06+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9D68HPdONPRiqVDEYLLx1HKLCiQ80x8B6VEhPoK9NyMUSWltLYMaeAE_jy4oMBk62YwzDdpiw-AKBG0N_7DugBKHqVSBtR_C7Prnub9fw0eRh1FJQT5BfjygZIQkscouQv0CSjoTx5EE/s1600/2018-12-06+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9D68HPdONPRiqVDEYLLx1HKLCiQ80x8B6VEhPoK9NyMUSWltLYMaeAE_jy4oMBk62YwzDdpiw-AKBG0N_7DugBKHqVSBtR_C7Prnub9fw0eRh1FJQT5BfjygZIQkscouQv0CSjoTx5EE/s320/2018-12-06+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUigL7wzmKeVZVtJ2qndtrWr3au4xG8sagbvEMqFfWVZ9fU8GyqY8h4I7NbmYviotGJ5C_xVU-1H9kQcWYc_6E9N_yQhToZEYxLdiGuJBia0K67ZWiFpW9UmyiqUBw7NFIyQz0I_7QfUyL/s1600/2018-12-06+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUigL7wzmKeVZVtJ2qndtrWr3au4xG8sagbvEMqFfWVZ9fU8GyqY8h4I7NbmYviotGJ5C_xVU-1H9kQcWYc_6E9N_yQhToZEYxLdiGuJBia0K67ZWiFpW9UmyiqUBw7NFIyQz0I_7QfUyL/s320/2018-12-06+029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even though we'd been told the castle was pretty stark and only contained rebuilt ruins, we still thought it warranted an hour or so of our time and it would be fun to walk along the castle's walls.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25U0hEOEm1JZThz6E2lU7gthwWvI7WLmNSwgym_4yP_9YRTdFbdTxKB3OhAd5cr2nC32xQcAZZIF2ifaYltJ0Aeh3UVrXiWB1c4aB4xuzM38_E5DT8jMchLqNVsowYNN7edsahWW0qhhc/s1600/2018-12-06+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25U0hEOEm1JZThz6E2lU7gthwWvI7WLmNSwgym_4yP_9YRTdFbdTxKB3OhAd5cr2nC32xQcAZZIF2ifaYltJ0Aeh3UVrXiWB1c4aB4xuzM38_E5DT8jMchLqNVsowYNN7edsahWW0qhhc/s320/2018-12-06+031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdi_P-wv1D3CQLuoiDMZUr5BlNhUFvWhNCeiOMx1yJArxHybm-7IUmHSCOvXhUTwwFjU-nVsP3tkALOzOLC0BFzrTo50ayRW-g3-vRCZzNq7cBuwMDPQEvlXF4AtP7jNfaORbCbmkJDDNV/s1600/2018-12-06+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdi_P-wv1D3CQLuoiDMZUr5BlNhUFvWhNCeiOMx1yJArxHybm-7IUmHSCOvXhUTwwFjU-nVsP3tkALOzOLC0BFzrTo50ayRW-g3-vRCZzNq7cBuwMDPQEvlXF4AtP7jNfaORbCbmkJDDNV/s320/2018-12-06+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By now with all our travels, we've been in a few castles but none had walls that were as thick as these, we thought. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9he9dGyQCI7IcNKfC5fx-vPAkts8QOO7mlDfMxeJ_341k-MR02ykoNQnX-8wdUrBSNkZRlwT0U6f4_vX1deTJLmQxRwk4IkkqzGXZFDsYSlDZQ8kygBftUoLs08BWEs1f-ZJY08IkCslm/s1600/2018-12-06+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9he9dGyQCI7IcNKfC5fx-vPAkts8QOO7mlDfMxeJ_341k-MR02ykoNQnX-8wdUrBSNkZRlwT0U6f4_vX1deTJLmQxRwk4IkkqzGXZFDsYSlDZQ8kygBftUoLs08BWEs1f-ZJY08IkCslm/s320/2018-12-06+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We really got a great sense of how big the city was while walking along the walls. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGFlW4H3wKBhwI38pc9vu6nNnSweSGLg1OpGZSoo314lzHfNPpSlgqYihAH9_UiqVl9jTc-IFPFw7gmDk6BygkS2t1d-BUF94Ew7qjCnCe7C57epqsd-4ofmLrXZwxjGUR6At3mvDYnPS/s1600/2018-12-06+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGFlW4H3wKBhwI38pc9vu6nNnSweSGLg1OpGZSoo314lzHfNPpSlgqYihAH9_UiqVl9jTc-IFPFw7gmDk6BygkS2t1d-BUF94Ew7qjCnCe7C57epqsd-4ofmLrXZwxjGUR6At3mvDYnPS/s320/2018-12-06+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Portuguese flag:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfxOyWlu4Y5yj9IB5ZX7_aR4wsdZqN4LDnh2xmAOX60klLUPyAoMBAoUQROjVLDINqt_zdyIc5PAgnWbjkIXHoVV1ZFf-ecUlhvnR2RWprUEa_u2dOu3lfXU5eLRohmKTzZW9z2TV197x/s1600/2018-12-06+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfxOyWlu4Y5yj9IB5ZX7_aR4wsdZqN4LDnh2xmAOX60klLUPyAoMBAoUQROjVLDINqt_zdyIc5PAgnWbjkIXHoVV1ZFf-ecUlhvnR2RWprUEa_u2dOu3lfXU5eLRohmKTzZW9z2TV197x/s320/2018-12-06+051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyytk9oeIdI3dIA_Nqxq6vxP6Ao6GgT30cnAopCzbuO43mISvszku4WPbIGbMz3fFktancj__ngjq7VBut9o9aXonmlKC13m7bUI5COEndOGkVVmwyuG72SDgB-ADsShZ6zHSOaXz2IhnU/s1600/2018-12-06+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyytk9oeIdI3dIA_Nqxq6vxP6Ao6GgT30cnAopCzbuO43mISvszku4WPbIGbMz3fFktancj__ngjq7VBut9o9aXonmlKC13m7bUI5COEndOGkVVmwyuG72SDgB-ADsShZ6zHSOaXz2IhnU/s320/2018-12-06+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was glad neither of us suffered from vertigo as the view into one of the inner courtyards would have been very uncomfortable, especially as the safety barriers were minimal.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MTWOR-Bu-hkJwkOZZqSzB__roMVh1yU76f2rInvphnet56PwpTyWvilKmYfu8nqNNSjfPZo4IZ1HSQjxaG0bhMz8HFgBqROwj0SYglGKPtg96tzEgq0Dd-ov2qibx6bpJlWNgtKRMrl_/s1600/2018-12-06+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MTWOR-Bu-hkJwkOZZqSzB__roMVh1yU76f2rInvphnet56PwpTyWvilKmYfu8nqNNSjfPZo4IZ1HSQjxaG0bhMz8HFgBqROwj0SYglGKPtg96tzEgq0Dd-ov2qibx6bpJlWNgtKRMrl_/s320/2018-12-06+061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kXh_s4gRfl5Tc0W2OO2eUMhsA4dfAaIKnwm4rdsh_XCIFRhr5UFtcoSqtbgKAVFczWNuafQkoK09QZ641U3BN3wDiWEr3k6arba-U6gkHxGE0HWx444zKFj4NJQ8WubhWFrx_dTYs2Sw/s1600/2018-12-06+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kXh_s4gRfl5Tc0W2OO2eUMhsA4dfAaIKnwm4rdsh_XCIFRhr5UFtcoSqtbgKAVFczWNuafQkoK09QZ641U3BN3wDiWEr3k6arba-U6gkHxGE0HWx444zKFj4NJQ8WubhWFrx_dTYs2Sw/s320/2018-12-06+062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDt15MZ8-g6aPSagLDKvyztYAS9TLRmm3WNhVfIYihL4paOalfbedwvoJQS294sXO0VG7o4YpqoCj32SV_Y8SzWEk8TkZQZ6jzUgALZdUho3uDGmIaLdAt1WQVdnwDeZxa1fXPxiDxRZz/s1600/2018-12-06+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDt15MZ8-g6aPSagLDKvyztYAS9TLRmm3WNhVfIYihL4paOalfbedwvoJQS294sXO0VG7o4YpqoCj32SV_Y8SzWEk8TkZQZ6jzUgALZdUho3uDGmIaLdAt1WQVdnwDeZxa1fXPxiDxRZz/s320/2018-12-06+063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You'd have liked seeing this <b>Field Falcon canon</b> from the end of the 14th century in one of the courtyards, <b>Zachary. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5121LARIMg0_WP5_Vy41CM_1XC-ejOwjHmrNZnBuq-jM1kqW9cIPWn0KZ6AnH11R8No5nhOenP0zqLEz_7OVX2PXeJ2gYBLhvV3b_XoNtkvIY3SeyRZOePES6nz9_6Xe7_RFp3daqmIgb/s1600/2018-12-06+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5121LARIMg0_WP5_Vy41CM_1XC-ejOwjHmrNZnBuq-jM1kqW9cIPWn0KZ6AnH11R8No5nhOenP0zqLEz_7OVX2PXeJ2gYBLhvV3b_XoNtkvIY3SeyRZOePES6nz9_6Xe7_RFp3daqmIgb/s320/2018-12-06+064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We read in the small museum that the cities in what is now Portugal were characterized by their long-time Moorish presence just like so many cities we'd visited in Spain had also been. This was particularly evident in the country's ports where the city's heart was found in the <i>medina</i> or marketplace. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Likewise, many of the foods still popular today in Portuguese cuisine come from the country's Arab roots. Evidence of that were the animal bones found that had been used for cooking.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyl8KDInKRflgqAIWYP5_n53j2KjyBdk0vkYItw14bM1dBbUB942FQzFLn06TECsiyhmpZD70JovP2Pb_DZo351jAos4NR_XZoimfC6m869gxcjNTq2aAWL0DsdpNtHtF0TjBHWOKBaeYZ/s1600/2018-12-06+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyl8KDInKRflgqAIWYP5_n53j2KjyBdk0vkYItw14bM1dBbUB942FQzFLn06TECsiyhmpZD70JovP2Pb_DZo351jAos4NR_XZoimfC6m869gxcjNTq2aAWL0DsdpNtHtF0TjBHWOKBaeYZ/s320/2018-12-06+075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFrQhXanBOv7DvEwVZlvqXuWD_uR5qESApXjqzs85To_gkoyJjrxIcgGU7o9l1ftu5U66zXavzFr5g9ihPSz3yB6cxnfOWnRlYhVs3j9lOxrxha7U1wlyaZbkK9WwmxgjUFDNnNdJ7byM/s1600/2018-12-06+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFrQhXanBOv7DvEwVZlvqXuWD_uR5qESApXjqzs85To_gkoyJjrxIcgGU7o9l1ftu5U66zXavzFr5g9ihPSz3yB6cxnfOWnRlYhVs3j9lOxrxha7U1wlyaZbkK9WwmxgjUFDNnNdJ7byM/s320/2018-12-06+080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you've been reading my recent posts about the gorgeous tiles we saw all over Spain, you won't be surprised to know that the same use of tiles to cover walls and floors to make them more attractive became widespread also in Portugal at the end of the 15th century. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLjAeDo0X9JPK6uV_3T2FrRdfhT5635jY9navicK0Z-PzX7h2BmJz73lz-aY7dPJiLHmBJjvt9-hR1bVGy7YqQv_X8wLK4alzXp2yb0VdkZOH4Q2vLvB0FI0DXHMR3z3UzNX9-kLGmB4h/s1600/2018-12-06+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLjAeDo0X9JPK6uV_3T2FrRdfhT5635jY9navicK0Z-PzX7h2BmJz73lz-aY7dPJiLHmBJjvt9-hR1bVGy7YqQv_X8wLK4alzXp2yb0VdkZOH4Q2vLvB0FI0DXHMR3z3UzNX9-kLGmB4h/s320/2018-12-06+082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until the end of the 16th century, smoking was an unknown habit to Europeans. The introduction of the tobacco plant in Europe can be traced to the Portuguese and Spanish navigators. Smoking was thought to help with many illnesses including migraines and gout. In the 17th century, pipe smoking became widespread and hundreds of manufacturing sites sprang up all over Europe to produce clay pipes composed of a bowl to hold a small amount of tobacco and a long shank of varying lengths. The latter were decorated with ornaments and the hallmarks of each production center. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yxSBerAfPapT-bXz3gumZVCy0KX4cqV5xGgEmVdlRdkpsmZw52dKm-24Bu7cP0dFxtDZ2JHXE-TOu2jnxQze3kdL8hxaraZ97mAGF5GKhy5FzgWcqK648kJItKmFUysKJt-cUTPkv85v/s1600/2018-12-06+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yxSBerAfPapT-bXz3gumZVCy0KX4cqV5xGgEmVdlRdkpsmZw52dKm-24Bu7cP0dFxtDZ2JHXE-TOu2jnxQze3kdL8hxaraZ97mAGF5GKhy5FzgWcqK648kJItKmFUysKJt-cUTPkv85v/s320/2018-12-06+088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just outside the castle was a small neighborhood, known as <b>Castle Town</b> in English, that was built for Portuguese nobles to live close to their king.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOLpWpip5I4PBq4JeN0ociqrpk7kRa2Fhkt_gWS-PLyWMIaYE3bLCsrEH2Ta-YsuY9dQUaMBxO56yJpDZstsFv37WP0AbX4KCIPKyOot09YCWoTaVvMpif9-LybvrGK4mahCx82LJENif/s1600/2018-12-06+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOLpWpip5I4PBq4JeN0ociqrpk7kRa2Fhkt_gWS-PLyWMIaYE3bLCsrEH2Ta-YsuY9dQUaMBxO56yJpDZstsFv37WP0AbX4KCIPKyOot09YCWoTaVvMpif9-LybvrGK4mahCx82LJENif/s320/2018-12-06+089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLs1cPwkNFwgBUOy-PIMnSWaJ1i9shXC0yYdSOTC-cG8q8MRXxJbExJLnd1-2P8ONvXnyALqU4xy5omt1XYX-0Mp19OWg0zDyzJbwGnPX-ZwCxFVpi_cM3MAv5Kwqfvbd-O-YlWfs9VOsp/s1600/2018-12-06+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLs1cPwkNFwgBUOy-PIMnSWaJ1i9shXC0yYdSOTC-cG8q8MRXxJbExJLnd1-2P8ONvXnyALqU4xy5omt1XYX-0Mp19OWg0zDyzJbwGnPX-ZwCxFVpi_cM3MAv5Kwqfvbd-O-YlWfs9VOsp/s320/2018-12-06+090.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Church of the Castle</b> was the oldest church in Lisbon. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDucLtryJ1h5TnehXMb4L6zQinmSDoVE0omzraxB2DfWelH2GAkWv_PFpdveSIRKblASHt9GtVS8ecXTzX3vbbmh5BP-jFu8OSLwSTK4FD-mGsua3BcxAAd-7-xaGNT4cC-u-g_BPZrLm/s1600/2018-12-06+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDucLtryJ1h5TnehXMb4L6zQinmSDoVE0omzraxB2DfWelH2GAkWv_PFpdveSIRKblASHt9GtVS8ecXTzX3vbbmh5BP-jFu8OSLwSTK4FD-mGsua3BcxAAd-7-xaGNT4cC-u-g_BPZrLm/s320/2018-12-06+091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaPARtZKcr1CpFck-f79oa0JlxWr2BlGoFWvSpqXAIEjuljckIwinZEvrnKIAxfbReR7F6zJ1AA1YWTQ30N14H_UIv5mWkJ-v53L5oj845-_o2RdImzCkaCxPLyTtMWbTG97f08DKWEqJ/s1600/2018-12-06+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaPARtZKcr1CpFck-f79oa0JlxWr2BlGoFWvSpqXAIEjuljckIwinZEvrnKIAxfbReR7F6zJ1AA1YWTQ30N14H_UIv5mWkJ-v53L5oj845-_o2RdImzCkaCxPLyTtMWbTG97f08DKWEqJ/s320/2018-12-06+094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-dvPQw6TTn6djZlLz1m9RIZgg6US5kLPUnEf4yRNVIJqVNg-l-B7GAzp-ejeEzOLk7OuSYl6PNuu82ZLdZo4gp48UxChWSz3ImFN5o7nPLWpFGfRQvSRXT1TrKLRU9qn-kwvNks0zW3U/s1600/2018-12-06+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-dvPQw6TTn6djZlLz1m9RIZgg6US5kLPUnEf4yRNVIJqVNg-l-B7GAzp-ejeEzOLk7OuSYl6PNuu82ZLdZo4gp48UxChWSz3ImFN5o7nPLWpFGfRQvSRXT1TrKLRU9qn-kwvNks0zW3U/s320/2018-12-06+093.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most of the houses in the neighborhood dated to the Middle Ages. Thanks to Steves' book, we went on a 'cultural scavenger hunt.' One of the things we saw were short doors that were tall enough for people five hundred years ago but definitely not now. Another was the noble family crest over some doors when important families wanted to be close to the king.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQWSnM7inBjfS_xOw7-EAY71q9Tiv8eKasIreUclSd7egeE6klw6Ps2MFmSo_zON1Cr9u8qCdmRlOQA9b-WumoPxhmzeI0o1rI0LDsdjO4EouEsgt5XLf2XAay2tfbQBd_7xbE1vHQvIE/s1600/2018-12-06+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQWSnM7inBjfS_xOw7-EAY71q9Tiv8eKasIreUclSd7egeE6klw6Ps2MFmSo_zON1Cr9u8qCdmRlOQA9b-WumoPxhmzeI0o1rI0LDsdjO4EouEsgt5XLf2XAay2tfbQBd_7xbE1vHQvIE/s320/2018-12-06+096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2vRH5ghpGSHRN6ckyrfIvB5jpoKlOO1ScjydWFbdBEmtJZHehuhgBMbZHhKkhyaLrauz2YV-Fm4nCitv0iYF4odb3Lpz1dk_6IY0ZqbQedY5Ql1ZgQiliCk3RRfENYkxJfUc52yvMiV7/s1600/2018-12-06+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2vRH5ghpGSHRN6ckyrfIvB5jpoKlOO1ScjydWFbdBEmtJZHehuhgBMbZHhKkhyaLrauz2YV-Fm4nCitv0iYF4odb3Lpz1dk_6IY0ZqbQedY5Ql1ZgQiliCk3RRfENYkxJfUc52yvMiV7/s320/2018-12-06+098.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1AgZmvxEyCxDqFOhnsEI2ah659XuXxWMDfi9dKu7xk1aVY24YwDVWjxA9xFdWs6rzvK9PQcJk3qhBvFub2vI7eiBINps-1cjTKK9j3gT30OZrgwstH_o6R_8UxmUZ1u6lFMc7hdR7lMB/s1600/2018-12-06+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1AgZmvxEyCxDqFOhnsEI2ah659XuXxWMDfi9dKu7xk1aVY24YwDVWjxA9xFdWs6rzvK9PQcJk3qhBvFub2vI7eiBINps-1cjTKK9j3gT30OZrgwstH_o6R_8UxmUZ1u6lFMc7hdR7lMB/s320/2018-12-06+095.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">An unusual thing were the glass bottoms of bottles jutting out of house walls that were part of a </span><span style="font-size: large;">space-efficient triangular contraption to dry clothes; w</span><span style="font-size: large;">hen in use, sticks were inserted!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmodRP2O4B1VQGMO5CGGkoeXxkWYLONsyDbUrzlkY4lZH2X73dFIn9awHiBREjfEjuVofqc-MGm5JvGw27zYyccVYgvMP13DCHRmxOH9phPMd5Sbx24jAChtV528vLpYAg65Cn0kvYYPL/s1600/2018-12-06+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmodRP2O4B1VQGMO5CGGkoeXxkWYLONsyDbUrzlkY4lZH2X73dFIn9awHiBREjfEjuVofqc-MGm5JvGw27zYyccVYgvMP13DCHRmxOH9phPMd5Sbx24jAChtV528vLpYAg65Cn0kvYYPL/s320/2018-12-06+099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many of the exteriors were adorned with decorated tiles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The very attractive square. <b>Largo Santa Lucia,</b> was busy with old timers playing cards and plenty of fellow tourists admiring the terrace. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HhKc39dGNNNLhdkkqAYT2JEKXNKHsANAaOIz4e5jSe-puNhXOgWuzSXut0-apw6eG_aXnwcTqAB5dAOPVLrlvopJnnJ_kMrBKY2k9ZaY-yvEbMVUOYNYHTenxMVxgFevmTlyFYNNmDte/s1600/2018-12-06+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HhKc39dGNNNLhdkkqAYT2JEKXNKHsANAaOIz4e5jSe-puNhXOgWuzSXut0-apw6eG_aXnwcTqAB5dAOPVLrlvopJnnJ_kMrBKY2k9ZaY-yvEbMVUOYNYHTenxMVxgFevmTlyFYNNmDte/s320/2018-12-06+109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the wall of the church facing the square were two 18th century images in tile. The first showed the <b>Praca do Comercio</b> or Commerce Square with the royal palace that was completely destroyed in the earthquake. The second one illustrated the reconquest of Lisbon from the Moors by Henriques.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdkB-_NkF5HmAwtduAju5RRgIQk7oQK2qCpqDwR9B-_w51Iikp_K4nJY0L4KwziCDeR5pdlTkHK-KZPUhlmwiQYWjjdc-66d8j49Pa7em0Nj1YuEtcYZQLjX3ERk4WpCVuZSWjOdLiffq/s1600/2018-12-06+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdkB-_NkF5HmAwtduAju5RRgIQk7oQK2qCpqDwR9B-_w51Iikp_K4nJY0L4KwziCDeR5pdlTkHK-KZPUhlmwiQYWjjdc-66d8j49Pa7em0Nj1YuEtcYZQLjX3ERk4WpCVuZSWjOdLiffq/s320/2018-12-06+114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the terrace were drop-dead gorgeous panoramic views of the Alfama neighborhood that we were on our way to see. Of course, seeing the city bathed in a bright blue sky helped immensely!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGiDzy6mwjnempTipyTRRyw4nEBM6vge1-iqi3_eb7V83qqRJbI5ooMf3KPQAfZE_BJuPBGh0D-E3nmUQIerHPM_nYXxtb1ZB9TahH5eeVQdSXIhTlwktiJyisbfEAjmpW7OAw1Tw5enN/s1600/2018-12-06+120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGiDzy6mwjnempTipyTRRyw4nEBM6vge1-iqi3_eb7V83qqRJbI5ooMf3KPQAfZE_BJuPBGh0D-E3nmUQIerHPM_nYXxtb1ZB9TahH5eeVQdSXIhTlwktiJyisbfEAjmpW7OAw1Tw5enN/s320/2018-12-06+120.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of Lisbon's iconic sights was its many trams but we sure learned quickly to be on the lookout for them before crossing streets! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxQ-TO9WspCS1WuycEWEh8wl3gTxbzUn0iv2sQHb-ix_kmZGIhfxANYZf0WmmGg0Yp4FgICQHNbrVV1LuGiE9GIQkxGEkO9tBoUcBxBETPtiY-CmWSTit0uSy9yEzgaT9wU4_q_Y3jhYw/s1600/2018-12-06+122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxQ-TO9WspCS1WuycEWEh8wl3gTxbzUn0iv2sQHb-ix_kmZGIhfxANYZf0WmmGg0Yp4FgICQHNbrVV1LuGiE9GIQkxGEkO9tBoUcBxBETPtiY-CmWSTit0uSy9yEzgaT9wU4_q_Y3jhYw/s320/2018-12-06+122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Museum and School of Portuguese Decorative Arts</b> probably would have been an interesting stop to experience what a noble home looked like during the city's heyday but we'd had our fill of palatial homes after Spain and couldn't handle seeing one more just then!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8GuvJtP_K1nUFYbZpAnVjWQW3nTFkatrSZa-YWmxUED1gdHP8cezuf5t5rHvdwxkoiul8hFAHQPYQBOrlteo2wKLhbZKfWlL68SAYG7_LHIeJbWaBooGCNtqZH8p3RFVr9ChR7iQjoaj/s1600/2018-12-06+123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8GuvJtP_K1nUFYbZpAnVjWQW3nTFkatrSZa-YWmxUED1gdHP8cezuf5t5rHvdwxkoiul8hFAHQPYQBOrlteo2wKLhbZKfWlL68SAYG7_LHIeJbWaBooGCNtqZH8p3RFVr9ChR7iQjoaj/s320/2018-12-06+123.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the <b>Monastery of </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>St. Vincent</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">was constructed around 1600 by the Spanish king</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Philip II, </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">he had this statue built to honor him.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYT59wTutbQhyphenhyphen-GOnu0xtiusEMm3dZtjtCKNn-W-CmVZjeA_gZLUBNjH9g0L6Zkchc-NaOZlhMFq5AUK3XdrL8Wtbl1PAHgYkEsRN16hmZt18Upm0mQaU2OXZVRKTeMtc8WbX9SPPGdvR/s1600/2018-12-06+128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYT59wTutbQhyphenhyphen-GOnu0xtiusEMm3dZtjtCKNn-W-CmVZjeA_gZLUBNjH9g0L6Zkchc-NaOZlhMFq5AUK3XdrL8Wtbl1PAHgYkEsRN16hmZt18Upm0mQaU2OXZVRKTeMtc8WbX9SPPGdvR/s320/2018-12-06+128.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So often Steven and I always seem to be climbing gazillions of stairs on our trips - it was so refreshing to walk down the long flight of stairs beside the fortified wall that once marked the boundary of Moorish Lisbon. It was amazing to think the stones had been stacked over a thousand years ago; they looked like they would last another thousand, too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Part of the way down was a brightly colored cartoon mural under an arch that depicted Lisbon's history. That was definitely a first and a fun way to learn about the city's origins!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NFqWmTQL1JserjlMA1hCuYXSmhTdPeosKgA4t8a4azuqZZKSy_aGWssKZJl9ex-7rYnvpphd7D7_KN0kcXY9Mnox3-v-OBz3oCSBEyH0Ii7HhGTSTzE2AjUmTIXp0wmHWheiG5UwoNNV/s1600/2018-12-06+132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NFqWmTQL1JserjlMA1hCuYXSmhTdPeosKgA4t8a4azuqZZKSy_aGWssKZJl9ex-7rYnvpphd7D7_KN0kcXY9Mnox3-v-OBz3oCSBEyH0Ii7HhGTSTzE2AjUmTIXp0wmHWheiG5UwoNNV/s320/2018-12-06+132.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlH67dNgAm7UJcNMVp_6m0kpMUAS9ZdX_Q8kWZjPG7FuRxvmCzOdH6FGuq3qGe4bbBOoGv9PKDMXVbP6wInC5zmiTERFUhdWp0UeRKswh595CXSPuzHcLOWbYDnLO6ZzR9LCgig-BA3tn2/s1600/2018-12-06+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlH67dNgAm7UJcNMVp_6m0kpMUAS9ZdX_Q8kWZjPG7FuRxvmCzOdH6FGuq3qGe4bbBOoGv9PKDMXVbP6wInC5zmiTERFUhdWp0UeRKswh595CXSPuzHcLOWbYDnLO6ZzR9LCgig-BA3tn2/s320/2018-12-06+133.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Did I tell you there were lots and lots of stairs down to the bottom?! <b>Janina</b> - I doubt even your new bionic knees could have taken them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What a panic it would be here once a year when a positively insane mountain-bike street race takes place here from the castle to the sea! The sheer madness takes just two minutes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the bottom of all those stairs was the heart of the Alfama, the sweet <b>Largo de Sao Miguel</b> or St. Michael's Square with its attractive balconies and cafes. The tiny balconies could only be "one and a half hands" in width as part of a strictly enforced health initiative designed to keep the town open and well ventilated. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Steven was happy as even he felt like a giant in front of the tiny doorways!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was common to see doors open and carafes of wine on small tables. We figured they may be expecting friends or they were for people to leave some money after taking a glass of vino - we weren't sure, though. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Traditionally the neighborhood here was tightly knit with families normally sitting down to communal dinners in the streets. Because few homes had their own bathrooms or washers, there was a public one in each neighborhood. The demographics have changed with many of the residents having chosen to live where there are more conveniences. Immigrant laborers moved in until the bad economy forced them to move. Now, the area is occupied by young bohemians.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not far from the Alfama was the <b>Fado Museum</b> which paid homage to the fado music unique to Portugal just as flamenco belongs to Spain. I was really curious about learning about the unique musical style but Steven preferred to wait for me as he was tired from getting up early that morning.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwoFemCDTivmei9rpLpPovCDRnWT_XSVgqDkYedttWluzuOBxToB0MSmBuSnuLj8-xdswKBcUUPKVZRvli5ZmNolmwZf0wAszBXO2p6kTq14aubirUGb5aM0H32GcMPEMbYCWJAVkIfLT/s1600/2018-12-06+159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwoFemCDTivmei9rpLpPovCDRnWT_XSVgqDkYedttWluzuOBxToB0MSmBuSnuLj8-xdswKBcUUPKVZRvli5ZmNolmwZf0wAszBXO2p6kTq14aubirUGb5aM0H32GcMPEMbYCWJAVkIfLT/s320/2018-12-06+159.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjIY2Sbi6kVF4DOGcCaX26rI3ugEJxrcb8tlF6gwXJS-swT3vKovQHRkZmMf1yaRSpISn8H6v-OslQGHC0-wQp1LdmRdY5cclL9yyBIIcCgAvLjGtbBLCsETXdKMM4eHDMMQVAynJb6Mm/s1600/2018-12-06+161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjIY2Sbi6kVF4DOGcCaX26rI3ugEJxrcb8tlF6gwXJS-swT3vKovQHRkZmMf1yaRSpISn8H6v-OslQGHC0-wQp1LdmRdY5cclL9yyBIIcCgAvLjGtbBLCsETXdKMM4eHDMMQVAynJb6Mm/s320/2018-12-06+161.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I watched a wonderful video that explained, via absorbing interviews with several renowned fado singers, that </span><span style="font-size: large;">their music spread from the ancient roots of Lisbon, from the tolerated margins of society to social acceptance over time. One singer explained t</span><span style="font-size: large;">he hope was that it reaches people's souls, that it<b> is</b> the Portuguese soul set to music. Another said it was a sort of literature for everyone, an "alchemy between a poem and music to create magic between the singers and the audience."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukI6Ltbz3P4v9L2JrEOawsSei9eFNaLRcjJ9bzftV88KJLaaEFLTSki3Oc_UJqrsOy0kGA9_RWHQM9D0S8bBK6l9TgNXDfd0hRnlQCNpsLPpoU2tQgt87n3d_9UKnVUwHseFvzsy1Oog2/s1600/2018-12-06+162+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukI6Ltbz3P4v9L2JrEOawsSei9eFNaLRcjJ9bzftV88KJLaaEFLTSki3Oc_UJqrsOy0kGA9_RWHQM9D0S8bBK6l9TgNXDfd0hRnlQCNpsLPpoU2tQgt87n3d_9UKnVUwHseFvzsy1Oog2/s320/2018-12-06+162+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was strong disagreement among the artists about whether fado music can be learned or whether it was intrinsic inside the singers from birth. Most seemed to agree that they learned from listening to other practitioners of the musical style. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkt4_41GFObgronSjg0zoMUQ9nYV4ROVNj9Z3KqqRjQIjrfKPMUriR2802Qk1YT53nuCZNjQTNVO2Pv5XJ-HcrW2vYYw6R1f6vqpa6S7RDX4h44h6HmooomMTBnA24LEusjAVaXAZoJ6Ga/s1600/2018-12-06+166+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1389" data-original-width="1600" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkt4_41GFObgronSjg0zoMUQ9nYV4ROVNj9Z3KqqRjQIjrfKPMUriR2802Qk1YT53nuCZNjQTNVO2Pv5XJ-HcrW2vYYw6R1f6vqpa6S7RDX4h44h6HmooomMTBnA24LEusjAVaXAZoJ6Ga/s320/2018-12-06+166+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After watching the engrossing video, I entered the museum proper. There, I discovered the earliest references to fado singing in the city dated from the second half of the 19th century when there was major political and institutional turmoil. As the city's working class began to get formally organized around 1860, fado became an important means of communication. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It became associated with 'leisure charity parties' called <i>cegadas</i> and gradually became part of Lisbon's festivities. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Fado became widely spread in theater stages by the end of the 19th century and the first historical documents on fado were published in the beginning of the 20th century. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 1910 this urban song entered the fine arts with the painting <i>O Fado</i> by <b>Jose Malhoa </b>who drew inspiration from fado singers after spending 35 days straight in fado houses of music to get the details correct! The plaque by the painting noted the cigarette ash, the tablecloth, the painting of St. Anthony on the wall in the background of the painting - all details I would never have frankly taken the time to peer at. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first representation of a fado singer was in this woodcut from 1872. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first fado lyrics were usually anonymous and were conveyed by oral tradition. That changed at the beginning of the 1920s when the poems were associated with an illustrious group of popular poets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The theme of fado music was center stage in this marvelous 1913 triptych which </span><span style="font-size: large;">told the story of a sailor through three stages of his life. In the first, it depicts his nostalgia while at sea; in the </span><span style="font-size: large;">middle one, the ship returns to port and he reunites with his family; and in the </span><span style="font-size: large;">last painting, he's reading a letter and listening to a fado song while again at sea.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ogylr4QLFBzNKflfVzWNHrb7lK-jCZ8DiaMmT_1h9SM_KfpFrjZuv4qyrKN6yd8S6c_44hStqDcOkC1Zq7MQmzrj3CHRWJwpRFoEtnS4BWqmRCH3QKbUhBeWN8ol1yI-f4qrwJUBRRcV/s1600/2018-12-06+181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ogylr4QLFBzNKflfVzWNHrb7lK-jCZ8DiaMmT_1h9SM_KfpFrjZuv4qyrKN6yd8S6c_44hStqDcOkC1Zq7MQmzrj3CHRWJwpRFoEtnS4BWqmRCH3QKbUhBeWN8ol1yI-f4qrwJUBRRcV/s320/2018-12-06+181.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEwwpKvLvomz37mKuvx5xxdaz5ziKYmDcw_wEfVL5yi2I_7qSL9AGmcobXhOqjWb3VuKPuwixUS5F1c9vXSwDKZDHItjZHKueZQOp6isit9v8qRVi0kmeBXauj70wdbBbcQozsXnYrM_p/s1600/2018-12-06+183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEwwpKvLvomz37mKuvx5xxdaz5ziKYmDcw_wEfVL5yi2I_7qSL9AGmcobXhOqjWb3VuKPuwixUS5F1c9vXSwDKZDHItjZHKueZQOp6isit9v8qRVi0kmeBXauj70wdbBbcQozsXnYrM_p/s320/2018-12-06+183.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The English guitar was introduced in Lisbon and the nearby city of <b>Porto</b> at the beginning of the 18th century, mainly to accompany more educated musical pieces. The first reference to the 'Portuguese guitar' didn't appear until the beginning of the 20th century. It later became associated with fado music. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ48E8Elx39towUw1wEGQmgiH6HcPW1kAZgXNMYURTpmH-QzMlpS4PXGX9eUJFy3tz8Ai5O4ucVRMeA5bUNJIKH5-gO87lnHzJ8EZH9vSvk25kSZGj5gr0VdJNgEVA26xfzy_6twVDFMTL/s1600/2018-12-06+207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ48E8Elx39towUw1wEGQmgiH6HcPW1kAZgXNMYURTpmH-QzMlpS4PXGX9eUJFy3tz8Ai5O4ucVRMeA5bUNJIKH5-gO87lnHzJ8EZH9vSvk25kSZGj5gr0VdJNgEVA26xfzy_6twVDFMTL/s320/2018-12-06+207.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't like leaving Steven any longer so hurried through the rest of the museum. I could have spent hours listening to music of specific fado artists but had been quite content with what I'd already been exposed to in the museum. I also knew we had reservations to go to a fado concert in a few days so would be able to experience the music first hand with Steven then.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSF3o4ASAke0JguVRIZOk5FMA4mi2vf6k5qxq48dYxuhp52rjipU42-A52GTXZAM-_jfM0E0EAvXYf-RKUqPzRbXeyB5Q8sXGz-6rx9qGD2BRirC84-c1uf3uuIcdEaBZiFmq9xDx1tenJ/s1600/2018-12-06+191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSF3o4ASAke0JguVRIZOk5FMA4mi2vf6k5qxq48dYxuhp52rjipU42-A52GTXZAM-_jfM0E0EAvXYf-RKUqPzRbXeyB5Q8sXGz-6rx9qGD2BRirC84-c1uf3uuIcdEaBZiFmq9xDx1tenJ/s320/2018-12-06+191.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"One cannot desire to become a fadista; one is born one." I left the museum still wondering! What I was convinced of, though, was that fado was a poem that could be heard and seen. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURxOdjMVF0lZ1e2H8jBRjOedjWqdXyred5k9g4nhuFJddMms_M5FFcbk0f5hDVb2ZZUuYIcW8iWhZ3UznraQcR2f425ZpGGCptekQ17A5IiZcs4x_USDtxyHfVmoLbikXdF8sfFCkE4Iz/s1600/2018-12-06+195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURxOdjMVF0lZ1e2H8jBRjOedjWqdXyred5k9g4nhuFJddMms_M5FFcbk0f5hDVb2ZZUuYIcW8iWhZ3UznraQcR2f425ZpGGCptekQ17A5IiZcs4x_USDtxyHfVmoLbikXdF8sfFCkE4Iz/s320/2018-12-06+195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Photos of our stroll back to our apartment:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were both struck by the striking architecture as it was so colorful and unusual and unlike what I normally think of as pretty boring architecture here in the US. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMwZKFktxFAaWrS5XrgKLJZhkVLVjanNhcKUSu6tShyphenhyphen0GBxFlImr4duGGQBrM07QaWEJMo97xqtk_T8-WiqC7gYFgnzSe06hdX7IIi8nSEf3YfSWrms2bcOvz_19domhkqQyi_vXDPgRo/s1600/2018-12-06+212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMwZKFktxFAaWrS5XrgKLJZhkVLVjanNhcKUSu6tShyphenhyphen0GBxFlImr4duGGQBrM07QaWEJMo97xqtk_T8-WiqC7gYFgnzSe06hdX7IIi8nSEf3YfSWrms2bcOvz_19domhkqQyi_vXDPgRo/s320/2018-12-06+212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hadn't thought of sardines for many decades until we came across this store selling them alone. I remember so well my father eating them after using the key in the top to open up the tin when I was a child growing up in Ottawa, Canada. I don't think, however, my mum, four brothers or I ever had them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No, not bars of gold bullion but tin after tin of sardines!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V-kqnc4ViXtpFD5Xkplonf-osOAwsVzjylOr92ijjm8HY7Z341E2fCNvWiCOU0E2Mr9e3Ypvn0HLYUPq6FZCYRBvUduGF-kv-MgFxt73PwZ4iaADoVTIxh08zgQaZ7hDcW-b6icMc7YI/s1600/2018-12-06+224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V-kqnc4ViXtpFD5Xkplonf-osOAwsVzjylOr92ijjm8HY7Z341E2fCNvWiCOU0E2Mr9e3Ypvn0HLYUPq6FZCYRBvUduGF-kv-MgFxt73PwZ4iaADoVTIxh08zgQaZ7hDcW-b6icMc7YI/s320/2018-12-06+224.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> Exploring much more of Lisbon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on April 8th, 2019, from back home in Denver. </i></span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-36268683080356833512019-04-03T23:06:00.000-06:002019-04-10T12:49:57.104-06:0012/5: Sevilla's Triana Ceramics 101 & General Archives of the Indies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I just returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for the last 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow</i></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> that trip, </span></i><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">here's a link to the newest blog: <a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a> </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A view of the atrium in our wonderful Sevilla hotel: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTqnYCVRSnypuU-DZFB_2cE_nnMcnm3KDEc4o4UtpCN-fcDOwUbRQdqmF3L5ZkIDmQTNyoHwdHM1mWYr0Kj9zok5pZGgEW_KsrzbaDFxxLY-vKR94GSdZLMDBq8euRxtIr5Dm_7z6e6Wr/s1600/2018-12-05+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTqnYCVRSnypuU-DZFB_2cE_nnMcnm3KDEc4o4UtpCN-fcDOwUbRQdqmF3L5ZkIDmQTNyoHwdHM1mWYr0Kj9zok5pZGgEW_KsrzbaDFxxLY-vKR94GSdZLMDBq8euRxtIr5Dm_7z6e6Wr/s320/2018-12-05+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The very attractive square outside of our hotel:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We headed to the <b>Hospital de la Caridad,</b> thankfully not because we required medical care but to see the charity hospital which functioned as a final place of refuge for Sevilla's poor and homeless. It was founded in the 17th century by the nobleman <b>Don Miguel Manara</b>, a major playboy and, according to <b>Rick Steves,</b> "an enthusiastic sinner who, late in life, had a major change of heart. He spent the last years of his life dedicating his life to strict worship and taking care of the poor." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Manara may well have been the inspiration for <i>Don Juan,</i> the character from a play set in 17th century Sevilla that was later made popular in Lord Byron's poetry and Mozart's opera <i>Don Giovanni</i> - "Don Juan" in Spanish. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The working charity was unfortunately closed when we stopped by so we couldn't see Manara's office and a church filled with powerful art. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I would have liked to see the church as the duty of the order of monks was to give a Christian burial to the executed and drowned.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It also would </span><span style="font-size: large;">have been </span><span style="font-size: large;">interesting </span><span style="font-size: large;">to see</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Manara's tombstone outside the church's first entrance that has served as a welcome mat since 1679. He requested to be buried there where everyone would step o him as they entered. I read that it was marked "the worst man in the world." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sevilla's historic riverside <b>Torre del Oro</b> was the starting and ending point for all shipping to the New World. It was named for the golden tiles that once covered it and not for the New World booty that arrived here! It has been a part of the city's fortifications ever since it was built by the Moors in the 13th century. Read more below about the controversy concerning the very tall tower in the background.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cE6BWOzJZR9rr3eNehxNWs8x4suot8ZsF2RIINHGJup_EaI3xybiE4yufF5PaVRukQI5oT2a4W6_4Ip3QtYoOdoMTHDjonKy4ydvfyTxPS34hdHegRQ7NVuCZtRh7fiOBB9pt6yvpHjT/s1600/2018-12-05+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cE6BWOzJZR9rr3eNehxNWs8x4suot8ZsF2RIINHGJup_EaI3xybiE4yufF5PaVRukQI5oT2a4W6_4Ip3QtYoOdoMTHDjonKy4ydvfyTxPS34hdHegRQ7NVuCZtRh7fiOBB9pt6yvpHjT/s320/2018-12-05+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Across from the Gold Tower was Sevilla's <b>Bullring and Bullfight Museum.</b> We only admired it from the outside as we'd just recently spent quite a bit of time touring the bullring and museum in <b>Ronda.</b> There was likewise a chapel in the Sevilla bullring where matadors pray before their fights. I read that there have been no deaths in three decades in Sevilla's bullring thanks to the ready availability of blood transfusions. You might be interested to know the city was so appalled when the famous matador <b>Manolette</b> was killed in 1947 that even the mother of the bull that gored him was destroyed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many Spanish girls find matadors are such heartthrobs in their 'suits of light' that they have their bedrooms wallpapered with posters of cute bullfighters!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaJUGOTzUevpPl5JHO6kPKtbfuYNtem4XIqatG6p1SFaNobUpYuHQjgpgphXMwlByPtNvdj2unt4o2pIFfEIASVvYglU0quZgQBG2bGK5-wQ-E24i0HmRRd34MPxrxQdcK7S4seZ3Uew8/s1600/2018-12-05+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaJUGOTzUevpPl5JHO6kPKtbfuYNtem4XIqatG6p1SFaNobUpYuHQjgpgphXMwlByPtNvdj2unt4o2pIFfEIASVvYglU0quZgQBG2bGK5-wQ-E24i0HmRRd34MPxrxQdcK7S4seZ3Uew8/s320/2018-12-05+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Across from the bullring was the <b>Puente de Isabel II</b> whose distinctive design with the circles under each span was inspired by an 1834 crossing over the Seine River in Paris. In Sevilla, as in many other European cities that grew up in the age of river traffic, what was long considered the 'wrong side of the river' had become the most colorful part of town.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a pretty view as we walked across the <b>Guadalquivir River</b> to explore <b>Triana,</b> described as a proud neighborhood that identifies with its working class origins and is known for its flamenco soul.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5YVf6jQBe2dMgtGDp6JiHEoIgXhwhdoOz_h5mMfdomuZFGr0NwM9zdfoG8chzPJh7yOuy-4kWFjXrYHxnVop6twm6Dvi09QZW4s6-QK-JngBcvWQJXu4bUOcO1YijA5rtPUSsvWsckRG/s1600/2018-12-05+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5YVf6jQBe2dMgtGDp6JiHEoIgXhwhdoOz_h5mMfdomuZFGr0NwM9zdfoG8chzPJh7yOuy-4kWFjXrYHxnVop6twm6Dvi09QZW4s6-QK-JngBcvWQJXu4bUOcO1YijA5rtPUSsvWsckRG/s320/2018-12-05+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The city's only skyscraper, the <b>Sevilla Tower,</b> was designed by Argentine architect <b>Cesar Pelli</b> who also created Malaysia's humongous <b>Twin Towers.</b> According to city law, no structure could be taller than the</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Giralda Bell Tower </b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">on the Sevilla Cathedral. But because the building was not in the city center, the developers found a way to skirt the regulation. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">UNESCO considered putting the Seville's monuments that have been classified as World Heritage Sites (the Cathedral, Alcazar and Archivo de Indias) into the "Threatened List," because of the tower's “negative visual impact” on the old town skyline of Seville. UNESCO even asked the city to reduce the tower's height, but city officials ignored the requests.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Lk4QQYrdZP9NJgIWUF0QAMfspSKpMAjRnZAPUsbMtGMJOYNuK2_kHr_w7ftL59knFUIQm2ETj2ZmXpYu_gPPLmH57i07U3bBlmBI3ESc3HtFSYIbA8BbHYk9Sy3NB4wYKBDG4HGwoZT_/s1600/2018-12-05+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Lk4QQYrdZP9NJgIWUF0QAMfspSKpMAjRnZAPUsbMtGMJOYNuK2_kHr_w7ftL59knFUIQm2ETj2ZmXpYu_gPPLmH57i07U3bBlmBI3ESc3HtFSYIbA8BbHYk9Sy3NB4wYKBDG4HGwoZT_/s320/2018-12-05+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the end of the bridge was the beautiful <b>Capilla del Carmen</b> which was designed by the 1929 Expo architect to add glamour to Triana's entrance. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdWcr_EBLDUgWytMIM88d1j0zL2hOyp8m3Wld5h3LXPNjcSxvOspNjlowquxTubZJ1ybXLf7BgZ_GIo-RDbt6AzX_LJ71vP7pvOs0u9hs1FRH9CIwe56ybFdgOWGhDexlE_vkNtqSZuUN/s1600/2018-12-05+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdWcr_EBLDUgWytMIM88d1j0zL2hOyp8m3Wld5h3LXPNjcSxvOspNjlowquxTubZJ1ybXLf7BgZ_GIo-RDbt6AzX_LJ71vP7pvOs0u9hs1FRH9CIwe56ybFdgOWGhDexlE_vkNtqSZuUN/s320/2018-12-05+030.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just off the bridge and down the staircase was the <b>Castillo de San Jorge,</b> a 12th century castle that was the headquarters of Sevilla's Inquisition in the 15th century. In the castle's ruins was the neighborhood's covered market that was built in 2005 in the Moorish Revival style. Steven and I are always huge fans of markets so we made a beeline for it. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_Kjrpt7R7HAxbMNNxg3CiP0YsoUYwYhyasyOp7Rrhze8QNljUC0_cxa80adPct-56SE-MkeCAeK59hN0PexkN_56ih05bPdzHXLmPUcKGgGMZ5plFhRGzpDblDiJJ-6dlXANk2qj4LOV/s1600/2018-12-05+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_Kjrpt7R7HAxbMNNxg3CiP0YsoUYwYhyasyOp7Rrhze8QNljUC0_cxa80adPct-56SE-MkeCAeK59hN0PexkN_56ih05bPdzHXLmPUcKGgGMZ5plFhRGzpDblDiJJ-6dlXANk2qj4LOV/s320/2018-12-05+027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_Gp972-qPX-OFk0EX2wrATfrscFJTfSscJESYGu2-057erL6fsBbgWOpZzCyPljYQSrFK5LfU3yAVteK4M_NRaKV0HjY82-Kufha1PA3bq-2gJNUxdNHBtpjaz2Z-woeYswkMzj1VyTE/s1600/2018-12-05+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_Gp972-qPX-OFk0EX2wrATfrscFJTfSscJESYGu2-057erL6fsBbgWOpZzCyPljYQSrFK5LfU3yAVteK4M_NRaKV0HjY82-Kufha1PA3bq-2gJNUxdNHBtpjaz2Z-woeYswkMzj1VyTE/s320/2018-12-05+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The market bustled with traditional fruit and vegetable stalls as well as a few meat shops. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstUrA6dgyk43z9A73ySrTyAaAVsd_gzhEnyOPpNhn7OIQbQq80KpSptoosyZxUwtwbvwXjmja_gSgE8XYfXNc1TTWZtw05PosV7GqPM-u5tqeT4KHHmevVKuoxrN8xapRs7wEKPRk7G8x/s1600/2018-12-05+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstUrA6dgyk43z9A73ySrTyAaAVsd_gzhEnyOPpNhn7OIQbQq80KpSptoosyZxUwtwbvwXjmja_gSgE8XYfXNc1TTWZtw05PosV7GqPM-u5tqeT4KHHmevVKuoxrN8xapRs7wEKPRk7G8x/s320/2018-12-05+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuYIzjFBxl4A-J3cMJw2EZZGx0sAh3HtWmH22GsHdvERlzO7-xOR8n-MmPBmwaX5joRcfzrxEoNHrPMCgRYNzIQbwnaRzhkaO6XsDLAkNpkNx2S0un9dQzJBrggP1xdStUUyE5z6KJqTh/s1600/2018-12-05+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuYIzjFBxl4A-J3cMJw2EZZGx0sAh3HtWmH22GsHdvERlzO7-xOR8n-MmPBmwaX5joRcfzrxEoNHrPMCgRYNzIQbwnaRzhkaO6XsDLAkNpkNx2S0un9dQzJBrggP1xdStUUyE5z6KJqTh/s320/2018-12-05+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was the first time I remembered spotting signs made out of tiles in a market. That soon made sense, though, as Triana is famous for its ceramics. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YCSM0tq0JKOdAUCKcedVRoy45uYsrVAp1K5TdxEg1Qb-ZEztXIsbEhKcHbP6X58cEF-xevUsVZtnVwr-cLm6NMeSBoZOA3ECwhYtme4y8y7zn8u7MCuw-xwPzGhtX1DyHrJzFlxV_5sP/s1600/2018-12-05+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YCSM0tq0JKOdAUCKcedVRoy45uYsrVAp1K5TdxEg1Qb-ZEztXIsbEhKcHbP6X58cEF-xevUsVZtnVwr-cLm6NMeSBoZOA3ECwhYtme4y8y7zn8u7MCuw-xwPzGhtX1DyHrJzFlxV_5sP/s320/2018-12-05+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6da0HJvGmzVnGWMTStlaBB5kib8mzbH4eZ2X77trOIr3OqBQ0xguf6Ml2WfKyWCJ8p_PhUXK2fWM_DJnIwvjcCcMd6EkecB1pi2xExLgzhYWLcvapnJLtOndksJw1qno1l-mPc8sbS17O/s1600/2018-12-05+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6da0HJvGmzVnGWMTStlaBB5kib8mzbH4eZ2X77trOIr3OqBQ0xguf6Ml2WfKyWCJ8p_PhUXK2fWM_DJnIwvjcCcMd6EkecB1pi2xExLgzhYWLcvapnJLtOndksJw1qno1l-mPc8sbS17O/s320/2018-12-05+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These had to be about the largest tomatoes I've ever seen and they were organic!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7lKpHAszYzpLqQaaxdJovLZhLkpFVO81na9XL_Sl0tIdcIsSmQGqvidSgVh4HTuAThwieNbvIt6DHmGUfV-XD3eBo0Ei62pdz4Pj4Ese_cwe3VUi8Zg8xWGrXahAF9-RzCzyPBLmfPxi/s1600/2018-12-05+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7lKpHAszYzpLqQaaxdJovLZhLkpFVO81na9XL_Sl0tIdcIsSmQGqvidSgVh4HTuAThwieNbvIt6DHmGUfV-XD3eBo0Ei62pdz4Pj4Ese_cwe3VUi8Zg8xWGrXahAF9-RzCzyPBLmfPxi/s320/2018-12-05+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This Christmas 'tree' was made of from cases of <b>Cruzcampo,</b> a major beer brand in Andalucia. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvkmv54zPBOCFQOaAOvnJ929hEtqGTJ8rkrEO8jEI3XRXtOGSm5abjaS_eXAOE6vsiJxfIIikw10oOq1jbJs1YrDKoxZE0IGvUPh4IS22TFVqryv99xxOivg1VLa52ME2HAHipuXss0Zp/s1600/2018-12-05+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvkmv54zPBOCFQOaAOvnJ929hEtqGTJ8rkrEO8jEI3XRXtOGSm5abjaS_eXAOE6vsiJxfIIikw10oOq1jbJs1YrDKoxZE0IGvUPh4IS22TFVqryv99xxOivg1VLa52ME2HAHipuXss0Zp/s320/2018-12-05+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Loved these cute signs advertising tapas bars.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWmZSG9o1i2dfU7cOAy9r5sRRPd-ICiM6rl10X1o7Ua4KT-qPa8YHjEmxaAhVFBlxE1kAo-NHzM7MWsY6mbW9m518Bf_Q95faX6zGfRuid9UapD-uRYNE71nkQyrx7JVQcvsGfHX_H5j3/s1600/2018-12-05+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWmZSG9o1i2dfU7cOAy9r5sRRPd-ICiM6rl10X1o7Ua4KT-qPa8YHjEmxaAhVFBlxE1kAo-NHzM7MWsY6mbW9m518Bf_Q95faX6zGfRuid9UapD-uRYNE71nkQyrx7JVQcvsGfHX_H5j3/s320/2018-12-05+045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaItzdpWZP2Iqjic9vA6zReulmI1xjZ0SLct4oUBTs4BtUF3uIITrLd1rXEyxDjO2JLCnodqQdfv3SiTbEagFKhHr4a1Txw3YVyjSQYj9uhPWpR4Kj_0O2jTg9fuZLN7tO0UeVvGVE9i0/s1600/2018-12-05+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaItzdpWZP2Iqjic9vA6zReulmI1xjZ0SLct4oUBTs4BtUF3uIITrLd1rXEyxDjO2JLCnodqQdfv3SiTbEagFKhHr4a1Txw3YVyjSQYj9uhPWpR4Kj_0O2jTg9fuZLN7tO0UeVvGVE9i0/s320/2018-12-05+046.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A major reason we'd come to Triana was to visit its ceramics shops and learn about the area's history as the center for ceramics.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnwpNSye2Q7TVTDqkJ1ZP_j6zG52NtCq_RYOYV53EtqeOmbV8SqbHfWCWuKzhJiY8JaAXMQJyLKdqzly9LLv3jomwZV0bu6zyRvDSmbdvLCv4jhX4KS2eX086ReMYZZUqq2x0h6a2eJJT/s1600/2018-12-05+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdnwpNSye2Q7TVTDqkJ1ZP_j6zG52NtCq_RYOYV53EtqeOmbV8SqbHfWCWuKzhJiY8JaAXMQJyLKdqzly9LLv3jomwZV0bu6zyRvDSmbdvLCv4jhX4KS2eX086ReMYZZUqq2x0h6a2eJJT/s320/2018-12-05+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuw5vpmCx3j8puwemfEdO3qI36t_rz8lVFROe1awqmVLlfogCL1ekuodLEGU_n4u6QthpLoGLjRw1XAX75r4759TaM3Pi-ATidD7wLlhTmgiHWlR4Zc8ZcKkNRxi8Dz4aVYPCXkvpWnP5U/s1600/2018-12-05+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuw5vpmCx3j8puwemfEdO3qI36t_rz8lVFROe1awqmVLlfogCL1ekuodLEGU_n4u6QthpLoGLjRw1XAX75r4759TaM3Pi-ATidD7wLlhTmgiHWlR4Zc8ZcKkNRxi8Dz4aVYPCXkvpWnP5U/s320/2018-12-05+049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To learn more about the history of ceramics, we toured the <b>Museo de la Ceramica de Triana</b> which focused on tile and pottery production.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJk0XRmk1vJjkAV7M-ztWL3OeBclIanto2VBIwo6QGmOc284WTZS6zYJfT072Sa2yOl5yMzW1Cb6eF-9C2ZhPTdw774FIZKH2OQrJhwtwS3wcBym5SH1n6HY9wNfqQHHb5GBsW6AQCrlCV/s1600/2018-12-05+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJk0XRmk1vJjkAV7M-ztWL3OeBclIanto2VBIwo6QGmOc284WTZS6zYJfT072Sa2yOl5yMzW1Cb6eF-9C2ZhPTdw774FIZKH2OQrJhwtwS3wcBym5SH1n6HY9wNfqQHHb5GBsW6AQCrlCV/s320/2018-12-05+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Spanish word of Islamic origin</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> almagenas </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">was given to the large jars that stored the liquid pigments ready for the painters to use in their work. Each one contained a different color.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVc_Kyf43gPnQMHbnc_zxNq7EI1Q-y-JJvxF7x9bDH0udS6O4hGlYBzH2a8lAFYi8ASa9s2d4kXW2Ui0OeeV327dc_dE00Acu9Yg1_f38d1Zh5nM9aUf0J9foL1BlU7QqbdT2N7yoPjjj4/s1600/2018-12-05+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVc_Kyf43gPnQMHbnc_zxNq7EI1Q-y-JJvxF7x9bDH0udS6O4hGlYBzH2a8lAFYi8ASa9s2d4kXW2Ui0OeeV327dc_dE00Acu9Yg1_f38d1Zh5nM9aUf0J9foL1BlU7QqbdT2N7yoPjjj4/s320/2018-12-05+051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Muffle Furnace</b> was a small kiln used to fire delicate and artistic pieces that required special conditions and temperatures. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFsuiHeCvTbwVQC44ya9pKPTZzHZW00yc1JoYdyJq6Rh5d1aLVyevXb5_-h1y7vYi2LAK4bJv_LiFGCHjf-xyVLyl4Z_IWf9WtKa64KVxHxaVtv7A2x-ZYikYG7XKWuT49l4OBkPza99p/s1600/2018-12-05+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFsuiHeCvTbwVQC44ya9pKPTZzHZW00yc1JoYdyJq6Rh5d1aLVyevXb5_-h1y7vYi2LAK4bJv_LiFGCHjf-xyVLyl4Z_IWf9WtKa64KVxHxaVtv7A2x-ZYikYG7XKWuT49l4OBkPza99p/s320/2018-12-05+058.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The wheel and molds were the main methods used to form large pieces. When placed on drying shelves, the pieces lost part of their humidity before being put in the kiln. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnVEFAfv-_NrlG7ul2371k6TJmlNFjinNobN335wg-a1DVTQWbneJJRhdooMKktNmv4PuEnGcUOlbqLp3zgzLuXSPQfqj7h3c_NIKpveLQ1XN3RgNi9U7oeYWG2DDccN0Wu6ruYcCCa49/s1600/2018-12-05+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnVEFAfv-_NrlG7ul2371k6TJmlNFjinNobN335wg-a1DVTQWbneJJRhdooMKktNmv4PuEnGcUOlbqLp3zgzLuXSPQfqj7h3c_NIKpveLQ1XN3RgNi9U7oeYWG2DDccN0Wu6ruYcCCa49/s320/2018-12-05+062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The clay used in Triana was made up of two types of earth that were transported to the pottery mule by mule. The first was called <i>antilla</i> or blue clay - it was very organic, malleable and was extracted from the banks of the Guadalquivir River we'd just walked across. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSYvhBou2ja5Ho3mYBga-8QTeUp02L3gk4CpCiCbIRCUZkfO8jK52vMOhUII50LBFTbDWeUw2lBDbbzha3m5bHvOPGn853oUO9lt1ZjYXHRAnx-Ce_guSYxu6j5BF_VkpFDDIdEFvXXvd/s1600/2018-12-05+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSYvhBou2ja5Ho3mYBga-8QTeUp02L3gk4CpCiCbIRCUZkfO8jK52vMOhUII50LBFTbDWeUw2lBDbbzha3m5bHvOPGn853oUO9lt1ZjYXHRAnx-Ce_guSYxu6j5BF_VkpFDDIdEFvXXvd/s320/2018-12-05+109.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The other one was called lizard clay as it was the same color as lizard skin. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It was often extracted on the slopes of nearby villages where deep veins were exposed by the cut of the land. When this light clay with a refractory</span><span style="font-size: large;"> nature was mixed with the blue clay, it could be easily worked and fired without cracking problems.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3msY2pssxudkY7zfG4_taGe-tDqr5JLeiAOy5EwPA8QrvXtD5tgXvhmvhQ7paU_avxy1_gq-AZXwMR-awKwGqTXnlYxOx3x1IEQXp6LoH1hwjgUNfI34k7ObzfHvh_KiLyUXMwBkWXjK/s1600/2018-12-05+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3msY2pssxudkY7zfG4_taGe-tDqr5JLeiAOy5EwPA8QrvXtD5tgXvhmvhQ7paU_avxy1_gq-AZXwMR-awKwGqTXnlYxOx3x1IEQXp6LoH1hwjgUNfI34k7ObzfHvh_KiLyUXMwBkWXjK/s320/2018-12-05+076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On arrival at the mill, the earth was crushed, placed in ponds, then mixed with water, beaten, sifted and left to rest until a large part of its moisture evaporated. To achieve consistency, the clay was extracted from these deposits and kneaded with the feet to form blocks that were then stored in a damp place so that organic residues were slowly destroyed. Before using the clay, it was kneaded again but with the heels of hands to create the pieces. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDa_3L0McL0S8mtfBAUehBkTLEGNwspjsVMbnfk0bRudnEaj-ZHlfDn10-oG0Unx_9ydQ4fNsk-bYxCaB_t5XzijMM-4M162w_FaEk-WDWVILHOEAHKfJp910O5izgkPfb9iKYfd6fqTW/s1600/2018-12-05+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDa_3L0McL0S8mtfBAUehBkTLEGNwspjsVMbnfk0bRudnEaj-ZHlfDn10-oG0Unx_9ydQ4fNsk-bYxCaB_t5XzijMM-4M162w_FaEk-WDWVILHOEAHKfJp910O5izgkPfb9iKYfd6fqTW/s320/2018-12-05+093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The pottery was turned on the pottery wheel and also formed with a clay laminate pressed into a plaster mold. The flat tiles and the reliefs were manufactured in a special press that was able to transfer the relief to the tile. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0URnkZz0vVznfuhyphenhyphenxeKCuxX4heqD5syuKkEFJPvQQ4HNt-kC3NvyoU_sukjT9FuoeWjHjXUvu6-8Y_uBqRCqyrbs7WpT18rUIyP5PnOh0OB_D9tx0vTl-f76A0OYbFNDqDeJVOMO4DFf/s1600/2018-12-05+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0URnkZz0vVznfuhyphenhyphenxeKCuxX4heqD5syuKkEFJPvQQ4HNt-kC3NvyoU_sukjT9FuoeWjHjXUvu6-8Y_uBqRCqyrbs7WpT18rUIyP5PnOh0OB_D9tx0vTl-f76A0OYbFNDqDeJVOMO4DFf/s320/2018-12-05+092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The vases, once released from the molds, were placed on long benches on which they were left to 'air' for a certain period of time so that the most intense moisture could slowly evaporate before the pieces were placed into the kiln. Once aired they were carefully placed in the firing chamber. Careful placement avoided accidental falls during the process and, leaving the air and fire to flow, made maximum use of the kiln space. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMH6JqJPnA1oaKd6NFXkDqn8vEVkZWmSn7z6Joyq-B-HFwRBblxS2lBp6nhFMbMz2w0jEN_VTuBCqcK7PPwRzxAC5abZH57E5fQ9xFE7V1Yluh9z5OUVVIuiVm915j4zehA-y2gZHWb44c/s1600/2018-12-05+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMH6JqJPnA1oaKd6NFXkDqn8vEVkZWmSn7z6Joyq-B-HFwRBblxS2lBp6nhFMbMz2w0jEN_VTuBCqcK7PPwRzxAC5abZH57E5fQ9xFE7V1Yluh9z5OUVVIuiVm915j4zehA-y2gZHWb44c/s320/2018-12-05+070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once loaded, the oven was closed with brick and adobe and the fire action started, gentle and slow with just smoke at first, and then more intense and lean at the end. This process took between 12 and 15 hours and had to be controlled so that the ceramics were fired correctly. The final cooling had to be slow in order to avoid sharp changes in temperatures that could damage the pieces due to sudden contraction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The colors of the flames coming out of the <b>flame vents </b>revealed when the items would be finished. The yellower and whiter the flames (which could be up to three feet high!) indicated the more advanced the process was. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMVIVScOfbcbmW8ghEOg7TFR-XPuHmMBobxUvVJb9Dlc272Ih6pNIj5-yQsS4Wjo3eeLJIjyWqPPV218cdqfdBWmGD6bE2r_Y3hOKRsU2yWYTVjxWD91BmRpoc_pgG_jTunZd0wyezNp8/s1600/2018-12-05+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMVIVScOfbcbmW8ghEOg7TFR-XPuHmMBobxUvVJb9Dlc272Ih6pNIj5-yQsS4Wjo3eeLJIjyWqPPV218cdqfdBWmGD6bE2r_Y3hOKRsU2yWYTVjxWD91BmRpoc_pgG_jTunZd0wyezNp8/s320/2018-12-05+110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The fuel used in the kilns in Triana has changed over the centuries. In the past it was olive branches used for golden pottery. Nowadays, pine and eucalyptus firewood has most often been used. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsu51REQmKhA3OE6Cg7OsQbqX8LOh6GY1wILMBhLPUmoIZNrY-b3yWp2YjNf8TVk-uQzuJfJvQgTSEhX71wLypkFwCjTmiEZRuKr20MewKzIo_5aCcnOtgaWONx6ljOeBxstec4tZR9ZGg/s1600/2018-12-05+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsu51REQmKhA3OE6Cg7OsQbqX8LOh6GY1wILMBhLPUmoIZNrY-b3yWp2YjNf8TVk-uQzuJfJvQgTSEhX71wLypkFwCjTmiEZRuKr20MewKzIo_5aCcnOtgaWONx6ljOeBxstec4tZR9ZGg/s320/2018-12-05+073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsuhKxrgJ0EA5ZU_j9iNdu1VDqGoB2qP4jwfZZQ7oFbseRjndnjsWJexOAtzp1werP-_rFvsnDgkMg0WIRZDYOzkOwwjVhED3uJnBqkHy16Deg81PqwgRgXGyBLPMAxlzcr8t0Bme4u8P/s1600/2018-12-05+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsuhKxrgJ0EA5ZU_j9iNdu1VDqGoB2qP4jwfZZQ7oFbseRjndnjsWJexOAtzp1werP-_rFvsnDgkMg0WIRZDYOzkOwwjVhED3uJnBqkHy16Deg81PqwgRgXGyBLPMAxlzcr8t0Bme4u8P/s320/2018-12-05+106.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before the ceramics can be painted, they must be covered with a slightly thickish liquid called a yeast. It is made up of several mineral elements that are first ground, charred in the fire, crushed again and then mixed and dissolved in water. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The colors are mineral oxides that produce a certain color in each case when they are melted in the firing. These oxides must be mixed with bindings and solvents, charred, ground and dissolved in liquid and applied by brushing on the enamel. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgD7-Un-MXgcT0t5cg2G6FV4uGtxsvde1YPBDMpeE4zPpyjIwKgCOK53DpCsFbKnzEnWkYp5tie3OKj_lKBxEQ9i3MZNZMzVFCPqKbbhe0HreUYvWxlfQmLkyz_4ZuPShZkb-PochPksu/s1600/2018-12-05+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgD7-Un-MXgcT0t5cg2G6FV4uGtxsvde1YPBDMpeE4zPpyjIwKgCOK53DpCsFbKnzEnWkYp5tie3OKj_lKBxEQ9i3MZNZMzVFCPqKbbhe0HreUYvWxlfQmLkyz_4ZuPShZkb-PochPksu/s320/2018-12-05+086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other techniques, lost since the Middle Ages, were recovered and adapted to new requirements and improved thanks to chemical and industrial engineering advances. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Once the pieces were decorated with a selected procedure, they were fired for a second and sometimes a third time to achieve the final product. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yBluIbiqRljo18dpuRLSbOSsmnGf75Z85hv07ngh9ZqK8emKCl5V-uSJbaZbx2VacFt4VlC4Yoefelvnne12N5EUflA9sd8_R01kLszUdPwsxtNwnuBNvPM_FLE3u4O5Y8_ZKeAhAtQr/s1600/2018-12-05+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yBluIbiqRljo18dpuRLSbOSsmnGf75Z85hv07ngh9ZqK8emKCl5V-uSJbaZbx2VacFt4VlC4Yoefelvnne12N5EUflA9sd8_R01kLszUdPwsxtNwnuBNvPM_FLE3u4O5Y8_ZKeAhAtQr/s320/2018-12-05+096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxOh7Qk0IA-B7KZB9sI_NV8rPVasXK5YszfT457UKW8ABGUA6ZeEAC9oxuE8STPUqEPDcVbaESxmWBNVVy3ScLCCGifdRokYff6_P8U3Gqv7tNiU0uCLDaSALI9HMu0GmrrOLpMDDvRCO/s1600/2018-12-05+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxOh7Qk0IA-B7KZB9sI_NV8rPVasXK5YszfT457UKW8ABGUA6ZeEAC9oxuE8STPUqEPDcVbaESxmWBNVVy3ScLCCGifdRokYff6_P8U3Gqv7tNiU0uCLDaSALI9HMu0GmrrOLpMDDvRCO/s320/2018-12-05+088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many different painting ceramic procedures are practiced in Triana which, thanks, to continuous personnel changes, were known in all factories, although each factory specialized in certain products. Italian style brush painting was perfected at the beginning of the 20th century which was executed over raw enamel, added to the painting over fired enamel and executed with colors dissolved in essence of turpentine. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJawPo0rmG64Han0sSf1rM53BFuv88XWrLlRKqyL0yW1wyLqIvY15oh8S-OFH3-8_KZtE3BDtygl8D4GVEanFTdmU5BvJUwieWo0AlliaogQW-2U4Rw2Ad8EthDy6vnki4lpBPxpO-ItuD/s1600/2018-12-05+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJawPo0rmG64Han0sSf1rM53BFuv88XWrLlRKqyL0yW1wyLqIvY15oh8S-OFH3-8_KZtE3BDtygl8D4GVEanFTdmU5BvJUwieWo0AlliaogQW-2U4Rw2Ad8EthDy6vnki4lpBPxpO-ItuD/s320/2018-12-05+095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This and other murals were made by reusing baked pieces from an old ceramics factory in Triana. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyX3NW5mCKw-f7Z06JpihX2cC4dXcSNiTdze7Tw92pj1Ik2_667Nmfd09KVkWx5rqhZIlSdhHLDnmgINddb4bwrGV7-73JjSlLCAr4FJ2F0v8LXdWWqtw4rcTMrs-XTK2k5kzR-46ATE_/s1600/2018-12-05+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyX3NW5mCKw-f7Z06JpihX2cC4dXcSNiTdze7Tw92pj1Ik2_667Nmfd09KVkWx5rqhZIlSdhHLDnmgINddb4bwrGV7-73JjSlLCAr4FJ2F0v8LXdWWqtw4rcTMrs-XTK2k5kzR-46ATE_/s320/2018-12-05+081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The remains of an old kiln, together with other buried kilns, were discovered during excavation on the site prior to the construction of the museum. According to archaeological studies, the kiln dated back to the 16th century although its structure was based on the shape of a Roman type of kiln.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBj4Ch3aE5t77mlmvNxnL8gxHiqBwMCDLtyPXKujubfMV5g0FlvDoKnnLkaQYslb4qlhhqt2r_XT-pkeScaRkGACpPaZ2fuTeAsG4t4W8cvL1NuXwJcn81Beg25zmiNMgFz-kZCtT5rNUW/s1600/2018-12-05+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBj4Ch3aE5t77mlmvNxnL8gxHiqBwMCDLtyPXKujubfMV5g0FlvDoKnnLkaQYslb4qlhhqt2r_XT-pkeScaRkGACpPaZ2fuTeAsG4t4W8cvL1NuXwJcn81Beg25zmiNMgFz-kZCtT5rNUW/s320/2018-12-05+083.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since the production of ceramics involve high emissions of noxious fumes, factories were generally established outside of cities. During the 12th century, Sevilla's ceramics factories were usually constructed on the far banks of the Guadalquivir River. From then until the 20th century, Triana was the most important hub of pottery production in Andalucia and one of the most active in all of Spain. In the 1920s, more than 20 ceramics factories were operating in Sevilla with the zenith being the years before the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. Though none of them are still operating today, they all contributed to make the Triana name known in the world of ceramics. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUL_Vm7cr4NK3mZQh6xtTWnL8fl5qBQC1x8AO6mosgx3Biw7lBwCXQfIDGxQxi0fzM6P3tmCKVcXLB7rMeRknqfxg7TyK-Z5_PgM1wc46rjnCc9KhFtU395VQMDcLXb1ffzhXE1hI52DGq/s1600/2018-12-05+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUL_Vm7cr4NK3mZQh6xtTWnL8fl5qBQC1x8AO6mosgx3Biw7lBwCXQfIDGxQxi0fzM6P3tmCKVcXLB7rMeRknqfxg7TyK-Z5_PgM1wc46rjnCc9KhFtU395VQMDcLXb1ffzhXE1hI52DGq/s320/2018-12-05+098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This firm was created in 1939 and was built over a pottery workshop that had been active since the Middle Ages and had since became the Triana Ceramics Center. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Painted pottery and the design for altarpieces were this company's </span><span style="font-size: large;">specialty although they also decorated several types of tiles crafted using the old dry-string and edge techniques.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOATadK3cvY0Tfedvgas96orNSk2kjpodlNnMo1VQGhV5sBdIcNaxQAJz958koNtR9cYI93agl8HrgmUWHiw5huppW9hYjDe8NBzMFPw3CmqkqBElcRL9INFK54s3rRGrq9_tpfc8gcslL/s1600/2018-12-05+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOATadK3cvY0Tfedvgas96orNSk2kjpodlNnMo1VQGhV5sBdIcNaxQAJz958koNtR9cYI93agl8HrgmUWHiw5huppW9hYjDe8NBzMFPw3CmqkqBElcRL9INFK54s3rRGrq9_tpfc8gcslL/s320/2018-12-05+104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In comparison to the wood and metal that are most popular in the Nordic-European world, clay was the material used in the Mediterranean world to make household implements and pottery as well as many decorative architectural elements. Although glazed pottery originated in the <b>Roman Empire,</b> its production increased dramatically in Triana during the period of Islamic rule, particularly when Sevilla became of the capitals in the <b>Almohad Empire</b> in the 12th century. </span><span style="font-size: large;">During the subsequent Christian era which began in Sevilla in 1248 and good relations with the Kingdom of Granada that remained under Muslim rule for another 250 years, this tradition was revived and strengthened in Sevilla, especially with regard to architectural uses. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZk6VfkDQG_jozUwy6lEXe21Z1XCQxsGDqpSJ_B0hAB3X3e2Ytlmw9HYX9OhzdQOxqWUGJttrPtQGa8zElxtX35GgFDloV7VqNI9jyJ-ZBeHskQwZpJGwreyhKAJU-NkD0Nn9TXr2iXHC/s1600/2018-12-05+114+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1032" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZk6VfkDQG_jozUwy6lEXe21Z1XCQxsGDqpSJ_B0hAB3X3e2Ytlmw9HYX9OhzdQOxqWUGJttrPtQGa8zElxtX35GgFDloV7VqNI9jyJ-ZBeHskQwZpJGwreyhKAJU-NkD0Nn9TXr2iXHC/s320/2018-12-05+114+%25282%2529.JPG" width="206" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The huge strides forward achieved by Mudejar ceramics reached new heights in Sevilla with the arrival of <b>Niculoso Francisco Pisano</b> in 1529. He was a potter trained in Italy who then lived, worked and died in Triana. Niculoso imbued Triana ceramics with the demanding thoroughness of his academic training, his knowledge of Renaissance decoration and his acute commercial acumen. He painted tiles in the Italian style for powerful customers, but also manufactured a semi-industrial product called <i>arista</i> tiles. They were press-mounted relief tiles which were mass produced and traded. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjLdLNaBAn9cRX_Aac6Cfb5AoIQMmP9et5t5X5QUwSmtaMcmhjXOvGrG_AlLwvTI9HV_eeQBHR-52T_Vft3fFLbuy33bju9CySwSFicLeINcEnX5pobp0I27g2tx9mbOFXivAplcfpMWL/s1600/2018-12-05+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjLdLNaBAn9cRX_Aac6Cfb5AoIQMmP9et5t5X5QUwSmtaMcmhjXOvGrG_AlLwvTI9HV_eeQBHR-52T_Vft3fFLbuy33bju9CySwSFicLeINcEnX5pobp0I27g2tx9mbOFXivAplcfpMWL/s320/2018-12-05+116.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Arista</i> tiles from the first half of the 16th century:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNy3LqrsTnyZ_JyQLp2lKZpPPVfkJVoSNf5-VZJjEMWJQEfTokh8gDQfbHnXFTXNuNpYAWabTYkCANNkSQxAkVF00epWLkG6SaJaZqcV7RqZUJItsagG5HdLShGYDYx-WSTCFyOAcErRwb/s1600/2018-12-05+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNy3LqrsTnyZ_JyQLp2lKZpPPVfkJVoSNf5-VZJjEMWJQEfTokh8gDQfbHnXFTXNuNpYAWabTYkCANNkSQxAkVF00epWLkG6SaJaZqcV7RqZUJItsagG5HdLShGYDYx-WSTCFyOAcErRwb/s320/2018-12-05+117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">During the 16th century, there was a large community of Italians and Flemish in Sevilla who were tied to activities at the city's port. It was the potters from these two areas that carried on and made the Italian painted ceramic technique endure. Pottery painters from that period left an era of magnificent tiled pieces. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MCzXAuFRdBJ9UWfjoSqST3QYodTzfNg7kXwNoZaDlaKNxdAZ-v0lsjcBANZR711FTBweAv37x82hkDdoubIVlbs-RQN02cH8AoG4asBebyMcpIsPliJpeNvvGqDg6CVYMkD4cvraFI0P/s1600/2018-12-05+119+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1017" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MCzXAuFRdBJ9UWfjoSqST3QYodTzfNg7kXwNoZaDlaKNxdAZ-v0lsjcBANZR711FTBweAv37x82hkDdoubIVlbs-RQN02cH8AoG4asBebyMcpIsPliJpeNvvGqDg6CVYMkD4cvraFI0P/s320/2018-12-05+119+%25282%2529.JPG" width="203" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr8IzgPbS2h5cj0NxQ8HRB_X1PustwUqAhpOZovKbtunwpQnFE5jLxFdSQ3r0sEMF7ysBG3iOq5eU0ymS8u1iC-dKGb8ZvmZ-ru5cJfXKl72kXa4jXiCZhpncsWriahriSu2yxWtBTgYI/s1600/2018-12-05+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr8IzgPbS2h5cj0NxQ8HRB_X1PustwUqAhpOZovKbtunwpQnFE5jLxFdSQ3r0sEMF7ysBG3iOq5eU0ymS8u1iC-dKGb8ZvmZ-ru5cJfXKl72kXa4jXiCZhpncsWriahriSu2yxWtBTgYI/s320/2018-12-05+091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This spectacular printed and illuminated tile panel was created in 1880. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy-rL2Nol48SFMoL5FNk4BYNG4kNpI1CSmO6FvJGfXMx-kGgsMlvUP3tCfcF4Fno_vap2y9WwXh1DPNVMOmSG8OCFpRW5L_HFZ8QB_sinEy6347kkE_Y2oHw4A9Paqc-zaPSDZ7G4VUPg/s1600/2018-12-05+122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy-rL2Nol48SFMoL5FNk4BYNG4kNpI1CSmO6FvJGfXMx-kGgsMlvUP3tCfcF4Fno_vap2y9WwXh1DPNVMOmSG8OCFpRW5L_HFZ8QB_sinEy6347kkE_Y2oHw4A9Paqc-zaPSDZ7G4VUPg/s320/2018-12-05+122.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The painted tile panel of <i>Jesus Carrying the Cross</i> was made in 1903.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8rJ1Xmo1AtbWckJsS32hlqJCv4tFFDIre2wDKuIAPb9MmsXRReGws2P7jQ8NLX1mOsj2F2RDzIMkFzEdgyCuFILSZjQPNKN03opD4Aak_XAJsHks4eaftsgpAzKrOj22gmagL1cRnvwl/s1600/2018-12-05+124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8rJ1Xmo1AtbWckJsS32hlqJCv4tFFDIre2wDKuIAPb9MmsXRReGws2P7jQ8NLX1mOsj2F2RDzIMkFzEdgyCuFILSZjQPNKN03opD4Aak_XAJsHks4eaftsgpAzKrOj22gmagL1cRnvwl/s320/2018-12-05+124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After learning almost more than we ever wanted to know about ceramics, I needed a tile shopping fix and there were plenty of ceramics shops nearby to satisfy that! Steven and I both had fun popping in and out of several shops that had just gorgeous selections of products made of tiles. After much deliberation, we ended up buying our house numbers with blank tiles on either end and all set in a plaque. Luckily they arrived home safe and sound but they have yet to see the light of day since then - hopefully they'll get put up soon on the front of the house, right Steven?!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjslmCHDVbjA7IWrDw5qNWLXH6IhGTCWMOL-k37csHOjYHEBPVVp1FFoW4k5YayYJ6OJu8c48gOx7bdWA6DfZEG05VIFVh3cXNqaI63oyMQrazc49Fvl0dnEVUA1HLLqdLlVJytRtsf1oI/s1600/2018-12-05+128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjslmCHDVbjA7IWrDw5qNWLXH6IhGTCWMOL-k37csHOjYHEBPVVp1FFoW4k5YayYJ6OJu8c48gOx7bdWA6DfZEG05VIFVh3cXNqaI63oyMQrazc49Fvl0dnEVUA1HLLqdLlVJytRtsf1oI/s320/2018-12-05+128.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was fun wandering down <b>Calle San Jacinto</b> as it had recently become a pedestrian street. We admired the 19th century facades with attractive ironwork and colorful tiles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Star Chapel</b> - what a pretty name!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The male and female statues marked Triana's love of flamenco. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As <b>Calle Pureza</b> cut through the historic center of Triana, we made sure to stroll down the very attractive street which had more ironwork balconies and colorful doors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was one of the many traditional neighborhood grocers we passed that also functioned as neighborhood bars. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The <b>Chapel of Santa Ana,</b> nicknamed the 'Cathedral of Triana,' was the home of the beloved Virgin statue called <b>Our Lady of Hope of Triana.</b> The construction of the church dated from 1266 during the reign of <b>Alfonso X,</b> the king of Castile and Leon. It was the first Christian church built in Sevilla after its conquest in 1248 from the Muslim Moors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The magnificent <b>High Altar</b> was created in 1542 and </span><span style="font-size: large;">was completed with 15 paintings between 1544-1556 and showed the lives of <b>St. Joachim,</b> <b>St. Anne</b> and the <b>Virgin Mary.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Virgin statue was such a major deal in Sevilla that, on meeting someone, it's the norm to question what football team they follow but also which Virgin Mary they prefer! The top two are the Virgen de la Macarena and this one, La Esperanza de Triana - I was so glad we'd now seen both! On the Thursday of Holy Week, it's a battle royale of the Madonnas, as Sevilla's two favorite Virgins are both in processions on the streets at the same time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chapels lined the naves of the church, each fantastically luxurious. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Chapel of St. Christopher:</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErq9tNdAMtEkyxFSM3Q1HisHDJTwAUuUQCF9k-z5uFw-vt8Guk_aZaVTW6a2n8JL2ZkXXvXz-8_ipVkXw3vN5a3rPY7dBftk3X-3lsnxQb9vuRd2oY2IkONVvPY9KD4bt1rOxM8mrC9xt/s1600/2018-12-05+176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErq9tNdAMtEkyxFSM3Q1HisHDJTwAUuUQCF9k-z5uFw-vt8Guk_aZaVTW6a2n8JL2ZkXXvXz-8_ipVkXw3vN5a3rPY7dBftk3X-3lsnxQb9vuRd2oY2IkONVvPY9KD4bt1rOxM8mrC9xt/s320/2018-12-05+176.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The choir stalls were completed in 1619-1620. The iron railings were cast after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake that so affected Sevilla. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This tombstone with the partially destroyed name of the buried person was the first known work in the city by Niculoso Pisano whose work we'd just seen at the Ceramics Museum. The tombstone featured 32 tiles in the tin-glazed pottery technique and included the date it was made 1503.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We peeked in the wannabe cathedral's crypt before viewing even more chapels.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgg2T4tglX58V03-TPzj2wSnkJt414IC_1ry3Bfw_q7-nnkD-_SU2r6TQWeCcbq_MgFUpL3FUEnadxqUigwjKA8s3uCMzZtJrNF_q7Cj4wX6lnyRSf-DUgMboW-CILid1r-XhYCLzhIOr6/s1600/2018-12-05+189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgg2T4tglX58V03-TPzj2wSnkJt414IC_1ry3Bfw_q7-nnkD-_SU2r6TQWeCcbq_MgFUpL3FUEnadxqUigwjKA8s3uCMzZtJrNF_q7Cj4wX6lnyRSf-DUgMboW-CILid1r-XhYCLzhIOr6/s320/2018-12-05+189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Chapel of St. Francis</b> had a sublime platersque or richly ornate altarpiece in the silversmith's style from the last third of the 16th century. It incorporated anonymous panels showing the stigmatization of St. Francis of Assisi, of St. Peter, the decapitation of St. John the Baptist and St. Jerome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Never had we been in a city before Sevilla that had such fun to look at murals on storefronts.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4K9uvIcg_moZA5FxEulRK1D7Wqq62jov_J9PpNZ9HnBUoDGVlMa2cnkTKs6S69R2DwTr5pFINuoYd9gXwoLqe1f0PZDKMcRLEs0wb-dZsYxbtl6faAucRC8otoyHkRfa1Ai8xXXRhWhT/s1600/2018-12-05+205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4K9uvIcg_moZA5FxEulRK1D7Wqq62jov_J9PpNZ9HnBUoDGVlMa2cnkTKs6S69R2DwTr5pFINuoYd9gXwoLqe1f0PZDKMcRLEs0wb-dZsYxbtl6faAucRC8otoyHkRfa1Ai8xXXRhWhT/s320/2018-12-05+205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After having spent several thoroughly enjoyable hours in Triana, we walked back across the river to Sevilla on the <b>Puente de San Telmo.</b> Behind me was the Gold Tower we'd seen earlier. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As this was our last afternoon in the totally charming city of Sevilla, we wanted to make sure to see the<b> General Archives of the Indies</b> before flying on to Lisbon, Portugal, the next morning. But first we got sidetracked by this remarkable flamenco dancer in the square by the Alcazar. It was a riveting performance with no accompaniment; a one-man show with his doing the dancing, the rhythmic clapping <b>and</b> also some singing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We'd just attended a three-person flamenco ensemble the night before in an intimate venue but I enjoyed this impromptu performance almost as much. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The General Archives houses historic papers related to Spain's overseas territories. Its four miles of shelving contained 80 million pages documenting the once-mighty empire. The archives were located in the <b>Lonja Palace,</b> one of the finest Renaissance buildings in Spain. It was designed by the same architect who was the principal designer of <b>El Escorial, </b>the historical residence of the royal family we visited north of Madrid several weeks ago. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Z8tgpCn7zvvO_N40ki6ujhf4iLQx1YOoSFBM2EF7gqAU21XXSQPdIsWhv4vljBhVDu5CyCx2DIQfhBlQfNlzA9YPR3zKEUxcSnTdF_p1S1O2hA56JA2DAVgSBfDFowuBpZCyZmPDf_tq/s1600/2018-12-05+229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Z8tgpCn7zvvO_N40ki6ujhf4iLQx1YOoSFBM2EF7gqAU21XXSQPdIsWhv4vljBhVDu5CyCx2DIQfhBlQfNlzA9YPR3zKEUxcSnTdF_p1S1O2hA56JA2DAVgSBfDFowuBpZCyZmPDf_tq/s320/2018-12-05+229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Originally this was a market for traders, in effect an early stock market. As Sevilla was the only port licensed to trade with the New World, merchants came to the city from all over Europe and thereby established it as a commercial powerhouse. By the end of the 1600s, however, Sevilla's fortunes went downhill after suffering from plagues and the silting up of its harbor. <b>Cadiz</b> then overtook Sevilla as Spain's main port and the building was abandoned in 1717. It was re-purposed</span><span style="font-size: large;"> in 1785 as a storehouse for documents the country was quickly amassing from its discovery and conquest of the New World. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnW5qoczEA01H7YHmzQ_rlrfd5xMQlPQILPVLrLX1nsUWv2vT8W-a7-qyA7tazWsDsxvo_AtKO9oDcEEy5dLKYnwthF13MwXMwLVjsDbS2o3BRLIVSe0YMBI_0w98rVSoPldfVFr6pAtyk/s1600/2018-12-05+302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnW5qoczEA01H7YHmzQ_rlrfd5xMQlPQILPVLrLX1nsUWv2vT8W-a7-qyA7tazWsDsxvo_AtKO9oDcEEy5dLKYnwthF13MwXMwLVjsDbS2o3BRLIVSe0YMBI_0w98rVSoPldfVFr6pAtyk/s320/2018-12-05+302.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What fun climbing the extravagant marble staircase to the first floor! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the top was a huge 16th century security chest that was intended to store gold and important documents. Its elaborate locking mechanism which filled the top lid could only be opened by following a set series of twists, pulls and pushes in order to keep out prying eyes and sticky fingers from its valuable contents. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLLOxbX4NSyKbYIS96vN9iYn_r7J9sKKVo_DDJ2UCCu4Qpq77gd18_Km3Z8uGFAdMg88ZxmgqDcMqWwf5cv97XcEZg8oUXTTVUn1yReP6rWnk34uckAOVhCcjh0OKYEgIuKGeOddhYoJq/s1600/2018-12-05+241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLLOxbX4NSyKbYIS96vN9iYn_r7J9sKKVo_DDJ2UCCu4Qpq77gd18_Km3Z8uGFAdMg88ZxmgqDcMqWwf5cv97XcEZg8oUXTTVUn1yReP6rWnk34uckAOVhCcjh0OKYEgIuKGeOddhYoJq/s320/2018-12-05+241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even though none of the documents were of course available to see, it was still incredibly impressive just walking through the galleries and imagine the stories hidden behind the massive cases in each of the three galleries. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpT-jDMEOOjTbfJA3rVagwohe4rpwNCk9VyBkYXnddp61i1lr-aq0pImWUyw64zgB7fWsoE6kGAKtGZ-w2t5nohtHD53aJ6EgEFP9LEKcmt9ch5McN-3A7OU-HqcReM5D2WghlrCTnCNL/s1600/2018-12-05+243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpT-jDMEOOjTbfJA3rVagwohe4rpwNCk9VyBkYXnddp61i1lr-aq0pImWUyw64zgB7fWsoE6kGAKtGZ-w2t5nohtHD53aJ6EgEFP9LEKcmt9ch5McN-3A7OU-HqcReM5D2WghlrCTnCNL/s320/2018-12-05+243.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar-mDj_4NU6SzNs9qOUMPagGMs02Ipa9o47ZIyQ308qR3cxIkSeOdF1wZSBtzOcK8fWeaHKcmzOgZOEfg9jNKY6CVO23A8jih1JZylcfV1PhFyW6X_iSSQMZXrq7SKPphxUvKYvbc806m/s1600/2018-12-05+244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar-mDj_4NU6SzNs9qOUMPagGMs02Ipa9o47ZIyQ308qR3cxIkSeOdF1wZSBtzOcK8fWeaHKcmzOgZOEfg9jNKY6CVO23A8jih1JZylcfV1PhFyW6X_iSSQMZXrq7SKPphxUvKYvbc806m/s320/2018-12-05+244.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were lucky that the Archives had a special exhibition of paintings by </span><span style="font-size: large;">native son <b>Bartolme Murillo.</b> The General Archives of the Indies was the first building to house the <b>Academy of the Art of Painting,</b> the city's first art college, which was founded in 1660 by a number of Sevillian artists, including Murillo. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The exhibition of three of his works marked the 400th anniversary of Murillo's birth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Lord's Resurrection,</i> circa 1650-1660, was taken to the Alcazar in 1810 and then onto Paris before being returned to Sevilla where it was kept for teaching purposes.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The Ecstasy of St. Francis of Assisi, </span></i><span style="font-size: large;">circa 1645-1646,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> belonged to a series painted for the small cloister of the friary of San Francisco in Sevilla. It is regarded as the first major commission by the young Murillo who wasn't even thirty and was still making his name in a city with many highly skilled, master painters. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uBk_A9QMo9W8Hksv7T6yATbQfnDApU6UG5y_hS1DgF-qZgeKSqiSMtLrAZeb8WzYcyyzTPJz6cqB_kK18OHhyphenhyphenBFbVBvXSa54l00Jk1rrCHf03fS2D_JeyL6wNiW0Bmb17Tc9N6dXRFKh/s1600/2018-12-05+262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uBk_A9QMo9W8Hksv7T6yATbQfnDApU6UG5y_hS1DgF-qZgeKSqiSMtLrAZeb8WzYcyyzTPJz6cqB_kK18OHhyphenhyphenBFbVBvXSa54l00Jk1rrCHf03fS2D_JeyL6wNiW0Bmb17Tc9N6dXRFKh/s320/2018-12-05+262.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>The Penitent Magdalene, </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">painted around 1650, was the first picture to be confiscated by customs officials in compliance with regulations forbidding the export of works of art. Just two years after his arrival in Spain, <b>King Charles III</b> had signed a royal decree banning the export of paintings and sculptures by famous artists who were already deceased. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5z6S5hvCziUxn7QROuKqrG4wdRvXyNXp3rGF5tol_oJEuTyJSXx-JImg8dEadhXUeddFXp1OJB6p8rIsvc1zDhR1ceC3t0wTASpjRIzijYGK8_-QZUgpD64NxzQ5Hxd0U7NDKxW9Z9tj7/s1600/2018-12-05+264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5z6S5hvCziUxn7QROuKqrG4wdRvXyNXp3rGF5tol_oJEuTyJSXx-JImg8dEadhXUeddFXp1OJB6p8rIsvc1zDhR1ceC3t0wTASpjRIzijYGK8_-QZUgpD64NxzQ5Hxd0U7NDKxW9Z9tj7/s320/2018-12-05+264.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were delighted to discover that there were after all a few precious maps and documents we could view as we'd thought they were all hidden away from public sight. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDpPDn0lJ1yD2-qHJGlurZ5CNH4UdL4yQqa0ylqGxIB1do9jjrU5Rc7CmWMf6taT8BkJEnhwH29y0o9zoaBQGwDdXeE08BlzBGftbPj5yTPHUs8SnGCLCp58qqk2G0oIYRtLXwh1P31RZ/s1600/2018-12-05+292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDpPDn0lJ1yD2-qHJGlurZ5CNH4UdL4yQqa0ylqGxIB1do9jjrU5Rc7CmWMf6taT8BkJEnhwH29y0o9zoaBQGwDdXeE08BlzBGftbPj5yTPHUs8SnGCLCp58qqk2G0oIYRtLXwh1P31RZ/s320/2018-12-05+292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few maps proved of particular interest to Steven and me. The first was one of <b>Quebec City</b> in 1699. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteRUD35Y7fUszhRWIXNcrWd1pFClq0teg2iULSPsur3tw_1KNyTpsqVhh-se9Jt79-AYYWcuZgrhHIOsM_Gzm55HfofP5nhEJspz6JYi-xTUeqau6cELPUOagewkg4gw7AIKKO5Ti37su/s1600/2018-12-05+288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteRUD35Y7fUszhRWIXNcrWd1pFClq0teg2iULSPsur3tw_1KNyTpsqVhh-se9Jt79-AYYWcuZgrhHIOsM_Gzm55HfofP5nhEJspz6JYi-xTUeqau6cELPUOagewkg4gw7AIKKO5Ti37su/s320/2018-12-05+288.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A map of the <b>Mississippi River</b> in 1699: </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuRJIr-LbgWYem-aNMibr_ZUwfKxoQCkQnMc5bNs6lwWJ9IBbH6ASATpAyoraiWKug7pZeqkf6ZrooRAETGn7z9Vayaw6PpZbxmU_BNV-1owCM6wtRJAM0CSDtOxZugwSaOvx1FQBUZQt/s1600/2018-12-05+290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuRJIr-LbgWYem-aNMibr_ZUwfKxoQCkQnMc5bNs6lwWJ9IBbH6ASATpAyoraiWKug7pZeqkf6ZrooRAETGn7z9Vayaw6PpZbxmU_BNV-1owCM6wtRJAM0CSDtOxZugwSaOvx1FQBUZQt/s320/2018-12-05+290.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think we were both pretty happy to see the 1863 map of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil as we knew even last December that we'd be visiting <b>Paraguay</b> for ten days this coming December after taking a cruise in both Antarctica and Patagonia. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOYC4nMSbHle274OcjiBQb4Hw8aRq7BivtuAHq3z0F6CLRSzYcU2KrrlgEpT38pAGep766EpLddETEtKvOQWi3Xme-id3Iv1g_Dgq63TAompZIlfPsPoBf6iTGAvp24WQsga2tbb0iOGs/s1600/2018-12-05+299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOYC4nMSbHle274OcjiBQb4Hw8aRq7BivtuAHq3z0F6CLRSzYcU2KrrlgEpT38pAGep766EpLddETEtKvOQWi3Xme-id3Iv1g_Dgq63TAompZIlfPsPoBf6iTGAvp24WQsga2tbb0iOGs/s320/2018-12-05+299.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUx9M0oGRFds7Py6eYd2YcJf9kfXa8r4Sq60VWIevLdXoMwzqHj-zdcUFFHu-fI7sRQMY19jmrjMfP9kAfWbbIQv2Nni03B84rHydQFTAVErjt9cXZXxRx-h4bbdO71htYsiHFvclKIwT3/s1600/2018-12-05+303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUx9M0oGRFds7Py6eYd2YcJf9kfXa8r4Sq60VWIevLdXoMwzqHj-zdcUFFHu-fI7sRQMY19jmrjMfP9kAfWbbIQv2Nni03B84rHydQFTAVErjt9cXZXxRx-h4bbdO71htYsiHFvclKIwT3/s320/2018-12-05+303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On our way back to the hotel, we decided to do some last minute window shopping along <b>Calle Tetuan</b> where old time fashion standbys bumped up against fashion-right boutiques. The first to catch our eye was <b>Juan Foronda</b> which has been selling flamenco attire since 1926. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZO5BguD24I2Y_uEhPRUpqlGYBgRrqVs1BELkgZgsbkiBvGS33gb2Y7HgQq1nNYAe9CfnN59B4bIIkdddb3jA_HVhCt61zv2Uw6JSVqJgI6-Z5rfhQfu-ahrKfgcAI4UuxTXo4ZccxyIh8/s1600/2018-12-05+305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZO5BguD24I2Y_uEhPRUpqlGYBgRrqVs1BELkgZgsbkiBvGS33gb2Y7HgQq1nNYAe9CfnN59B4bIIkdddb3jA_HVhCt61zv2Uw6JSVqJgI6-Z5rfhQfu-ahrKfgcAI4UuxTXo4ZccxyIh8/s320/2018-12-05+305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEejSVP0Xm4xcjK1jp2QRQaKEg1rkNesKpDzidivChdLpedvyPb6rc8KrUNQ3iC7Li6gxo0y0XLgNjWlJvHxta8wKGIUpjUBK2itFuXMb9bGciqsHj4Zfzo7c4LSglCrNaJZ_jvDN-X7HL/s1600/2018-12-05+306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEejSVP0Xm4xcjK1jp2QRQaKEg1rkNesKpDzidivChdLpedvyPb6rc8KrUNQ3iC7Li6gxo0y0XLgNjWlJvHxta8wKGIUpjUBK2itFuXMb9bGciqsHj4Zfzo7c4LSglCrNaJZ_jvDN-X7HL/s320/2018-12-05+306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqYiHAQsR_oGimFZO7qG8CUc7drj7Fzu5lGkxjqYHKkn7ybHItdX66QbefSCyEP-VtOU8Nmew2n2RuGf0ec0ezqbDIwV35aXIP721oRqSpjpILY-K3ERPKX5GpLz3iIKBmLaqAsSCKMAU/s1600/2018-12-05+331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqYiHAQsR_oGimFZO7qG8CUc7drj7Fzu5lGkxjqYHKkn7ybHItdX66QbefSCyEP-VtOU8Nmew2n2RuGf0ec0ezqbDIwV35aXIP721oRqSpjpILY-K3ERPKX5GpLz3iIKBmLaqAsSCKMAU/s320/2018-12-05+331.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> A few doors away was the flagship of <b>Camper,</b> the Spanish shoe brand that's become a worldwide favorite. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqIAGABtXtWzZiiBtuQrIs9L9MXxFZBGYZzxV7s9F7xQsZCLulZQK10hIZ2hxIWXmZIZbLweaMyL18gx2FY09e0CmqhciGo0by5GvDwRCHG7lk598Dt3KzP1n_Zewb9xsY2S87NFEnb5N/s1600/2018-12-05+310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqIAGABtXtWzZiiBtuQrIs9L9MXxFZBGYZzxV7s9F7xQsZCLulZQK10hIZ2hxIWXmZIZbLweaMyL18gx2FY09e0CmqhciGo0by5GvDwRCHG7lk598Dt3KzP1n_Zewb9xsY2S87NFEnb5N/s320/2018-12-05+310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The rest of the street introduced us to mainly Spanish brands such as Massimo Dutti, Zara and Mango.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XP0Ei4bXQCu4VyuzMuQTaYZShqBfct-WRC17blgcV4L6Z497CDyeLnrOoq6wuWAdg1_vzhJtz5UicmFqvcP8ipPMp506f1ZT641IsohLVSTnTZAQStBjDp5eGDCTR7refYk2OmUnoRc6/s1600/2018-12-05+312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XP0Ei4bXQCu4VyuzMuQTaYZShqBfct-WRC17blgcV4L6Z497CDyeLnrOoq6wuWAdg1_vzhJtz5UicmFqvcP8ipPMp506f1ZT641IsohLVSTnTZAQStBjDp5eGDCTR7refYk2OmUnoRc6/s320/2018-12-05+312.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TTxMt_FKCKW2JmQzs8_O99udjzImMO4W1avmwaEvrcO02-c2imTLgHkjhPveBr5jaVXt9SfbLD0cfTRIOP4nxQpwmDrhmsfVRDwv4ZPBh1GE6vqOR2_EkcltP3KOoEdebRYdsXo0kcsw/s1600/2018-12-05+314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TTxMt_FKCKW2JmQzs8_O99udjzImMO4W1avmwaEvrcO02-c2imTLgHkjhPveBr5jaVXt9SfbLD0cfTRIOP4nxQpwmDrhmsfVRDwv4ZPBh1GE6vqOR2_EkcltP3KOoEdebRYdsXo0kcsw/s320/2018-12-05+314.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since my English mother inherited some antique carriage clocks, I have had a fondness for old clocks. I was therefore quite delighted when we noticed <b>El Cronometro</b> where master watchmakers have been doing business since 1901 in the clock-covered, wood-paneled shop. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskQvL0_ygyA1C53VxGpVo5SnhDguHmS8v9Bj9shGhNaC_2v7TOu-83TYByFgJFPoQ99hrmvVn8eykwTCUv2ktXhJ-04mIN0m-URnHYymX-ygBtcBdsfetR-hIRsM4NHVXXDOpAKdEoJoZ/s1600/2018-12-05+320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskQvL0_ygyA1C53VxGpVo5SnhDguHmS8v9Bj9shGhNaC_2v7TOu-83TYByFgJFPoQ99hrmvVn8eykwTCUv2ktXhJ-04mIN0m-URnHYymX-ygBtcBdsfetR-hIRsM4NHVXXDOpAKdEoJoZ/s320/2018-12-05+320.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Close by was <b>Sombrerio Maquedano,</b> a wonderful shop for hat aficionados. The shop claimed to be the oldest hat seller in Sevilla and possibly all of Spain. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnCbzs1rSNLfTabyFB_zH8KiNe2WpXZScBI2yJ-UjExRrK-8bpBmxxSIHmZttJKOUesd2-Zo9c3hFdOzhlsPCCs3959QloCQL21iJWH2PscNBqzdqK6dpCTyNNxI1m8ivwE9HjrbYB7Gb/s1600/2018-12-05+323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnCbzs1rSNLfTabyFB_zH8KiNe2WpXZScBI2yJ-UjExRrK-8bpBmxxSIHmZttJKOUesd2-Zo9c3hFdOzhlsPCCs3959QloCQL21iJWH2PscNBqzdqK6dpCTyNNxI1m8ivwE9HjrbYB7Gb/s320/2018-12-05+323.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since first arriving in Spain six weeks ago from <b>Kazakhstan,</b> I'd been amazed by the exquisitely made baby clothes we saw in several Spanish cities. Never had I seen such luxurious and adorable baby clothes before. If you're a mom or grandma, <b>BuBi</b> would be the place to go to indulge a wee one as long as you don't object to spending about $30 for a pair of booties. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYI-9bHJQ5lOU2UcCDBkO2u54G_OwG9hSxb2jmlnsKWY1TdkasEKz81rUuyerH22HEG2eW29E_LmgF0xrP_OKngniPDziFMF60zPcxiRoIUfh6b4s7UWCT6nbbOM0hVMqHtFIScki8SGrT/s1600/2018-12-05+334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYI-9bHJQ5lOU2UcCDBkO2u54G_OwG9hSxb2jmlnsKWY1TdkasEKz81rUuyerH22HEG2eW29E_LmgF0xrP_OKngniPDziFMF60zPcxiRoIUfh6b4s7UWCT6nbbOM0hVMqHtFIScki8SGrT/s320/2018-12-05+334.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank goodness three of our four children all got married within ten months of each other in 2017 and 2018 as otherwise it would have been a lark to look at the classic wedding dresses in the shops along <b>Calle Luna.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If neither adorable baby clothes nor wedding dresses interest you, what about flamenco dresses?! Local women save up to have custom-made flamenco dresses made for the April Fair as they're considered an important status symbol. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After spending more time in Spain than in any country we've ever visited, I knew it would be hard to bid <i>adios</i> to a nation I'd grown to love from the time we landed in Barcelona in late October and made our way through most of the fascinating country from then on. There are far too many highlights to possibly enumerate here. I hope you've had a chance to read at least some of the preceding posts to see what grabbed us as we traveled far and wide by car and then bus through a country that has known such troubled times with its own Civil War, yet a past steeped in history that draws tourists from all over the world to its exciting shores. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> On to Portugal, a country we'd both wanted to visit for some time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on April 3rd, 2019, from our home in Denver's suburbs.</i></span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-72782240522579318562019-03-29T22:01:00.001-06:002019-04-10T12:49:57.169-06:0012/4: Sevilla's Plaza de Espana: Most Beautiful Square Ever & Flamenco Show<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I just returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for the last 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow</i></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> that trip, </span></i><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">here's a link to the newest blog: <a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a> </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We'd spent the morning admiring Sevilla's superb <b>Alcazar,</b> the fantastic royal palace and garden decorated with wondrous Islamic flair. Our afternoon was dedicated to relaxing at <b>Plaza de Espana</b> before enjoying a flamenco concert in the evening. Sevilla is a fantastic city for people who enjoy walking so it was a delight strolling through the lively <b>Universidad de Sevilla</b> en route to the plaza. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The charming <b>Parque de Maria Luisa</b> and the plaza comprised the 1929 international fair, "where for a year the Spanish-speaking countries of the world enjoyed a mutual admiration fiesta," according to travel writer <b>Rick Steves</b>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The plaza looked like a smaller version of Venice with canals surrounding the most beautiful square we've ever seen in the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The park's highlight was the former <b>Spanish Pavilion</b> and its tiles, a hallmark of Sevilla, depicted historic scenes and maps from every province of Spain arranged in alphabetical order from Aragon to Zaragoza.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Being avid readers, we loved the fact that people had left books to read on the shelves beside each seat. I wonder who had the brilliant idea of having a free library here? Plaudits indeed to whomever that was. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope none of our family nor friends wanted fans as a souvenir because we didn't bring any back but simply admired the ones we saw for sale!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjos_j3SZV3AM5vPAyC61Ejf2_ekjAED2cQFtQbFuOydrlXCeSyRgqSqp718m0dIpR-dTT1UBT3vdOiDMSbkT12bRyStUNncsKslqLTgZUycxNJmxdmZ_avV_KMCBsvx9FP7F7lB5ry_EJJ/s1600/2018-12-04+277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjos_j3SZV3AM5vPAyC61Ejf2_ekjAED2cQFtQbFuOydrlXCeSyRgqSqp718m0dIpR-dTT1UBT3vdOiDMSbkT12bRyStUNncsKslqLTgZUycxNJmxdmZ_avV_KMCBsvx9FP7F7lB5ry_EJJ/s320/2018-12-04+277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> It was so much fun discovering the places we'd visited throughout the last six weeks or so we'd been in Spain.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybxlL5exzf6dx33kQbcb4r3652-EpcZTQA9lAyTD9Ju3xvL721UMysegeQhZ3RNjZZ6FZ_UhYzbKoM184yfFoTzw63HfATvPEgj-wVyldIXDK7tSlF1mCtDYd8UlDBg6beuUvDTnoC5hb/s1600/2018-12-04+278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybxlL5exzf6dx33kQbcb4r3652-EpcZTQA9lAyTD9Ju3xvL721UMysegeQhZ3RNjZZ6FZ_UhYzbKoM184yfFoTzw63HfATvPEgj-wVyldIXDK7tSlF1mCtDYd8UlDBg6beuUvDTnoC5hb/s320/2018-12-04+278.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In addition to being one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen anywhere, this rounded square was also a set of <b>Star Wars - Planet Naboo. </b>I could certainly see why<b> </b></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Plaza de Espana had been voted one of the best things to visit in the world on Trip Advisor. It was very impressive and so much fun just wandering around in addition to being a photographer's dream!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj476ol3VEDVMG7jlrA6cAD2rw9snCj6TORPFpAEkTXfBFnPBKcwpDnvPwfw91CzqjZHQ1vGrffy-r_uLf9Qd43C0q9WAF7fCb5vDmk9r6GgZM0_jS1u_hyh5elC4zhuRdblPQf_MxOrh4t/s1600/2018-12-04+283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj476ol3VEDVMG7jlrA6cAD2rw9snCj6TORPFpAEkTXfBFnPBKcwpDnvPwfw91CzqjZHQ1vGrffy-r_uLf9Qd43C0q9WAF7fCb5vDmk9r6GgZM0_jS1u_hyh5elC4zhuRdblPQf_MxOrh4t/s320/2018-12-04+283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think this must be the last photo I took of Steven with his backpack. You'll see why below!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWx2UIyTrbb_BYG1dc2G4FLSSOeacvYB55L8cwoTkt-em8E7UWQPqD53Gid6UwYNIhn8-XZcFKuL0gdA6JBX15d4WwbLvgpZ5QXZZmGn_5G5JOc9wYHl49-Zivj8HlqI5SQKTtIWCd0Si/s1600/2018-12-04+285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWx2UIyTrbb_BYG1dc2G4FLSSOeacvYB55L8cwoTkt-em8E7UWQPqD53Gid6UwYNIhn8-XZcFKuL0gdA6JBX15d4WwbLvgpZ5QXZZmGn_5G5JOc9wYHl49-Zivj8HlqI5SQKTtIWCd0Si/s320/2018-12-04+285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The logo for the 1929 World's Fair:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6Oz9MniqUrmPR9eTrLdymUnkVYFG0V0J5YWdwzb8jwgfMhjzzAAl7Y2L2fUOehD6yzFK9bACVSkeqXmuCd6HKokjwn42m3GE_V6JD283hdfAG1HKqaBV0IF8wrPhHgkEwKvfYKsqph3d/s1600/2018-12-04+286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6Oz9MniqUrmPR9eTrLdymUnkVYFG0V0J5YWdwzb8jwgfMhjzzAAl7Y2L2fUOehD6yzFK9bACVSkeqXmuCd6HKokjwn42m3GE_V6JD283hdfAG1HKqaBV0IF8wrPhHgkEwKvfYKsqph3d/s320/2018-12-04+286.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We parked ourselves on one of the many benches that surrounded the interior of the park as we were absolutely content to watch the world go by.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wLymEqDeno0WFocL8aomM3uqC09Kk2CePBIDUFFviJBVBzOuNo5j2xAm5ufreThwnaK8vDE0Kkljz0HwVV4ESOQWzyUL36H-Xv_EXbgDqipcvphpPeRmXMvDotlmWrQ3M4dBqmEN_9xp/s1600/2018-12-04+287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wLymEqDeno0WFocL8aomM3uqC09Kk2CePBIDUFFviJBVBzOuNo5j2xAm5ufreThwnaK8vDE0Kkljz0HwVV4ESOQWzyUL36H-Xv_EXbgDqipcvphpPeRmXMvDotlmWrQ3M4dBqmEN_9xp/s320/2018-12-04+287.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Set into the semicircle was an enclosed waterway where people could hire a boat and simply float around enjoying the changing views of the buildings, and the comings and goings of the horse-drawn carriages with their tourists. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0Srmu55lQDEkq0FAug6-E6W97sno3YJ2imfYRNGnE7FPyO6TTe9QkDtGEHQtILc-TXXKPXoRxryw42nLlgiS6UMcfyM0vvy2Uy270cCmKsIjg6vEt9gi7q9wnfAAnw-T-mO6wBLQIrE5/s1600/2018-12-04+306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0Srmu55lQDEkq0FAug6-E6W97sno3YJ2imfYRNGnE7FPyO6TTe9QkDtGEHQtILc-TXXKPXoRxryw42nLlgiS6UMcfyM0vvy2Uy270cCmKsIjg6vEt9gi7q9wnfAAnw-T-mO6wBLQIrE5/s320/2018-12-04+306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgJMnNkZRN5HCepL29yxMRRBP0efxHPAsNoGNxDSehyphenhyphenyXvF_C5kOu7MRvaKWrrRa2LmImH10BS1dO0zA40KZy1eTteIdgBFYX8m59pREGCOpvf4dNwQOBHJTpy74DUn7F4hhWVMbdJ1Wk/s1600/2018-12-04+290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgJMnNkZRN5HCepL29yxMRRBP0efxHPAsNoGNxDSehyphenhyphenyXvF_C5kOu7MRvaKWrrRa2LmImH10BS1dO0zA40KZy1eTteIdgBFYX8m59pREGCOpvf4dNwQOBHJTpy74DUn7F4hhWVMbdJ1Wk/s320/2018-12-04+290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was pretty sure that the string of carriages going around the fountain and the square each held only Asian tourists for some reason.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOoNY8qDmw5GvuHK4Vpwq71NT_S-jsOmiOh0o5FknwUud99YD_LoBW5KUy8e6FoC2AmJlkWIVdZSCR9EZMJG6Jc_KjoTe0AU7oOwpQi2MxVipJnDwKVqR63XVe92h_LSVQ3BBbmsVFNHvZ/s1600/2018-12-04+292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOoNY8qDmw5GvuHK4Vpwq71NT_S-jsOmiOh0o5FknwUud99YD_LoBW5KUy8e6FoC2AmJlkWIVdZSCR9EZMJG6Jc_KjoTe0AU7oOwpQi2MxVipJnDwKVqR63XVe92h_LSVQ3BBbmsVFNHvZ/s320/2018-12-04+292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Evidently I was too engrossed in watching the carriages in front of us and the boats behind us and Steven had his eyes glued reading his Kindle for the first time all trip and had put his backpack to his right on the ground beside him. I am sure you can guess what happened next - we'll never be sure how it happened but somehow his backpack was stolen. The most valuable item in it was his iPad but he also lost his raincoat and other stuff. Almost exactly a year previously Steven had had his shoes, glasses, etc stolen from right beside him on the beach in <b>Valparaiso, Chile.</b> In both cases, it could have been so much worse - it was just 'stuff' that was taken and we weren't harmed fortunately. Plus, we had a whole other day before leaving Spain to buy a new backpack and an iPad. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5B5OfKL_sNLK9TtKCdt1c8gk7InbWV2IQ3fvLL5-n7AmuftQNPpBF6uQSd6-LdfjVaEXutHK7Bq0zmH2lEOUJXT8OPLfvi1u_IAQxN91V71Qdcb7fnmawTUk7LvS8sXN_ro-rwKumW7o/s1600/2018-12-04+308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5B5OfKL_sNLK9TtKCdt1c8gk7InbWV2IQ3fvLL5-n7AmuftQNPpBF6uQSd6-LdfjVaEXutHK7Bq0zmH2lEOUJXT8OPLfvi1u_IAQxN91V71Qdcb7fnmawTUk7LvS8sXN_ro-rwKumW7o/s320/2018-12-04+308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rick Steves warned tourists in his travel book to pay special attention in Plaza de Espana as it was a classic haunt of thieves and con artists and to trust no one. Being sophisticated world travelers, we thought that we'd exercised caution but it just proved you can never be too careful. Once we got up to leave and noticed the backpack was missing, we searched in vain in all the square's garbage cans hoping the thief might have dumped the backpack at least. What a bummer when something like that happens when you travel; it was sort of ironic that in <b>Barcelona,</b> the first city we visited in Spain beginning way back on October 25th, somebody slashed my poncho to get to my backpack on an escalator coming up from the metro, and here we were in our last city in Spain and something happened again. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4woK4a6JOY8v_Nyj1fjgYa8gOJAAb7agumcf0I-R7xZKGOuzVfCj5S84Zy7Na3HUyGFAxcFYd7SAlUKnDDUb3dJZhpm_AiyN_mXF1dZvUHHd9fd2ieq9D1C_33V0_pQ7LHa5iEL53na3/s1600/2018-12-04+294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ4woK4a6JOY8v_Nyj1fjgYa8gOJAAb7agumcf0I-R7xZKGOuzVfCj5S84Zy7Na3HUyGFAxcFYd7SAlUKnDDUb3dJZhpm_AiyN_mXF1dZvUHHd9fd2ieq9D1C_33V0_pQ7LHa5iEL53na3/s320/2018-12-04+294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before leaving the square, </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">we were lucky to catch some great flamenco street performers. The musical and dance performance were equally riveting and were the perfect taste treat for the show we were looking forward to seeing in a few hours.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5loy6t8FSS2Qtl9StV2Ma9vgOzQ2_LZ0yWqAucynqxLSyhAhvascYXUO_ZMqpsmwZwOfeF9IJSaIMehAXSaZcBrLXvPNWCdfrYCHEzaTslS8Uudrl3g8LnpZTgUqfJU_VSJ6BctcaZWF/s1600/2018-12-04+296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5loy6t8FSS2Qtl9StV2Ma9vgOzQ2_LZ0yWqAucynqxLSyhAhvascYXUO_ZMqpsmwZwOfeF9IJSaIMehAXSaZcBrLXvPNWCdfrYCHEzaTslS8Uudrl3g8LnpZTgUqfJU_VSJ6BctcaZWF/s320/2018-12-04+296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVUznN_KfapZ9YOK3QeVxuuRmMBrHllmU5ttfMLsJLzY6Gd0jgWiFyTw314vONkcvWtUod3mQqOXYpqP_4rDD389gH9WQ0MzKrdrEi3TviDXRonSodTrp-4jpenD2r_zjYKgIoZ06VgKG/s1600/2018-12-04+298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVUznN_KfapZ9YOK3QeVxuuRmMBrHllmU5ttfMLsJLzY6Gd0jgWiFyTw314vONkcvWtUod3mQqOXYpqP_4rDD389gH9WQ0MzKrdrEi3TviDXRonSodTrp-4jpenD2r_zjYKgIoZ06VgKG/s320/2018-12-04+298.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_0M6MWerdmR2mTbNuvx4QUalf_r4eih_UTl5Yi0J1lcPNueelGz7LCq_Q3_Uj-G-xvcyo_h1rn1J8i2Q_SnWqKw9bbCGzIq8L-OH7AFBRl8dyf6LPlva5AAUshB-ge6yZHeVTOzvFSL6/s1600/2018-12-04+299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_0M6MWerdmR2mTbNuvx4QUalf_r4eih_UTl5Yi0J1lcPNueelGz7LCq_Q3_Uj-G-xvcyo_h1rn1J8i2Q_SnWqKw9bbCGzIq8L-OH7AFBRl8dyf6LPlva5AAUshB-ge6yZHeVTOzvFSL6/s320/2018-12-04+299.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0TrVOTeWk3SR_Dh_sZ-Wi1nqHKsyoaRBbocKPRi-JzKXvIaCC5pHOzqkBLomSoqFvx5h1F1iBdpyMQM4z9LflqQAVzGiSJ8IoXAnrdKRKh_vR7oWx6aOb0lFbWuANl7C_TQB5TbbjKYC/s1600/2018-12-04+300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0TrVOTeWk3SR_Dh_sZ-Wi1nqHKsyoaRBbocKPRi-JzKXvIaCC5pHOzqkBLomSoqFvx5h1F1iBdpyMQM4z9LflqQAVzGiSJ8IoXAnrdKRKh_vR7oWx6aOb0lFbWuANl7C_TQB5TbbjKYC/s320/2018-12-04+300.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't resist taking a few last photos of what I am convinced is the most beautiful square anywhere. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuh8MV_0iSnyL3OfQE_EHJsL9M796ORJOMGLDxRq-lgrQjMqIJQW795shIEqK46bov0fQpX1TUd72f_IIL23DS6lpjnV1mx5mV6cT5t-wBb5Nd-UyNwAkChQGsdpV6e7ZqxIxtEVuG-bp4/s1600/2018-12-04+303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuh8MV_0iSnyL3OfQE_EHJsL9M796ORJOMGLDxRq-lgrQjMqIJQW795shIEqK46bov0fQpX1TUd72f_IIL23DS6lpjnV1mx5mV6cT5t-wBb5Nd-UyNwAkChQGsdpV6e7ZqxIxtEVuG-bp4/s320/2018-12-04+303.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawq3z_B09X1W2Dx7dDsM_m9cSX9CiLo6SKfiErtW6VP8x2Wjg6sANECs3WCbsri3VihKKrkRTI2SohRYX_0v_q8hdTwzrurZP9X5aVylWxsMtDLtIeF83Jlj0M_UQCKaAclj-NrPyWIgG/s1600/2018-12-04+304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawq3z_B09X1W2Dx7dDsM_m9cSX9CiLo6SKfiErtW6VP8x2Wjg6sANECs3WCbsri3VihKKrkRTI2SohRYX_0v_q8hdTwzrurZP9X5aVylWxsMtDLtIeF83Jlj0M_UQCKaAclj-NrPyWIgG/s320/2018-12-04+304.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR26Zsy16qeg6FipV4hFlwawpVSAdQSDqINweVAi0WQCzXLCNSBV8oqkdoQumiGxEmODxL_6fdoQco628nAzqqOScnrnhfyjEGpo1xWRM6EGmpmH_nVhHHk9p_67ck9Zgp-iBDEGCsycU/s1600/2018-12-04+305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR26Zsy16qeg6FipV4hFlwawpVSAdQSDqINweVAi0WQCzXLCNSBV8oqkdoQumiGxEmODxL_6fdoQco628nAzqqOScnrnhfyjEGpo1xWRM6EGmpmH_nVhHHk9p_67ck9Zgp-iBDEGCsycU/s320/2018-12-04+305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I like this photo Steven took of me although <b>Imelda Marcos</b> wouldn't have approved of my shoes!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOWTQn8nPRpsBudY9ieUu0gpSe2ecj1n5wsJt0Drl90ZbM0xLU0WEXnTdF__LzsNYvdSm6zacDvBoyHT9H7KKw9cXNDWrdIT-BBgouIcIBR8ClOSfWgjU-Rm8vxpchYwq58tYD421xcJZ/s1600/2018-12-04+406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOWTQn8nPRpsBudY9ieUu0gpSe2ecj1n5wsJt0Drl90ZbM0xLU0WEXnTdF__LzsNYvdSm6zacDvBoyHT9H7KKw9cXNDWrdIT-BBgouIcIBR8ClOSfWgjU-Rm8vxpchYwq58tYD421xcJZ/s320/2018-12-04+406.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VF43dubLdt-Qe_QQG8t-d2pV6glWCpJeR4M7kkJtU1CwW5ISh4d9O27sWiGfaU01OsnW0k0obL-y6jfpvzsOR4g3oj1KY86jtkV6GXrri_Gpmf4uMSlkhyhWaW3uVbK6fBshyphenhyphenhKCUVbs/s1600/2018-12-04+307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VF43dubLdt-Qe_QQG8t-d2pV6glWCpJeR4M7kkJtU1CwW5ISh4d9O27sWiGfaU01OsnW0k0obL-y6jfpvzsOR4g3oj1KY86jtkV6GXrri_Gpmf4uMSlkhyhWaW3uVbK6fBshyphenhyphenhKCUVbs/s320/2018-12-04+307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jq5IKH5JZNhI-Zd0ITiPg_ivgAyYrzuw9MZ2lnkQAGxQNqk4gnCpGXLXGchWVh5eE43mPPTNzhn2Hb8AeVCEYWsJjYg5WhQjCgA6zw2vLWRyWwnyr4URNP8jfT_0PZY-tH8aHhoWL9Bc/s1600/2018-12-04+310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jq5IKH5JZNhI-Zd0ITiPg_ivgAyYrzuw9MZ2lnkQAGxQNqk4gnCpGXLXGchWVh5eE43mPPTNzhn2Hb8AeVCEYWsJjYg5WhQjCgA6zw2vLWRyWwnyr4URNP8jfT_0PZY-tH8aHhoWL9Bc/s320/2018-12-04+310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure Steven felt much lighter without his backpack as he crossed the bridge!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmegKHxXSPxGmEYtxn30TXTX4NmNqxq5kqgOeV32emXwCnl0pUwkLD4nYuqrrM86l9z9slqC5VQ5Yv-DWXN3PY9fJ8pIPEljKC5EBV8dbh33fcpK9gvvVFL-NlLj2O4iDgmJ7RX-dgbC8q/s1600/2018-12-04+312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmegKHxXSPxGmEYtxn30TXTX4NmNqxq5kqgOeV32emXwCnl0pUwkLD4nYuqrrM86l9z9slqC5VQ5Yv-DWXN3PY9fJ8pIPEljKC5EBV8dbh33fcpK9gvvVFL-NlLj2O4iDgmJ7RX-dgbC8q/s320/2018-12-04+312.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiy-qnqpIGX1BS90zjCgDYYdr1KZt2nzorX1KuHeildJ0q6Qddu0k3R4kQvHeIM3oavU203ECs_XrIeSOS38Qc20RyI3znRl6OqgeuYFMg3JOkcFtGwEAQS59IFkV9Ccs8_2xcST7I0Si/s1600/2018-12-04+405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiy-qnqpIGX1BS90zjCgDYYdr1KZt2nzorX1KuHeildJ0q6Qddu0k3R4kQvHeIM3oavU203ECs_XrIeSOS38Qc20RyI3znRl6OqgeuYFMg3JOkcFtGwEAQS59IFkV9Ccs8_2xcST7I0Si/s320/2018-12-04+405.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After leaving the square earlier than we'd hoped, we made our way to the police station to report the theft of Steven's backpack. It was sad that there were several other tourists also filing reports of theft. The police station was evidently so used to it that they had procedures in place for tourists speaking many different languages so it went very smoothly. We never heard back from the police but we never expected to realistically. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In our minds, we couldn't <b>not</b> see a flamenco show while in Sevilla. Luckily, we had several options to see one: hour-long serious concerts where the singing and dancing took center stage; about two-hour long touristy dinner and drinks shows with table service but the price didn't include the food; and casual bars with late-night performances, where for the cost of a drink, people could catch impromptu musicians at play. Months earlier we had chosen the first option as it was more our style; we thus ended up at </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>La Casa de Memoria</b> or <b>The House of Memory</b> for an evening of flamenco music and dance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">La Casa de Memoria turned out to be a perfect choice for us; it was a wide venue with only two rows so everyone was able to get a close-up view of the show. The hour-long concert that evening consisted of two dancers, and a singer and guitarist each. Announcements were made in several languages requesting that no photos be taken until near the end when they would be allowed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd read that the flamenco art form had its roots in the Roma or Gypsy and Moorish cultures. The man attired in all black did most of the flamboyant machine-gun footwork. He was poetry in motion and was an absolute pleasure to watch from the moment he walked on the floor. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The woman concentrated on the graceful turns and was very good but not of the same caliber as her counterpart in our minds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As Rick Steves wrote, "flamenco guitarists, with their lightning-fast finger-roll strums, are among the best in the world." I am no judge of flamenco but to my untrained ears, we were treated to an evening of wonderful music thanks in large part to the lone guitarist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The intricate rhythms were set by the hand-clapping (called </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>palmas</i></span><span style="font-size: large;">)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> of those who weren't dancing at the moment. The hand-clapping comprised a good portion of the show as it allowed the dancers a respite from their frenetic dancing. The male dancer, however, was so adept he could both dance and clap at a furious pace simultaneously. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like jazz, flamenco thrives on improvisation. Also like jazz, good flamenco is more than just technical proficiency. A singer or dancer with 'soul' is said to have</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> duende. </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">Flamenco is a happening, with bystanders clapping along and egging on the dancers with whoops and shouts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the raspy-voiced wails of the sole singer, we could hear echoes of the Muslim call to prayer. I found his performance less enjoyable than that of the guitarist and the two dancers, particularly the male's. To my ear, his voice was grating and though he evinced plenty of heartfelt emotion, his 'soul' or <i>duende</i> didn't quite do it for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I would hated to have missed this show; after a downer of an afternoon with Steven's backpack being stolen, the chance to be entertained by this foursome made us both grin from ear to ear. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">La Casa de Memoria presented this flamenco poster collection by a wide variety of artists including a rare original one created for the flamenco show <i>Carmen</i> in 1939. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The poster as an advertising feature began in Paris in the last third of the 19th century with the cities of Milan and Berlin following shortly thereafter. French artist <b>Toulouse-Lautrec</b> raised the level of his artistry with his advertisements for the </span><span style="font-size: large;">Moulin Rouge</span><span style="font-size: large;"> in Paris. Posters promoting products and shows moved ideological propaganda and patriotic publicity before WW I. </span><span style="font-size: large;">In Spain, posters were used to promote events, advertise products and became widespread in theaters in the early years of the 20th century. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Particularly in this Andalusian region of Spain, the posters became related to religious holidays, folklore and flamenco.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After posters were tainted by patriotism during the Spanish Civil War, they mainly advertised movies and folkloric shows in the 1940s and 1950s and tourism in the 1960s. That latter period coincided with the 'developmentalism' years which was geared to toward selling what was 'typically Spanish.' Universities and flamenco groups reclaimed their identity and began to organize cultural identity, meetings, festivals and conferences. At the same time, numerous artists got more involved in poster design, competing in color and regional character to illustrate local festivities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the cutest bathroom signs ever!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> A visit to <b>Triana</b> on the 'wrong side of the river'!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on March 29th, 2019, from our home in the suburbs west of Denver.</i> </span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-79039676730025369762019-03-26T22:31:00.003-06:002019-04-10T12:51:27.791-06:0012/4: Sevilla's Superb Royal Alcazar!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sorry for the delay since the last post. I was away on vacation in New Zealand and Australia for the last 3.5 weeks and only just returned two days ago. In case you also want to follow</i></span><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> that trip, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">here's a link to the newest blog: <a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a> </span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our first sight that morning was the attractive </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Real Iglesia de San Antonio Abad.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_Z6QHl4-yQFAY6-yPVCuYuJxZ0Ik1eorgoamKS3nowHXX5lG15x7RJz4Ug5NH8DN4NcRMo-2_8zEn1tpXnNX-bP7BHZgP5wy7IEZryQ75jsXutZ0G5bs3k00kGvz0JAwuuX9P4QwYvL2/s1600/2018-12-04+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_Z6QHl4-yQFAY6-yPVCuYuJxZ0Ik1eorgoamKS3nowHXX5lG15x7RJz4Ug5NH8DN4NcRMo-2_8zEn1tpXnNX-bP7BHZgP5wy7IEZryQ75jsXutZ0G5bs3k00kGvz0JAwuuX9P4QwYvL2/s320/2018-12-04+003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A little further on was a statue of a Flamenco dancer as the art form was especially popular in Sevilla. We were really looking forward to see a Flamenco show that night that we'd reserved several months ago.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZW4hyphenhyphenJ2V3HWWTycKh65UWiAA4GcjQKJFPykcEhbEXlkn0ss2nrzSU9o4WMYJsAxWNmW2VyJFyrw1n3BWIUVqGumwgn5L3oU3vlgy4h3hWQY5_Hiyu8A-TVCu5oJPgSx0QmiqRuysLW_9/s1600/2018-12-04+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZW4hyphenhyphenJ2V3HWWTycKh65UWiAA4GcjQKJFPykcEhbEXlkn0ss2nrzSU9o4WMYJsAxWNmW2VyJFyrw1n3BWIUVqGumwgn5L3oU3vlgy4h3hWQY5_Hiyu8A-TVCu5oJPgSx0QmiqRuysLW_9/s320/2018-12-04+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcw6_roT25YBKFkzpqheZVGTIuU0e-i5LDjIDxt8ptSK9OEHVfU8dGhh9zdaefBRs-RoIR665OCvjHpGfbx57X65BSoQcQRkxcAadKdaUIdmhem9pbcc9anhHchlU6niF7DdMpwY2BoZlD/s1600/2018-12-04+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcw6_roT25YBKFkzpqheZVGTIuU0e-i5LDjIDxt8ptSK9OEHVfU8dGhh9zdaefBRs-RoIR665OCvjHpGfbx57X65BSoQcQRkxcAadKdaUIdmhem9pbcc9anhHchlU6niF7DdMpwY2BoZlD/s320/2018-12-04+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwDPD49ykxlQL1S2mxq1qrEjZStjlhQdlPdyV5G24QdVC1IfuXvjr34jEqNt43Rw_k2iHjz5TcwT_UpjDltCEpCAkUQO2c7V85zWH7pHN45CVAyUaifL_Wn3gcTobXzXOgLp9bXjPnx6r/s1600/2018-12-04+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwDPD49ykxlQL1S2mxq1qrEjZStjlhQdlPdyV5G24QdVC1IfuXvjr34jEqNt43Rw_k2iHjz5TcwT_UpjDltCEpCAkUQO2c7V85zWH7pHN45CVAyUaifL_Wn3gcTobXzXOgLp9bXjPnx6r/s320/2018-12-04+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was perplexed why there was a mosaic depicting the American Studebaker car.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZA2oX0s5rDlYZReY384gjP-F8bheByUmXD4DO8kTr3tsiWt5ixZagz5t_xtpA2AML8tXAuOH5CmhaK9_iNrrtrtTGu-Nm4Ib7DJY9g9_TqcsenuiCPOOj5BeeHHj91tNYg8x7b-fqzEJ/s1600/2018-12-04+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZA2oX0s5rDlYZReY384gjP-F8bheByUmXD4DO8kTr3tsiWt5ixZagz5t_xtpA2AML8tXAuOH5CmhaK9_iNrrtrtTGu-Nm4Ib7DJY9g9_TqcsenuiCPOOj5BeeHHj91tNYg8x7b-fqzEJ/s320/2018-12-04+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The pleasant <b>Plaza Nueva</b> or <b>New Square</b> was the location for the relatively modern <b>City Hall.</b> The square had been the location for executions and bullfights,; nowadays, it's used for big city events.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47dyHY_QWlph9Ctj0SirBn3iORjUMqyqhzR7w4LY2T5GU0W_m7CuaeMe9Lq6_EGoTsp7wn5Lw2G7JrlMykx_IOlVjmYPGnkQdvtFEoKnM-_djjKO7WIV3CdURMqX5r_CU0GaJ7iY5BVf3/s1600/2018-12-04+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47dyHY_QWlph9Ctj0SirBn3iORjUMqyqhzR7w4LY2T5GU0W_m7CuaeMe9Lq6_EGoTsp7wn5Lw2G7JrlMykx_IOlVjmYPGnkQdvtFEoKnM-_djjKO7WIV3CdURMqX5r_CU0GaJ7iY5BVf3/s320/2018-12-04+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKfy-_-fQJPUhNSOhxDcsbHWRJdHCL7g9yiUWo-aVJATSKu-Xt9txi6R7EAsFZrFht5pYRpGTQZyRtJDwiD2UGdcisW9YIqxYQchqRSnUsyBrJjuQgU3bOx0yzZ7l2TxBzLnKWM1DRuqF/s1600/2018-12-04+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKfy-_-fQJPUhNSOhxDcsbHWRJdHCL7g9yiUWo-aVJATSKu-Xt9txi6R7EAsFZrFht5pYRpGTQZyRtJDwiD2UGdcisW9YIqxYQchqRSnUsyBrJjuQgU3bOx0yzZ7l2TxBzLnKWM1DRuqF/s320/2018-12-04+013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The center of the square had a commanding statue of <b>King Ferdinand III</b> who liberated Sevilla from the Moors in the 13th century and was later sainted. For many centuries, a huge Franciscan monastery stood on this site and the square was a spiritual home to many of the missionaries who colonized California's coast. However, it was destroyed in 1840, when the monastic system was disbanded by a government anxious to take back power from the Roman Catholic Church. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwX5N_j2KYMZofagBc0n1aSJV3-OT-SYRMQKjitOZ7MVmTE4oEmgzBLIZpuLz3hF-YCauj-isdjPbzUSuFqAysbSLxahmKMaZM0nzKdC8fySirtSg5ZRrBkhSgKYdFkLrNmpeM6jktwCy7/s1600/2018-12-04+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwX5N_j2KYMZofagBc0n1aSJV3-OT-SYRMQKjitOZ7MVmTE4oEmgzBLIZpuLz3hF-YCauj-isdjPbzUSuFqAysbSLxahmKMaZM0nzKdC8fySirtSg5ZRrBkhSgKYdFkLrNmpeM6jktwCy7/s320/2018-12-04+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfNntaFl-mJlmkti0oZl1Q5od542fSv8HU_SOcOXyl2SJwci4IZqM3BdFqfiM1n5PyJcmPGMLUwJuDv0naFEG5ZD4mjTv1vec2wGwxCW3iB0Dy0MQTUbGkj14tfRMnt62n5NsYDZgCcD9/s1600/2018-12-04+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfNntaFl-mJlmkti0oZl1Q5od542fSv8HU_SOcOXyl2SJwci4IZqM3BdFqfiM1n5PyJcmPGMLUwJuDv0naFEG5ZD4mjTv1vec2wGwxCW3iB0Dy0MQTUbGkj14tfRMnt62n5NsYDZgCcD9/s320/2018-12-04+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The square was a gateway to Sevilla's shopping district and a superb collection of historic buildings.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIEzcU9BjYBWx9ufGhVCFs52gbg50Rv4KqAjj3Fed7qEaDt3Oh9SYt0EWEBudoaNSZn_PqmD-mA1a6alL7G7XpX-gznXNuKl_KfdAceImI42F3oy2zsLo-8C4q9AS82Q1SrSA2xr8xiFo/s1600/2018-12-04+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIEzcU9BjYBWx9ufGhVCFs52gbg50Rv4KqAjj3Fed7qEaDt3Oh9SYt0EWEBudoaNSZn_PqmD-mA1a6alL7G7XpX-gznXNuKl_KfdAceImI42F3oy2zsLo-8C4q9AS82Q1SrSA2xr8xiFo/s320/2018-12-04+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6Wiv4m2FEyuIhRV7ofnENdHT2dw9XQnqVBk9mxJjOdTerDkWqe9f0HX5shLq_1UbVX1qrvZ6oCmGHSl4qx_GciCltkkG_rW08POe_FdYajiawQy1_jLYey61fiaoFiOJyMDGa1glEiTW/s1600/2018-12-04+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6Wiv4m2FEyuIhRV7ofnENdHT2dw9XQnqVBk9mxJjOdTerDkWqe9f0HX5shLq_1UbVX1qrvZ6oCmGHSl4qx_GciCltkkG_rW08POe_FdYajiawQy1_jLYey61fiaoFiOJyMDGa1glEiTW/s320/2018-12-04+024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSL237hR3TkvwM5VoaaQAiddOLcIXxUNSn2_L0V2_cYtjXUXP4vc1fFYbqP23buxPyE7rCR5Rp0Uj1EVe43c2aYiTt0Ap-AH472FuHKGoyan6o9jnlHNkCk2xaLMVb7zW7gEh9rxW2vqz/s1600/2018-12-04+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSL237hR3TkvwM5VoaaQAiddOLcIXxUNSn2_L0V2_cYtjXUXP4vc1fFYbqP23buxPyE7rCR5Rp0Uj1EVe43c2aYiTt0Ap-AH472FuHKGoyan6o9jnlHNkCk2xaLMVb7zW7gEh9rxW2vqz/s320/2018-12-04+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Small tobacco shops were a common fixture throughout the city, we observed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-69zEddjYM113x-JmKDlSzKmOwJkMIQzJKEcAzUiP5DViHpkzoa4IIYXfj30A4Tl4hCaVmfkD2046d_B_KSwfWBM1son_reBfiQFWzgHdryHmLay_rZyZiML1mrjwv-GCKmNFDw-FXNr/s1600/2018-12-04+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-69zEddjYM113x-JmKDlSzKmOwJkMIQzJKEcAzUiP5DViHpkzoa4IIYXfj30A4Tl4hCaVmfkD2046d_B_KSwfWBM1son_reBfiQFWzgHdryHmLay_rZyZiML1mrjwv-GCKmNFDw-FXNr/s320/2018-12-04+027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While Granada had the great Alhambra and Cordoba its remarkable Mezquita, Sevilla's claim was the <b>Alcazar,</b> a fantastic royal palace and garden decorated with a mix of </span><span style="font-size: large;">Islamic and Christian elements, a style called </span><span style="font-size: large;">Mudejar. We entered through the impressive garden-like <b>Lion Courtyard</b> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoahxEPUDZjn43FA5-G493gew2Z18nQhWvx4fs1jXD8NioStd5KMaGrG1yqS8WN_G9oWxNEMu9gyw19cmEifZ1l5M57Jj5KDshLTp3YsZhsMY4vEE2uM1b2sv0xqLSrSnS8_cuZsIYRR9t/s1600/2018-12-04+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoahxEPUDZjn43FA5-G493gew2Z18nQhWvx4fs1jXD8NioStd5KMaGrG1yqS8WN_G9oWxNEMu9gyw19cmEifZ1l5M57Jj5KDshLTp3YsZhsMY4vEE2uM1b2sv0xqLSrSnS8_cuZsIYRR9t/s320/2018-12-04+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomkTd4W2OAtx6ZrpULqx7JoW4yyevTqEXOu_QPEeZSsIH-fu0LxZf9P9LKA0xSYZz4-bn-KTzXLTwo3BvLNUI3Y1JVNtd1G6Ixhb6Xl4RbvZiGh7SrC0Mfx_yWHa7079z7g5c9SuwxVeV/s1600/2018-12-04+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomkTd4W2OAtx6ZrpULqx7JoW4yyevTqEXOu_QPEeZSsIH-fu0LxZf9P9LKA0xSYZz4-bn-KTzXLTwo3BvLNUI3Y1JVNtd1G6Ixhb6Xl4RbvZiGh7SrC0Mfx_yWHa7079z7g5c9SuwxVeV/s320/2018-12-04+032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just beyond was</span><span style="font-size: large;"> the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Courtyard of the Hunt, </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">the main entrance to the palace that was built over many centuries with rooms and decorations from the various rulers who lived there. The original 10th century palace and gardens were built by Moorish caliphs. <b>King Pedro I</b> built the most famous part of the complex after Sevilla was Christianized in 1248. During Spain's Golden Age, the palace was home to <b>Ferdinand and Isabel</b> and later by their grandson, <b>Charles V.</b> Later monarchs added more luxury and Spain's current king and queen occupy the palace's upper floor as one of their royal residences.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaXsfqT4Si6oarVS3Cie-6e8LxWIrZgu537YjKWJ9ZRRNZhumLJjjKqvrT1JqzJLvNKEnVtULFiaeJoV-Y1oTkHWe3g0-Qt3nTU3uXkifAnbnLYB8iG32ri3C3oWbRJUHc40qyPNOtNrq/s1600/2018-12-04+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaXsfqT4Si6oarVS3Cie-6e8LxWIrZgu537YjKWJ9ZRRNZhumLJjjKqvrT1JqzJLvNKEnVtULFiaeJoV-Y1oTkHWe3g0-Qt3nTU3uXkifAnbnLYB8iG32ri3C3oWbRJUHc40qyPNOtNrq/s320/2018-12-04+036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The pink and red <b>Audience Chamber</b> was formerly a chapel; its altarpiece painting was <i>St. Mary of the Navigators</i> from the 1530s. The Virgin - the patron saint of sailors and a favorite of Columbus - was shown keeping watch over the small ships beneath her. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbONMzsere58GeyAGKELmrPP50EFKNMDG9cI9GMr2PSDAKaJqZyi7FS8QM4STetI93XQnnN9JGCqJqyROcRqD2SvpGcoijD3RUYm9N8nbuoYs-SMIuZRpmqSjwr_PVsKjTGAUK7LE8D7zD/s1600/2018-12-04+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbONMzsere58GeyAGKELmrPP50EFKNMDG9cI9GMr2PSDAKaJqZyi7FS8QM4STetI93XQnnN9JGCqJqyROcRqD2SvpGcoijD3RUYm9N8nbuoYs-SMIuZRpmqSjwr_PVsKjTGAUK7LE8D7zD/s320/2018-12-04+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As noted by</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Rick Steves, </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">the travel writer, her cape seemed to protect everyone under it, even the Native Americans in the dark background. That was the first time 'Indians' were painted in Europe.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9B_QArxqNie-W6IV0vU9_IPXz8eNHBraRqUw3XZf4t83kanZbiFmEvha-R3T6ZfiyYlP0NAyW2-DP3ir_ME6rNnvAfqxB2H-JZQWG6UCWhNlDoO0zgWJGotFzBneKj-lLphV-q41cCx1N/s1600/2018-12-04+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9B_QArxqNie-W6IV0vU9_IPXz8eNHBraRqUw3XZf4t83kanZbiFmEvha-R3T6ZfiyYlP0NAyW2-DP3ir_ME6rNnvAfqxB2H-JZQWG6UCWhNlDoO0zgWJGotFzBneKj-lLphV-q41cCx1N/s320/2018-12-04+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In another part of the painting, was none other <b>Christoper Columbus,</b> depicted with his hands joined in prayer and standing on a cloud because it was painted a few decades after his death and he was in heaven. Steves indicated that many historians believe this to be the earliest known portrait of Columbus.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjrl4jmWdfIiCa_3gRfqRvrV1jp3Lc4l44DiGAeoewOQjcimeHuXPauiJY7vG6DuK0yGScs0mr9zD1xidC3JdgaVRttVKP-hZd7iQf-qQzniAs2BbBgNGlD_XTGmWiGB_a46PykGjmaKL/s1600/2018-12-04+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjrl4jmWdfIiCa_3gRfqRvrV1jp3Lc4l44DiGAeoewOQjcimeHuXPauiJY7vG6DuK0yGScs0mr9zD1xidC3JdgaVRttVKP-hZd7iQf-qQzniAs2BbBgNGlD_XTGmWiGB_a46PykGjmaKL/s320/2018-12-04+054.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beside the painting was a model of Columbus' <i>Santa Maria,</i> his flagship and the only of his thee ships not to return after his 1492 voyage. The big cargo ship ran aground on Christmas Day off present-day Haiti.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLHmo8uDPsfX-90R0nF5DHnK0fWdWiZRLDJUVPfnOZJdieMMGsyg1T5fGQ9o1HhEhjMRSpECvCmiYGZEsTtlryGepKPim-YoKONz_7pP72X4tcfNtRpzgQp8oDNS9bKGAjSbFRBQ2eTgO/s1600/2018-12-04+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLHmo8uDPsfX-90R0nF5DHnK0fWdWiZRLDJUVPfnOZJdieMMGsyg1T5fGQ9o1HhEhjMRSpECvCmiYGZEsTtlryGepKPim-YoKONz_7pP72X4tcfNtRpzgQp8oDNS9bKGAjSbFRBQ2eTgO/s320/2018-12-04+055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Opposite the altarpiece was the family coat of arms belonging to Columbus' descendants who now live in Spain and Puerto Rico. It read "To Castile and to Leon, Colon (Columbus' Spanish name) gave a new world."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3kQRNKZF_BSejPAQQ4KLajaQPxIm9wCmoXaPG2XOb9MNFZsq8pXXX-QJ0kKruU32ZrZkzMDl7sWoqk0wEd461UIudd9egmQElZ351aKt_9iPpLTTUuoTXeAt1UkR2u4No3-e8XvneMdt/s1600/2018-12-04+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3kQRNKZF_BSejPAQQ4KLajaQPxIm9wCmoXaPG2XOb9MNFZsq8pXXX-QJ0kKruU32ZrZkzMDl7sWoqk0wEd461UIudd9egmQElZ351aKt_9iPpLTTUuoTXeAt1UkR2u4No3-e8XvneMdt/s320/2018-12-04+047.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVAi2AjxNl0Q-0lFRAG8npfmIfi2as1-5c3dBtpsh6w9banzyZp850mZtcbrq44k1KE6iFWiMa00DYIlW-z5yHC_JC3uXI0ox8qEFzoGkP6IcOeU0jiAyoUM2L03LQHfkWSKeInQiRpWF/s1600/2018-12-04+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVAi2AjxNl0Q-0lFRAG8npfmIfi2as1-5c3dBtpsh6w9banzyZp850mZtcbrq44k1KE6iFWiMa00DYIlW-z5yHC_JC3uXI0ox8qEFzoGkP6IcOeU0jiAyoUM2L03LQHfkWSKeInQiRpWF/s320/2018-12-04+045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2Uh58eiXXHi6q4yr1jDWzRkuPtc6PAOOKKyFhCn9iPEhirKfvzQ9ab4bPnfCEfGo-JiCYhX8ltBOfstzS0xAsFJI0mcNgeXlibBnclGmtZK9rOB1qgIKZ2VJhgXahAxwZL8f7qxIcRD-/s1600/2018-12-04+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2Uh58eiXXHi6q4yr1jDWzRkuPtc6PAOOKKyFhCn9iPEhirKfvzQ9ab4bPnfCEfGo-JiCYhX8ltBOfstzS0xAsFJI0mcNgeXlibBnclGmtZK9rOB1qgIKZ2VJhgXahAxwZL8f7qxIcRD-/s320/2018-12-04+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When Queen Isabel debriefed Columbus after his discoveries in the New World, she understood that what he'd found could have major importance for Spain. An ornate wing was created in the palace in 1503 to administer Spain's New World's adventures. It was in the </span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Admiral's Hall</b> that</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Columbus discussed his travels,</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <b>Ferdinand Magellan</b> planned his around the world voyage and <b>Amerigo Vespucci</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">tried to come up with a name for the newly found continent.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC6r7NXBxHmGqOGr0hiOhSlDgEzPD1KPi8yDODJhxL4_Od9dIxXn7nlvjAP2n-XnphbXnUSXyqVtPwhdj5x1vB2cWSgl-OE4l_UKw14if1IDe2uhMgfDMoeGac6fafmCiCXLQOGhFlEfY/s1600/2018-12-04+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC6r7NXBxHmGqOGr0hiOhSlDgEzPD1KPi8yDODJhxL4_Od9dIxXn7nlvjAP2n-XnphbXnUSXyqVtPwhdj5x1vB2cWSgl-OE4l_UKw14if1IDe2uhMgfDMoeGac6fafmCiCXLQOGhFlEfY/s320/2018-12-04+059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The largest and most melodramatic painting showed a critical point in Sevilla's history with <b>King Ferdinand III</b> kneeling humbly before the bishop, giving thanks to God for helping him free the city from the Muslims in 1248. Ferdinand promptly turned the Alcazar into the royal palace for Christian kings.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiU1HLqPqxuFmXWb2SNojvDX_mAgeaqcKXuFSIQkUunarZha_hU3tHp_jCoxzcWL9SB5zW8war5IpsF5GQpf7VK7fYcDpJvSesppvvP9qZv8RzqMexVe0iKtgSCqodTcBi28EbLS_hZaTn/s1600/2018-12-04+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiU1HLqPqxuFmXWb2SNojvDX_mAgeaqcKXuFSIQkUunarZha_hU3tHp_jCoxzcWL9SB5zW8war5IpsF5GQpf7VK7fYcDpJvSesppvvP9qZv8RzqMexVe0iKtgSCqodTcBi28EbLS_hZaTn/s320/2018-12-04+043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next room had a large collection of mostly foreign fans.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmNEJkt25rRptErAlt_SwmPnY7a-kC3rtvs68I83K-wGzA6_TEoiQh3ibiJO5MWY8dlcX8hkidrUluTRqctMcTAMnKsqDbJVtX3jgnw6aM28D4soDjit2Gp7TmqOuDA5ALX1UtLFaQH9G/s1600/2018-12-04+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmNEJkt25rRptErAlt_SwmPnY7a-kC3rtvs68I83K-wGzA6_TEoiQh3ibiJO5MWY8dlcX8hkidrUluTRqctMcTAMnKsqDbJVtX3jgnw6aM28D4soDjit2Gp7TmqOuDA5ALX1UtLFaQH9G/s320/2018-12-04+060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This 19th century one was made with painted ivory, a Cupid on the frame and delicate Chantilly lace.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVow5d8tOUaFsEDP_trf7GKn82KP0y3q5Yjb9UacBTfi_d3H5YlAyC19JJ_ICtO7qe7mlZCt6l_HEIk5X13dIlUfp82wctGTE7enQnlHbhFR2Pa1HQ1lAceKL-98OA6tpeKZMgwEEfyS3/s1600/2018-12-04+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVow5d8tOUaFsEDP_trf7GKn82KP0y3q5Yjb9UacBTfi_d3H5YlAyC19JJ_ICtO7qe7mlZCt6l_HEIk5X13dIlUfp82wctGTE7enQnlHbhFR2Pa1HQ1lAceKL-98OA6tpeKZMgwEEfyS3/s320/2018-12-04+062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The commemorative fan celebrated the royal wedding of <b>King Alfonso XII</b> and<b> Maria Cristina</b> in 1878.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIY3yADbpimSlxWTJljBSA4o6mJ8dhI8jid_5AkG24eXD8M7DoVyKNh_foA4nfe885Ap3KnHZmnhk5LOiRVAL1J8KfYzFq_H3_U8HRh7_EDlTLOHs9h2_kaPG1bZe9Scf3_ruavK89PGT/s1600/2018-12-04+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIY3yADbpimSlxWTJljBSA4o6mJ8dhI8jid_5AkG24eXD8M7DoVyKNh_foA4nfe885Ap3KnHZmnhk5LOiRVAL1J8KfYzFq_H3_U8HRh7_EDlTLOHs9h2_kaPG1bZe9Scf3_ruavK89PGT/s320/2018-12-04+064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This ivory and Brussels lace fan was my favorite.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQi3sbIfVZU-NCenyQRmpVyjAdHyP0wjtyYUIynzdenKqIDdYaLsh8k1H3A7lXKERc_FKUheMv9aPOKAMjuw-0-GKlUkq4hz7KGjJj7SBuvQJfIzyPbrmkRsJDy7J-HCtUV1IvvsD5OaCU/s1600/2018-12-04+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQi3sbIfVZU-NCenyQRmpVyjAdHyP0wjtyYUIynzdenKqIDdYaLsh8k1H3A7lXKERc_FKUheMv9aPOKAMjuw-0-GKlUkq4hz7KGjJj7SBuvQJfIzyPbrmkRsJDy7J-HCtUV1IvvsD5OaCU/s320/2018-12-04+066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBnMaItM-a9mGFpVqSYYf4ktgyOv885Q4pp6y11bi8sLIERRpJ3WIG-99wBM4q6SH-fuJDND02VTpFxz2aNjB8XYgXY35UWSmTvOXOpoXvxJyW3d0WBROJhUss9N7SnY6O303gIM6TFcl/s1600/2018-12-04+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBnMaItM-a9mGFpVqSYYf4ktgyOv885Q4pp6y11bi8sLIERRpJ3WIG-99wBM4q6SH-fuJDND02VTpFxz2aNjB8XYgXY35UWSmTvOXOpoXvxJyW3d0WBROJhUss9N7SnY6O303gIM6TFcl/s320/2018-12-04+068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEMqN4Kz3xadaQgQFH-nXv7m0C5egsGRl5DQ-wYA2KTdVKVcgrSyvH2mZVCGjrZZ24RSCWN2k4wn4gDs6Jm1pv39o1L7SZ76bfn1HEnTMwGA1zRQy-MfaopcAWydkZx2dwhNf829QekNL/s1600/2018-12-04+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEMqN4Kz3xadaQgQFH-nXv7m0C5egsGRl5DQ-wYA2KTdVKVcgrSyvH2mZVCGjrZZ24RSCWN2k4wn4gDs6Jm1pv39o1L7SZ76bfn1HEnTMwGA1zRQy-MfaopcAWydkZx2dwhNf829QekNL/s320/2018-12-04+070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We returned to the Courtyard of the Hunt to face the impressive palace facade which was the entrance to<b> King Pedro I's Palace,</b> the 14th century nucleus of the Alcazar. Its elaborate blend of Islamic tracery and Gothic Christian elements was an introduction to the Mudejar style seen throughout Pedro's part of the palace.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7G-ziF2-J9x5S1TZnks_JYgmrH7l3rmjrSNn2r3QXJ0WEDpQXCGtB3DTUIE4Zwd8XChxHC74lJJgfcULTEM9LNlB-74ebFa6yrqaISPMDPrG20KXdPD8mEh1DyFbpdVDA-r-kN3XftJ6/s1600/2018-12-04+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7G-ziF2-J9x5S1TZnks_JYgmrH7l3rmjrSNn2r3QXJ0WEDpQXCGtB3DTUIE4Zwd8XChxHC74lJJgfcULTEM9LNlB-74ebFa6yrqaISPMDPrG20KXdPD8mEh1DyFbpdVDA-r-kN3XftJ6/s320/2018-12-04+079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Note the ornate floors and ceiling in the <b>Entrance Hall.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Courtyard of the Maidens</b> was the center of King Pedro's palace; it was an open-air courtyard, surrounded by rooms with a long, rectangular reflecting pool in the center. Pedro built his palace around water just like the Moors had done before him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The palace is considered Spain's best example of the Mudejar style with colorful ceramic tiles, stucco panels with elaborate designs and coffered wooden ceilings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Charles V Ceiling Room </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">may have been the ancient chapel in Pedro's Palace. The exquisite paneled ceiling was created between 1541 and 1543. Charles V, who ruled Spain at its peak of New World wealth, increased the size of the palace after his marriage to Isabel joined vast realms of Spain and Portugal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The two main rooms in the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> <span>Royal Bedroom</span> </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">were divided by horseshoe arches crowned with shells, the symbol of the human life cycle. The original ceramic floor was mixed with Renaissance marble made by Carlos V in the Royal Alcazar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">More scenes from the Courtyard of the Maidens:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The palace's most important room was the <b>Hall of the Ambassadors.</b> It was in this throne room where Pedro received guests and partied in luxury. Like many important Islamic buildings, the room was a cube topped with a half-dome. In Islam, a cube symbolized the earth and the dome, the starry heavens. In Pedro's world, the symbolism proclaimed that he controlled heaven and earth, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The marvelous stucco on the walls was molded with interlacing plants, geometric shapes and Arabic writing even though it was a Christian palace. The walls were inscribed with Muslim sayings like "None but Allah conquers" and "Happiness and prosperity are benefits of Allah, who nourishes all creatures."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6DcYYm5ACE2zHGm481Er3-RCXaaRzxhwWUSA0ZS34z0U7drfVHYX0Hq35YHWZKWjet0shTl_OCazktTMbBXrdJhQTBZqlBAUUaeYkHH7B5d-5WlG5QYo38G3X_Ca-87lmbaWcz5W5-tG/s1600/2018-12-04+137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6DcYYm5ACE2zHGm481Er3-RCXaaRzxhwWUSA0ZS34z0U7drfVHYX0Hq35YHWZKWjet0shTl_OCazktTMbBXrdJhQTBZqlBAUUaeYkHH7B5d-5WlG5QYo38G3X_Ca-87lmbaWcz5W5-tG/s320/2018-12-04+137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Mudejar style included Christian motifs, including the row of kings, high up at the base of the dome, chronicling all of Castile's rulers from the 600s to the 1600s. Throughout the palace, as in the center of the dome, were also coats of arms including the castle of Castile and the lion of Leon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were also shells and birds and other natural objects which wouldn't normally be seen in Islamic decor as it traditionally avoids realistic images of nature or or people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Straight ahead from the Hall of the Ambassadors was the <b>Philip II Ceiling Room</b> with peacocks, falcons, and other birds amid interlacing vines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Prince's Suite </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">comprised a central hall and two smaller rooms with beautiful ceilings in each. Rarely had we been in any place that encouraged us to keep looking up at the ceilings in each room as in the Alcazar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Prince Garden</b> preserved the Muslim influence with the layout of the courtyard in four sections. Aromatic rosemary and myrtle </span><span style="font-size: large;">plants offered pleasant aromas. Asian lemon trees were introduced in the Muslim era.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even the wrought iron doors and windows had lovely detailing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the upper floor was the <b>Banquet Hall</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"> which had the oldest pictorial representation in the city called the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> Virgen de la Antigua. </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">It was painted on the wall of the mosque when it was converted to the Catholic religion in the 16th century.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The airy banquet hall was where Charles and Isabel held their wedding reception. Yellow, blue, green and orange tiles lined the room; some of them were decorated with whimsical human figures with vase-like figures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the room's windows were gorgeous views of the gardens that we'd explore soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next door, the walls in the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Hall of Tapestries </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">were hung with 18th century Spanish copies of 16th century Belgian tapestries showing the conquests, trade and prosperity of Charles' reign. The hall was completely destroyed after the huge Lisbon earthquake in 1755.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The enormous military map tapestry of the Mediterranean world strangely had the south pointing up with Genoa, Italy, on the bottom and Africa on top. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The city of Barcelona was placed in the middle because it commanded the most strategic position. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The highlights were described in Spanish along the top and in Latin along the bottom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the other end of the room, the wall was filled by a dramatic portrayal of the Spanish Navy as Spain ruled the seas from 1492 until the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had enjoyed ourselves immensely inside the palace but to see the <b>Mercury Pond,</b> a reservoir fed by a 16th century aqueduct that irrigated the palace's entire garden, was glorious. As only elites had running water, the bronze statue fountain was an extravagant show of power.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This wall on the east side of the garden was part of the original Moorish castle wall. In the early 1600s, when fortifications were no longer needed here, it was redesigned to be a grotto-style gallery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Steps from the Mercury Pond led into the formal gardens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the formal gardens, </span><span style="font-size: large;">a tunnel </span><span style="font-size: large;">under the palace led to the coolest part of the city, the geometric-styled Moorish garden that we viewed from the <b>Grotto Gallery.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the gardens, like the rest of the palace, Christian and Islamic traditions merged. Both cultures used water and nature as essential parts of their architecture. The garden's pavilions and fountains only enhanced this. While we as tourists paid to be here, the gardens have been a public garden and free to locals since 1931 when the king was exiled and Spanish citizens took ownership of royal holdings. The Spanish people allowed the king to return to the throne in 1975, but on their terms which included keeping this garden.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We exited the Alcazar via the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Alighting Area, </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">once the entrance for guests arriving by horse carriage. Over this hall a large lounge was built that became the armory which was considered one of the main parts of the palace. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRoIxm9MsiYxMlDuwL0kGRcajJqWxpZ5Octm-XTII0Yjk4ykwCL2m9VA9DumIddCVkH_9Vgt7Fv5wTxxTK-tini8hyfEzv8-PH8e2V_3upmym59g6Ax7YBymLpJ-vwbq4xhQeEWOJs8ym/s1600/2018-12-04+250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRoIxm9MsiYxMlDuwL0kGRcajJqWxpZ5Octm-XTII0Yjk4ykwCL2m9VA9DumIddCVkH_9Vgt7Fv5wTxxTK-tini8hyfEzv8-PH8e2V_3upmym59g6Ax7YBymLpJ-vwbq4xhQeEWOJs8ym/s320/2018-12-04+250.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Steven and I had been fantastically lucky that, except for a few school groups and some tours, there weren't masses of people to contend with while we explored the Alcazar. Spending a few hours at this remarkable palace that was a cross between Moorish and European Christian design was sheer bliss. The majestic suite of rooms has to be a highlight of any trip to Spain. It was a visual feast of brightly colored tiles, intricately carved wood, plaster and stone, with lovely tapestries and paintings all set in magnificent gardens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> Sevilla's <b>Plaza de Espana,</b> the grandest square in all of Europe in my opinion!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted at long last on March 26th, 2019, from Littleton, Colorado.</i> </span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-19050315953748566272019-03-09T03:39:00.001-07:002019-04-03T07:09:07.289-06:0012/3: Sevilla's Barrio Santa Cruz - Kissing Lanes & Marmalade<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I just returned from being away on vacation with a friend in New Zealand and Australia for the last 3.5 weeks. In case you also want to follow</i></span><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> that trip, </span></i><i style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">here's a link to the newest blog: <a href="http://www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com/">www.bergersadventures7.blogspot.com</a> </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This post started out as simply photos of street scenes that caught my eye while Steven and I explored <b>Sevilla</b> last December. Later in the post are text and photos associated with a walk we took through the Barrio Santa Cruz. I hope you'll enjoy both parts.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmD9XtpnRXvYtdnXZYca5-aE99VGEfWII8TkYrEz5eggKDDAa9veskKK1ukzQzbmcuRMxdoE_3h-sj1xDOBK_I77OUe5EsI8INsNRJvi3Uny_T4J_kS6ktYrMvByJ8Gn0qqDykBoNkOtAY/s1600/2018-12-03+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmD9XtpnRXvYtdnXZYca5-aE99VGEfWII8TkYrEz5eggKDDAa9veskKK1ukzQzbmcuRMxdoE_3h-sj1xDOBK_I77OUe5EsI8INsNRJvi3Uny_T4J_kS6ktYrMvByJ8Gn0qqDykBoNkOtAY/s320/2018-12-03+002.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkDkWvhGHfYBYLy09Pm_CjAvyeRAjMsBvz0zdMeMyYl85EZ4UT536mIVZGtK42Iljcd8Joa6VJTPNbWj8cycDvkD-PfnWUBVpEH3HwpaxOBm2k2IGiA1BXNi9FlbC0o8wmN31CJn4PCeI/s1600/2018-12-03+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkDkWvhGHfYBYLy09Pm_CjAvyeRAjMsBvz0zdMeMyYl85EZ4UT536mIVZGtK42Iljcd8Joa6VJTPNbWj8cycDvkD-PfnWUBVpEH3HwpaxOBm2k2IGiA1BXNi9FlbC0o8wmN31CJn4PCeI/s320/2018-12-03+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sevilla was the first city where we noticed so much graffiti or tagging in about five weeks of our exploring much of Spain.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFHnTTKa060311B5ExcSB8OJJepHyVgELoNg79aZq3swMGTcZ0sqWVDfm3Q4DnNe2EjRx3hQbLj6DnonZkHRIEewjnMnoJS9a6eFRxUIahW-8hbsHr6Hj9PIQ0y1g_gcMkPq7LF7SKL-o/s1600/2018-12-03+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFHnTTKa060311B5ExcSB8OJJepHyVgELoNg79aZq3swMGTcZ0sqWVDfm3Q4DnNe2EjRx3hQbLj6DnonZkHRIEewjnMnoJS9a6eFRxUIahW-8hbsHr6Hj9PIQ0y1g_gcMkPq7LF7SKL-o/s320/2018-12-03+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0nfYFqCYk9n4fmN-k_oonoFyt72O3KEAgbmHqHoQENdp_oQ35thMXcDXzH1PwfJjpllFlmempYJllPVeOIETH0trkAffv7Xw0Oo97DKVHZ9Hjjcc6wf5SpbRRbP-XwVL6BYK5ybKKl9B/s1600/2018-12-03+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0nfYFqCYk9n4fmN-k_oonoFyt72O3KEAgbmHqHoQENdp_oQ35thMXcDXzH1PwfJjpllFlmempYJllPVeOIETH0trkAffv7Xw0Oo97DKVHZ9Hjjcc6wf5SpbRRbP-XwVL6BYK5ybKKl9B/s320/2018-12-03+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The tiled picture depicted <b>Nuestra Senora del Carmen</b> or <b>Our Sister of Carmen. </b>It was fun trying to pick out<b> </b>all the tiled images of Mary in<b> </b>Sevilla!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbiE9lJrthTs98WvnGoxoweWTI21mmwSigwroExpVDIlXiyPP_QjFRLOMS2IEs_lDVrIHKBVHGeg2szV3t_3VtS8uJR5PhGjNN5pAATEH7nNBCn4mdvgCpLOoMr-50fvv6IlhHUFOlC9v/s1600/2018-12-03+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbiE9lJrthTs98WvnGoxoweWTI21mmwSigwroExpVDIlXiyPP_QjFRLOMS2IEs_lDVrIHKBVHGeg2szV3t_3VtS8uJR5PhGjNN5pAATEH7nNBCn4mdvgCpLOoMr-50fvv6IlhHUFOlC9v/s320/2018-12-03+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was sure worth looking up in Sevilla so you wouldn't miss seeing something! I'd have loved to know what the significance of the snail was.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplTchMgDbsxoeZpTcbunflCoBfL00d-NJdyLeWJfIyikZRuGEk0VmvMmqrUA5jqSSAYMCJQAJtvMwIOUzXTSKQM08YIKoEz1QlKVo_m093QPRn3T88NUSlVuRcjfYokA5lBpTTSGOo7GU/s1600/2018-12-03+558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplTchMgDbsxoeZpTcbunflCoBfL00d-NJdyLeWJfIyikZRuGEk0VmvMmqrUA5jqSSAYMCJQAJtvMwIOUzXTSKQM08YIKoEz1QlKVo_m093QPRn3T88NUSlVuRcjfYokA5lBpTTSGOo7GU/s320/2018-12-03+558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't recall seeing so many tiled religious plaques on buildings anywhere before, especially since many of them weren't associated with churches.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2G7kL3mCObA5hiVpaYup-5bJOenkmQrGR9kCsRkLSwJig2vMCFcYAoCLqyWTOHXwuGlEVnnWKcvhdqR-_XWsbMIWf6HMrO1yTJcfyoQSMDH-uDFMiLTsGjKSorFjxO7B9lYY8m34Cdrdo/s1600/2018-12-03+561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2G7kL3mCObA5hiVpaYup-5bJOenkmQrGR9kCsRkLSwJig2vMCFcYAoCLqyWTOHXwuGlEVnnWKcvhdqR-_XWsbMIWf6HMrO1yTJcfyoQSMDH-uDFMiLTsGjKSorFjxO7B9lYY8m34Cdrdo/s320/2018-12-03+561.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another view of part of the marvelous all wood <b>Metropol Parasol,</b> jokingly referred to as the <b>Seven Mushrooms</b> by Sevillianos!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPWttpqfNHbSOGlt6S7OiAVGep7BOT9EVroeGdBP7oNDfJAsWzHgaEmdLsjbY1EL63cR8sesWIEXws9Eazml9ivfe5l85p1Mib8dmU2Zg6lSIdTLi74PI0YapCrY1qizig7okqWqM1L8e/s1600/2018-12-03+562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPWttpqfNHbSOGlt6S7OiAVGep7BOT9EVroeGdBP7oNDfJAsWzHgaEmdLsjbY1EL63cR8sesWIEXws9Eazml9ivfe5l85p1Mib8dmU2Zg6lSIdTLi74PI0YapCrY1qizig7okqWqM1L8e/s320/2018-12-03+562.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The city's symbol on buildings and sewers referred to its allegiance to <b>King Alfonso X</b> during the 13th <b>War of Spanish Succession.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDFqe9LJkx3W-ZdieptCQHsITWcVwqAA7pw9zb-WUjAgjh2YQqOC-9ym6sZBVBAZPJUUteL3O1wFotLWrLU02WyMBKAy4lwGjhwPvt-NFTwENJD2faf8wH9eQXCFkSb5wqKwhM9GjPj-g/s1600/2018-12-03+563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDFqe9LJkx3W-ZdieptCQHsITWcVwqAA7pw9zb-WUjAgjh2YQqOC-9ym6sZBVBAZPJUUteL3O1wFotLWrLU02WyMBKAy4lwGjhwPvt-NFTwENJD2faf8wH9eQXCFkSb5wqKwhM9GjPj-g/s320/2018-12-03+563.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QeSAWbnN-YYsuUcXzNLBo0OfzC5zHCIQ9giRZQYwI9AEWol1aHCDi64u6H4Nm0WuJ35ixm6IdFac_WQdW-S8APv8MgZ8KtzIqN-_OazJRrddrM3OLB0_bYB7ntfoXnK7sfBMQXkW3Zk4/s1600/2018-12-03+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QeSAWbnN-YYsuUcXzNLBo0OfzC5zHCIQ9giRZQYwI9AEWol1aHCDi64u6H4Nm0WuJ35ixm6IdFac_WQdW-S8APv8MgZ8KtzIqN-_OazJRrddrM3OLB0_bYB7ntfoXnK7sfBMQXkW3Zk4/s320/2018-12-03+083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjQxVOm87aMGaNUWhJLJQf7bkjEB3GkRAN4VbItaHwKOcfxhMJvrU9YBH3pDNIAhLCXz32nJdqX32hkwttPNJKFTpjut2giLZBWx-2GFQqqaN2PzhmLZUCfu9aejV05Ehoj-W-2-aEuPN/s1600/2018-12-03+564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjQxVOm87aMGaNUWhJLJQf7bkjEB3GkRAN4VbItaHwKOcfxhMJvrU9YBH3pDNIAhLCXz32nJdqX32hkwttPNJKFTpjut2giLZBWx-2GFQqqaN2PzhmLZUCfu9aejV05Ehoj-W-2-aEuPN/s320/2018-12-03+564.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWHtFuUro3XY1CKJgeP6ubH27EvQzDuvkHMx-aU3eHSQRNMdNGMyb_2KeeEUZhdPcYKrrN3TpQty5Jyt5BJwCDgPvP4LiEZQ8zYUb7oPltAHyKN5dfUI8pXtcUyNj_dc3XZljoanoLGvG/s1600/2018-12-03+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWHtFuUro3XY1CKJgeP6ubH27EvQzDuvkHMx-aU3eHSQRNMdNGMyb_2KeeEUZhdPcYKrrN3TpQty5Jyt5BJwCDgPvP4LiEZQ8zYUb7oPltAHyKN5dfUI8pXtcUyNj_dc3XZljoanoLGvG/s320/2018-12-03+092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We lost track of all the churches we passed while walking around Sevilla!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvV2QEG6wkguKyv0D1sugDMxmc1RwHi2zxzKL1vBCEkkMwL3CF6N4KTNzkDUTEZu-jS8PeTcBloB2Je4vRen82a3fVqVYizVlLpjq40zqesMG1MBWqDMcMaM9jKhXeqkVYMi2KUM5nIoTj/s1600/2018-12-03+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvV2QEG6wkguKyv0D1sugDMxmc1RwHi2zxzKL1vBCEkkMwL3CF6N4KTNzkDUTEZu-jS8PeTcBloB2Je4vRen82a3fVqVYizVlLpjq40zqesMG1MBWqDMcMaM9jKhXeqkVYMi2KUM5nIoTj/s320/2018-12-03+088.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHUexe0LEtsYDYD9okbgp9vc7SHsAMMnBrGYXP0sKOQhRqF1w5-uPi-oUSeJlggbGHrykC64ROjxXslLgWtAgBgrYv1DbismXZKu_DpDniD-H14ln106Vuy0xCUSegf_5pDunJu4b8U4r/s1600/2018-12-03+217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHUexe0LEtsYDYD9okbgp9vc7SHsAMMnBrGYXP0sKOQhRqF1w5-uPi-oUSeJlggbGHrykC64ROjxXslLgWtAgBgrYv1DbismXZKu_DpDniD-H14ln106Vuy0xCUSegf_5pDunJu4b8U4r/s320/2018-12-03+217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">An example of the city's exquisite tile work we so admired.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqJb9fdLJAWMTDndBh0gyHZxcCKnAx43_I97Q68o18lkbcpMpZJOwtUrVpX8A-Khpk0r1fdi6v4qX7E27O_lpsRnSHBPCdnePNiGnHEIMuakxqYOKXLPEq-zwmpTmeYtMNurTDLpVy3sE/s1600/2018-12-03+218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqJb9fdLJAWMTDndBh0gyHZxcCKnAx43_I97Q68o18lkbcpMpZJOwtUrVpX8A-Khpk0r1fdi6v4qX7E27O_lpsRnSHBPCdnePNiGnHEIMuakxqYOKXLPEq-zwmpTmeYtMNurTDLpVy3sE/s320/2018-12-03+218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The day before, the far right <b>VOX political party</b> won 12 seats </span><span style="font-size: large;">in Andalusian parliamentary elections </span><span style="font-size: large;">for the first time since the return to democracy at the end of Francisco Franco's dictatorship. The leader of the party was anti-abortion, anti-migration, and anti-same sex marriage. Part of the rationale for the party's success was Andalusia is the region that received most of the African immigrants with 53,000 arriving in 2018.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGaFuIBJy_n4qzrdPT1MJtGvcCpAiXfaTp1QA6loF1OlqYH2ZqSA9viStZnL48e0GsTdTQ_ZNHn_0Xe1XWGYdVDWAasBzBfioV4KCOAcmPn8j9alSi0-Gd9PKeTvLJkwZsVaZd6GKT5ak/s1600/2018-12-03+219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGaFuIBJy_n4qzrdPT1MJtGvcCpAiXfaTp1QA6loF1OlqYH2ZqSA9viStZnL48e0GsTdTQ_ZNHn_0Xe1XWGYdVDWAasBzBfioV4KCOAcmPn8j9alSi0-Gd9PKeTvLJkwZsVaZd6GKT5ak/s320/2018-12-03+219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUOFkO0fcRJILjB9wdWKBSGIDaHDGsHyr1ossm8tOlArO89eqcFoZ4HdD9vZxznixwx8yRk1_xDh5d_Z1ENEL9B_2QHxz3zG7CrLlHxM-a_uUrXljhgInfiRo9Sdhog9o3vdPsm5eA0im/s1600/2018-12-03+221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUOFkO0fcRJILjB9wdWKBSGIDaHDGsHyr1ossm8tOlArO89eqcFoZ4HdD9vZxznixwx8yRk1_xDh5d_Z1ENEL9B_2QHxz3zG7CrLlHxM-a_uUrXljhgInfiRo9Sdhog9o3vdPsm5eA0im/s320/2018-12-03+221.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48U-vfhdPBaKA4lcC9roVH2x9fcnzo16MKEW_h5vW8Dgk8D4DDzGttAIEQR-yh_1_t1GU9JBZ2vG8Q0fdL8LftunJGrNnsOCxkkHwqo3-BGW2P5-nAUugYN8ieI3GXBjhqwj7FoN71cYE/s1600/2018-12-03+222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48U-vfhdPBaKA4lcC9roVH2x9fcnzo16MKEW_h5vW8Dgk8D4DDzGttAIEQR-yh_1_t1GU9JBZ2vG8Q0fdL8LftunJGrNnsOCxkkHwqo3-BGW2P5-nAUugYN8ieI3GXBjhqwj7FoN71cYE/s320/2018-12-03+222.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU6GO648LqAGjc5HwBXCK078FHajE5JI7QRi3wvbjlK5WsG6EDiUE6Ggl4U5A0VQ6EES4HZY-vJbGAQL3FQ03dxhZquDFa5ZDdG1fk6Wu4XvGmWD7DooLZSKRsila7Vug1S3xUslzWrog/s1600/2018-12-03+224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU6GO648LqAGjc5HwBXCK078FHajE5JI7QRi3wvbjlK5WsG6EDiUE6Ggl4U5A0VQ6EES4HZY-vJbGAQL3FQ03dxhZquDFa5ZDdG1fk6Wu4XvGmWD7DooLZSKRsila7Vug1S3xUslzWrog/s320/2018-12-03+224.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I mentioned in my first post on Sevilla that many young girls aspire to be flamenco dancers. Here was one in action that caught our attention but sadly not those of the people walking around her. Perhaps it wasn't a novelty to them as it was to us?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m77QfxnkYeDvKzGbhpEvloSzBY6Q4pzzZAU6fBmrk3eTp-zLAsgGCRi5oOOCw5zsQCtfBo6BRjgt1MYdyp-wNF02xzqQooNp1ydjY_vWD_RFFMZXT_GRJkT0eAYJBkJMPTcHxGUXbs9y/s1600/2018-12-03+225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m77QfxnkYeDvKzGbhpEvloSzBY6Q4pzzZAU6fBmrk3eTp-zLAsgGCRi5oOOCw5zsQCtfBo6BRjgt1MYdyp-wNF02xzqQooNp1ydjY_vWD_RFFMZXT_GRJkT0eAYJBkJMPTcHxGUXbs9y/s320/2018-12-03+225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmAs0_gvlu27cnW2JoVeGaD-jU8YYA2ceam_YW2RDGDKPYeoDj5KFZjGcK2SNVuera-haRx-oiU1O0Juj9A4s-rhTJsuQQoYn8Ps7lOMnVFj_jrPoQI7lWCE695Uzwju-2pD8PGHfgTgJ/s1600/2018-12-03+226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmAs0_gvlu27cnW2JoVeGaD-jU8YYA2ceam_YW2RDGDKPYeoDj5KFZjGcK2SNVuera-haRx-oiU1O0Juj9A4s-rhTJsuQQoYn8Ps7lOMnVFj_jrPoQI7lWCE695Uzwju-2pD8PGHfgTgJ/s320/2018-12-03+226.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not a fire, not a riot, thank goodness, but simply smoke wafting from roasting chestnuts, we realized, as we got much closer.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsimEpfJEQcTchvB0LO9YWuSXIemJL7kVXFdNTwIu-F3rL1lj-YNN2jZ1-JIunmoy_p0eGJCET-_5ee71eBAjy4o9AfChwst5MiXoGAT3VExIfwyuGwUEJSH6oUJM6iIsrf39pjj1x2j7/s1600/2018-12-03+227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsimEpfJEQcTchvB0LO9YWuSXIemJL7kVXFdNTwIu-F3rL1lj-YNN2jZ1-JIunmoy_p0eGJCET-_5ee71eBAjy4o9AfChwst5MiXoGAT3VExIfwyuGwUEJSH6oUJM6iIsrf39pjj1x2j7/s320/2018-12-03+227.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVQER-JHcW6ksPD-jsNjM9tgM5VSHIAb5XquZFuMp6h0yW8L0anVzySPrJaeKvk2S1FM8AasN13qhUbFaWc9ipshSRw7TVWxZxuPZ_zJKTURE4uR0xasnuaJGHtRqXamhLfNxEjU7MXSF/s1600/2018-12-03+229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVQER-JHcW6ksPD-jsNjM9tgM5VSHIAb5XquZFuMp6h0yW8L0anVzySPrJaeKvk2S1FM8AasN13qhUbFaWc9ipshSRw7TVWxZxuPZ_zJKTURE4uR0xasnuaJGHtRqXamhLfNxEjU7MXSF/s320/2018-12-03+229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So sweet seeing this little girl so entranced with the many Nativity figures for sale near the Cathedral. I don't think we'd ever seen so many displays before.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW4jnmxvQP6k8fvCoguvhP1pu38ZuaL9ezO95y5X51GzI7j6Uw7ZnmoKgY1oKaLu3uyJkDQBS62L2_aKDCTcI1oCSsZ-n_lBkB4TlqkxeMa6wCb_xvk_tK9uZxNUJBjrCNg4dLQ5fosSs/s1600/2018-12-03+230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW4jnmxvQP6k8fvCoguvhP1pu38ZuaL9ezO95y5X51GzI7j6Uw7ZnmoKgY1oKaLu3uyJkDQBS62L2_aKDCTcI1oCSsZ-n_lBkB4TlqkxeMa6wCb_xvk_tK9uZxNUJBjrCNg4dLQ5fosSs/s320/2018-12-03+230.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6gFisL-v2hwyNro5QkfR1TSyMw4zuO8d4ub3SD4zuF5fd_tny0BICDwBRaXthDXo0r6MDHcsque3_xeBWiv8GX8R09HO5Xson3rnRUBQ6P70F0b92YLgr2xFcaU-P00Io5dk8ug4XAsv/s1600/2018-12-03+231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6gFisL-v2hwyNro5QkfR1TSyMw4zuO8d4ub3SD4zuF5fd_tny0BICDwBRaXthDXo0r6MDHcsque3_xeBWiv8GX8R09HO5Xson3rnRUBQ6P70F0b92YLgr2xFcaU-P00Io5dk8ug4XAsv/s320/2018-12-03+231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbmQVV2n1YxyBnbP3yewLuFX-tUNcLyS0VrKWFlE5PGouBAxna57AfNKzbqTUUhM5bbPZSPvZ_lYlqQHq2oPnLTrHDwG1B2Tf1AyDjHzyo8rSbc9s4S9e1hdSEI6nYPyimtu1VMMUb_y_/s1600/2018-12-03+232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbmQVV2n1YxyBnbP3yewLuFX-tUNcLyS0VrKWFlE5PGouBAxna57AfNKzbqTUUhM5bbPZSPvZ_lYlqQHq2oPnLTrHDwG1B2Tf1AyDjHzyo8rSbc9s4S9e1hdSEI6nYPyimtu1VMMUb_y_/s320/2018-12-03+232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFFPry3CDV-bLAe9UxootVeJboIFiwvq7o7kw_cL28wbj3j200dhpoRr425ir4ivlbjEB-dn9rFa3IUMkQGiCJQ4q4xTH5kGUZ_pVgs-aiI11RVi8E9STGZFKausi-DCWuzwSuZ6vUQ_B/s1600/2018-12-03+234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFFPry3CDV-bLAe9UxootVeJboIFiwvq7o7kw_cL28wbj3j200dhpoRr425ir4ivlbjEB-dn9rFa3IUMkQGiCJQ4q4xTH5kGUZ_pVgs-aiI11RVi8E9STGZFKausi-DCWuzwSuZ6vUQ_B/s320/2018-12-03+234.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>La Exposicion Sevillana </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">referred to the city's world fair in 1929.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroBH-D9fLSUd4yvKgfY7g6VN4aQasSC96qe4wTEJ4jiBwSILVveyAWDXRi87Yh8y8vwWnFw6oWL6XgtPaKQ_oTNuqZKxQiiukT16CPA995Rt_EU1Abebhjn8PKw9viobfeFFSsxzF_cJ-/s1600/2018-12-03+555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroBH-D9fLSUd4yvKgfY7g6VN4aQasSC96qe4wTEJ4jiBwSILVveyAWDXRi87Yh8y8vwWnFw6oWL6XgtPaKQ_oTNuqZKxQiiukT16CPA995Rt_EU1Abebhjn8PKw9viobfeFFSsxzF_cJ-/s320/2018-12-03+555.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After being wowed that morning by the immensity and opulence of the world's largest Gothic cathedral, we decided to </span><span style="font-size: large;">follow travel writer <b>Rick Steves’</b> <b>Barrio Santa Cruz</b> walking tour as he described the area as </span><span style="font-size: large;">one of the most interesting neighborhoods to walk around in Sevilla to get a good feel for the city. The once-thriving Jewish Quarter was now just where “a tangled street plan and a wistful Old World ambiance survive” according to </span><span style="font-size: large;">Steves</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Banderas Courtyard</b> - named because of its flags and not the actor Antonio! - was once a military parade ground for the royal guard. The king's bodyguards resided in the barracks surrounding the square.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEthgksEsDe5oBhId_k7PiNFBfD70HEixj_o-y1nVeNXg-IQRvHhPLmp4icIuKgkJFxbxI9VIP5ab36FqvzXZ-zffJcCbAQCYYxKrWjDnkW6zSgR5ORQ3KzPVklU2Hj0ABELBv2TnYQ7YZ/s1600/2018-12-03+482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEthgksEsDe5oBhId_k7PiNFBfD70HEixj_o-y1nVeNXg-IQRvHhPLmp4icIuKgkJFxbxI9VIP5ab36FqvzXZ-zffJcCbAQCYYxKrWjDnkW6zSgR5ORQ3KzPVklU2Hj0ABELBv2TnYQ7YZ/s320/2018-12-03+482.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZzEBw7oJ08EkZmA7Wm-nX0-WTEnRZ4w9wBOO3cR1P1t3d0P1OySZhXZywca5k2E0jbWF5P5-8-GKF3ZPhHmHq7QIs0lFBvtEZ_BH_0ffpRR-FaYBM0_NfUg42QLQryOzlvRfwHP-cYR5/s1600/2018-12-03+483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZzEBw7oJ08EkZmA7Wm-nX0-WTEnRZ4w9wBOO3cR1P1t3d0P1OySZhXZywca5k2E0jbWF5P5-8-GKF3ZPhHmHq7QIs0lFBvtEZ_BH_0ffpRR-FaYBM0_NfUg42QLQryOzlvRfwHP-cYR5/s320/2018-12-03+483.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the far corner was the <b>Juderia Arch</b> that led down a long, </span><span style="font-size: large;">dimly lit </span><span style="font-size: large;">narrow passageway. It was rather creepy walking along it as we could sense that in days past, the city's Jews were forced to walk these same steps into their own restricted area before thousands were killed in 1391 and thousands more were forced to flee the country.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12dfQOLWIK_WEgpiR90zI_TwK7xOSZkZhSzehpMtLH0nbV1Q3qJwJ67vEaoo4aRlb8zjYpC2V2OTtKGZaVWkIECcWyOJHoOF6-Fs5rPtsTmokx5_EQONShZA6voTvwA836eW-wjAYWzaV/s1600/2018-12-03+485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12dfQOLWIK_WEgpiR90zI_TwK7xOSZkZhSzehpMtLH0nbV1Q3qJwJ67vEaoo4aRlb8zjYpC2V2OTtKGZaVWkIECcWyOJHoOF6-Fs5rPtsTmokx5_EQONShZA6voTvwA836eW-wjAYWzaV/s320/2018-12-03+485.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfsR0O94OqBkPmfru5pZiSHmnSvp_LcgntvT9EN06l26V_V-wuA3AJbuV-gxEbeBMHUZhum_mnp9lNu9rayMl8r8jlZqh2f7daVBMBU8ZgmVgtfw2WMp7wuFOUYpAavZBNQaEyYmr3Hix/s1600/2018-12-03+487+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfsR0O94OqBkPmfru5pZiSHmnSvp_LcgntvT9EN06l26V_V-wuA3AJbuV-gxEbeBMHUZhum_mnp9lNu9rayMl8r8jlZqh2f7daVBMBU8ZgmVgtfw2WMp7wuFOUYpAavZBNQaEyYmr3Hix/s320/2018-12-03+487+%25282%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The walk took us alongside the wall of the <b>Alcazar,</b> a royal palace we'd see the following day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was enjoyable strolling along a narrow alleyway called <b>Calle Agua</b> as we could peek through iron gates for occasional glimpses of flower-filled patios of private homes. One of them was ringed with columns and decorated with glazed tiles. They weren’t simply pretty, they kept buildings cooler in the summer heat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the end of the lane, we spotted the openings of two old pipes built into the wall. These 12th century Moorish pipes once carried water to the Alcazar and gave the street we’d just walked down its name, <b>Water St.</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Through the iron gate was the entrance to the <b>Murillo Gardens</b> that had been named after Sevilla’s famous native painter of the same name. The gardens supplied fruits and vegetables to the Alcazar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The heart of the barrio was the <b>Plaza de la Santa Cruz</b> which was once the site of one of the four synagogues that had thrived in the barrio. The Christians destroyed each of them and replaced the synagogue in the square with a church that was later demolished by the French under Napoleon. Locals remember that history when they see the over sized French tricolor flag indicating the <b>French Consulate.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The attractive 16th century iron cross marked the center of the square and also the site of the church torn down by the French. Murillo, who was buried in the church, was somewhere under our feet!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The courtyard at the home at #9 had been left intentionally open so people could revel in its beauty.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXhivKlQazg6foB2d3THRkYwcWwM8o6Dmd67toUvBuMpcio-ZAn1V9k0U1v7odOoJ_GMn_o2kJv3_i7nM1UsoW29eqokU-5vVAvCEYJ1ApNw20usqkFn89PKVT3C3OhjIkuHhy4SipzNF/s1600/2018-12-03+514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXhivKlQazg6foB2d3THRkYwcWwM8o6Dmd67toUvBuMpcio-ZAn1V9k0U1v7odOoJ_GMn_o2kJv3_i7nM1UsoW29eqokU-5vVAvCEYJ1ApNw20usqkFn89PKVT3C3OhjIkuHhy4SipzNF/s320/2018-12-03+514.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the joys of walking around Sevilla was the beautiful patios that welcomed prying eyes!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfMztFCggknGCZnMlmkUindHHN_1_w_sYNlmClAmHCMvyusXqnjUzKjL2CXysyE_KF48iOy9PUW1FH1CB1elX0afVx-A7suiS14OYn8-eWgd5v8g_yFzgVhiMs5E8oZpJNXThQIytqsjy/s1600/2018-12-03+449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfMztFCggknGCZnMlmkUindHHN_1_w_sYNlmClAmHCMvyusXqnjUzKjL2CXysyE_KF48iOy9PUW1FH1CB1elX0afVx-A7suiS14OYn8-eWgd5v8g_yFzgVhiMs5E8oZpJNXThQIytqsjy/s320/2018-12-03+449.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The nearby <b>Casa de Murillo</b> had been the home of Murillo who loved to paint “the ambiance of street life and reproducing it in his paintings of cute beggar children.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right across from the casa was the <b>Monasterio de San Jose del Carmen</b> where St. Teresa stayed when she visited from <b>Avila,</b> her hometown. The church was unfortunately closed to visitors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few streets away was <b>Calle Reinoso,</b> a street that was so narrow that the buildings almost touched that was therefore referred to as one of the barrio’s ‘kissing lanes.’ One explanation suggested the buildings were built cheek by jowl was to provide shade. But Steves wrote that their labyrinthine street plan was more complex and that its history went back to the Moorish era when this area was a busy market. This later became the Jewish ghetto, where all the city’s Jews were forced to live in a very small enclave. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A benefit of the narrow lanes is shade; the locals even claim that the barrio is three degrees cooler than the rest of Sevilla.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Plaza de los Venerables</b> was another choice for the ‘heart of the barrio’ when, centuries after the Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492, Sevilla turned the square into a showpiece of Andalusian style, adding the railings, orange trees, exquisite tile work and other attractions. The square may not have been ‘authentic’ or true to its historical origins but it was certainly very attractive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Orange trees had been planted throughout the area because they provided constant shade and they never lose their leaves. There was no incentive to pinch a few, though, because they were known to very bitter and used to make vitamins, perfume and cat food - what a very odd combination! If you’ve ever had orange marmalade found in all British B&Bs, that was made from these oranges, too. Steven and I will be traveling around Ireland and Britain for seven weeks beginning in late August so it’ll be fun seeing the marmalade offered everywhere and know its origins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The square received its name from the <b>Hospital de los Venerables,</b> built in 1675, which had once been a retirement home for old priests or <i>venerables</i> in Spanish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A tile map showed the former Jewish Quarter that ceased to exist after Christian mobs ransacked it in 1391, Jews were killed or driven from their homes, an uprising that spread from Sevilla through the rest of Spain and later Europe. Juderia eventually became the neighborhood of the Holy Cross or Barrio Santa Cruz.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A little further along was the <b>Plaza de Dona Elvira</b> with more orange trees, attractive tile benches surrounding the square and a tiled fountain to match. Of course it wouldn't have been complete without shops selling souvenirs and work by local artisans, too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just in case we'd not yet seen enough pretty plazas that day, we came across the <b>Plaza de la Alianza</b> a few minutes later. In an house on the square, an American, <b>John Fulton,</b> pursued a painting career after getting hooked on bullfighting and training in Mexican bullrings and then moving to Sevilla, the world capital of the sport. After he laid down his cape as a bullfighter, he followed his second dream: to become a painter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't resist taking this shot on our way back to the hotel after a full day sightseeing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My dear friend, <b>Lina</b> - you get one guess whom I was thinking of when I noticed this flamenco shop with your name on it!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZth6qI7YjtegVokHdfP3uTKb65Y8vgf5NclNQZjvgWGdpmj1Jq3VDbkvum6BcB4jP5l6bRcQtPS9Nwz5Tjyr9bsma2e_K0JiH8vlBTOYA2pyDj7URIz40biCb59HMm0AQACBjEMYd2Sla/s1600/2018-12-03+556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZth6qI7YjtegVokHdfP3uTKb65Y8vgf5NclNQZjvgWGdpmj1Jq3VDbkvum6BcB4jP5l6bRcQtPS9Nwz5Tjyr9bsma2e_K0JiH8vlBTOYA2pyDj7URIz40biCb59HMm0AQACBjEMYd2Sla/s320/2018-12-03+556.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRUnsUwss6ufkEHtSEWhUpdf4B_-OU7pBUCoD1FpGeTFgvtU_bVg5OWYH8tAMKkrLbk-PPhy5jhpqM0eOauJ6RGlr5VZJgtuRKWy2f1tXyOk9iLVnnu25GII9IH7Y2K0hfNSKXjfs1NlN/s1600/2018-12-03+557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRUnsUwss6ufkEHtSEWhUpdf4B_-OU7pBUCoD1FpGeTFgvtU_bVg5OWYH8tAMKkrLbk-PPhy5jhpqM0eOauJ6RGlr5VZJgtuRKWy2f1tXyOk9iLVnnu25GII9IH7Y2K0hfNSKXjfs1NlN/s320/2018-12-03+557.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How nice to come 'home' to our hotel and find my nightie so prettily arranged except I was tired after a long day sightseeing and just wanted to jump into it right away!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnAB01A62C9dBE8Ah4BdXdMYxoG5-mE4oiEbbfhcNj4BWbkesfjR42RQrqQjSu4S5Sy83UeHhA-DcGm-qaAPFOoRfu8GXbLZBBGfihCNnJZoquLQFiJYn7t6HqbfYMI3f_JVJiEKoSdkp/s1600/2018-12-03+565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnAB01A62C9dBE8Ah4BdXdMYxoG5-mE4oiEbbfhcNj4BWbkesfjR42RQrqQjSu4S5Sy83UeHhA-DcGm-qaAPFOoRfu8GXbLZBBGfihCNnJZoquLQFiJYn7t6HqbfYMI3f_JVJiEKoSdkp/s320/2018-12-03+565.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> The Alcatraz, getting robbed and a flamenco show - i.e. experiencing the highs and lows of Sevilla in one day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on March 9th, 2019, from Queenstown, NZ, while traveling with a friend.</i></span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-88415758269212295182019-03-07T00:42:00.000-07:002019-04-10T12:49:57.200-06:0012/3: Christopher Columbus & World's Largest Pearl in Sevilla's Cathedral!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">I guess I spoke too soon in the last post about already having seen enough religious sights in one day after touring both the <b>Basilica of the Macarena</b> and the <b>Church of the Divine Savior</b> because we headed next to Sevilla's <b>Cathedral!</b> We hadn't known it was the third largest church in Europe, after St. Peter's at the Vatican in Rome and St. Paul's in London. On top of that, it was the largest Gothic church anywhere and was also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. When the <b>Reconquista Christians</b> tore down the brick mosque on this site in 1401, their intention was to build a cathedral so massive that "anyone who sees it will take us for madmen."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdJY7eF-wWTGcfxgdWZv_g3kTPTFebC_sxDkI2N6ws9bebbfqlX1G83lca0G3ixg6n7Q09FsdzTe11w-atKofjTjQafAd8FE9Z-Q1UtoqsdpIW4iTfI1b1lHpt2jnKc6GPp0ckfuJGkkh/s1600/2018-12-03+237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdJY7eF-wWTGcfxgdWZv_g3kTPTFebC_sxDkI2N6ws9bebbfqlX1G83lca0G3ixg6n7Q09FsdzTe11w-atKofjTjQafAd8FE9Z-Q1UtoqsdpIW4iTfI1b1lHpt2jnKc6GPp0ckfuJGkkh/s320/2018-12-03+237.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRsYyo_tPIZ6VVQRvdT62rSbcJV7TXFDZrVJgdWAdBbStUZmSs2hodlEUzVhCTpsiv8d8tAE_lwvSkTCq_EsV_00uRXCYIHo4biNtvysePi6lGPgeuCG5sYCT4hpVIn7lvLevVbQhs8og/s1600/2018-12-03+249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRsYyo_tPIZ6VVQRvdT62rSbcJV7TXFDZrVJgdWAdBbStUZmSs2hodlEUzVhCTpsiv8d8tAE_lwvSkTCq_EsV_00uRXCYIHo4biNtvysePi6lGPgeuCG5sYCT4hpVIn7lvLevVbQhs8og/s320/2018-12-03+249.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the patio was a full-size replica of the <b>Bell Tower's</b> weather vane statue.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8x29c53Jx9iu_8ZYUsGADeAjDatZYY2OWdn-eF2FvUk1QBt-gxahuRGXJbWX_Iw9Y54Nofu-tW9pX8blbkQ7AjeaGcU-WjyrgBg7Me5nalzeFD_i0DTueZ8fGsQ3oOq4q9BfS9wUaVoc/s1600/2018-12-03+238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8x29c53Jx9iu_8ZYUsGADeAjDatZYY2OWdn-eF2FvUk1QBt-gxahuRGXJbWX_Iw9Y54Nofu-tW9pX8blbkQ7AjeaGcU-WjyrgBg7Me5nalzeFD_i0DTueZ8fGsQ3oOq4q9BfS9wUaVoc/s320/2018-12-03+238.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before entering the church there was the <b>Art Pavilion,</b> a room full of paintings that once graced the inside of the church including some by Sevilla's 17th century masters. <b>Bartolome Murillo, </b>the son of a barber of Sevilla (!), painted <i>St. Ferdinand</i> which depicted the king who freed the city from the Moors. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQznBjLJgXmTVVL8XSGfdTnPn-nxqrJc1LL_XlV7yI6mEwgmpwEIUAWmyAoOvCVl4tsdvdMuk4QdOE0f4sYdkBtpiywDBHvD57NwiLOJwOn9Wt4ZwIFePYnqj9MuhZz3u7aF6khHl3lHN/s1600/2018-12-03+240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQznBjLJgXmTVVL8XSGfdTnPn-nxqrJc1LL_XlV7yI6mEwgmpwEIUAWmyAoOvCVl4tsdvdMuk4QdOE0f4sYdkBtpiywDBHvD57NwiLOJwOn9Wt4ZwIFePYnqj9MuhZz3u7aF6khHl3lHN/s320/2018-12-03+240.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh yeah, another severed head to look at! This one, from about 1625, portrayed <b>St. John the Baptist. </b>I sure could have done without also seeing it from the bottom looking up - it was a little too graphic for me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXqCTIXSatf6RLR5paY22F_BycIMxe_DZfu4zfCI-25hG69OgQZMRV_MI3oVHDGy8YQzOfxpFwZLBHYcbT4Rsff2l8rvycLITLmYnSlbwrLhxRPhSKdx0TyXtkvroY4mmXJ0PS2Ry3Umq/s1600/2018-12-03+242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXqCTIXSatf6RLR5paY22F_BycIMxe_DZfu4zfCI-25hG69OgQZMRV_MI3oVHDGy8YQzOfxpFwZLBHYcbT4Rsff2l8rvycLITLmYnSlbwrLhxRPhSKdx0TyXtkvroY4mmXJ0PS2Ry3Umq/s320/2018-12-03+242.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClv1uxW3k9ZkMBxZsKoq_6ZgjnJVA7movnSpJTxdlKL81jx2RZcpP4m-vxE3XiW59jG_mO69AK1rloTZD-YpE7SJnMsB6V8_HG5r_IZZPDybqziI3dDTjUovZlNE7XDGWE-c2k26J2H-2/s1600/2018-12-03+244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClv1uxW3k9ZkMBxZsKoq_6ZgjnJVA7movnSpJTxdlKL81jx2RZcpP4m-vxE3XiW59jG_mO69AK1rloTZD-YpE7SJnMsB6V8_HG5r_IZZPDybqziI3dDTjUovZlNE7XDGWE-c2k26J2H-2/s320/2018-12-03+244.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This one of</span><span style="font-size: large;"><i> St. John the Baptist in the Desert </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">was painted by </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Francisco de Zurbaran.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_P9VoJgzc5NWIWg00HKsgjXAQS2Tfcep8bHqcMu6RopMmTlv8sOVoHKK6fY_D6jzzbSFUo6f-SwkuyvhXjDjXpzDWw5RZD_WX_Mi7uqTHhQzckdFzt45YYWPPPnz4MaNaitdbJjv0GiCK/s1600/2018-12-03+246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_P9VoJgzc5NWIWg00HKsgjXAQS2Tfcep8bHqcMu6RopMmTlv8sOVoHKK6fY_D6jzzbSFUo6f-SwkuyvhXjDjXpzDWw5RZD_WX_Mi7uqTHhQzckdFzt45YYWPPPnz4MaNaitdbJjv0GiCK/s320/2018-12-03+246.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In front of the pilgrims' entrance was <b>Christopher Columbus'</b> grandiose tomb! Four pallbearers, representing the kings of the regions of Castile, Aragon, Leon and Navarre, held his tomb aloft. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The pallbearers were recognizable by their cloaks.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrS1UU10-0wZk4tEwiETSgINBrFoeWqFM9J4SoaA6h9rPoBO_pYBm6oeAezbfRukDtoQhw6AoS-_hIjsfD9XQjPQg7__-NW3eNw_5y8TsEk-_n_gzEeTo2SkssOrellFM63njktub3HUD/s1600/2018-12-03+318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrS1UU10-0wZk4tEwiETSgINBrFoeWqFM9J4SoaA6h9rPoBO_pYBm6oeAezbfRukDtoQhw6AoS-_hIjsfD9XQjPQg7__-NW3eNw_5y8TsEk-_n_gzEeTo2SkssOrellFM63njktub3HUD/s320/2018-12-03+318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAu9nsGZ_vXHtpumepNbz4jv_sZ7g1mHi66e4UIW4e0fMo7gLlXf9t-QB3WKL1oemDvJsucUoYNhc4WQ8F4VQ3sO5kVix4adhzq8GJmxM-gI5fAg9GroSjsenu1RtaG9s69lEnSqvlc21Z/s1600/2018-12-03+324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAu9nsGZ_vXHtpumepNbz4jv_sZ7g1mHi66e4UIW4e0fMo7gLlXf9t-QB3WKL1oemDvJsucUoYNhc4WQ8F4VQ3sO5kVix4adhzq8GJmxM-gI5fAg9GroSjsenu1RtaG9s69lEnSqvlc21Z/s320/2018-12-03+324.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Columbus even traveled a lot after he died! He was buried initially in northwestern Spain where he passed away; he was then moved to a monastery in Sevilla, then to the Dominican Republic as he'd requested, and then on to Cuba. When that country became independent from Spain in 1902, Columbus sailed home again to Sevilla for the last time!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7A09KdWDACPmSwLlaCiMg9TQa6BaEvFM8gB25SG2GidErodEmnBxyv8Ep-t6xXxuioxtg8jbk3xl8Cn12YQNTUcX-Z_R-ww68JWgSTqwn52WGWD6uWFsjjyXJLjYDKPmAFBJ66hBzbJRK/s1600/2018-12-03+313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7A09KdWDACPmSwLlaCiMg9TQa6BaEvFM8gB25SG2GidErodEmnBxyv8Ep-t6xXxuioxtg8jbk3xl8Cn12YQNTUcX-Z_R-ww68JWgSTqwn52WGWD6uWFsjjyXJLjYDKPmAFBJ66hBzbJRK/s320/2018-12-03+313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The mural by the tomb was of <b>St. Christopher,</b> the patron saint of travelers. With as much traveling as Steven and I do, I better pray to him more often!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PsNN1uTEBigN4Bw0U5FT-DXPN1lCiLmT1v4I0KyukEfWF9emVWPNpcXs_mBOekAyEHNs1gWgx-7BykuFyFPoWnFgr1MWVYeNk6-aHvTGVowLJqEnUZdV3aYyfj8R1ZWJxcMqg_zRsjwO/s1600/2018-12-03+321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PsNN1uTEBigN4Bw0U5FT-DXPN1lCiLmT1v4I0KyukEfWF9emVWPNpcXs_mBOekAyEHNs1gWgx-7BykuFyFPoWnFgr1MWVYeNk6-aHvTGVowLJqEnUZdV3aYyfj8R1ZWJxcMqg_zRsjwO/s320/2018-12-03+321.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The clock behind the tomb has been keeping time since 1788!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oRuy6MKji_ry7c0zm_sdH9lyW6zyQaShCTOrH8sU5hnAtRLi0vDtqnuGlYVO2Z3hTo1t2JLyNd-eJlDYP7MjjspQjR-6oQMDwx_HorraxQoJMxySVl9drLNnkzAnr9jkM6JT8XdqRajm/s1600/2018-12-03+322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oRuy6MKji_ry7c0zm_sdH9lyW6zyQaShCTOrH8sU5hnAtRLi0vDtqnuGlYVO2Z3hTo1t2JLyNd-eJlDYP7MjjspQjR-6oQMDwx_HorraxQoJMxySVl9drLNnkzAnr9jkM6JT8XdqRajm/s320/2018-12-03+322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Behind this wrought-iron Renaissance grill was the largest altarpiece ever made! The <b>High Altar</b> was 65 feet tall and was comprised of 44 scenes from the life of Jesus and Mary carved from walnut and chestnut and with a staggering amount of gold leaf. It took three generations to complete this masterpiece, from 1481 to 1564.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXqARyhGx5kkzl5HlAOJzD9840jN02QN2g1Rw-Ci5q7wUnKTZZtkgwor9xjk-BvUjdATz32yan2CoRJ6csnxEAaklwKjHNwybY_7mGSqwRu1ovD36Dm3JN_YAoknaBJft3U8mqj3y_qNH/s1600/2018-12-03+259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXqARyhGx5kkzl5HlAOJzD9840jN02QN2g1Rw-Ci5q7wUnKTZZtkgwor9xjk-BvUjdATz32yan2CoRJ6csnxEAaklwKjHNwybY_7mGSqwRu1ovD36Dm3JN_YAoknaBJft3U8mqj3y_qNH/s320/2018-12-03+259.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiXyjgVv1RAUq4D2w1jm-P4cVfwWxMcAHvD0wirAmi7UB2ey7ghdNZVPVi1gYSoBsilnv43M5A4O_na9TOp9nxpbFuXG3DepmRbDqtlpggNs0im4bUDVGWqeJ_j2EgFeTy_FtklW4kPEi/s1600/2018-12-03+262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiXyjgVv1RAUq4D2w1jm-P4cVfwWxMcAHvD0wirAmi7UB2ey7ghdNZVPVi1gYSoBsilnv43M5A4O_na9TOp9nxpbFuXG3DepmRbDqtlpggNs0im4bUDVGWqeJ_j2EgFeTy_FtklW4kPEi/s320/2018-12-03+262.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because the images were small, so far away and could only be viewed through the grille, it was challenging to take clear photos. I think the first one was of baby Jesus in the manger but I wasn't 100% sure. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcilmWbrt9DPUNegr6YsWB-gzS-a6VIQZ7wUsIFxlL5TnfwGbu2F7pTySBj89n8gE-Q4_3hoFLQL4vOau-eOtKyk_Kd9PJCXRlO7aDtmLvwKLd8LiCBzPanW5lRcYTw77N_IYmXvh5hKI/s1600/2018-12-03+266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcilmWbrt9DPUNegr6YsWB-gzS-a6VIQZ7wUsIFxlL5TnfwGbu2F7pTySBj89n8gE-Q4_3hoFLQL4vOau-eOtKyk_Kd9PJCXRlO7aDtmLvwKLd8LiCBzPanW5lRcYTw77N_IYmXvh5hKI/s320/2018-12-03+266.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_36a1WD4zQ8KROfnz1DFKFJOV5wmeGE7WHCiz51NDisg9qReQegIBz1d5czNDn-oangiU2f1oPfX0dH5h1F-vTibMIZx7NdUAro2tU-GCQTXNriIs-C7HHg1hKPJVy_HDK_6PqPGP9Ic/s1600/2018-12-03+270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_36a1WD4zQ8KROfnz1DFKFJOV5wmeGE7WHCiz51NDisg9qReQegIBz1d5czNDn-oangiU2f1oPfX0dH5h1F-vTibMIZx7NdUAro2tU-GCQTXNriIs-C7HHg1hKPJVy_HDK_6PqPGP9Ic/s320/2018-12-03+270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSova4q26eHF2KRRU45Y26opVB6oiNZ-SiKY6hOqfCvNztuWnoiKkVy1pzI-iBPqcrZs7VV3bOWxF1UJ1jzAxCN3ujjFPf-MuOe4jNEgplPiEP-OzUXpgKJ7IblYxau8maRTN-EN0kaP_q/s1600/2018-12-03+568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSova4q26eHF2KRRU45Y26opVB6oiNZ-SiKY6hOqfCvNztuWnoiKkVy1pzI-iBPqcrZs7VV3bOWxF1UJ1jzAxCN3ujjFPf-MuOe4jNEgplPiEP-OzUXpgKJ7IblYxau8maRTN-EN0kaP_q/s320/2018-12-03+568.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The altarpiece was gorgeous, stunning and any other positive adjective you'd like to add, but it was so opulent it left me cold and sad at the monies spent on an 'altar' when so much of the money could have been better spent helping the people in South America from where the gold was taken.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKV9XTroar2fib52LLVHIg8rmoJonoNNK4qhBEJZarRlQdiCD1JntoPZ7Cxem63JrWWnwvXdeKRLaAFpugRpxGDX4NH4rbh8-vlBJOU_sRxa2OHW6mloWcj1Ak5j-LzMGYh1zGnSv8KI3v/s1600/2018-12-03+272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKV9XTroar2fib52LLVHIg8rmoJonoNNK4qhBEJZarRlQdiCD1JntoPZ7Cxem63JrWWnwvXdeKRLaAFpugRpxGDX4NH4rbh8-vlBJOU_sRxa2OHW6mloWcj1Ak5j-LzMGYh1zGnSv8KI3v/s320/2018-12-03+272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Facing the high altar was the similarly grandiose <b>Choir</b> that was enclosed by another elaborate iron grille. The choir featured an organ of more than 7,000 pipes and a giant spinnable choir book holder in the middle of the room so that all could chant from the giant hymnals.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMNA4Yb7JuJOmUOGlgqu-k-sPszcBc03IoGCfudUapU0QPbilf-abLjuKgZg_xIzjXBV5mSWQBhu0qsfxGtCKpcSPvsrMFt62EUYpDDvMF81U1q0iQvuU1xvH1WE9yY1PY_t0_X-vLGsw/s1600/2018-12-03+274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMNA4Yb7JuJOmUOGlgqu-k-sPszcBc03IoGCfudUapU0QPbilf-abLjuKgZg_xIzjXBV5mSWQBhu0qsfxGtCKpcSPvsrMFt62EUYpDDvMF81U1q0iQvuU1xvH1WE9yY1PY_t0_X-vLGsw/s320/2018-12-03+274.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFxc7qN3auO8aBklwPZkyWshRNH2xpxVtKz1vbS-f-3xN2k1tKHWetsB_o7tYusZRCQlmBH6h6cdw9bjU6siyjRY_nSNLvNimFD3-ZBwc2Hr4Z8LyjNgLvHCfRDjmsdE3DSxqsikYfWhL/s1600/2018-12-03+283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFxc7qN3auO8aBklwPZkyWshRNH2xpxVtKz1vbS-f-3xN2k1tKHWetsB_o7tYusZRCQlmBH6h6cdw9bjU6siyjRY_nSNLvNimFD3-ZBwc2Hr4Z8LyjNgLvHCfRDjmsdE3DSxqsikYfWhL/s320/2018-12-03+283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Rose Window at the back of the choir was lovely as expected.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgC0zVE3utsYGMElC59n90PdJAfA5PK8TL7TGBbcP0n-khuFtdqC0MuGau4I4BQJn6Xn_IwMvUfhQhQgkzMy4hgzpqqVqgSae0uYTLFRj6NMHsQ6MmWLeHMtjCUaNHKdjxD2pO2rH5A7y/s1600/2018-12-03+281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgC0zVE3utsYGMElC59n90PdJAfA5PK8TL7TGBbcP0n-khuFtdqC0MuGau4I4BQJn6Xn_IwMvUfhQhQgkzMy4hgzpqqVqgSae0uYTLFRj6NMHsQ6MmWLeHMtjCUaNHKdjxD2pO2rH5A7y/s320/2018-12-03+281.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ceiling looked like a lacy spider's web.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQciDgtvxNiHAkX_2D2xviRxTETytXD4y8DCIRm10MbvXRoACMj5WcjfY_JF-Wr3t5vWZRpQETloRwNuYb8Oai4FzYCAyZBLJ6mSceXo3YioxuFl8T4t9nyE7dn4vDr5_Pyu3TJz1n6_zQ/s1600/2018-12-03+285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQciDgtvxNiHAkX_2D2xviRxTETytXD4y8DCIRm10MbvXRoACMj5WcjfY_JF-Wr3t5vWZRpQETloRwNuYb8Oai4FzYCAyZBLJ6mSceXo3YioxuFl8T4t9nyE7dn4vDr5_Pyu3TJz1n6_zQ/s320/2018-12-03+285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just in case the gold high altar wasn't enough for the cathedral, there was also a gleaming <b>Silver Altar</b> adorned with statues including that of the Virgin. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5g0tvhyQSXSKqOeiql6-f4lW9rQnJiiD3CPvkYI4X1MjPLMbBKvac6oF7Vxcjvx_eyh_SjO7h_BKGeJ7gOtwhWfVqD7IKy7Xzdj9eH1aqHuimpx-13BDMKEftlhWNiQ1D-dRaj0gBI8-/s1600/2018-12-03+286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5g0tvhyQSXSKqOeiql6-f4lW9rQnJiiD3CPvkYI4X1MjPLMbBKvac6oF7Vxcjvx_eyh_SjO7h_BKGeJ7gOtwhWfVqD7IKy7Xzdj9eH1aqHuimpx-13BDMKEftlhWNiQ1D-dRaj0gBI8-/s320/2018-12-03+286.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXm2o48q7KLawVx_XxY1AZ_H9AGsFK6iGwf3EqFLZIVlRGPhUFnezFCsa8El-BqGS2TPWYi-MFZcNCeDHHP2QJhmBl_d4ebi02RNGaPXvOk-tZrtKJXX998xZFFGuB-FTfDx-KmIX2LFbz/s1600/2018-12-03+288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXm2o48q7KLawVx_XxY1AZ_H9AGsFK6iGwf3EqFLZIVlRGPhUFnezFCsa8El-BqGS2TPWYi-MFZcNCeDHHP2QJhmBl_d4ebi02RNGaPXvOk-tZrtKJXX998xZFFGuB-FTfDx-KmIX2LFbz/s320/2018-12-03+288.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClBUYhxVcQJ6bLsPFS6-xvjMJ6DRPfpj21jC_Fm_rsd3enluyrNH9Cb3TvdZsTj_kPDvYPwYaFW4MjJSGN1OEgiOU2l7jnfJKEaQfgWJ8wzIbWPNtY0i9rpURaVMnQ4HyIk3wW0MlnvVS/s1600/2018-12-03+289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClBUYhxVcQJ6bLsPFS6-xvjMJ6DRPfpj21jC_Fm_rsd3enluyrNH9Cb3TvdZsTj_kPDvYPwYaFW4MjJSGN1OEgiOU2l7jnfJKEaQfgWJ8wzIbWPNtY0i9rpURaVMnQ4HyIk3wW0MlnvVS/s320/2018-12-03+289.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Chapel of St. Anthony</b> with its Renaissance baptismal font was used to welcome babies into the Catholic faith. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjZFefuOtPWduoayF7v-q0ZkqdbtK3Bc_C9yboFU9a-DEogNe13Q7bHfv9lphlQG7r1hIf7P1wx7osz2BCM5zdcoyw0orLMhMm9G4Yoeup3z-4z-o6Uh7wGOAsN0m2trEz373mCj8jVfA/s1600/2018-12-03+292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjZFefuOtPWduoayF7v-q0ZkqdbtK3Bc_C9yboFU9a-DEogNe13Q7bHfv9lphlQG7r1hIf7P1wx7osz2BCM5zdcoyw0orLMhMm9G4Yoeup3z-4z-o6Uh7wGOAsN0m2trEz373mCj8jVfA/s320/2018-12-03+292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the accompanying 1656 painting by Murillo, the saints were shown kneeling as Baby Jesus came down surrounded by a choir of angels in the <i>Vision of St. Anthony.</i> The smaller painting above, <i>The Baptism of Christ,</i> was also by Murillo. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgNMXecvf4t7Zjeb7mixIZs9N76FnzC3KyaNE9Yn8q_jsoeJFlLGjnG_f8oaV5St92KA4valw5uxkpwP696vSI7fr6vLvA5PP3vWoPpozjEe7THf0OmvpAJiHNrlsuZSK-i8JBrdnaD7T/s1600/2018-12-03+293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgNMXecvf4t7Zjeb7mixIZs9N76FnzC3KyaNE9Yn8q_jsoeJFlLGjnG_f8oaV5St92KA4valw5uxkpwP696vSI7fr6vLvA5PP3vWoPpozjEe7THf0OmvpAJiHNrlsuZSK-i8JBrdnaD7T/s320/2018-12-03+293.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJYQ9IT70OHsVTw9G7Fb_Vy0aOV09coM1w7oKRtdRKmks_M5USI_Y4E8At9pE3bToNRHcMP8w0_0knvekRIyMRQVdNm2b-hkc43wZ88_I0xMleS4iDsGIJNM1jzRcLL1K4DD7L1yqHt9A/s1600/2018-12-03+296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJYQ9IT70OHsVTw9G7Fb_Vy0aOV09coM1w7oKRtdRKmks_M5USI_Y4E8At9pE3bToNRHcMP8w0_0knvekRIyMRQVdNm2b-hkc43wZ88_I0xMleS4iDsGIJNM1jzRcLL1K4DD7L1yqHt9A/s320/2018-12-03+296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The stained-glass window by the chapel showed some of the many images in the cathedral of two of Sevilla's patron saints, <b>Santa Justa</b> and <b>Santa Rufina,</b> who were killed for their Christian faith in Roman times. Spotting them throughout the cathedral was pretty easy by their palm branches which represented their martyrdom, the pots at their feet and the bell tower which symbolized the town of Sevilla they protect.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_RQiF5kjvA4bxtARQdCtpbCTUTy3AHiZawIqzpMIb9mpsbDzzQLyDiBzfvBVRQ3oQqUtTX8M9I2eG7By2ax95xyGayKS_kUqRTYK6E-eQXDYe8gP5kjEsJCbXoRbqTMVQ6PwJ4OgHze0/s1600/2018-12-03+299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_RQiF5kjvA4bxtARQdCtpbCTUTy3AHiZawIqzpMIb9mpsbDzzQLyDiBzfvBVRQ3oQqUtTX8M9I2eG7By2ax95xyGayKS_kUqRTYK6E-eQXDYe8gP5kjEsJCbXoRbqTMVQ6PwJ4OgHze0/s320/2018-12-03+299.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Still in the same chapel was a large pennant that had belonged to <b>Ferdinand III</b> that was raised over the minaret of the mosque in 1248 when Christian forces finally expelled the Muslim Moors from Sevilla. It had fared extraordinarily well in the last almost 800 years!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjDsNiyxPjtZTKlhTugESoJ316P3Brmm2YDOkGF_cSGmoQyjfmqHbrZOfcIzJtexBC-vfiqmyGyx4ZPC2GaQVydH4w7TbmdezGEN5jL8sMJiqN-5zpxVQP-xDVnVgHK8bxQSnq0pXDp4D/s1600/2018-12-03+302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjDsNiyxPjtZTKlhTugESoJ316P3Brmm2YDOkGF_cSGmoQyjfmqHbrZOfcIzJtexBC-vfiqmyGyx4ZPC2GaQVydH4w7TbmdezGEN5jL8sMJiqN-5zpxVQP-xDVnVgHK8bxQSnq0pXDp4D/s320/2018-12-03+302.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-U9wKykcsxiJFDIvVzxFiPhVd4bVHhIB83j3Z0vQuJQI6u1WMYDo6acTvCf3lkqSMCT6BIZCIK6EP84rl3FFx2N8FZTOZGbeJaxuAMU2fhnJxnYQG2k0qJ1aXcQCLtKL8TMTO79pwfgtU/s1600/2018-12-03+304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-U9wKykcsxiJFDIvVzxFiPhVd4bVHhIB83j3Z0vQuJQI6u1WMYDo6acTvCf3lkqSMCT6BIZCIK6EP84rl3FFx2N8FZTOZGbeJaxuAMU2fhnJxnYQG2k0qJ1aXcQCLtKL8TMTO79pwfgtU/s320/2018-12-03+304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Standing behind the choir at the back of the church gave us a sense of how immense and ornate the church was. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcLteZGbTecfmKyLwZOQPUnU0S-A6JFVaWHCVDBjsxUCJzsiTFwfqI6lT3BpYJl6RiIA8ssF6eXTZqdBu7XGRTjyeIVYjAHLZ617G6vbqETNrMHafPi58IMAJ51sMHEyy__kYzsDWEysN/s1600/2018-12-03+305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcLteZGbTecfmKyLwZOQPUnU0S-A6JFVaWHCVDBjsxUCJzsiTFwfqI6lT3BpYJl6RiIA8ssF6eXTZqdBu7XGRTjyeIVYjAHLZ617G6vbqETNrMHafPi58IMAJ51sMHEyy__kYzsDWEysN/s320/2018-12-03+305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eTbFDAMSeKe8GRIWrAeU5LmNd5GT0zE258lB0KFn7Dwj2emDX8bYY5YVOZtwEi70VHZvOVLj2wOpbswiJKSEAlugbnSPrR8uAya5ijMVilVGrwrpTReBzslxAQPsABYs-75oKYD_xk44/s1600/2018-12-03+306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eTbFDAMSeKe8GRIWrAeU5LmNd5GT0zE258lB0KFn7Dwj2emDX8bYY5YVOZtwEi70VHZvOVLj2wOpbswiJKSEAlugbnSPrR8uAya5ijMVilVGrwrpTReBzslxAQPsABYs-75oKYD_xk44/s320/2018-12-03+306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Virgen de la Antigua Chapel</b> had the oldest art in the cathedral, older even than the building itself. It was painted onto a prayer niche of the mosque that had stood on this location and had acted as a church for 120 years after the Reconquista. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MPCQV3P6_IVqpqmtzeU6XTbrWnwGxqwORFE2iPW9aF2O6GhX7KJNWTIrk5p3GjjKXm_WOVYbBYtw2-NOc9Fjhhyphenhyphen0t1zaj9P1X3Ifw6Z5SRDOMkhOsH1Z80be5jiSGFAHoKq4LzR4Hh_1/s1600/2018-12-03+307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MPCQV3P6_IVqpqmtzeU6XTbrWnwGxqwORFE2iPW9aF2O6GhX7KJNWTIrk5p3GjjKXm_WOVYbBYtw2-NOc9Fjhhyphenhyphen0t1zaj9P1X3Ifw6Z5SRDOMkhOsH1Z80be5jiSGFAHoKq4LzR4Hh_1/s320/2018-12-03+307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The gilded fresco showed the Virgin holding a rose and the Christ Child holding a bird. When the mosque was torn down to make way for the huge cathedral, the fresco was saved as the Catholic builders were apparently captivated by the fresco's beauty and were also aware of the Virgen de la Antigua's status as a protector of sailors which was so critical in the port city.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOafBoFAmvSp6MNYidPoPcuJM-QkfdzkOLq3iJNJJrSGDPMjYjHvoi163b2s-oeJkxWqbAj1VYvcHTuj-s6nqiyQ0ekGOC7h-zLEzaqkNa4wFfE4XDasCbn3dzh0uvjVkcSG0kBVjCJjey/s1600/2018-12-03+309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOafBoFAmvSp6MNYidPoPcuJM-QkfdzkOLq3iJNJJrSGDPMjYjHvoi163b2s-oeJkxWqbAj1VYvcHTuj-s6nqiyQ0ekGOC7h-zLEzaqkNa4wFfE4XDasCbn3dzh0uvjVkcSG0kBVjCJjey/s320/2018-12-03+309.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we popped into the <b>Sacristy,</b> the area where priests get ready daily for Mass, we spotted another painting of Justa and Rufina with their customary bell tower, pots and palm leaves. This one was the work of Goya in 1817.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfyOYSHX1BrB2jVU1GI54YuUIL5D4ZHqm99aVZ6DPSQHAQzLmjEownBdUjQ-YU5MUE2re7RGuTmFaMwtRsl1wa14-YcavJLzhEBNCD8a8xcVcPfwxHGj4NagIbI6tDRZvVTmpS1AWvMkk/s1600/2018-12-03+325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfyOYSHX1BrB2jVU1GI54YuUIL5D4ZHqm99aVZ6DPSQHAQzLmjEownBdUjQ-YU5MUE2re7RGuTmFaMwtRsl1wa14-YcavJLzhEBNCD8a8xcVcPfwxHGj4NagIbI6tDRZvVTmpS1AWvMkk/s320/2018-12-03+325.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_T58FWulWGUWlNHXjkvwTKSyGPIVutHs7HIQlIY4MaCKRPVuvHYMX0Tf1pnufpFF9FGz5ZYAXtvrhTeJKTk8PT86QaycKtrG1MPmCMj9YjGBCIlac_W3avY15k1_um369Z2jNsT5zayjs/s1600/2018-12-03+326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_T58FWulWGUWlNHXjkvwTKSyGPIVutHs7HIQlIY4MaCKRPVuvHYMX0Tf1pnufpFF9FGz5ZYAXtvrhTeJKTk8PT86QaycKtrG1MPmCMj9YjGBCIlac_W3avY15k1_um369Z2jNsT5zayjs/s320/2018-12-03+326.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That sacristy was simply a prelude to the <b>Main Sacristy</b> and its ornate 16th century golden dome, a souvenir of the city's Golden Age. According to Rick Steves, "The intricate masonry, called <b>Plateresque,</b> resembled lacy silver work (<i>plata</i> means 'silver')."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5Grrw6XhX6E4hS0Bw7DKxoKAJzMBcQiOSeg6z0_dS8m3bLTbmdoneAekWqCAhAnSxlf9vP83gZhmUjqZnR8SxFLBwJu-Bmo0m-qpvbYgCTMT5rmf3YgRvN6ISs5DLtHgy1unomgBmwGG/s1600/2018-12-03+330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5Grrw6XhX6E4hS0Bw7DKxoKAJzMBcQiOSeg6z0_dS8m3bLTbmdoneAekWqCAhAnSxlf9vP83gZhmUjqZnR8SxFLBwJu-Bmo0m-qpvbYgCTMT5rmf3YgRvN6ISs5DLtHgy1unomgBmwGG/s320/2018-12-03+330.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70OlYKqyAUARfG1h5xza5iYBIKdtkNHo9q7zhKFk-DagI7cfxSCFr7iorUDUx9vOdD9cwlfwYNwp2_EYXy7SJDJEW03BRInZr66ENl3_MNG9Tnsu9r_cCA70JTq-0IVjCo-Rtju4F55Bb/s1600/2018-12-03+331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70OlYKqyAUARfG1h5xza5iYBIKdtkNHo9q7zhKFk-DagI7cfxSCFr7iorUDUx9vOdD9cwlfwYNwp2_EYXy7SJDJEW03BRInZr66ENl3_MNG9Tnsu9r_cCA70JTq-0IVjCo-Rtju4F55Bb/s320/2018-12-03+331.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I craned my neck, I could see the image of God was way up in the cupola, surrounded by three layers of figures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The room was overshadowed, though, by a nearly 1,000 pound, silver-plated <b>monstrance,</b> the vessel holding the communion wafer.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKY9rtP4VBKtq7IMjV4k_l2NxG55A8JIeWkEzS-Sk3lTmU67t-hABezkbHf_GcrwOr_u7qx-w9HPssj0SGsmtI0Ryd0htZ3tHbwKyM1DxjigXPDgGpp6slzCEyje7j3AhYwml-H0Jf95me/s1600/2018-12-03+337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKY9rtP4VBKtq7IMjV4k_l2NxG55A8JIeWkEzS-Sk3lTmU67t-hABezkbHf_GcrwOr_u7qx-w9HPssj0SGsmtI0Ryd0htZ3tHbwKyM1DxjigXPDgGpp6slzCEyje7j3AhYwml-H0Jf95me/s320/2018-12-03+337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This magnificent monstrance is still used to carry the host throughout the city during Corpus Christi festivities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <b>Tesoro</b> was next with its glorious ceiling and several rooms containing the church's treasures.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyalu3i1TUxceSL7KI7SlFR135o0xdHhU-1mtr7_YjZIZP5IDPbOPfgdKDGj8A9UGsp4aLvbcsnBMsd7-_NS5h3dVqKS3i9yG9h6_N5Y9ik6bDLXafpmwPLSQFsm_CKgEn2IWSD6n0h-La/s1600/2018-12-03+346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyalu3i1TUxceSL7KI7SlFR135o0xdHhU-1mtr7_YjZIZP5IDPbOPfgdKDGj8A9UGsp4aLvbcsnBMsd7-_NS5h3dVqKS3i9yG9h6_N5Y9ik6bDLXafpmwPLSQFsm_CKgEn2IWSD6n0h-La/s320/2018-12-03+346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the most unusual rooms I've seen in a church was this 16th century <b>Chapter Room</b> located in the treasury. </span><span style="font-size: large;">This was the first elliptical area built in the Spanish Renaissance and possibly the first in Europe. </span><span style="font-size: large;">This room is where the bishop conducts monthly meetings. He, of course, uses the throne while other participants use the benches.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh45SqKU2giyPnHsZdwjNrhu32-rjXkIH9sJIkBSXbfwSnI0adkmaW9AW7PWq95NQBgrrQ2FujgLiGWUhR_ec8g2F-zKQFvdsNj8nj-hkGk5PjCblVZUNpffV8KCuirLfTBpo1qyxKOLxk/s1600/2018-12-03+348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh45SqKU2giyPnHsZdwjNrhu32-rjXkIH9sJIkBSXbfwSnI0adkmaW9AW7PWq95NQBgrrQ2FujgLiGWUhR_ec8g2F-zKQFvdsNj8nj-hkGk5PjCblVZUNpffV8KCuirLfTBpo1qyxKOLxk/s320/2018-12-03+348.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The paintings in the room's oval dome were by Murillo and included the <i>Immaculate Conception</i> above the throne and other saints that were important to Sevillians.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The flooring was inspired by the design that Michelangelo did for a piazza in Rome. The entire room was one of the prettiest and most glorious I've seen in any church.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The treasury's <b>Room of Ornaments</b> included gold and silver reliquaries that held hundreds of body parts, and priceless objects including Spain's most valuable crown that sparkled with thousands of precious stones and the world's largest pearl to adorn the crown of the <b>Virgen de los Reyes.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hWCTPHAV7XZ6lW6D4PowA7rjk2df927XhnfzbogyFBO1eB49LW_G8h5SUI9Xz74hAkQWCY7caaG0iU7-8K817ljHrMNyIgULlYfK2p1Y3s8AQlT_OwLCVE-ufQUkpI0nA8nth5qrBc5G/s1600/2018-12-03+366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hWCTPHAV7XZ6lW6D4PowA7rjk2df927XhnfzbogyFBO1eB49LW_G8h5SUI9Xz74hAkQWCY7caaG0iU7-8K817ljHrMNyIgULlYfK2p1Y3s8AQlT_OwLCVE-ufQUkpI0nA8nth5qrBc5G/s320/2018-12-03+366.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If ever the acronym OMG is valid, it seemed most justified here seeing the largest pearl and the certificate from the Guinness Book of Records attesting to that!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismp8JXwb-_uznkVnfVkFNIPemEpYQ44ebDkNBD-sdw3ByzwrAiP4WQEZhTGU1tiTkkTFM0KpNXBZOT1TpQlou8Dla_amtoLoP5B6JLlMNrOACuJRg9YTsSCi64r-Uk_NjWeUFFo6xFxn6/s1600/2018-12-03+370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismp8JXwb-_uznkVnfVkFNIPemEpYQ44ebDkNBD-sdw3ByzwrAiP4WQEZhTGU1tiTkkTFM0KpNXBZOT1TpQlou8Dla_amtoLoP5B6JLlMNrOACuJRg9YTsSCi64r-Uk_NjWeUFFo6xFxn6/s320/2018-12-03+370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehyQPIQLsK1HJd140YJ_DG3DPqznPxkFt8cMl8KQjaCRcg3uTgl7m8xwrmvQxpKeTFsYeTWYH9FvLa8exKdkn0OJzS2FLrhFvpXlE4jSM8H8psu6ca2wxxlXdCCSXYDoanZd35ZDyi8pe/s1600/2018-12-03+371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehyQPIQLsK1HJd140YJ_DG3DPqznPxkFt8cMl8KQjaCRcg3uTgl7m8xwrmvQxpKeTFsYeTWYH9FvLa8exKdkn0OJzS2FLrhFvpXlE4jSM8H8psu6ca2wxxlXdCCSXYDoanZd35ZDyi8pe/s320/2018-12-03+371.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The exquisite wood-coffered ceiling matched the wood-paneled walls and set off the room perfectly.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBT7BFX7e7R_oCxulN5dg8-jVi-WSpUVq_Td1AeaaFZJJFk25gpP_G4WlANnN0QOa_vIBqAUjkax-O3OMTHBDNC00v8mNXRkS9_E9o8z0wheLbFNxfcO8nhARPjvG5h8g66be1Wu54CmR/s1600/2018-12-03+363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBT7BFX7e7R_oCxulN5dg8-jVi-WSpUVq_Td1AeaaFZJJFk25gpP_G4WlANnN0QOa_vIBqAUjkax-O3OMTHBDNC00v8mNXRkS9_E9o8z0wheLbFNxfcO8nhARPjvG5h8g66be1Wu54CmR/s320/2018-12-03+363.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was on overload by then so decided to get some much needed exercise and 'do' the <b>Giralda Bell Tower</b> climb while Steven waited for me. It involved walking up a graded ramp that was 330 feet long - 35 ramps plus 17 feet but who was counting?! It was designed so a donkey-riding Muslim cleric could ride to the top five times a day to give the Muslim call to prayer when a mosque was here.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh_gPrOxVAqjvys9blYtP6BUX0FPezM22dsAHnvsgC6xxyFKY_rEuA_XLeM8fLOaSJrIkrjTEyCVDuhL5YKZvdti65N9aIFJrtrLHttD4wTG4wQ5USNZSRGFLIEeiJBrU_dIISeZ5tTqS/s1600/2018-12-03+380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh_gPrOxVAqjvys9blYtP6BUX0FPezM22dsAHnvsgC6xxyFKY_rEuA_XLeM8fLOaSJrIkrjTEyCVDuhL5YKZvdti65N9aIFJrtrLHttD4wTG4wQ5USNZSRGFLIEeiJBrU_dIISeZ5tTqS/s320/2018-12-03+380.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-WUrqYcjzn9dS9zEggB9oDykCYWCUiYnEiVNF8OjPZSAHNZXNgwp1L95OFA0289G6TRil6nW_1ur73tcKFmpu2L4vNnDpY7Yj4Fq9ouwyBHWu1jJCQQTNmL1REvWbHaD6oqHjMMltvJ4/s1600/2018-12-03+381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-WUrqYcjzn9dS9zEggB9oDykCYWCUiYnEiVNF8OjPZSAHNZXNgwp1L95OFA0289G6TRil6nW_1ur73tcKFmpu2L4vNnDpY7Yj4Fq9ouwyBHWu1jJCQQTNmL1REvWbHaD6oqHjMMltvJ4/s320/2018-12-03+381.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Knowing I was about halfway was good and bad: I had come a long way but still had a long way to keep climbing!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDodyhYBQaHXy8oFkiMcXQMpERToaTgKZkrMmxcX25PIg1LxLajrPc69GisU1b2dDIEgYwA7q0-iGiHBKQSgaTQKLj0QCaOWzhMenvhDYFSh6__RrBB4ZyiLjNmNmsZx3Wb8F-vlFZF8rN/s1600/2018-12-03+382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDodyhYBQaHXy8oFkiMcXQMpERToaTgKZkrMmxcX25PIg1LxLajrPc69GisU1b2dDIEgYwA7q0-iGiHBKQSgaTQKLj0QCaOWzhMenvhDYFSh6__RrBB4ZyiLjNmNmsZx3Wb8F-vlFZF8rN/s320/2018-12-03+382.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_84B93aZS1S-84TXMrSLbL3boYXTqj4o9lNsQibFDry74B0dzp0XG0nVRP9tbSqKQc60gUEU4gLbLPyq9WI-wE6uDvVTazsPPLk0iz7Nv-yJweVniSxWlox9H9r9okrFU7YFeV8h5P8K/s1600/2018-12-03+383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_84B93aZS1S-84TXMrSLbL3boYXTqj4o9lNsQibFDry74B0dzp0XG0nVRP9tbSqKQc60gUEU4gLbLPyq9WI-wE6uDvVTazsPPLk0iz7Nv-yJweVniSxWlox9H9r9okrFU7YFeV8h5P8K/s320/2018-12-03+383.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I stopped briefly in the <b>Clock Chamber</b> between levels 24-25 to admire a clock in an alcove that was built within the walls of the church between 1757 and 1764. The tower's first clock was inaugurated in the presence of the king in 1400.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAtmjdLrU9uSaDGHasJRVLrwA1ct7IGAUyyErK0eA-P9b6gAGD4qbsi6njeGbJmH5D2NhTJgx9y2jF6mUb88daHjesQJlLejeCgDISx-QVYkMsvJYAK2JagIHo2mcWgz47nrojD_7Z2a3/s1600/2018-12-03+386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAtmjdLrU9uSaDGHasJRVLrwA1ct7IGAUyyErK0eA-P9b6gAGD4qbsi6njeGbJmH5D2NhTJgx9y2jF6mUb88daHjesQJlLejeCgDISx-QVYkMsvJYAK2JagIHo2mcWgz47nrojD_7Z2a3/s320/2018-12-03+386.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After I finally made it to the top, I basked in the lovely views of the city for several minutes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3jLdMz2P2cR-AQvyZ5YeWHpytu9tjPsz3SnTsPU5-_MVV-tJ3SjR7Qd0_UiU0F60FLg3pQ48x8_B7B8QQeJE7H3T_RCRM6-mai1mRE3Ti6m4BvnkdhZcjOH8CBLMzPCVaDbnPSBeUC1h/s1600/2018-12-03+399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3jLdMz2P2cR-AQvyZ5YeWHpytu9tjPsz3SnTsPU5-_MVV-tJ3SjR7Qd0_UiU0F60FLg3pQ48x8_B7B8QQeJE7H3T_RCRM6-mai1mRE3Ti6m4BvnkdhZcjOH8CBLMzPCVaDbnPSBeUC1h/s320/2018-12-03+399.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the prettiest views was just below: the <b>Court of the Orange Trees</b> but more on that in a bit from the ground level as that was where Steven was waiting for me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpJTtmLcCog3WEua9PZpCC1fLrgbyFCE5wWfNcOlstt-_i_QWsucFAOKfR7AwybM5RqjaquHIh8gK0LXL6ZNU7RWLpmRYwvoE8z4qa6huFzYPFVcUq79QrhCQGhUOeDjXBXZEmLUfXxBf/s1600/2018-12-03+396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpJTtmLcCog3WEua9PZpCC1fLrgbyFCE5wWfNcOlstt-_i_QWsucFAOKfR7AwybM5RqjaquHIh8gK0LXL6ZNU7RWLpmRYwvoE8z4qa6huFzYPFVcUq79QrhCQGhUOeDjXBXZEmLUfXxBf/s320/2018-12-03+396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmxnhLpC5vFN_k0kpJtnPq0MMMNFfSIh00kU981jXv4gl6hEAs6IaAMilK77yetSshCEcQ-v__SPmji6CSqVdgW0PGNaSu_4e4MwDNzcgMWE1-op7lKEIf0m0DllvYq6_PdA1L6NnCQ-1/s1600/2018-12-03+400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmxnhLpC5vFN_k0kpJtnPq0MMMNFfSIh00kU981jXv4gl6hEAs6IaAMilK77yetSshCEcQ-v__SPmji6CSqVdgW0PGNaSu_4e4MwDNzcgMWE1-op7lKEIf0m0DllvYq6_PdA1L6NnCQ-1/s320/2018-12-03+400.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEftoGgI-vRaexseF_d4x_pvRtpLOE7mpud9IQrRs1hGMAiwSRfwNpbKaKIeUyhjGaKgQTGMYMcMsKef47Amx6L1_BYwvooOCATnPf9MrvXVR46C9cwAAkSTDEkLrDkeTDSGe1DMnWgOu/s1600/2018-12-03+401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEftoGgI-vRaexseF_d4x_pvRtpLOE7mpud9IQrRs1hGMAiwSRfwNpbKaKIeUyhjGaKgQTGMYMcMsKef47Amx6L1_BYwvooOCATnPf9MrvXVR46C9cwAAkSTDEkLrDkeTDSGe1DMnWgOu/s320/2018-12-03+401.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once back on the ground level and going out to meet Steven, I was nonplussed to see a wooden crocodile hanging from the ceiling! It was a replica of a taxidermied version given to <b>King Alfonso X</b> from Egypt's sultan in 1260. The croc has been hanging there ever since it died and was stuffed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The church's cloister or Court of the Oranges was where 12th century Muslims used to stop at the fountain in the middle to perform their ablutions as required by their faith before praying. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The lanes between the bricks were once irrigation streams and a visible reminder that the Moors introduced irrigation to what is now most of Spain.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQErrM-hSLwjn8oaJ8UUG4hQpCmbjHxDBNgF1MH5bff2u6T9v-Fj8v-3jrhx07fBAP48uUKkFiT9H8ugsgoFEscnWy6ZjmpvS3aUAIoC_JYppliS708nXwPZZ2W_htDUIqa9b4DWLx9gX/s1600/2018-12-03+417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQErrM-hSLwjn8oaJ8UUG4hQpCmbjHxDBNgF1MH5bff2u6T9v-Fj8v-3jrhx07fBAP48uUKkFiT9H8ugsgoFEscnWy6ZjmpvS3aUAIoC_JYppliS708nXwPZZ2W_htDUIqa9b4DWLx9gX/s320/2018-12-03+417.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Giranda Bell Tower I just climbed was this very tall building on the left! At its top was a 4,500 pound bronze statue that symbolized the <b>Triumph of Faith,</b> i.e. Christianity over the Muslim religion, and acted as a weather vane. After </span><span style="font-size: large;">the original top of the tower fell </span><span style="font-size: large;">in 1356, a Christian-built top was put up </span><span style="font-size: large;">in the 16th century </span><span style="font-size: large;">with a ribbon of letters asserting, "The strongest tower is the name of God." By law, no building in the center of Sevilla can be taller than the statue atop the tower.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking at the cathedral from the courtyard, it was hard not to be similarly agog over its striking exterior.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJom1qJ5mxQOkWDBnIChwZMTtdOdlJdRiiKylp85oSEAUnKTNVFj9JuNrhgur_gv7lX-jnsj9iCKDBlnf16aCihowloT8ea4gSiZGOEJA14Tn7XND0UKa-jxDu66Pz-qZYYvcQpFI2b7b/s1600/2018-12-03+423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJom1qJ5mxQOkWDBnIChwZMTtdOdlJdRiiKylp85oSEAUnKTNVFj9JuNrhgur_gv7lX-jnsj9iCKDBlnf16aCihowloT8ea4gSiZGOEJA14Tn7XND0UKa-jxDu66Pz-qZYYvcQpFI2b7b/s320/2018-12-03+423.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The cathedral was </span><span style="font-size: large;">a spectacular building of colossal dimensions </span><span style="font-size: large;">with priceless paintings, gold and jewels but it wasn't where I would want to go and ponder and pray.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> We exited through the Moorish-style doorway that I could go on about but will let these pictures speak for themselves.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtv8EOXNFpLdN2tY8P7FAeYAkvgPI9xDiwifbOFiQ65tj6b1bDaMfJYGXULnNCqQarRf10eLJ_q5gOceIN91Ln0-Ieo6-SmTMkYXOiCBgPS-dGo9D0AkHFpUm-j8YhyphenhyphenARGVd23qJLKcrU/s1600/2018-12-03+425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtv8EOXNFpLdN2tY8P7FAeYAkvgPI9xDiwifbOFiQ65tj6b1bDaMfJYGXULnNCqQarRf10eLJ_q5gOceIN91Ln0-Ieo6-SmTMkYXOiCBgPS-dGo9D0AkHFpUm-j8YhyphenhyphenARGVd23qJLKcrU/s320/2018-12-03+425.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16D-nBCOTSJ8ONXrIMS3Ty0GpO1zWu2ecZDdTyL62KfZ3vC6E6swLxOjVhYYEdCqYRp8RT78renaiq4C6WstN0-ED9vnG3AAAPU7EAbAxkE1qdsyaaPrxpXwU4w0zotUeyx5GVe_8WriF/s1600/2018-12-03+426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16D-nBCOTSJ8ONXrIMS3Ty0GpO1zWu2ecZDdTyL62KfZ3vC6E6swLxOjVhYYEdCqYRp8RT78renaiq4C6WstN0-ED9vnG3AAAPU7EAbAxkE1qdsyaaPrxpXwU4w0zotUeyx5GVe_8WriF/s320/2018-12-03+426.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The relief above the door showed the Bible story of Jesus getting rid of the merchants in the temple, just as there wasn't supposed to be any retail activity in the church.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEACUql12_qLILpfDIGEpXLwbajnD4VKBZlW-Bqjz29781X-CUJ6q0WsEz_PIofcXuTjZSdLswTaDBlhe6xagF94P4VcF5zSGIKrnLscMVXNteVazwOoXgEPHUO4g29ujE6SKjRulgxY8g/s1600/2018-12-03+440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEACUql12_qLILpfDIGEpXLwbajnD4VKBZlW-Bqjz29781X-CUJ6q0WsEz_PIofcXuTjZSdLswTaDBlhe6xagF94P4VcF5zSGIKrnLscMVXNteVazwOoXgEPHUO4g29ujE6SKjRulgxY8g/s320/2018-12-03+440.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Directly across from the cathedral was a passageway that led us to <b>El Torno Pasteleria de Conventos,</b> a shop that I'd read sold handicrafts and baked goodies made by various orders of cloistered nuns but staffed by lay people. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTRV-WsPEX-ShqDyL0URLAFG9z9nCPVB0ZF5ibsPk6CiyFdMg0z7wijHdbK9ZnUcb7Q1aT0cvvWLw2en4GtLyJloz19CPXo0sCvxV2B63LZ8vPVuPO5oLeG0UToW5onIJqqdy4wEWNr5M/s1600/2018-12-03+450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTRV-WsPEX-ShqDyL0URLAFG9z9nCPVB0ZF5ibsPk6CiyFdMg0z7wijHdbK9ZnUcb7Q1aT0cvvWLw2en4GtLyJloz19CPXo0sCvxV2B63LZ8vPVuPO5oLeG0UToW5onIJqqdy4wEWNr5M/s320/2018-12-03+450.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were lots of yummy treats available but no handicrafts for sale that day. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoshHFMlvCxAun95LSbPOup_LnGD1ux7vSf9KwNCv2xoXenlHX97y25IbVAFJ-BBsrIuXPoqRkAc-JxHgwvqEQRZRs6FzdsYSCtOd3PXGoor_t9nPB35Jsz81QIQ7I_VI5dZ5t2GGxgEqr/s1600/2018-12-03+453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoshHFMlvCxAun95LSbPOup_LnGD1ux7vSf9KwNCv2xoXenlHX97y25IbVAFJ-BBsrIuXPoqRkAc-JxHgwvqEQRZRs6FzdsYSCtOd3PXGoor_t9nPB35Jsz81QIQ7I_VI5dZ5t2GGxgEqr/s320/2018-12-03+453.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the square in front
of the cathedral was the <b>Plaza de la
Virgen del los Reyes</b> that was dedicated to the <b>Virgin of the Kings.</b> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we’d already noticed, she was one of several different versions of Mary in Sevilla as each appealed to a different type of worshipper in the city. This image was important to many because legend has it that the Castilian king carried her image with him when he retook Sevilla from the Muslim Moors during the Reconquista in 1248.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Near the tiled plaque of Mary was a statue of <b>Pope John Paul II</b> who celebrated Mass in front of 500,000 faithful Sevillians when he visited in 1982.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTTgBqcFict6QflyuoZSv8bndYAoY-O4S3mTO9PeFBGxL5c71UoRUB_UewCaaC-kmheh9oNOaAGYc5WPlqRogWp0iCvDtUIwVaP60m6gMIwxesgGS3NnwG-MwMrNFJpvcBZJnWKNLYDvs/s1600/2018-12-03+475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTTgBqcFict6QflyuoZSv8bndYAoY-O4S3mTO9PeFBGxL5c71UoRUB_UewCaaC-kmheh9oNOaAGYc5WPlqRogWp0iCvDtUIwVaP60m6gMIwxesgGS3NnwG-MwMrNFJpvcBZJnWKNLYDvs/s320/2018-12-03+475.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The square's central fountain
dated from 1929, the year of the international <b>Sevilla Exposition</b> or World’s Fair.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-nD7OustPHjFIVI1hK_WrCoVmJ0NIRUALA-kORyZ9N545jWGTotBolo3Q4l8mwT-MPihBvwhmo96nwdxZskIqLUQAlGxCmzVfx9zDRkp6eMyYYJnrVGY3xSLG2_kClr6TGBdkhaiTdbh/s1600/2018-12-03+478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-nD7OustPHjFIVI1hK_WrCoVmJ0NIRUALA-kORyZ9N545jWGTotBolo3Q4l8mwT-MPihBvwhmo96nwdxZskIqLUQAlGxCmzVfx9zDRkp6eMyYYJnrVGY3xSLG2_kClr6TGBdkhaiTdbh/s320/2018-12-03+478.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> Sevilla street scenes and a neighborhood walk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on March 7th, 2019, from Twizel on New Zealand's South Island while touring with a friend for a few weeks.</i></span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653445689109689042.post-80884834977035871482019-02-26T19:55:00.001-07:002019-04-10T12:51:27.856-06:0012/3: Sevilla's Weeping Virgin, Floats Galore & Severed Heads!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Our hotel in <b>Sevilla</b> sure had been festively decorated for Christmas!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafAhFC_zbefPkANpgTP6OtaP1Cvwtndg8MIVAKlaWnEeq6-9JA_shnkaIZuW0dxh4vJJJzC3Xh_Unxz2iyBu3zMS19ULjNWXX_aISTQ3QCQRIeJPFShnzfYUc9cfBfjnc6yjp4cG19gX8/s1600/2018-12-03+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafAhFC_zbefPkANpgTP6OtaP1Cvwtndg8MIVAKlaWnEeq6-9JA_shnkaIZuW0dxh4vJJJzC3Xh_Unxz2iyBu3zMS19ULjNWXX_aISTQ3QCQRIeJPFShnzfYUc9cfBfjnc6yjp4cG19gX8/s320/2018-12-03+001.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since we had several days to explore Sevilla, we didn't have to rush out as early as we normally do. Our first stop was at the <b>Basilica de la Macarena</b> to find out more about the city's Holy Week's celebrations which are regarded as Spain's finest. According to travel writer <b>Rick Steves,</b> during the week leading up to Easter, the city is packed with pilgrims who come to enjoy 60 processions carrying about 100 religious floats. As we had missed that incredible sight, the next best thing was to visit the basilica and its museum.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The church was only built in 1949 to provide a permanent home for the most favorite statue carried through the streets during Holy Week, the <b>Virgen de la Macarena.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFBOcexLGZ5GxX1p84KJc17T-mgClTr3Fl-sxn3Czvx6PLwa5b7U9L238-2CsFr-b7jJPoZbmmIIydA1X-DTK7JX5BigoeUh-VPtX5_PyqK55m4eXSKjhekKb29fNnctm2l8JBTujNmrc/s1600/2018-12-03+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFBOcexLGZ5GxX1p84KJc17T-mgClTr3Fl-sxn3Czvx6PLwa5b7U9L238-2CsFr-b7jJPoZbmmIIydA1X-DTK7JX5BigoeUh-VPtX5_PyqK55m4eXSKjhekKb29fNnctm2l8JBTujNmrc/s320/2018-12-03+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was heartwarming to see the constant parade of people coming into pray and not just tourists like us taking pictures of its famous sight. The church wasn't large but what was there was an absolute feast for our eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">La Macarena is known as the <b>Weeping Virgin</b> for the five crystal teardrops trickling down her cheeks. Sculpted in the late 17th century, she looked like a Baroque doll with human hair, movable arms and even dressed in undergarments though I couldn't verify the latter fact! La Macarena is also known as <b>La Esperanza,</b> the <b>Virgin of Hope,</b> promising better times.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Steves described La Macarena's visage far better than I ever could: "Her beautiful expression - halfway between smiling and crying - is ambiguous, letting worshippers project their own emotion onto her." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I realized she was the patron saint of matadors and a favorite of Spain's gypsies, it wasn't surprising to learn the Sevilla-born matador </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Joselito </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">was so taken with her that he spent a good chunk of his wealth to purchase four emeralds for her. When he died in the ring in 1920, the Macarena wore widow's weeds for a month! </span><span style="font-size: large;">The statue of Mary was one of the most moving statues we have ever seen in any church around the globe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just to the left of the Weeping Virgin was a side chapel with the 1694 statue of <b>Christ of the Judgement</b> which showed him on the day he was condemned. It and La Macarena stand atop the two most important floats in Sevilla's Holy Week parade.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another stunning altar:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhFBoTuO1_0XmV9mqlzPoIBGcbHu0XVH8qt3VHWusCxIh_dT1StFRv5ofWJ5Vp9n93w7e44ma9ywj34zRW48RHsCaNTzLWWRbpdr6jVSX4h4jifJnX5i_Kq75bAk3msc0sGorvXXGMh8z/s1600/2018-12-03+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhFBoTuO1_0XmV9mqlzPoIBGcbHu0XVH8qt3VHWusCxIh_dT1StFRv5ofWJ5Vp9n93w7e44ma9ywj34zRW48RHsCaNTzLWWRbpdr6jVSX4h4jifJnX5i_Kq75bAk3msc0sGorvXXGMh8z/s320/2018-12-03+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another delight of the basilica was its three-floor <b>Tesoro</b> or <b>Treasury Museum</b> which told the story of the Virgin statue and the Holy Week parades. Though they began in medieval times, the current traditions started with the formation of brotherhoods in 1600 who demonstrate during Holy Week their dedication to God by parading religious floats to reenact the story of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ. Here were displays of ceremonial banners and scepters.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TnB92_DlMAPpthg4p1wPKLcykLQ1wvLGgJYKw_uSOdoituJs22khwnqoBr4PjVRP_hnpiQfSun6HGJkjG8Y00qxdM-l22h8yuJiMGrGwZRopN2Lwsfj6mgxyzT_R5ijok8KMLZzSfONU/s1600/2018-12-03+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TnB92_DlMAPpthg4p1wPKLcykLQ1wvLGgJYKw_uSOdoituJs22khwnqoBr4PjVRP_hnpiQfSun6HGJkjG8Y00qxdM-l22h8yuJiMGrGwZRopN2Lwsfj6mgxyzT_R5ijok8KMLZzSfONU/s320/2018-12-03+054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was gobsmacked by the ornateness and the overwhelming amount of gold on this float, thinking initially surely this had to be <b>the</b> one for either La Macarena or the Christ statue. But no, it was 'just' for the<b> </b>18th century<b> Virgen del Rosario</b> float!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXf-M_BsyuqXHD99iBjGBaMoBYT1jZ1kP3QvTflBpg2PBMHCpZNOt3MqEoupJ2iKrutZvR9rov7XTXs53JTD9ryF2QTzD2QBbRcaILrpkcw23x9t_pgZupTUS4o2x3IqSZAcDdm8ksDt9-/s1600/2018-12-03+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXf-M_BsyuqXHD99iBjGBaMoBYT1jZ1kP3QvTflBpg2PBMHCpZNOt3MqEoupJ2iKrutZvR9rov7XTXs53JTD9ryF2QTzD2QBbRcaILrpkcw23x9t_pgZupTUS4o2x3IqSZAcDdm8ksDt9-/s320/2018-12-03+043.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhznsFiDYBlM4hYSK-Zxw5arsI6gpnxrLA5VFsNarb1lcMN-ygXo8prfks1yVf2I3PL366QyNh_g1eQoe0ny8i7xGK2DSvBVuhuFfFuOiTBZ0XC-pzSXi61CGoCcqDUyVEHoNYoh2rjJ8/s1600/2018-12-03+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhznsFiDYBlM4hYSK-Zxw5arsI6gpnxrLA5VFsNarb1lcMN-ygXo8prfks1yVf2I3PL366QyNh_g1eQoe0ny8i7xGK2DSvBVuhuFfFuOiTBZ0XC-pzSXi61CGoCcqDUyVEHoNYoh2rjJ8/s320/2018-12-03+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRe0mdcq49AAHBe7avqX8TSLwO1IxT-H_sLiPK9qYXQTm6PKmoVwvy4ZGl9BEToOKF0wlDQYLDDXa2uljix6-n0igmQx7VVSNQC1a0T67xUNIRBN2R5B-GCBlwSkd_nNH4nW5w7_tqSNQb/s1600/2018-12-03+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRe0mdcq49AAHBe7avqX8TSLwO1IxT-H_sLiPK9qYXQTm6PKmoVwvy4ZGl9BEToOKF0wlDQYLDDXa2uljix6-n0igmQx7VVSNQC1a0T67xUNIRBN2R5B-GCBlwSkd_nNH4nW5w7_tqSNQb/s320/2018-12-03+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5t6vHneGqtKy5FOb0lIOTeSaa_siTpo7__dAH3D5vMhnkPYUo5Kuv2AIdxePN4JUt4bgXMovBXeVyfTGwgu9tI8PxMuIFV0f6eq9cu7WGP1OR4KukoV80j-Jtprz4LhtnENmPcv9SGkN/s1600/2018-12-03+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5t6vHneGqtKy5FOb0lIOTeSaa_siTpo7__dAH3D5vMhnkPYUo5Kuv2AIdxePN4JUt4bgXMovBXeVyfTGwgu9tI8PxMuIFV0f6eq9cu7WGP1OR4KukoV80j-Jtprz4LhtnENmPcv9SGkN/s320/2018-12-03+044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The velvet and gold thread cloak was beyond gorgeous. Thank goodness no one had to wear it as it looked extraordinarily heavy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrqVNhKuALNf7WK-uTxpsQhmEv7qvfTzsMVMkbhw6XXWdWhwQEXrFJS0Y6oJJfkvl_lyco9D_8C0Hdg4ZA8b2bc2dXwCglM_UnbQ6EKPpBsinqG6ts64QSo23brjMnJrXG_qXQed-Plw7/s1600/2018-12-03+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrqVNhKuALNf7WK-uTxpsQhmEv7qvfTzsMVMkbhw6XXWdWhwQEXrFJS0Y6oJJfkvl_lyco9D_8C0Hdg4ZA8b2bc2dXwCglM_UnbQ6EKPpBsinqG6ts64QSo23brjMnJrXG_qXQed-Plw7/s320/2018-12-03+046.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTHZlm3Unsu7GlvKGz_wsdqkEnYkF-pCRGeTZg_Qp69x7BCENbmUboYhLh5NwKJZOXBCLWldpOcEo6-Jw5Q8BXNu22YOVDN4ryBV_nF-S-SS-lCzgqJsjdhMb0DDuJBzjvJ2VP2liJLjd/s1600/2018-12-03+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTHZlm3Unsu7GlvKGz_wsdqkEnYkF-pCRGeTZg_Qp69x7BCENbmUboYhLh5NwKJZOXBCLWldpOcEo6-Jw5Q8BXNu22YOVDN4ryBV_nF-S-SS-lCzgqJsjdhMb0DDuJBzjvJ2VP2liJLjd/s320/2018-12-03+048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Watching videos of the parades made all the hoopla surrounding the seemed more real.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaxCNySdagXh53V8ZLnbKnljxbZVtyiM1btVn4IkRrwaz1Wg-_mrNNrYPlhhGY1w3cDLEZ2t4sYO48J3ExPnJUEmhDaQQjkclUkyFSurSjmNw7OlcDbzB6b9XJgGfMy_IWjrhFSx-uzTp/s1600/2018-12-03+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaxCNySdagXh53V8ZLnbKnljxbZVtyiM1btVn4IkRrwaz1Wg-_mrNNrYPlhhGY1w3cDLEZ2t4sYO48J3ExPnJUEmhDaQQjkclUkyFSurSjmNw7OlcDbzB6b9XJgGfMy_IWjrhFSx-uzTp/s320/2018-12-03+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The map showed the extensive route the parade takes every Good Friday through Sevilla.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvig4jR4_LTwvxt4j_yhS2jYTQzUl1BchVSZ327HcRDTZqcD2ewM2633NK7BDPuoTgz0ibur7Un0V7LgGmNuCI-eBH3PrwYBS33hlC9UFLTk-reXYCcBbztIkmxLqmbDwK0A3EkGp6q8V/s1600/2018-12-03+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvig4jR4_LTwvxt4j_yhS2jYTQzUl1BchVSZ327HcRDTZqcD2ewM2633NK7BDPuoTgz0ibur7Un0V7LgGmNuCI-eBH3PrwYBS33hlC9UFLTk-reXYCcBbztIkmxLqmbDwK0A3EkGp6q8V/s320/2018-12-03+053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even I was left speechless gazing in awe at the <b>three-ton float</b> that carries the Christ of the Judgement statue we'd just seen in the basilica. There was so much detail it was so hard to take it all in and know where to look first to fully appreciate the many figures acting out the sentencing of Jesus. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrQxFDLFTObDI0S1p9mQKSRtBJbeA1yDcUmmPedetwmZxYTi_ga8x1BXFt-1-mjiNvMQbiaw89ope0PcOW4XWQxcwqhrP-OP802nv23dKIlmSaE3tQ33hyNmRoqCjQskVxhja2xdJy2Ld/s1600/2018-12-03+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrQxFDLFTObDI0S1p9mQKSRtBJbeA1yDcUmmPedetwmZxYTi_ga8x1BXFt-1-mjiNvMQbiaw89ope0PcOW4XWQxcwqhrP-OP802nv23dKIlmSaE3tQ33hyNmRoqCjQskVxhja2xdJy2Ld/s320/2018-12-03+073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9F1lf5_rv2EiBQ0NDDqF2Lr1H_Jk6Ao7x39HXCBmYLSJtIN6SgBaKrmN29gre7KxDGj-ri09iAqLd8Ao9t0-mu9m9TUD20kB9zZAuNtFFj8jFaAPEcf6CpYiMPjVkLH6tBi5UYeDcL1le/s1600/2018-12-03+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9F1lf5_rv2EiBQ0NDDqF2Lr1H_Jk6Ao7x39HXCBmYLSJtIN6SgBaKrmN29gre7KxDGj-ri09iAqLd8Ao9t0-mu9m9TUD20kB9zZAuNtFFj8jFaAPEcf6CpYiMPjVkLH6tBi5UYeDcL1le/s320/2018-12-03+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think this image showed <b>Pontius Pilate</b> about to wash his hands.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohZOcyYvdEguVOeHI9dr7Y6MRLJALdhkiEY7uznK77WE70_TRvSsMK81dZgcEuFiK3ZEaalOl-jwO-PG5vXwjxLRXaTIrEGh-hx8MToJig13loqkMxWeXUOUUGK3YJPw5oLXKSjYTivnQ/s1600/2018-12-03+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohZOcyYvdEguVOeHI9dr7Y6MRLJALdhkiEY7uznK77WE70_TRvSsMK81dZgcEuFiK3ZEaalOl-jwO-PG5vXwjxLRXaTIrEGh-hx8MToJig13loqkMxWeXUOUUGK3YJPw5oLXKSjYTivnQ/s320/2018-12-03+065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYRVfqixaAFiX_mgAdZ-OSsLHVb6Nz15CwrXpDGYUUSElN2FwiCgpjsvWUirbP7vjZYRGMXrGnUzFbVsaj-aEaSNpSTHPH1rHaxJQhJ5M_TSoRuUa1C2VoZsbqw6Nzbzcb4DDvyHAfVBF/s1600/2018-12-03+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYRVfqixaAFiX_mgAdZ-OSsLHVb6Nz15CwrXpDGYUUSElN2FwiCgpjsvWUirbP7vjZYRGMXrGnUzFbVsaj-aEaSNpSTHPH1rHaxJQhJ5M_TSoRuUa1C2VoZsbqw6Nzbzcb4DDvyHAfVBF/s320/2018-12-03+057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6-8t4-AQ8VNH1G0NH_0IuHtk5L0DBqnIomT_NY4JB1Y3C9F1yfAdwwuiFK_bBd48Bbl2eaH5_6UbBZpG86Vh1I9kl7vBQyz1OnEKXfpTvLWGoU5aWAdKLagkzwcLSAhwHuN-Uge_SW2n/s1600/2018-12-03+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6-8t4-AQ8VNH1G0NH_0IuHtk5L0DBqnIomT_NY4JB1Y3C9F1yfAdwwuiFK_bBd48Bbl2eaH5_6UbBZpG86Vh1I9kl7vBQyz1OnEKXfpTvLWGoU5aWAdKLagkzwcLSAhwHuN-Uge_SW2n/s320/2018-12-03+078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteNtS2umpBFhTlv7NiFShkF363dgDHDX3_1Ja61h0gDpyO8vh6jXoVmdiBv37XbU_8aioOmCrGvL9thtRXkWllolgpekwZuSttLB0D-rKVNjGW336z92wDXoGOserA2fPkr2weQIShddX/s1600/2018-12-03+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteNtS2umpBFhTlv7NiFShkF363dgDHDX3_1Ja61h0gDpyO8vh6jXoVmdiBv37XbU_8aioOmCrGvL9thtRXkWllolgpekwZuSttLB0D-rKVNjGW336z92wDXoGOserA2fPkr2weQIShddX/s320/2018-12-03+058.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWEOryHjaXjOEO_przXnXyj9rx84VN-bBWb-vrE9262B6yPTGedNPgJZga6caG-mu7VZeKKIxSr1d4M4KkvW654VGueOkW4iffC8gaTBxrqhuvTFRqZBtKjskn71fl0bO7wQsnBCTsDEN/s1600/2018-12-03+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWEOryHjaXjOEO_przXnXyj9rx84VN-bBWb-vrE9262B6yPTGedNPgJZga6caG-mu7VZeKKIxSr1d4M4KkvW654VGueOkW4iffC8gaTBxrqhuvTFRqZBtKjskn71fl0bO7wQsnBCTsDEN/s320/2018-12-03+059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This showed a man reading the death sentence while, unseen, Pilate's wife cried in the background.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEy2U6Gk0HWHhBhKTpXs227MfsnXrczdQKUZk5jxdVMcTD4um5H73xpL6IO4xLQOeArUC1oja5WO6YjIkSsYltAv7FA0EEM2uV80r84A-kEGFXDAeq666o4ZS2e9WvykDHeas7cJ9HXk0/s1600/2018-12-03+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEy2U6Gk0HWHhBhKTpXs227MfsnXrczdQKUZk5jxdVMcTD4um5H73xpL6IO4xLQOeArUC1oja5WO6YjIkSsYltAv7FA0EEM2uV80r84A-kEGFXDAeq666o4ZS2e9WvykDHeas7cJ9HXk0/s320/2018-12-03+062.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">According to Steves, pious Sevillian women, during the Holy Week procession, wail in the streets while 48 men in relays carry this float on the backs of their necks as they meander through the streets from midnight until 2 pm in the afternoon every Good Friday. The men must rehearse for moths ahead of time to ensure their choreographed footwork is in sync. Wouldn't it be absolute fabulous to be in Sevilla at that time of the year to see the Good Friday procession?!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWbhtORR7x30QgJlODqpVwDlaLqKnITfk5dxB0dUmX_YA5pS7Oapp2z1Yao61cc8dq2TJEJjhi4xXHom0zpAiDQfzRMHAUXiZr-8IaK71xaa6u0PGXsLi0BwG9jP55D8O1fFlBtD9LxEp/s1600/2018-12-03+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWbhtORR7x30QgJlODqpVwDlaLqKnITfk5dxB0dUmX_YA5pS7Oapp2z1Yao61cc8dq2TJEJjhi4xXHom0zpAiDQfzRMHAUXiZr-8IaK71xaa6u0PGXsLi0BwG9jP55D8O1fFlBtD9LxEp/s320/2018-12-03+064.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If we thought the gold-leaf drenched Judgement float was over the top, the all silver and candles Macarena float wasn't far behind! This one weighed <b>only</b> 1.5 tons! It was described as being "strong enough to support the roof, but tender enough to quiver in the soft night breeze." </span><span style="font-size: large;">Apparently, this float, when the statue of Mary is enthroned on it, has a a mesmerizing effect on local crowds who line up for hours, then clap, weep and throw roses as it slowly wends it way through the city streets.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3MsEOKBe8i9V7ee0vRlSUJMqWo4d_lWaklWO3NrwxUOez7qeGzWJCzEgwi6jAgzdVrkzbFxsV_aYBFcsiRvaQcgyzJAFrdwG4yc-AJv_nO5W6Z-rwxH7uJpmiSVCutqGZ6xQd0KyM8kb/s1600/2018-12-03+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3MsEOKBe8i9V7ee0vRlSUJMqWo4d_lWaklWO3NrwxUOez7qeGzWJCzEgwi6jAgzdVrkzbFxsV_aYBFcsiRvaQcgyzJAFrdwG4yc-AJv_nO5W6Z-rwxH7uJpmiSVCutqGZ6xQd0KyM8kb/s320/2018-12-03+066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSUlpTqLZjG4dauj6080hptxwMtwWfdTZmjjfwyycDpUt46SGSL1M4Mso-3OihT_zGeOvFJT5hWwbXrkjrqE43Ee8fyBvwLMirTVc2Wi-HWrtmTjr7OBN_U8Y3vXf-VS5x4DPJ7PrxGvz/s1600/2018-12-03+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSUlpTqLZjG4dauj6080hptxwMtwWfdTZmjjfwyycDpUt46SGSL1M4Mso-3OihT_zGeOvFJT5hWwbXrkjrqE43Ee8fyBvwLMirTVc2Wi-HWrtmTjr7OBN_U8Y3vXf-VS5x4DPJ7PrxGvz/s320/2018-12-03+067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-YN_wJkO5bb9vWogQSxLnyuv2LlC1ZvBWcJHUfK0lB1U5ZKI1sSkPXBcztyh3uktAQH3v3LgIxMxQrm5Zi9giod9DX8Ctj-rpBWTBg5VLLJfhHDCl3lqSz4oszgfyEh1qt5ZFW6ei31z/s1600/2018-12-03+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-YN_wJkO5bb9vWogQSxLnyuv2LlC1ZvBWcJHUfK0lB1U5ZKI1sSkPXBcztyh3uktAQH3v3LgIxMxQrm5Zi9giod9DX8Ctj-rpBWTBg5VLLJfhHDCl3lqSz4oszgfyEh1qt5ZFW6ei31z/s320/2018-12-03+070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mary has a wardrobe of three huge mantles that are worn in successive years. They and her six-pound gold crown/halo are each about a hundred years old. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBueIKznvWql-Y0n9xvTg7ynxGJuSBgF53WvLXkvEAJH1pgHMpychn3Ju_Bo4IRDhjj-s_UOv5IPKmwOQ0C0Dwx0NgppKVtNT9BgNiciJjHqrGabQCb3hAQn7CP9GVHbeYahYsXsyZ0aW/s1600/2018-12-03+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBueIKznvWql-Y0n9xvTg7ynxGJuSBgF53WvLXkvEAJH1pgHMpychn3Ju_Bo4IRDhjj-s_UOv5IPKmwOQ0C0Dwx0NgppKVtNT9BgNiciJjHqrGabQCb3hAQn7CP9GVHbeYahYsXsyZ0aW/s320/2018-12-03+068.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tsUF2a5hkZJe23Eh8IsXp5dhZWEICCbXZU4F4DOIcDYjNCZc84EiKZYn69ya3GCuxU2Cg9eUamBoL8N4ahDKN4TZajso9oXGijVTHWHTZrbXKwoCRzuTJ5t9cZb0FUQZSXZX3mTu2F0t/s1600/2018-12-03+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tsUF2a5hkZJe23Eh8IsXp5dhZWEICCbXZU4F4DOIcDYjNCZc84EiKZYn69ya3GCuxU2Cg9eUamBoL8N4ahDKN4TZajso9oXGijVTHWHTZrbXKwoCRzuTJ5t9cZb0FUQZSXZX3mTu2F0t/s320/2018-12-03+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the exterior of the basilica was a magnificent tiled image of Our Lady of Hope aka La Macarena aka the Virgin Mary.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr63Uv5ih-Ch8lP55Pa-knsupbwSpaIiXMfUq7dkUpbM0d84ORVK23hnqhXYeqSIE0y1cocCSXzZHS96_VHd5pSsrVptThC7iv545AOJVxUa73iBDkHGfeot66WUDMNikVNyVg3o2QfVBm/s1600/2018-12-03+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr63Uv5ih-Ch8lP55Pa-knsupbwSpaIiXMfUq7dkUpbM0d84ORVK23hnqhXYeqSIE0y1cocCSXzZHS96_VHd5pSsrVptThC7iv545AOJVxUa73iBDkHGfeot66WUDMNikVNyVg3o2QfVBm/s320/2018-12-03+081.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Something that we soon became accustomed to seeing throughout Sevilla was this city symbol </span><span style="font-size: large;">wi</span><span style="font-size: large;">th the letters <b>'NODO'</b> with a figure eight shape in the middle. The letters mean 'knot' in Spanish and the symbol recalls the strong ties between Sevilla's citizens and <b>King Alfonso X.</b> During the <b>War of Spanish Succession</b> in the 13th century, the Sevillians remained loyal to the king.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNRBDZ-FjeeQODOxQsUwPEFtLqTS4iHO20NrrMJuo74r8cSe1r6WrY_uu_ZOok3wae935RGPWxCqoj9CJJlhtiVbUQsMwpTQFerjXvOndclKlCdoBjfvvHUFKFqqSLC4qzH7L-aRmaz5V/s1600/2018-12-03+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNRBDZ-FjeeQODOxQsUwPEFtLqTS4iHO20NrrMJuo74r8cSe1r6WrY_uu_ZOok3wae935RGPWxCqoj9CJJlhtiVbUQsMwpTQFerjXvOndclKlCdoBjfvvHUFKFqqSLC4qzH7L-aRmaz5V/s320/2018-12-03+083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx4QPtpQ7quNVM7CbYMKYDnkUICdVeKQGGTkw7lwX3Wg3qOcagVRPcuAI17kaLQlZv14ZdQlIbbZVLJ4BNDLNdimkHhh_NJzPakzFg1lTYjvbaLhbqDUusXuPt4CaJTPamWK467kbf3f-/s1600/2018-12-03+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx4QPtpQ7quNVM7CbYMKYDnkUICdVeKQGGTkw7lwX3Wg3qOcagVRPcuAI17kaLQlZv14ZdQlIbbZVLJ4BNDLNdimkHhh_NJzPakzFg1lTYjvbaLhbqDUusXuPt4CaJTPamWK467kbf3f-/s320/2018-12-03+084.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I googled the name of this wall plaque, <b>Divina Pastora,</b> I learned that it translated to <b>Divine Shepherdess</b> and that it was of the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, with a lamb at her side.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeNsS2Ivb-pTb3K47CaBoVMqYhQgwkpabqhBvpLJECiqcMfP1dleW7pMEo6tx1lm1i0wVCQf-tLXSL2jbMIQDwqj9mgkhSpBuWdw6BexrbLvu99A21hfSCKqEzNRO71OEItD1-pyneuhX/s1600/2018-12-03+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeNsS2Ivb-pTb3K47CaBoVMqYhQgwkpabqhBvpLJECiqcMfP1dleW7pMEo6tx1lm1i0wVCQf-tLXSL2jbMIQDwqj9mgkhSpBuWdw6BexrbLvu99A21hfSCKqEzNRO71OEItD1-pyneuhX/s320/2018-12-03+085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the very appealing murals we saw throughout Sevilla:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdQ7sYURdofr9acLoyVuUDgO-K_hHcf-WT_M6MVWDTvL2orEkRc9xe12fcoq_Il8Zd_pl9JmE1pd00dx8Fb0vQiYV8fw-8lcayehZwTEFe6HIlWvvmjDDImqKTpcM50xVjwNaylZjgm4-/s1600/2018-12-03+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdQ7sYURdofr9acLoyVuUDgO-K_hHcf-WT_M6MVWDTvL2orEkRc9xe12fcoq_Il8Zd_pl9JmE1pd00dx8Fb0vQiYV8fw-8lcayehZwTEFe6HIlWvvmjDDImqKTpcM50xVjwNaylZjgm4-/s320/2018-12-03+087.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The attractive <b>Plaza San Marcos</b> was one of several we strolled through but we didn't make time for its namesake church. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMit2UYEHG_EoELFcrqum_u7vTTK00ndWo_pkhwemsMgI3JU4ZhWfVBmm79ycEq0GpHDu5tDeljvJPeJT20pjoz1icbtRv6h5SY4sUbxJpdzVhh3hNaFvagMm7L1c_q6d-pahh9PAd3vSn/s1600/2018-12-03+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMit2UYEHG_EoELFcrqum_u7vTTK00ndWo_pkhwemsMgI3JU4ZhWfVBmm79ycEq0GpHDu5tDeljvJPeJT20pjoz1icbtRv6h5SY4sUbxJpdzVhh3hNaFvagMm7L1c_q6d-pahh9PAd3vSn/s320/2018-12-03+089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I loved how creative locals got decorating their garage doors as we hadn't seen that anywhere else on our many travels. I hope someone has rented the space by now.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwEW1pvW1Pr4re1h2z2-heyNVyLChhI2sk_tyFS7sbyKc5JNpgGk7P-IyQ7XD16F28kUNy7S12Cnu_ng8fjHMkm4f1b_suaPO9INIcHzkVSQ67QIDNeF9C9Bw3YLL7pCTiNXidm2u9azX/s1600/2018-12-03+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwEW1pvW1Pr4re1h2z2-heyNVyLChhI2sk_tyFS7sbyKc5JNpgGk7P-IyQ7XD16F28kUNy7S12Cnu_ng8fjHMkm4f1b_suaPO9INIcHzkVSQ67QIDNeF9C9Bw3YLL7pCTiNXidm2u9azX/s320/2018-12-03+091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdp4HkPLcAqipxfRbN545y78tafbraKlF-57U0Z7fCqTyUqjEiyyCLEi_2y3-QXgazkZ_UD2J3UOjOOvWoWhK_9JNotlrU1CF9rkk48LfN5YgINEVZCgm2QUMITJk2TZXTcnu4_AU9Ig6/s1600/2018-12-03+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdp4HkPLcAqipxfRbN545y78tafbraKlF-57U0Z7fCqTyUqjEiyyCLEi_2y3-QXgazkZ_UD2J3UOjOOvWoWhK_9JNotlrU1CF9rkk48LfN5YgINEVZCgm2QUMITJk2TZXTcnu4_AU9Ig6/s320/2018-12-03+092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was amazing seeing tiled murals extolling Sevillians' love for La Macarena on so many buildings as we made our way to another church.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQifnP8RgAem4rp_LyppMXnACX1cLV3b5nHqGuf-WB6Lv491sojoRlYnoLlU8bzf2sm4DoejY62b5acID_8RWIeHGSqlA7Ep0-CucyyobCFhLxq4enzwv_8vyUPJ-qG2D834oxPMcqXb6/s1600/2018-12-03+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQifnP8RgAem4rp_LyppMXnACX1cLV3b5nHqGuf-WB6Lv491sojoRlYnoLlU8bzf2sm4DoejY62b5acID_8RWIeHGSqlA7Ep0-CucyyobCFhLxq4enzwv_8vyUPJ-qG2D834oxPMcqXb6/s320/2018-12-03+093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytg5vOE0MUn_Dpm0oMcV21jnB65tqaV5Jj9zjliipvvBDcGSGAt6m-JN6iSLQuWT0J87W27QFRDEdWdfoEuI-CAEynMaCM3gDZY-J4HzXdDaJo8zdb9ATpzZO0JhL0uNzfHgUR8bsAR0D/s1600/2018-12-03+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytg5vOE0MUn_Dpm0oMcV21jnB65tqaV5Jj9zjliipvvBDcGSGAt6m-JN6iSLQuWT0J87W27QFRDEdWdfoEuI-CAEynMaCM3gDZY-J4HzXdDaJo8zdb9ATpzZO0JhL0uNzfHgUR8bsAR0D/s320/2018-12-03+095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLC26Tb0uWvcXHPBIvs-S_duTbHEbUT40Y3izevmGcAGqDuYXo2F9zePhwekRKKdUX-IxiqMF3u4fLAjE8EoUISioqvInZ7LR_WtO1CDfghFw0G0BwbJYm5CfvrzIEelaKUFg5VsAGpIai/s1600/2018-12-03+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLC26Tb0uWvcXHPBIvs-S_duTbHEbUT40Y3izevmGcAGqDuYXo2F9zePhwekRKKdUX-IxiqMF3u4fLAjE8EoUISioqvInZ7LR_WtO1CDfghFw0G0BwbJYm5CfvrzIEelaKUFg5VsAGpIai/s320/2018-12-03+094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not all the images were of La Macarena but of some other female saints.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExnetBQxopo4keE8PQA-m4gZ6Bv0BAggcheyvfjSd12XOx2yYvIoMkULgW1S9gcJJFUYo1N9mRDlPaJXcEwIUckis2Jzv5IFDAi6ssid32DUXEPCo21s7RlRL3YbeyVyKxQqzNCpgAeHD/s1600/2018-12-03+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExnetBQxopo4keE8PQA-m4gZ6Bv0BAggcheyvfjSd12XOx2yYvIoMkULgW1S9gcJJFUYo1N9mRDlPaJXcEwIUckis2Jzv5IFDAi6ssid32DUXEPCo21s7RlRL3YbeyVyKxQqzNCpgAeHD/s320/2018-12-03+097.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONUrrhzjri8mm9SBh4KH1jxL-PBLLA6P3IbUP0ZMVeIINiUPRTJVs25OSSNvjDuhIna1oWilChdDdhAbc2t0vRemCy3qXeuK6GognObrNyIQc5SCELsHZPh3SKryM2Myy-clOsVF6l46g/s1600/2018-12-03+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONUrrhzjri8mm9SBh4KH1jxL-PBLLA6P3IbUP0ZMVeIINiUPRTJVs25OSSNvjDuhIna1oWilChdDdhAbc2t0vRemCy3qXeuK6GognObrNyIQc5SCELsHZPh3SKryM2Myy-clOsVF6l46g/s320/2018-12-03+096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I loved the gorgeous tiled details on the corners of buildings.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_32LNRpBNJn3PRYaTE1y6eCrifPzIKK8IMsCZK1KuZPs313Db03RMsBnmvxkaDriOtATx8LjeZvj_wHkfr_1TRNvzCFiHEZuoNozJyNeRjgca83i3upE7oCumjqUWrM6HBiMf3JOC3e74/s1600/2018-12-03+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_32LNRpBNJn3PRYaTE1y6eCrifPzIKK8IMsCZK1KuZPs313Db03RMsBnmvxkaDriOtATx8LjeZvj_wHkfr_1TRNvzCFiHEZuoNozJyNeRjgca83i3upE7oCumjqUWrM6HBiMf3JOC3e74/s320/2018-12-03+098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you love discovering a new city by walking, Sevilla is <b>the</b> place for you. The city is a pedestrian paradise and </span><span style="font-size: large;">chock-a-bloc full of wonderful plazas that invite you to sit a while. This small square was <b>Plaza Cristo de Burgos.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyGBoHxHzX7IwTvbMRRu2Al26leedGT9P7AgYcX1LZliWJfeGScBWXW8u_w1k4ARub5pOymnY07L48AZIRk-2c8jTg1IswX3dFC3w8DjoiR77dkXYKB-_B7x45UiBQm7GN8NrlUpw6SGd/s1600/2018-12-03+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyGBoHxHzX7IwTvbMRRu2Al26leedGT9P7AgYcX1LZliWJfeGScBWXW8u_w1k4ARub5pOymnY07L48AZIRk-2c8jTg1IswX3dFC3w8DjoiR77dkXYKB-_B7x45UiBQm7GN8NrlUpw6SGd/s320/2018-12-03+102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoM4ThUs0DARIftROb8ZpsQUHS3ycqXC4M9yNwPSlTbjwKwqhtNNVjhu9KN1kGC2xDRIGnD_e7M07HWWKrZatDJbdeCKhpPmtqYMsVe8vsOZRMDrs9tiKuIkn6d0qq1oFUMKHedYOM3f3A/s1600/2018-12-03+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoM4ThUs0DARIftROb8ZpsQUHS3ycqXC4M9yNwPSlTbjwKwqhtNNVjhu9KN1kGC2xDRIGnD_e7M07HWWKrZatDJbdeCKhpPmtqYMsVe8vsOZRMDrs9tiKuIkn6d0qq1oFUMKHedYOM3f3A/s320/2018-12-03+103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I never grow tired of seeing these beautiful birds of paradise flowers when we travel to far-off places.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQtQtNJY52IICsxOFUfAWQu8qtmdeuaqaJdsMGqUTXKUtMtCuMRYfLJnO7tnGUDtCw_V2up-Uu2ZftJCEKQwDIhk1FBF44NJKD24KPxdyPcNFmm4QeSvH-JkkjmZAdpu41RkJenbN2uAa/s1600/2018-12-03+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQtQtNJY52IICsxOFUfAWQu8qtmdeuaqaJdsMGqUTXKUtMtCuMRYfLJnO7tnGUDtCw_V2up-Uu2ZftJCEKQwDIhk1FBF44NJKD24KPxdyPcNFmm4QeSvH-JkkjmZAdpu41RkJenbN2uAa/s320/2018-12-03+104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Doesn't this make you just want to jump out of your chair and get up and move?!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgOFEBT_tpf_5Ey0Sa4NsiG5KS7PW_6gLktAD3vg6FetAKNMbV4gvB1R7xKg91RazyCy3z6tMd8lzxaqRQsJmbIt7cxPA4Jhdtb27GvE1kkxUdpFmND0xEU-S4dbtqS648Ny4J8iRkA_V/s1600/2018-12-03+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgOFEBT_tpf_5Ey0Sa4NsiG5KS7PW_6gLktAD3vg6FetAKNMbV4gvB1R7xKg91RazyCy3z6tMd8lzxaqRQsJmbIt7cxPA4Jhdtb27GvE1kkxUdpFmND0xEU-S4dbtqS648Ny4J8iRkA_V/s320/2018-12-03+106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I loved the smile of the cheerful waiter!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77UqT45mww7hcyWE1mLXrcOoqHH3Ggbk0CD48wLzLdK_V-MjTcEDKbGcmlpVCRflcK80V3TQJqyks07QAz0r7MP8pJMNhGoM6XLZa5gjkKV_jJ6giUnLT6ighY_NwL7fjwyUBneASXg_a/s1600/2018-12-03+108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77UqT45mww7hcyWE1mLXrcOoqHH3Ggbk0CD48wLzLdK_V-MjTcEDKbGcmlpVCRflcK80V3TQJqyks07QAz0r7MP8pJMNhGoM6XLZa5gjkKV_jJ6giUnLT6ighY_NwL7fjwyUBneASXg_a/s320/2018-12-03+108.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yBJAmRcv3A6x77JKPi6FMcxvd2YvBkN-j1ZG5Ewf5KUfOv_IFDCpGfZKWIFv6ZdyZwMEHcWXHeQtIk_IMReDx6uOU69Js2MEjRXWPJ6YGfvgD23KXzW_jK4VXlYEaOJ8OAMsdjPrBZos/s1600/2018-12-03+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yBJAmRcv3A6x77JKPi6FMcxvd2YvBkN-j1ZG5Ewf5KUfOv_IFDCpGfZKWIFv6ZdyZwMEHcWXHeQtIk_IMReDx6uOU69Js2MEjRXWPJ6YGfvgD23KXzW_jK4VXlYEaOJ8OAMsdjPrBZos/s320/2018-12-03+110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgTIyp42gx5SQBB0lZfng_U0Bp8u750ErYwYaRQ5-FRyYk2wQ5YAPoyQq-GqISLeVsmkCJFCZGJSLOpiezwveRHoaPAL4E54Ulm4vxjY0ZnQJG-QnTJpWluV40A4FJQzeIaFYHLG2Fdu1/s1600/2018-12-03+111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgTIyp42gx5SQBB0lZfng_U0Bp8u750ErYwYaRQ5-FRyYk2wQ5YAPoyQq-GqISLeVsmkCJFCZGJSLOpiezwveRHoaPAL4E54Ulm4vxjY0ZnQJG-QnTJpWluV40A4FJQzeIaFYHLG2Fdu1/s320/2018-12-03+111.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyL5ZQGsKTTpHHG_AmyAnc7QbHMX1nbex_bS1hk1lUUis4v-5w6Fb92AFjEqVg94RketPVmvu4_LIczlbCPPZV2gkw8nkbdXGmw5ynwgDOqHl3arxDzxfgUmECzQPgpDLeEKID872uBz3l/s1600/2018-12-03+112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyL5ZQGsKTTpHHG_AmyAnc7QbHMX1nbex_bS1hk1lUUis4v-5w6Fb92AFjEqVg94RketPVmvu4_LIczlbCPPZV2gkw8nkbdXGmw5ynwgDOqHl3arxDzxfgUmECzQPgpDLeEKID872uBz3l/s320/2018-12-03+112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Calling all miners to this <i>bodega</i> variously translated as wine cellar, wine shop or small grocery store!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigz409eCyIsgx9oq26v0JwAKZNgATWMEFAsnuCSkQlzSg6ybB0vvF0C7MMJGyx3Fvpc2qhbNm4pUjQdsYrz_zwwSAvMbkTy6Fybl3TX4iuP_1z2e240igew_aZth_kNMKG35DvTu0lJ6ka/s1600/2018-12-03+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigz409eCyIsgx9oq26v0JwAKZNgATWMEFAsnuCSkQlzSg6ybB0vvF0C7MMJGyx3Fvpc2qhbNm4pUjQdsYrz_zwwSAvMbkTy6Fybl3TX4iuP_1z2e240igew_aZth_kNMKG35DvTu0lJ6ka/s320/2018-12-03+113.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A chocolate museum - who could resist stopping there or simply admire the lovely boxes in the window?!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOe7Pu1pDf2mFs6m7DjHAnJ4zMimGcBDvTTpsSn-NjiDkjFPs-JfjKDfgxP5LcezAY_Cuk2nIVkNphoxcndC_zVuJTorgjehYu6j2IX6ygfS9P11G5oZsh389wc7SnTuL7ouLs5bF-_eFz/s1600/2018-12-03+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOe7Pu1pDf2mFs6m7DjHAnJ4zMimGcBDvTTpsSn-NjiDkjFPs-JfjKDfgxP5LcezAY_Cuk2nIVkNphoxcndC_zVuJTorgjehYu6j2IX6ygfS9P11G5oZsh389wc7SnTuL7ouLs5bF-_eFz/s320/2018-12-03+114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After an intriguing walk, we reached <b>Plaza del Salavador,</b> a favorite local meeting point. Its centerpiece was our next destination, <b>Iglesia del Salvador </b>or<b> Church of the Savior,</b> Sevilla's second biggest church that was built atop of a 9th century mosque just like so many other churches we'd already visited elsewhere in Spain. The church was home to more of the beloved statues that are paraded through the city during religious festivities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The church interior, known as Andalusian Baroque in style because its architecture, decor, and statues were all from the same time period, was so bright and airy after the much darker basilica we saw first. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The church had a whopping 14 highly decorated altarpieces, many from the 18th century. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Work on the monumental</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> High Altar of the Transfiguration </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">was begun in 1770 thanks to two generous benefactors.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1EX4F_0ED-NqFtdaIEYsU80xDmH06P3TICTDwt9GvPvsSlAlN_agMXRHaK4xSeWcUafwtCGM4Ywg-2zes_DQwx1UuLAmBA_jgITKnDE-u8s6SGs2b5_BESzz6-8eD5XTOFZLl6hiKz79/s1600/2018-12-03+122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1EX4F_0ED-NqFtdaIEYsU80xDmH06P3TICTDwt9GvPvsSlAlN_agMXRHaK4xSeWcUafwtCGM4Ywg-2zes_DQwx1UuLAmBA_jgITKnDE-u8s6SGs2b5_BESzz6-8eD5XTOFZLl6hiKz79/s320/2018-12-03+122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The lovely fresco above the High Altar was only revealed after recent cleaning. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The painting, created around 1775, represented heavenly glory with the Holy Spirit depicted as a dove in the center.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2ll2G9AdF8FlXCsMcKAjDh-OIbz3kVpW_0muj_QmBCZxdgpyvbkTD82Hxf8pW8wYaeklhJoDIHFeSehfWHAphT_O3bviaacGMmh6mkpgP9KQR4-E6G4aBOuAKadhH1PvtOlPRNdk-4ef/s1600/2018-12-03+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2ll2G9AdF8FlXCsMcKAjDh-OIbz3kVpW_0muj_QmBCZxdgpyvbkTD82Hxf8pW8wYaeklhJoDIHFeSehfWHAphT_O3bviaacGMmh6mkpgP9KQR4-E6G4aBOuAKadhH1PvtOlPRNdk-4ef/s320/2018-12-03+125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The two exceptional</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Pulpits </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">were sculpted beginning in 1734 from white and pink marble. Sounding boards shaped like pilgrim scallop shells were used to increase the volume of those preaching the word of the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the altars contained another venerable Mary; this one was <b>Our Lady of the Waters</b> who was older than the church by about 400 years. For centuries, she was paraded through the city in times of drought before finding a permanent home here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, we could only manage to get a peak of the interior of the vaulted ceiling above the statue and had to use our imagination as to how beautiful it must also have been.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCawPmLP-_IhY_JkiH9kZW4sLyu-k2O1qPlAekdeXs5ywTQ6KdLLIkLEsVBfM95wNm2-JG8RzGosmsFzp0qLnNzrbFcG7Inm3faTN2a5c-bIYn6u1o8-dG7iWm5_ah8c-HfluVZ-WeQAgC/s1600/2018-12-03+149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCawPmLP-_IhY_JkiH9kZW4sLyu-k2O1qPlAekdeXs5ywTQ6KdLLIkLEsVBfM95wNm2-JG8RzGosmsFzp0qLnNzrbFcG7Inm3faTN2a5c-bIYn6u1o8-dG7iWm5_ah8c-HfluVZ-WeQAgC/s320/2018-12-03+149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Baptismal Font </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">was made by a stone cutter in 1591.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzSFsfhbk55DvXn14ZaQFs6MU2SwHaoF7eHRLJ41Hi7Rw77oXp2OhszlTkucZuZqXnBr3-lBPD1WnwmmiLnDNJBPhVtMHQhUgYj0b_9gQ7rmd2DUJ6o83TXNCTF81Tgz4Yx80M7_09O2c/s1600/2018-12-03+144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzSFsfhbk55DvXn14ZaQFs6MU2SwHaoF7eHRLJ41Hi7Rw77oXp2OhszlTkucZuZqXnBr3-lBPD1WnwmmiLnDNJBPhVtMHQhUgYj0b_9gQ7rmd2DUJ6o83TXNCTF81Tgz4Yx80M7_09O2c/s320/2018-12-03+144.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Visible through the wrought iron bars of another chapel was one of the city' most beloved statues, the <b>Christ of the Passion,</b> who was carrying the cross to his death. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It was carved in 1756 in front of a large window overlooking the</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b> Orange Courtyard </b></span><span style="font-size: large;">to create a powerful dramatic effect.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEm0pZw9KBoWRM32rAkx-M1hLMrK_BcwC3Cu7GuQnF-353JGl8BDJ749BVpk5SIncxgTMudYYLdnhJcmXGOWWZ-LDY68FgaqX5M75HkcjURrqcctQY15UcAfdInrXq61WGX_jAVbnanR_w/s1600/2018-12-03+153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEm0pZw9KBoWRM32rAkx-M1hLMrK_BcwC3Cu7GuQnF-353JGl8BDJ749BVpk5SIncxgTMudYYLdnhJcmXGOWWZ-LDY68FgaqX5M75HkcjURrqcctQY15UcAfdInrXq61WGX_jAVbnanR_w/s320/2018-12-03+153.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3Ic7zRdWKceSmAOfa9q80uuSJJnykb1vYFj0hZNQ3LKafR7_Wr_6rRk3dES6FNMSF6TdzqAWD2EeunyIXJwOYiJ_CNdSsQT3MY52KWav_-yyi4GxvjAegvp4WYaxWO2g7LQqaAl5uYwU/s1600/2018-12-03+156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3Ic7zRdWKceSmAOfa9q80uuSJJnykb1vYFj0hZNQ3LKafR7_Wr_6rRk3dES6FNMSF6TdzqAWD2EeunyIXJwOYiJ_CNdSsQT3MY52KWav_-yyi4GxvjAegvp4WYaxWO2g7LQqaAl5uYwU/s320/2018-12-03+156.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had to wait a while and also exit the church before going through the courtyard and see the statue up close. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_C0GzwFxIlLgIRAxCVWkNddiKGoF9vK8_S72qy2HXZWC6Jh9OPLyPqyhyphenhyphenGgidzD3_vqquxO6i6tbajcF40yp7FRXL8-HDWUVKlFWakgveTKcAf12ec_vL8xdxPt8OwKpZTC_zVFR_gOz/s1600/2018-12-03+157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_C0GzwFxIlLgIRAxCVWkNddiKGoF9vK8_S72qy2HXZWC6Jh9OPLyPqyhyphenhyphenGgidzD3_vqquxO6i6tbajcF40yp7FRXL8-HDWUVKlFWakgveTKcAf12ec_vL8xdxPt8OwKpZTC_zVFR_gOz/s320/2018-12-03+157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The carving on the choir stalls was very striking but looked like they would be exceedingly uncomfortable to sit on with the protruding pieces up against one's back. Plus, the half-human and half-animal visages seemed very scary looking.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNYL_N2qRV-3ftUcKvUYzJKm5SIsa2txEo7QYugTZzXFUDoyfAhMEk2cFhqaBq-gP6zm9DwqAiM5_nB_fB3EhN3KDuyEGCGZ_eaQcu5B3EFcnW_Jlv72pKmwWvhkHv2jyT355hMe4RdYj/s1600/2018-12-03+166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNYL_N2qRV-3ftUcKvUYzJKm5SIsa2txEo7QYugTZzXFUDoyfAhMEk2cFhqaBq-gP6zm9DwqAiM5_nB_fB3EhN3KDuyEGCGZ_eaQcu5B3EFcnW_Jlv72pKmwWvhkHv2jyT355hMe4RdYj/s320/2018-12-03+166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKodIP-oOUrEP8eYq1An909OlPJJ9El9IEXG_thBqzaCc_nGKHmk7vEZCitEuHId2MkjqTqdwIDcVyESnVCwEYIsuuzUByDGTd-cY8MiWKGTs7d7H0Vqz7sIekHUriK_q79CErquRYoyo/s1600/2018-12-03+168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKodIP-oOUrEP8eYq1An909OlPJJ9El9IEXG_thBqzaCc_nGKHmk7vEZCitEuHId2MkjqTqdwIDcVyESnVCwEYIsuuzUByDGTd-cY8MiWKGTs7d7H0Vqz7sIekHUriK_q79CErquRYoyo/s320/2018-12-03+168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqy9AK6bSmaLsgHCKf_3UfrZgf_DEigEHbX-GlFtfqDpCxci4oVY8uJQHwMTToxhOCLJzT6VMy8YfOim5topKgBuka_2_YkzT3L6m3QPxgxuy2PdzBkSSaWY8yU5eye8rKhKAybwPGmwPc/s1600/2018-12-03+169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqy9AK6bSmaLsgHCKf_3UfrZgf_DEigEHbX-GlFtfqDpCxci4oVY8uJQHwMTToxhOCLJzT6VMy8YfOim5topKgBuka_2_YkzT3L6m3QPxgxuy2PdzBkSSaWY8yU5eye8rKhKAybwPGmwPc/s320/2018-12-03+169.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the town we left just the day before, <b>Arcos de la Frontera,</b> we'd seen saints' 'incorrupt bodies' in a couple of churches but had been spared paintings of severed heads of the martyrs, <b>Sts. Paul and John the Baptist!</b> The sign next to the paintings indicated "the technique of these paintings is magnificent ... and in the rendering of the </span><span style="font-size: large;">dramatic countenances of both martyrs."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarkr2Si7HgSP39GhhCmSI6gWZgPKcc4vYzdPOXpILjlsVgTjtVgLw_637EzrKtguu1kAVV6iuMoxmBp8zrNswT2fmwweWVLT2_PFng6mZRvY8J34WhkZNrHxJQ3Uv30RoyvG8BXzxqMgi/s1600/2018-12-03+171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarkr2Si7HgSP39GhhCmSI6gWZgPKcc4vYzdPOXpILjlsVgTjtVgLw_637EzrKtguu1kAVV6iuMoxmBp8zrNswT2fmwweWVLT2_PFng6mZRvY8J34WhkZNrHxJQ3Uv30RoyvG8BXzxqMgi/s320/2018-12-03+171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other items that piqued my interest from the <b>Sacristy:</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIncY32-AzTdQ9o7ZnQ11aJnWdDQDvtiSb_kSAtq48xsE5gIwJRwhS1mqgb7pagykq9wpgyN438SZrQFyqhjEfLWRtwSuOcxLVF7X-ZVONfITnlQFqSJVF6vyPwOG9UN3VSbzxbY9gP-sh/s1600/2018-12-03+174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIncY32-AzTdQ9o7ZnQ11aJnWdDQDvtiSb_kSAtq48xsE5gIwJRwhS1mqgb7pagykq9wpgyN438SZrQFyqhjEfLWRtwSuOcxLVF7X-ZVONfITnlQFqSJVF6vyPwOG9UN3VSbzxbY9gP-sh/s320/2018-12-03+174.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAjoUQvp8CSylS39xb4a8V-0WljDegmijKp5TyIs8s0ASQY7Rj7X3EDUlm0D7wcmTtx-t7sbiKnhy9yeXFHany9MCb_jUUGM9CYBQce_BXEyf-QYdX_eWNIzZ0MjWL6etadgxgTPjaD0B/s1600/2018-12-03+178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAjoUQvp8CSylS39xb4a8V-0WljDegmijKp5TyIs8s0ASQY7Rj7X3EDUlm0D7wcmTtx-t7sbiKnhy9yeXFHany9MCb_jUUGM9CYBQce_BXEyf-QYdX_eWNIzZ0MjWL6etadgxgTPjaD0B/s320/2018-12-03+178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I would love to have read the explanation about the religious figure on the donkey on one of the altars as that was sure different from anything we've seen!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKOaZC6ZPyhoZBbbQ7A9b00NemLhOTz58BR84KDrpamItMyGzFsixDo6L9-fv1OfRvTGm2nECnGZDtY8KiBpNgkWipScRPjYUDUjclBBAkMEF81FgtJgoUK4CaIOTlvwKLssRIYETldtf/s1600/2018-12-03+180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKOaZC6ZPyhoZBbbQ7A9b00NemLhOTz58BR84KDrpamItMyGzFsixDo6L9-fv1OfRvTGm2nECnGZDtY8KiBpNgkWipScRPjYUDUjclBBAkMEF81FgtJgoUK4CaIOTlvwKLssRIYETldtf/s320/2018-12-03+180.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IG98eIVQBsWayybsgTQ35gnr_zEFJaJHz6UPqFSN9BiJOuVApm2iSORwAXlrKEctC_rP9WZumeX2QEtqKow421CIaB7Q2GK3fMlGSxvP4rXvZv78FUtjFH9-wXhA35pOTEKKq3RzFH9o/s1600/2018-12-03+179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IG98eIVQBsWayybsgTQ35gnr_zEFJaJHz6UPqFSN9BiJOuVApm2iSORwAXlrKEctC_rP9WZumeX2QEtqKow421CIaB7Q2GK3fMlGSxvP4rXvZv78FUtjFH9-wXhA35pOTEKKq3RzFH9o/s320/2018-12-03+179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The church's 18th century baroque organ was described as one of the area's most outstanding.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg128stETwnWHl89-LA4S-WiyTmhZ6jO9NHbb_8A8ZQaldEzvm8Z80dFBtI3wyHqe002w6I4HfIxzZgu9UWwkYdPu9ZltR7uBAzL9qE0De9xhJ-OUFhCjD2LvCUjnO1esbigQCLnqcEwm9E/s1600/2018-12-03+182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg128stETwnWHl89-LA4S-WiyTmhZ6jO9NHbb_8A8ZQaldEzvm8Z80dFBtI3wyHqe002w6I4HfIxzZgu9UWwkYdPu9ZltR7uBAzL9qE0De9xhJ-OUFhCjD2LvCUjnO1esbigQCLnqcEwm9E/s320/2018-12-03+182.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvP5dKFcbqmg7u3LvgQTZy7HmBSfqCZoVOZCQ1uukbWrBdqBQEl6DcvOCmzCLQ-VLkoKSVOgkIJ3YAVs8AQleA3z-3_bcbWiOhyphenhyphenohqbdSyXyb2EaCFVWlyad8oTOUz4R2C996IVn9YRYg/s1600/2018-12-03+188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvP5dKFcbqmg7u3LvgQTZy7HmBSfqCZoVOZCQ1uukbWrBdqBQEl6DcvOCmzCLQ-VLkoKSVOgkIJ3YAVs8AQleA3z-3_bcbWiOhyphenhyphenohqbdSyXyb2EaCFVWlyad8oTOUz4R2C996IVn9YRYg/s320/2018-12-03+188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How pretty the reflections from the stained glass windows were on the pillars - they seemed to just come alive! They reminded us of the most beautiful reflections we'd seen before at <b>La Sagrada Familia</b> in <b>Barcelona,</b> the first city we saw in Spain about five weeks previously.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sgvsVFnHugYvUOpXWZR6MwKnimE4DXn3ejEI-IGwJEtSwatBPj7ZuuGOJ6KEYNxq2BOnY1apT8weVLfC9hB93wpDAKgPLuyhGak3K-WuJq7k684tZJdasPy25nwECHYDZOwx4_dKDXwP/s1600/2018-12-03+184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sgvsVFnHugYvUOpXWZR6MwKnimE4DXn3ejEI-IGwJEtSwatBPj7ZuuGOJ6KEYNxq2BOnY1apT8weVLfC9hB93wpDAKgPLuyhGak3K-WuJq7k684tZJdasPy25nwECHYDZOwx4_dKDXwP/s320/2018-12-03+184.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaKNjXd7KN5lxeJmFwBe0L-JpF_oNdYpZzpxzOkDPQC6i_UlYNW-K1ZwmelUoLfK2bcTK4ivlaZq00dLa83MDhAeWnaKarYbUaYkTQf_gSUGFYdrcKZw4w63TRLGVxmhCNtFRbgI37W-L/s1600/2018-12-03+181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaKNjXd7KN5lxeJmFwBe0L-JpF_oNdYpZzpxzOkDPQC6i_UlYNW-K1ZwmelUoLfK2bcTK4ivlaZq00dLa83MDhAeWnaKarYbUaYkTQf_gSUGFYdrcKZw4w63TRLGVxmhCNtFRbgI37W-L/s320/2018-12-03+181.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3f-B2GxX8FZ3cp_dtcX2DMyo98lMCbj_14LA98IAlb2mp1SxvEzgViYJ_MYH0JIASsBKNXBfFJSRm5pO12LoXVQZ4O46Kvm8rgMfVvp0zf5TDSC8MHOQtOMjUiFqpLPSuPTS0wN763uJQ/s1600/2018-12-03+196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3f-B2GxX8FZ3cp_dtcX2DMyo98lMCbj_14LA98IAlb2mp1SxvEzgViYJ_MYH0JIASsBKNXBfFJSRm5pO12LoXVQZ4O46Kvm8rgMfVvp0zf5TDSC8MHOQtOMjUiFqpLPSuPTS0wN763uJQ/s320/2018-12-03+196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The evocative polychrome wood sculpture of <b>St. Christopher</b> was completed in 1597.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgET2NebQ2GMfalBE3_I7tfK4qayfn3IWzyw6Pp-tUKrdeWcR3a7EGw7ZZloIXflKf62WeqKrrzDP-SIdRZiDzICRBv-FJF9UsREjbTXaV05aCcxyvbJLBZJIsc6QcFsRZrbVW_GfGz4tIs/s1600/2018-12-03+186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgET2NebQ2GMfalBE3_I7tfK4qayfn3IWzyw6Pp-tUKrdeWcR3a7EGw7ZZloIXflKf62WeqKrrzDP-SIdRZiDzICRBv-FJF9UsREjbTXaV05aCcxyvbJLBZJIsc6QcFsRZrbVW_GfGz4tIs/s320/2018-12-03+186.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This looked like another float but wasn't sure. Perhaps it was the one that used to transport Our Lady of the Waters through the streets of Sevilla, but that's just a guess.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtU4yYlMSpFxrvFH-XYc9FGL7i8QQZANlzolXsdMlsDvEfk4cywReJL_M8nedF61sBjmfVm3Q3tsMbFzxlxvC802WC0d412i_SgLDshkDK20oyFnScLW7O6q1dDafD49318yNy4ygFXXz/s1600/2018-12-03+190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtU4yYlMSpFxrvFH-XYc9FGL7i8QQZANlzolXsdMlsDvEfk4cywReJL_M8nedF61sBjmfVm3Q3tsMbFzxlxvC802WC0d412i_SgLDshkDK20oyFnScLW7O6q1dDafD49318yNy4ygFXXz/s320/2018-12-03+190.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGN5sgcd7zUQIOjpO98gUimxT_KN2ZtaHvQA-zayq5P1TGixMmaR2GZahaQyXHDgIX7vIKJr2xcIh3rar9fjRDxbLPanYe5ew7ZL6FcejdwEKr-dDXg3LhRI7NhVDg603DnHoE7tWmr4UQ/s1600/2018-12-03+191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGN5sgcd7zUQIOjpO98gUimxT_KN2ZtaHvQA-zayq5P1TGixMmaR2GZahaQyXHDgIX7vIKJr2xcIh3rar9fjRDxbLPanYe5ew7ZL6FcejdwEKr-dDXg3LhRI7NhVDg603DnHoE7tWmr4UQ/s320/2018-12-03+191.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEfCIPhvqFprcDJIW79LGI0LxN76-SsDnHIyDKzHR4jWlH0Xd0G3XHxrBp8qR2sHUtTCU0VKpbpca-VEv257KDTSl7rQRue1oB0G5qeH9c_qH4R0kJCU0g34c_A8HO5RPj46WWQCydaBR/s1600/2018-12-03+194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEfCIPhvqFprcDJIW79LGI0LxN76-SsDnHIyDKzHR4jWlH0Xd0G3XHxrBp8qR2sHUtTCU0VKpbpca-VEv257KDTSl7rQRue1oB0G5qeH9c_qH4R0kJCU0g34c_A8HO5RPj46WWQCydaBR/s320/2018-12-03+194.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back outside on the busy Plaza del Salvador, we took in the pretty sights before wandering around the corner of the church to its courtyard.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZnflBVzB935XbOkls1v6of-zEwg4DMLWGK9yP1-__aqrKFZReFj5iK9Sug3Ma4FhPH0xJ_8NipgDRFrUhZ3tsUEclJVWihZI00Cq6RgxOrmbnXN4B3ul-44mMW5yuY9PNcTEQAALke3k/s1600/2018-12-03+200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZnflBVzB935XbOkls1v6of-zEwg4DMLWGK9yP1-__aqrKFZReFj5iK9Sug3Ma4FhPH0xJ_8NipgDRFrUhZ3tsUEclJVWihZI00Cq6RgxOrmbnXN4B3ul-44mMW5yuY9PNcTEQAALke3k/s320/2018-12-03+200.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First, though, it was rather daunting seeing the list of the 97 <b>main</b> monuments and places of interest in Sevilla put out by the city's tourism board! We'd count ourselves lucky if we could see a mere dozen in the few days we had in the city before moving on to Portugal.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFP54TxG1ILVhDwqOMIqwxvceMGSHbD3Sr0uUHQXc3sVP9PUFxUyv15SBJoV7viA99xTqhJe2ApEiGx4brkGCduoPN2Is-3jtPpjAAmSfwlBU3x_Ds7KBcowzF4_WZ8_ifPO2FSbS2oqDy/s1600/2018-12-03+197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFP54TxG1ILVhDwqOMIqwxvceMGSHbD3Sr0uUHQXc3sVP9PUFxUyv15SBJoV7viA99xTqhJe2ApEiGx4brkGCduoPN2Is-3jtPpjAAmSfwlBU3x_Ds7KBcowzF4_WZ8_ifPO2FSbS2oqDy/s320/2018-12-03+197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the Orange Courtyard, we could more easily see the church's origins as a mosque with its arches now halfway underground. Through the doorway was the separate (paid) entrance to the chapel where we could much more clearly appreciate the Christ of the Passion statue. Barely getting a glimpse of it earlier through the wrought iron gate, we wanted to see it up close.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_G7LEF50_gGmsrAUqDwTr5Gm89kw0BdtKgwjHQaG2Cs-nAFikWkH1X7y3i9q8oZ2lLGcB36ondIDysIFl6XG7bAMx72AFuNHRPNdz75MesmqYkdeVYkI23qGhkEubrJ22vFZWlfVaI2Z/s1600/2018-12-03+204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_G7LEF50_gGmsrAUqDwTr5Gm89kw0BdtKgwjHQaG2Cs-nAFikWkH1X7y3i9q8oZ2lLGcB36ondIDysIFl6XG7bAMx72AFuNHRPNdz75MesmqYkdeVYkI23qGhkEubrJ22vFZWlfVaI2Z/s320/2018-12-03+204.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozDfMkWSpIPR7Hkz4McVwuF91RDTT0fRuVyu2MuijZJRzcrcvl7EQpsjXYYhezKoGuHLUDj-1sL9BibvQ9Yx0G32K6adJ87PFM_ET4lFWUqcbStsatZZsEy96MmEAKTaeMZ6bxQisGfpm/s1600/2018-12-03+205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozDfMkWSpIPR7Hkz4McVwuF91RDTT0fRuVyu2MuijZJRzcrcvl7EQpsjXYYhezKoGuHLUDj-1sL9BibvQ9Yx0G32K6adJ87PFM_ET4lFWUqcbStsatZZsEy96MmEAKTaeMZ6bxQisGfpm/s320/2018-12-03+205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For centuries the faithful have come to this small chapel to pray, look at Christ carrying the cross to his death and also gaze at the red-eyed</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <b>John the Evangelist</b> and a grieving <b>Maria Dolorosa</b> </span><span style="font-size: large;">who had convincing tears and a real dagger in her heart. Under the altar were the skulls of two Jesuit missionaries who had been martyred in Japan.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NnnYHhonxwCYMT0W5eU4AlDqdn-1DuGQshiYdPXPvl2CQ99O1HhPCwM7vln56TFddHCP2s5NArgt4QIBOZKhY9d1wnVf9BfXKAIlQQ43PvwUPGZrhg6eKvJrucVmohe3I8FGA_wE9dyg/s1600/2018-12-03+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NnnYHhonxwCYMT0W5eU4AlDqdn-1DuGQshiYdPXPvl2CQ99O1HhPCwM7vln56TFddHCP2s5NArgt4QIBOZKhY9d1wnVf9BfXKAIlQQ43PvwUPGZrhg6eKvJrucVmohe3I8FGA_wE9dyg/s320/2018-12-03+206.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Ts-4BsSPCYFgjIAqdF_kfqKbW1Adnsy1r8PVzxs5IDcPLOHn42DFqTnYFar6IF-3EFVf57JaJM2YqJ1ALgGH0lqOLiiZXY_LVHXvPVZTUV_Z4XjF-2Lz92Zb5UNfm5obn-_49tVW1sGp/s1600/2018-12-03+209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Ts-4BsSPCYFgjIAqdF_kfqKbW1Adnsy1r8PVzxs5IDcPLOHn42DFqTnYFar6IF-3EFVf57JaJM2YqJ1ALgGH0lqOLiiZXY_LVHXvPVZTUV_Z4XjF-2Lz92Zb5UNfm5obn-_49tVW1sGp/s320/2018-12-03+209.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxC7ZnP2N2OTtLDYCeH8bjrOygAP5DPY9a_k4mM-7SckvX7Z12huF8xYmJ7bnEi1u_6XbbtiOL-jo71xpCv7WiffrEgJQSb3bJKcRvdj11SqtSwFdrwImmxSoGsV-2qzqXRJAS2R1GqQe/s1600/2018-12-03+211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSxC7ZnP2N2OTtLDYCeH8bjrOygAP5DPY9a_k4mM-7SckvX7Z12huF8xYmJ7bnEi1u_6XbbtiOL-jo71xpCv7WiffrEgJQSb3bJKcRvdj11SqtSwFdrwImmxSoGsV-2qzqXRJAS2R1GqQe/s320/2018-12-03+211.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We followed other worshippers heading up the stairway behind the altar to kiss Jesus' heel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Next post:</b> Getting a sense of Sevilla by strolling through the Barrio Santa Cruz area a little later as we'd had enough of churches by then for a bit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Posted on February 26th, 2019, a fabulously sunny day in the foothills west of Denver.</i></span></div>
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Annie Bergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00244611304221436765noreply@blogger.com0