PORTO,too good to be missed!

Lisbon and Porto are the most famous places of Portugal. The spirit of Portuguese life can be felt better in Porto, a city whose western part extends to the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. So a day at the ocean is also a variant for this destination!On the shores of the Douro River and the North Atlantic Ocean, the Foz Do Douro is blessed with beaches, castles, galleries, markets and many restaurants. 

The second biggest city of this country developed during Roman occupation as an important commercial point.In 711 fell under the control of the Moors. In the 14th and 15th centuries the shipyards contributed to the development of Porto. In 1415,Prince Henry the Navigator started its conquests.

What is facinating about Porto are the narrow streets and colorful houses, breathtaking views from both the city and the Douro river , its galleries full of ancient and contemporary art, its gardens and museums, and its restaurants with both traditional food:codfish recepies,tripes based food and Fracesinha( a sandwich containing different type of meats, cheese and a beer and tomato sauce).

The Ribeira District, a labyrinth of cobbled ,ancient houses and Dom Luis I Bridge, a double-deck metal arch bridge that spans the river Douro between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, built in 1876 and having 172 meters ,became a World Heritage Site (Unesco) in 1996.

Riberia is one of the oldest areas of the city and one of the most beautiful, as well. The landscape over the river and the rabelo boats (a traditional Portuguese wooden cargo boat used to transport people and goods along the Douro River) that cross the waters make the delights of tourists and locals alike.

Igreja de São Francisco one of the famous landmarks of Porto looks from the outside to be an austerely Gothic church, but inside it hides one of Portugal’s most dazzling displays of baroque finery.

The palatial 19th-century Palácio de Bolsa, formerly a stock market, was built to impress potential European investors. It served as a stock exchange building in the 1800s. The Neoclassical style façade dates back to the 19th century. Even though the general structure of the palace was finished by 1850, ornate architectural details continued to be added till the early 20th century by different architects. It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Clerigos Tower is one of the biggest landmarks of the city. And the tour through Invicta (another name for Porto) is not complete without a visit to this monument. At the time of its completion in 1763, it was the tallest structure in Portugal. This imposing masterpiece is the work of Nicolau Nasoni, an 18th century Italian architect whose stroke of genius can be found all around northern Portugal The rooms off the stairs are home to an exhibit documenting the history of the 18th-century tower’s inhabitants and architects. One of the best views of the city is at the top of this tower 75 meters high, but to enjoy it you will have to climb 225 steps.(they can be pretty narrow!)

Lello Library is one of the most emblematic bookstores. It is right in the center of Porto and is part of its historical heritage. It appeared in 1906 at number 144 Rua das Carmelitas. And it remained there until today, with the neogothic architecture that characterizes it, the carved wood, the golden columns and the ornate ceilings that form a unique calling card. If you are a fan of the Harry Potter saga, know that this bookstore served as an inspiring setting for author J.K. Rolling, who lived in Porto.It is very crowded and quite expensive. But it is worth a visit!

Soares dos Reis National Museum is a good choice is you are into art. The museum has a vast collection of paintings from the 16th to the 20th centuries, ceramics, sculpture, engraving, jewellery and textiles. On the walls of this museum you will find paintings by great Portuguese artists such as Henrique Pousão, Silva Porto, António Carneiro, Aurelia de Souza or Amadeo de Souza Cardoso. An exterior garden would charm you with its Portuguese flavour.It is housed in the lavish Carrancas Palace and named after famous Portuguese sculptor Soares dos Reis. 

The best known cafe in Porto, the Majestic Cafe, is famous for its elegant architecture. The gilded woodwork, chandeliers, paintings, and upholstery of Majestic Cafe can give any of Porto’s monuments a run for its money. The cafe opened in late 1929 and is a must see for everyone coming to Porto.

Porto Cathedral is the city’s largest place of worship. It was built around the 12th century but significant renovations of the facade have taken place since then. And although the Cathedral is identified as a fine example of Romanesque design, it embodies an eclectic mix of Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque architecture.

Fascinating streets, old and impressive churches, bridges and of course, the wine! Too good to be missed!

THE DOURO RIVER

CRAIOVA, the heart of Oltenia

 

A city break to Craiova, the 6th largest city of Romania may take you by surprise because this place has a lot to offer.

The name of the city founded on the site of the Dacian stronghold Pelendava has two possible ethymologies, both of them of Slavonic origin. The name derives either from the word Kral ( king) or Krajina ( border,edge).

2 or 3 days will be enough to give you a clear taste of this city. It is a city where you feel comfortable because it has a lot to show. What is impressive is that ,despite the earthquake of 1790, the plague of 1795 and a Turkish assault in 1802, when Craiova was burnt, the city is still  live and beautiful.

The historic center has some interesting building, churches, statues and a lot of  pedestrian space. Which is great! What I alos liked were the drawings on the old and ugly buildings of the city.

Alexandru Buia Botanical Garden is also a place where you can enjoy a nice morning afternoon.

 

The city prides itself on the strong academic tradition and wealth of important historical figures who passed through here on their journey to fame: Wallachian Prince Mihai Viteazu – who served as the ban  of Craiova and achieved the first unification of the 3 Romanian principalities in 1600, the world-famous sculptor Constantin Brancusi – who studied at the Craiova Art School  between 1894 – 1898 and carved his first sculptures here, and  Petrache Poenary, inventor of the first cartridge fountain pen.

 

The Art Museum, a great building of 1896 has got 6 early sculptures of Brancusi.The Museum also  exhibits valuable masterpieces created by famous Romanian painters, among them Theodor Aman and Nicolae Grigorescu .The neobaroque palace that houses the museum was completed in 1896, following the plans of the French architect Paul Gotereau, who also built the CEC building in Bucharest.

Craiova also has a number of churches, the oldest being the Cosuna Monastery (1483).You can spend a relaxing afternoon visiting the monastery, located only 2.1 miles outside of the city centre.

Another religious site, Madona Dudu Church, is renowned for its mural paintings, completed by the famous Romanian painter Gheorghe Tattarescu .

Oltenia Museum, housed in Baniei House (1699), the oldest non-religious building that exists in Craiova and one of the oldest lay buildings in the country. Here you find an ethnography museum of great value.

You can learn anything and everything about the history of the region, starting with the prehistoric times. It presents the traditional trades and occupations of peasants in Oltenia, starting with hunting, fishing or gathering and ending with raising cattle, working the fields, harvesting the crops, emphasizing the continuity of the locals. The museum exhibits wooden carvings and ceramics, a large collection of jars, bowls of all kinds, plates, carpets in the style and manner used in Oltenia.

You can also see the history museum ( located in another building) and the natural science museum.

Over 90 hectares makes the 111 year old Parcul Nicolae Romanescu one of the largest urban parks in Eastern Europe.  The name of the park was Bibescu in the past.

At the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century, Craiova’s architecture underwent a transformation with the creation of the Brancovenesti style, a combination of Romanian traditional art, Byzantine and Venetian elements. This style can still be seen today at some of the churches in the city.

 

 

 

Marin Sorescu, Romanian writer

 

Art Museum

 

MAy Flowers

Maybe this is thier season because you find them everywhere . Yellow,red,pink,violet and purple and many other hues.

Flowers that bloom in spring are some of the most lush and beautiful of the year!

 

The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs.

 

Rome,the conquerer city

One of the most historic city in the world.Traces of wars, battles, emperors ,soldiers, victories and glory are all over. Traces of religion, popes,presence of God, saints,churches are also so much present in this seductive and fantastic city.
Founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century and enlarged by successive pontiffs, the Vatican Museums contains one of the world’s greatest art collection. Exhibits range from Egyptian mummies and Etruscan bronzes to Old Masters and modern paintings, but the main drawcards are the spectacular classical statuary and Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. In this city of outstanding churches, none can hold a candle to St Peter’s Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro), Italy’s largest, richest and most spectacular church. A monument to centuries of artistic genius, it contains some spectacular works of art, including three of Italy’s most celebrated masterpieces: Michelangelo’s Pietà , his breathtaking dome, and Bernini’s baldachin (canopy) over the papal altar.
It’s also one of Rome’s busiest tourist attractions, drawing up to 20,000 people on a busy day.
The original basilica was commissioned by the emperor Constantine and built around 349 on the site where St Peter is said to have been buried between AD 64 and 67
The Vatican Grottoes were created as a burial place for popes. See the tombs and sarcophagi of many popes, as well as several huge columns from the original 4th-century basilica.

Rome’s great gladiatorial arena is the most thrilling of the city’s ancient sights. Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the 50,000-seat Colosseum (Colosseo) was inaugurated in AD 80 and used to stage spectacular gladiatorial games in front of baying, bloodthirsty crowds. The name Colosseum, when introduced in medieval times, was not a reference to its size but to the Colosso di Nerone, a giant statue of Nero that stood nearby.The 80 entrance arches, known as vomitoria, allowed the spectators to enter and be seated in a matter of minutes.
The Colosseum’s interior was divided into three parts: the arena, cavea and podium. The arena had a wooden floor covered in sand to prevent the combatants from slipping and to soak up the blood.
With the fall of the empire in the 6th century, the Colosseum was abandoned. In the Middle Ages, it became a fortress occupied by two of the city’s warrior familie.Damaged several times by earthquake,it is still a monument of great grandeur.
The Pantheon is the best preserved of ancient Rome’s great monuments. In its current form it dates to around AD 120.The dome, considered the Romans’ greatest architectural achievement, is the largest unreinforced concrete dome ever built.
Hadrian’s temple was dedicated to the classical gods – hence the name Pantheon, a derivation of the Greek words pan (all) and theos (god)
However, the real fascination of the Pantheon lies in its massive dimensions and extraordinary dome. A tour de force of ancient engineering, it was the largest dome in the world until the 15th century and is still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in existence . The original Roman bronze doors remain.
With all these historic aspects,I can almost easily forget that Rome si a modern city as well. Fancy bars, strong and so little espressos, large,colourful parks, lots of expensive clothes shops, a lot of other attractions. The city has a slow rhytm ,the dolce far niente rhytm,because after all, life is given to be enjoyed. Italians are very nosiy ans cheerful people so be careful what you are expecting from your holiday!

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