13 MAY 2017.DAY 7 : LISBON,PORTUGAL.

13 MAY 2017.DAY 7  : LISBON,PORTUGAL.

This is screenshot of Map of Day 7 of our Spain Potugal,Morocco Trip .

 Places of attraction Lisbon City.

Screen shot of map, above, gives limited information. "Interactive Map" gives much more information. For interactive map go here. 

OR go to this link  goo.gl/d3mkEi

With this URL,Interactive map should open in a new window

To navigate through this map use the left vertical panel on the map :
1. The size of this map can be increased or decreased as with normal maps.

2. The panel gives contents of the map which are self explanatory.Placing the cursor  on any item,say Plaza De España/Spain Square, in this panel will highlight Plaza De España in the interactive map.

3. Click on Plaza De España Spain Square in panel it will open an information window in the interactive map giving information about Plaza De España Spain Square.Photos about that place have been uploaded.These photos will will also show in the information window.To know about the captions and other details of photos, you will have to visit album for day 7.For this go here.

4. Similar action can be repeated for information on all other places given on interactive map.

Today we go to Lisbon Portugal.

Started from our Hotel Melia Lebreros,Seville around 0745.Distance from Seville to 540 Kms plus.As per the normal practice stopped around half way to Lisbon st a Highway Service Area. These areas have a Restaurant,a prtrol pump,rest room facilities,a small shop with common medicines,toys for kids , chocolates,eatables etc . Almost all the items which may be needed by a family going on long road trip. 

Just short of Lisbon crossed Ponte 25 de Abril bridge.Till 1974 it was called Salazar bridge.This was changed to Ponte 25 de Abril bridge to commemorate  Carnation Revolution of 25 April1974.It is 2277 mtr long.This striking Golden Gate-style suspension bridge spans River Tagus.

In Lisbon we were dropped at Liberty Avenue from where we had to walk to Maharaja Restaurant for lunch.

LISBON

Reached Liberty Avenue around 1400 h.

Avenida da Liberdade (literally "Liberty Avenue" in Portuguese) is an important avenue in central Lisbon, Portugal. It is a 90 metre-wide boulevard, 1100 m long, with ten lanes divided by pedestrian pavements decorated with gardens.There are lots of Statues, small shops selling mementos and decorative nicknack's. a leisurely stroll on Liberty Avenue is an experience not to be missed.One can get some good photos here.

Statue of Neptune on Liberty Avenue.

Monument to the fallen in World War I (1931) on Liberty Avenue.

Another view.

Monument to the fallen in World War I (1931) on Liberty Avenue.

Statue of  Simon Bolivar.Liberty avenue.Do'nt miss the beautiful flowers.

Full details at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simón_Bolívar

BELEM TOWER 

Belem Tower

Belém Tower or the Tower of St Vincent[ is a fortified tower located in Lisbon, Portugal. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the significant role it played in the Portuguese maritime discoveries of the era of the Age of Discoveries. The tower was commissioned by King John II to be part of a defence system at the mouth of the Tagus river and a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon.

The tower was built in the early 16th century and is a prominent example of the Portuguese Manueline style, but it also incorporates hints of other architectural styles. The structure was built from lime limestone and is composed of a bastion and a 30-metre (98.4 ft); four-storey tower. It has incorrectly been stated that the tower was built in the middle of the Tagus and now sits near the shore because the river was redirected after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. In fact, the tower was built on a small island in the Tagus River near the Lisbon shore.

All along both sides Belem Tower on river bank , there are lots of Parks , Monuments and the view across and along the river are really worth looking . 

Approaching Belem Tower

Belem Tower. 

 With the model of Belem Tower

From Belem Park ,.View of Salazar Bridge or Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge . We had crossed this bridge while coming to Lisbon.

One such monument near Balem Tower commemorates The first aerial crossing of the South Atlantic made by  Portuguese naval aviators Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral in 1922, to mark the centennial of Brazil's independence.It was achieved in Fairey III-D MkII seaplane. Replica of this aircraft is displayed at Belem Tower Park near Belem tower . Actual aircraft has been preserved in Naval Museum.Although the North Atlantic had already been traversed in a non-stop flight by John Alcock and Arthur Brown in 1919, Coutinho and Cabral's flight remains notable as a milestone in transatlantic aviation, and for its use of new technologies such as the artificial horizon.

 Fairey III-D MkII seaplane.In which 1st North Atlantic crossing was made .Original seaplane is in Naval Museum.. 

Fairey III-D MkII seaplane In which 1st North Atlantic crossing was made .Original seaplane is in Naval Museum.

This was the end of our visit to Belem Towert.For more photos of Day 7 and Belem Tower go here or to link goo.gl/rZwfw3

After this we proceeded to Monuments Of Discoveries.

MONUMENT OF DISCOVERIES.

Monument Of Discoveries.

Monument of the Discoveries is a monument on the northern bank of the Tagus River estuary,  Lisbon. Located along the river where ships departed to explore and trade with India and Orient, the monument celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery (or Age of Exploration) during the 15th and 16th centuries

Initially a temporary Monument was constructed on 1939 for Portuguese World fair opening in June 1940.It was demolished in 1943.

In 1958 Govt took decision to build a permanent monument to celebrate fifth centennial of the death of Infante Henry the Navigator

Between November 1958 and January 1960, the new monument was constructed in cement and rose-tinted stone and the statues sculpted from limestone.It was inauguration in 1960 with 32 ships of 14 nations.The The Monument was also intended to commemorate 5 centuries from the death of Infante Henry the Navigator.

The monument is decorated with motifs which call forth the age of the great discoveries, seafaring motifs and armillary spheres included. On top of the fact the monument stands out in sharp relief by its dimensions, it catches the eye by the 34 statues which decorate the two sides. The main statue is the one which represents Henry the Navigator, while other figures rendered are important personalities who, one way or another, have contributed to Portugal’s reputation in the age of discoveries: poets, explorers, navigators, crusaders, and mapmakers, with key figures like Vasco da Gama, Magellan, Felipa of Lancaster and Camoes.

The interior of the monument is divided in three levels. The ground floor contains an auditorium (with multimedia exhibitions which cover the topic of Lisbon’s history), the second floor accommodates two exhibition halls, and four other rooms are located on the third floor. The top of the monument is often used as watchtower, the Tagus (Tejo) River.

The complete courtyard in front of the monument ia made of tiles containing Mosaic of the world map.On the Map are recorded the discoveries made by Portuguese Navigators with dates of accomplishments.on Indian sub and African Continents.Due to large crowd milling around all over it is almost impossible to get clear pictures of these mosaics.Here are few pictures of monument.

Monument Of Discoveries.

Monument Of Discoveries.

Monument Of Discoveries.Lead Statue Henry the Navigator.

Monument Of Disclveries.Lead Statue Henry the Navigator.and other main contributors to discoveries.

Monument Of Discoveries.Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge in background.110 mtrs tall 

Christ the King statue in far background.

Map at Monument Of Disclveries.Here Indiaan continent

 Map at Monument Of Discoveries.Here Indian continent.

End of sightseeing at Monument of Discoveries.For more photos of Day 7 and Belem Tower go here or to link goo.gl/rZwfw3.

Next we go to Jerónimos Monastery,and Church of Santa Maria.

JERONIMOS MONASTERY AND CHURCH OF SAINT MARIA..

This photo is of South Portal , Church Of Santa Maria.This shrine-like portal is large, 32 metres (105 ft) high and 12 metres (39 ft) wide, extending two stories. Its ornate features includes an abundance of gables and pinnacles, with many carved figures standing under a baldachin in carved niches, around a statue of Henry the Navigator, standing on a pedestal between the two doors.

Jerónimos Monastery,and Church of Santa Maria.Even though co-located for reasons unknown(to me at least)generally the complex is referred is "Jerónimos Monastery" only.

The Jerónimos Monastery or Hieronymites Monastery , is a former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome near the Tagus river in  Lisbon it was secularised on 28 December 1833 by state decree and its ownership transferred to the charitable institution, Real Casa Pia de Lisboa.The monastery is one of the most prominent examples of the Portuguese Late Gothic Manueline style of architecture in Lisbon. It was classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the nearby Tower of Belém, in  1983.

The Jerónimos Monastery replaced the church formerly existing in the same place, which was dedicated to Santa Maria de Belém and where the monks of the military-religious Order of Christ provided assistance to seafarers in transit.The harbour of Praia do Restelo was an advantageous spot for mariners, with a safe anchorage and protection from the winds, sought after by ships entering the mouth of the Tagus.The existing structure was inaugurated on the orders of Manuel I (1469–1521) at the courts of Montemor o Velho in 1495, as a final resting-place for members of the House of Aviz, in his belief that an Iberian dynastic kingdom would rule after his death. In 1496, King Manuel petitioned the Holy See for permission to construct a monastery at the site.The Hermitage of Restelo (Ermida do Restelo), as the church was known, was already in disrepair when Vasco da Gama and his men spent the night in prayer there before departing on their expedition to the Orient  in 1497.The construction of the monastery and church began on 6 January 1501, and was completed 100 years later.  

South Portel details.

Luís de Camões tomb in the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém,

The columns and roof design.Interior Jerónimos Monastery,/Church of Saint Mary. 

Main Chapel.Jerónimos Monastery,/Chursc of Saint Mary. 

tomb of navigator Vasco da Gama.

Main Chapel.

Main Chapel.

The columns and roof design.

Two-storey cloisters.Monastery.

Manueline ornamentation in the cloisters of Jerónimos Monastery.

By this time it was 1830.We left the river bank and hosts of monuments and went to Restaurant Passage of India.Had dinner and proceeded to hotel. Did not know but the hotel was 72 odd kms away from Lisbon.The hotel was O Hotel Golf Mar.

Our Hotel during Lisbon stay.

After check in called it a day. 

Tomorrow we in the morning we leave for Fatima. From there go directly to Lisbon to see leftover monuments and by night return to hotel.

END DAY 7.

12 MAY 2017.DAY 6 PART ONE : SEVILLE,SPAIN.

16 September 2017

12 MAY 2017.DAY 6 PART ONE : SEVILLE,SPAIN.

This is screenshot of Map of Day 5 of our Spain Potugal,Morocco Trip .

 Places of attraction Seville City.

Screen shot of map, above, gives limited information. "Interactive Map" gives much more information. For interactive map click here . 
OR go to this link https://goo.gl/3bPqn1 

 With this URL Interactive map should open in a new window.

To navigate through this map use the left vertical panel on the map :
1. The size of this map can be increased or decreased as with normal maps.

2. The panel gives contents of the map which are self explanatory.Placing the cursor  on any item,say Plaza De España Spain Square in this panel will highlight Port Tangier in the interactive map.

3. Click on Plaza De España Spain Square in panel it will open an information window in the interactive map giving information about Plaza De España Spain Square. If photos about that place have been uploaded they will also show in the information window.

4. Similar action can be repeated for information on all other places given on interactive map.

SEVILLE

Panoramic view of Seville,Taken from the Giralda or the Bell Tower

It is situated on the plain of the river Guadalquivir.The Guadalquivir is the fifth longest river in the Iberian Peninsula and the second longest river with its entire length in Spain.The Guadalquivir river is the only great navigable river in Spain. Currently it is navigable from the Gulf of Cadiz to Seville, but in Roman times it was navigable to Córdoba.Having access to see had one of the most decisive factor in the history, nay the very existence of Seville as the Port made in capital ant trade centre.

Seville is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Andalusia and the province of Seville,

Roots of Seville are buried too deep in the antiquity of time.There is a legend  that it was founded by Hercules and its origins are linked with the Tartessian civilisation.Leaving that aside, there is historical evidence that Seville occupied an important place in the Roman Empire.Later it was occupied by Moors and still later by caliphate Empire.It was during those times that Seville had one of its best period during the reign of Al-Mohammad, the "poet King".

This varied and multicultural history has left an in deniable influence on the cultural and architectural pattern in buildings , Mosques etc of Seville. 

The Golden Period of Seville is considered after the discovery of Americas.All the trade to and from the Americas had to be done through the Port of Seville.As this was the only Port given license to ply ships between Europe and the Americas. All the good from and to Americas had to pass through the port of Seville Trades from all over Europe had to come and operate from Seville if they wanted to be part of the business with Americas.During this period Seville became one of the richest and most prosperous city of Europe.Thia period also saw spurt of 

 building activities in grand and beautiful buildings, parks,gardens, monuments, buildings Cathedrals etc.

Other two events occurred which saw another spurt of building activity and tremendous improvements in every sphere of Seville be it Parks, Gardens , Buildings , monuments and what have you and encompassing all types of constructions mentioned earlier.These were International expositions of 1929 World Fair and 1992 World fair.

Following land marks of Seville are on the list of considered must see places:

Seville Cathedral , La Giralda tower , Plaza De España Square  , Real Alcázar Palace of Seville , María Luisa Park , The Torre Del Oro tower , Indias archive , Plaza De América Square , Seville Cathedral.

Of course we did not see all of them but only Saw these 3, 

(1)Spain Square (Plaza De España ).

(2)Seville Cathedral.

(3)Giralda OR Bell Tower of Siville Cathedral'.

Seville is strewn with beautiful monuments all over, all along the roads. I caught them in camera

.from the moving coach as we passed them. To see photos of some of them you may have to go here

PLAZA DE ESPANA OR SPAIN SQUARE

Panoramic view Spain Square.
To see ALL the photos of Plaza Espana and of Seville on12 May17, go here.. or click on the link https://goo.gl/FVCU7U

The Plaza de España ("Spain Square", in English) is a plaza in the Parque de María Luisa ), in Seville, Spain, built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. It is a landmark example of the Regionalism Architecture, mixing elements of the Renaissance Revival and Moorish Revival (Neo-Mudéjar) styles of Spanish architecture.
The Plaza de España, designed by Aníbal González, was a principal building built on the Maria Luisa Park's edge or it would be more appropriate to say that it is located in Maria Luisa Park It was built to showcase Spain's industry and technology exhibits. González combined a mix of 1920s Art Deco and "mock Mudejar", and Neo-Mudéjar styles.It is a style which combines all the best aspects of Moorish and Christian traditions. 

The Plaza de España complex is a huge half-circle with buildings continually running around the edge accessible over the moat by numerous bridges representing the four ancient kingdoms of Spain. In the centre is the Vicente Traver fountain. By the walls of the Plaza are many tiled alcoves, each representing a different province of Spain.

Left portion of huge semi-circular building in the Plaza..

Central portion of huge half circle of Spain Plaza.One of the four bridges seen here.

Tower in right portion of huge half circle of Spain Plaza.

In the centre is the Vicente Traver Fountain.(Vicente Traver VY Thomas was famous was a Spanish architect. His most notable works were constructed in Seville between 1915 and 1933.

Selfie at Spain Square.Vicente Traver Fountain.in the background. 
To see ALL the photos of Plaza Espana and of Seville on12 May17, go here.

By the walls of the Plaza are many tiled alcoves, each representing a different province of Spain. Theme of these tiled alcove consists of two panels , one vertical and the other Horizontal. Vertical panels depicts a scene of historical significance of that Province where as the horizontal panel has a representative map of that province.

Barcelona Alcove. Vertical Panel. 

To see ALL the photos of Plaza Espana and of Seville on12 May17, go here.. 

Barcelona Alcove. horizontal Panel. 

Barcelona Alcove. Vertical Panel. 

Barcelona Alcove. horizontal Panel. 

Today the Plaza de España mainly consists of Government buildings. The central government departments, with sensitive adaptive redesign, are located within it. The Plaza's tiled Alcoves of the Provinces are backdrops for visitors portrait photographs, taken in their own home province's alcove. Towards the end of the park, the grandest mansions from the fair have been adapted as museums. The farthest contains the city's archeology collections. The main exhibits are Roman mosaics and artefact's from nearby Italica.
The Plaza de España has been used as a filming location, including scenes for the 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia. The building was used as a location in the Star Wars movie series Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) — in which it featured in exterior shots of the City of Theed on the Planet Naboo.[5] It also featured in the 2012 film The Dictator.
The plaza was used as a set for the video of Simply Red's song Something Got Me Started.

Right wing Plaza Espana.

To see ALL the photos of Plaza Espana and of Seville on12 May17, go here.. or click on the link https://goo.gl/FVCU7U.

After this next stop was Seville Cathedral. 

THE CATHEDRAL OF THE SAINT MARY OF SEE,SEVILLE..

Seville Cathedral.Roof Details.Interior of the cathedral.
To see ALL the photos of Plaza Espana and of Seville on12 May17, go here.

Relics at the Cathedral.

Interior of the cathedral.

To see ALL the photos of Plaza Espana and of Seville on12 May17, go here.

The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, better known as,Seville Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Seville.It was registered in 1987 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, "See" refers to the episcopal see, i.e., the bishop's ecclesiastical jurisdiction.

Seville Cathedral  largest cathedral in the world, An honour which belonged to Hagia Sophia before the construction of Seville Cathedral was completed.

Seville Cathedral is still the largest cathedral in the world.Since the world's two largest churches,the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida and St. Peter's Basilica are not Cthedrals as they are not the seats of bishops 

It is the third-largest church in the world as well as the largest Gothic church.as Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida and St. Peter's Basilica are are two churches larger than Seville cathedral.

Seville Cathedral was the site of the baptism of Infante Juan of Aragon in 1478, only son of the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. Its royal chapel holds the remains of the city's conqueror Ferdinand III of Castile, his son and heir Alfonso the Wise and their descendant king Pedro el Cruel. The funerary monuments for cardinals Juan de Cervantes and Pedro González de Mendoza Quiñones are located among its chapels. Christopher Columbus and his son Diego are also buried in the cathedral.

Tomb of Christopher Columbus  at Seville Cathedral.

It is said, Columbus had expressed that "he did not wish to be buried in Spanish soil."  In honour of that wish, The coffin with his remains was not buried but is borne aloft by kings of Castile, Leon, Aragon and Navarre.

Organ,Seville Cathedral.
To see ALL the photos of Plaza Espana and of Seville on12 May17, go here.

One of the many ancient relics of christian faith at Cathedral.

At Cathedral of Seville . Very important relic of Christianity .The dark bent wire like thing in central circle is supposed to be " thorn " form the crown of thorns of Christ when he was crucified .

To see ALL the photos of Plaza Espana and of Seville on12 May17, go here.. or click on the link https://goo.gl/FVCU7U

Our next stop was La Giralda or Tower of Giralda.

LA GIRALDA OR TOWER OF GIRALDA.

La Giralda . UNESCO World Heritage .

Photo courtesy wekipedia.

The Giralda is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Seville. Its height is 343 feet (105 m), and its square base is 23 feet (7.0 m) above sea level and 44 feet (13 m) long per side. The Giralda is the former minaret of the mosque that stood on the site under Muslim rule, and was built to resemble the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, Morocco. It was converted into a bell tower for the cathedral after the Reconquest although the topmost section dates from the Renaissance. It was registered in 1987 as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its Construction began in 1184 under the direction of architect Ben Ahmad Baso. According to the chronicler Ibn Sahib al-Salah, the works were completed on 10 March 1198, with the placement of four gilt bronze balls in the top section of the tower. After a strong earthquake in 1365, the spheres were missing. In the 16th century the belfry was added by the architect Hernán Ruiz the Younger; the statue on its top, called "El Giraldo", was installed in 1568 to represent the triumph of the Christian faith.The world Giralda means she who turns" - girar is to turn in Spanish, after the weather vane on top of the tower, a statue representing faith called El Giraldo.The tower is called "Giralda". The weather vane on top of the tower is actually a statue of astounding dimensions. called "Faith Statue". It is image of a young woman clothed in a classical Roman attire, holding a shield in the right hand and a palm in the left.She has a garland on her head. The bronze statue The statue stands 4 m (13 feet) in height – 7 m (23 ft) with the pedesta and only the body of the statue weighs 1.2 tons.

l – and sit on top of the tower from its installation in 1568.

Portion of Cathedral building..
Photo taken on the way up the Giralda.  the Bell Tower.Seville Cathedral.

View of Seville city.

Photo taken on the way up the Giralda.  the Bell Tower.Seville Cathedral.

To see ALL the photos of Plaza Espana and of Seville on12 May17, go here.

View of the portion of the Cathedral structure.

Photo taken on the way up the Giralda.  the Bell Tower.Seville Cathedral.

View of the portion of the Cathedral structure.

Photo taken on the way up the Giralda.  the Bell Tower.Seville Cathedral.

To see ALL the photos of Plaza Espana and of Seville on12 May17, go here.

View  Bull Fight Ring and area around  of Seville City from the  Bell Tower of Seville   Cathedral.

Bells of La Giralda or Bell tower.

To see ALL the photos of Plaza Espana and of Seville on12 May17, go here. or click on the link https://goo.gl/FVCU7U.

After this proceeded to La Palacio Andaluz to witness world famous Flamenco Dance while having dinner with a bottle of wine. 

 Seville Theatre Andaluz .

Ceramic tile sign board typical to Seville.

The beginnings of the company El Patio Sevillano date back to 1952, when the "Cortijo El Guajiro"– pioneering “tablao” flamenco in Spain – was created. It was there that great flamenco figures such as Trini España, Matilde Coral, El Farruco, Manuela Vargas and Rafael Negro started their artistic careers; and politicians and artistic and film celebrities, for example, Lola Flores, Agustín Lara, and great bullfighters like Belmonte and El Gallo, also visited the premises. 
 In 1956, opened, El Patio Andaluz on Plaza del Duquewas right in the heart of the historic centre. The best artists of the time continued performing in the venue: Cristina Hoyos, Milagros Menjibar (Spanish Dance Award), Chano Lobato, etc.

In 1973, although keeping the same name (El Patio Sevillano), we moved to the Guadalquivir riverbank, opposite the Triana quarter, next to the bullring Real Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza, and surrounded by spectacular monuments such as Torre del Oro and Puente de Triana (Golden Tower and Triana Bridge). Top flamenco artists continued working with us: Isidro Vargas, Ana Mª Bueno, Miguel Boceta, etc
El Patio Sevillano is the point of reference for “tablaos” in Seville, both for the quality of its shows and the satisfactory service our customers receive.
Over 50 years ago our stage became the launching platform for very many flamenco stars. Who knows if, when you visit us, you will be watching the flamenco stars of the future? It would be a unique and very personal experience.

Dinner with drinks can be ordered,which is served just before the performance.Service continued during most of the show,in most unobtrusive way,without distracting you or others from the performance . Every thing is timed so well that the end of performance and the dimmer is timed almost to perfection.We had dinner with a bottle of wine while watching the flamenco dance,Most unforgettable experience . 

The Hall of Anduluz Theatre.

Seating for patrons having dinner, Dining tables are arranged on the sides.Not causing any disturbance to others 

Flamenco Dance in progress.

Fiaminco Dance in progress.

The complete cast at the end of the show.

After a wonderful evening it was back to the hotel for a well earned rest .

Tomorrow we leave for LISBON,Pirtugal.