Tag Archives: Portugal

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Challenge: Monastery of the Hieronymites and the Tower of Belém

Posted on January 27, 2013 by

While in Lisbon (Portugal) recently, I got to tick off another Unesco world heritage site. Physically this is two sites, but they are in short walking distance of each other but they classed as one. First the Monastery of the … Continue reading →

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Unesco World Heritage Site Challenge: Garrison Border town of Elvas and its Fortifications

Posted on January 21, 2013 by

This site in Portugal, close to the Spanish border, only became a designated Unesco site in 2012 due the value of the extensive fortifications which took place between the 17th and 19th centuries. Historically, this area was a key point … Continue reading →

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Unesco World Heritage Site challenge: Historic Centre of Évora

Posted on January 19, 2013 by

The city of Évora, capital of the Alentejo Province lies around 150km south east of Lisbon and is an excellent example of a city from the golden age of Portugal after the destruction of Lisbon by the earthquake of 1755. … Continue reading →

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More maps with meals

Posted on January 13, 2013 by

Last year I wrote a post about Tampopo, a fusion restaurant in Manchester which provides a map as a placemat. Recently in Portugal I found another eatery which was also provided a map, but this time with a little information … Continue reading →

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UNESCO World Heritage Site Challenge: Alto Douro Wine Region

Posted on November 7, 2012 by

Back in April I visited the Wine Region, an area of northern Portugal which has been producing wine for over 2000 years, inscribed as a UNESCO site in 2001. This long tradition of viticulture has produced a cultural landscape of … Continue reading →

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UNESCO World Heritage Challenge: Historic Centre of Guimarães

Posted on August 27, 2011 by

This week I had the chance to visit another UNESCO site in Portugal, the historic town of Guimarães.  This town is deemed an important site for three key reasons: A specialized building technique was  developed there in the Middle Ages … Continue reading →

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UNESCO World Heritage Challenge: Monastery of Batalha

Posted on August 25, 2011 by

Following on from my last post on the Monastery of Alcobaça, the Monastery of Batalha, in Central Portugal was about a 30 minute drive away. The date building works began on this cathedral is not confirmed, although it is known … Continue reading →

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UNESCO World Heritage Challenge: Monastery of Alcobaça

Posted on August 25, 2011 by

I recently had the chance to visit another two UNESCO World Heritage site, this monastery and also the Monastery of Batalha, both in central Portugal. The Monastery of St. Maria de Alcobaça was founded in 1153. The construction lasted several … Continue reading →

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UNESCO World Heritage Sites Challenge: Foz Côa Valley and Cave Art

Posted on June 17, 2011 by

The rock paintings of the Foz Côa valley, a UNESCO heritage site, is the largest open-air collection of Paleolithic art (dating from 29,000 to 20,000 years ago) in Europe. About five dozens art specimens are spread along the last 17 … Continue reading →

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UNESCO World Heritage sites challenge: Historic Centre of Oporto

Posted on May 29, 2011 by

The city of Oporto, built along the hillsides overlooking the mouth of the Douro river, is an outstanding urban landscape with a 2,000-year history. Its continuous growth, linked to the sea (the Romans gave it the name Portus, or port), … Continue reading →

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