Hello, Galiya apa!
This is my last update from Portugal, and when you read it, I'm already on my way to my new host and new adventures!
On my last day in Portugal I wanted to go to the area of Belém in Lisbon, because I had heard it to be beautiful.
This is the Jerónimos Monastery or Hieronymites Monastery of Belém.
It was classified an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
The Jerónimos Monastery replaced the church formerly existing in the same place, which was dedicated to Santa Maria de Belém.
Near by was the beach of Restelo, which was a safe anchorage spot for ships, and so the church became the place where seafarers prayed for safe trip and good winds before going to sea.
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 new monastery and church began in 1501, and was completed 100 years later. The building was funded with tax on commerce from Africa and the Orient, equivalent to 70 kilograms of gold per year.
So the architects were not limited to small-scale plans!
This is the South portal.
It is 32 metres high and 12 metres wide, extending two stories. It has gables and pinnacles and many carved figures, for example Henry the Navigator, standing on a pedestal between the two doors.
Above the double door are two scenes from the life of Saint Jerome: on the left, the removal of the thorn from the lion's paw and, on the right, the saints experience in the desert. There are also Madonna (Santa Maria de Belém), archangel Michael and a selection of saints.
I rather like these doors. Couldn't we have similar at home?
The construction of the monastery stopped in 1580 with the union of Spain and Portugal, as the building of the Escorial in Spain was now draining away all the allocated funds.
There is nowadays a garden in front of the monastery, and next to it is a planetary and a modern culture center.
We went to walk in the garden.
There was a beautiful fountain, but it was sleeping!
But then it woke up, the water strated to run and look! I managed to catch a rainbow in the pic!
Then we made a little walking trip to the Mula artificial lake.
It was very beautiful there!
The mimosas were in bloom and looked golden under the sun.
We had a little farewell picnic near the lake shore.
After which we took a nap.
We saw some horses and sheep.
And ruins of some very odd buildings.
Back at home I made food for everyone.
Did you know I'm such a good cook?
Then it was time to say good bye to eveyone.
We were hugging each other.
Maybe we will still meet in future somewhere else - who knows!
"Good bye" "Fare well!!"
I roamed to my travel-envelope.
Next time we'll meet in Canada!
Kisses from Batyr!