Portgual is a powerhouse of architecture, a unique blend of Moorish influences incorporated into major architectural movements in Western Europe.
Belém Tower
The Belém Tower was built on the Tagus River to improve the defenses of the city. It was begun under the reign of Manuel I and its archicture, Manueline, takes its name from the monarch. A late gothic style, Manueline incorporates substantial amounts of maritime motifs, a nod to the great Age of Discovery in Portugal. Built on a rocky outcrop of basalt, the shoreline slowly was pushed out by construction projects, making the tower quite close to land and accessible by a wooden walkway.
The tower saw action, notably during the Liberal Wars of the 1830s. A beacon was added to the four story tower shorly after. It was restored in the 20th century and opened for visitors and exhibitions.
Jerónimo or Hieronymites Monastery
Located in LIsbon, the Jerónimo Monastery, sometimes call Hieronymites for the monks who worshipped here, was a Rennaisance building project initiated by King Manuel. It was paid for by a goods tax from the enormously wealthy Portuguese trade network as well as redirecting funds from Batalha (see below). The design is Manueline like the Belém Tower
After eighty years of construction, building ceased. Portugal came under the rule of Spain and King Philip redirected funding to his passion project, Escorial. When Portugal again achieved independence in 1640, the royal family continued to bury their dead here. Miraculously, the building was virtually unharmed during the 1755 earthquake. During the dissolution of the monasteries, it was made a parish church and much of its rich furnishings went to the royal family. Restoration works were carried out in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The western portion now houses the Maritime Museum.
Pena National Palace
The Pena National Palace is a 19th century pleasure palace built as the summer home of the Portuguese royal family. An earlier monastery and Moorish castle had been badly damaged in the 1755 earthquake. The ruins are a part of the castle grounds which sits on a mountain top in Sintra.
The Romanticist castle is a conglomeration of many architectural styles from Moorish to medieval and symbolism to other Portuguese buildings are found throughout. Perhaps the most distinctive point of the castle is its vibrant exterior, painted in yellow, blue, and red. Tiles, frescoes, and rich wood and stone work adorn the interior which makes a feast for the eyes.
Óbidos Castle
The castle is of Moorish origin when the Muslims kicked out the Visigoths and fortified the town. Óbidos was conquered by Afonso Henriques in 1148 as a part of the Reconquista. During the subsequent century, the castle and defenses of Óbidos were expanded and remodeled. The city enjoyed the patronage of medieval Portuguese queens which ensured continued investment in the site.
Today, it is a part of Portugal's pousada scheme, a collection of hotels that are state-owned historically significant buildings throughout Portugal. Many castles have been converted into pousadas and offer a luxury stay. The only way to access the interior is to be a guest, but the wall walk and courtyard is open to everyone.
Alcobaça Monastery
Built by Afonso Henriques in 1153, Alcobaça is the first gothic building in Portgual. In typical fashion for the medieval period, construction lasted a century and was completed in 1252. The Benedictine monastery enjoyed strong ties to the Portuguese monarchy throughout its 700 year lifespan.
Unlike many other monasteries throughout Europe, Alcobaça continued to be used and remodeled through the dissolution of the monasteries in 1834. Its state, therefore, is excellent and never fell into disuse or disrepair. Like many other sites in Portugal, the worst of its damage was done by the invasion of Napoleon's troops in the early 1800's. Tombs were looted, treasure stolen, and some parts of the structure were burnt.
Alcobaça's ongoing importance can be best noted by the sheer number of royals buried here and the scale of the complex. The monastery also boasted a large scriptorium and enormous library. Despite theft by Napoleon and anticlerical lootings in the 19th century, the remaining collection is quite large and has been absorbed by the Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal.
Batalha Monastery
The monastery at Batalha is a riot of Gothic arches and intricate stonework. The Domincan convent was erected by João I after his victory over the Castillians at the nearby Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385.
The architecture reflects the French Rayonnet Gothic that followed High Gothic, but there are English Perpendicular influences as well, no doubt from João's queen, Phillipa of Lancaster. Later stages of construction included Flamboyant Gothic elements. The Founder's Chapel served as the royal pantheon and houses the tombs of both João and his queen as well as several of their illustrious offspring, including Henry the Navigator. The monastery was never finished, evident in the Capelas Imperfeitas (The Unfinished Chapels), an abandoned expansion under Edward I of Portugal.
The earthquake of 1755 did surprisingly little damage, but Napoleon's troops were less forgiving. The sacked and set fire to the working monastery in 1810, but the monks struggled on for almost 25 more years before being expelled. In 1840, King Ferdinand II embarked on an ambitious restoration project that lasted much of the century. In 1907, the monastery was designated a national monument and opened as a museum in 1980. It is a UNESCO heritage site.
Guimarães Castle
If I asked my elementary students to draw a castle, they would recreate Guimarães Castle. It is the quintessential medieval castle with exaggerated crenellation, stalwart walls, and an imposing gatehouse. It is synonymous with the beginnings of the Portuguese and is easily recognized by all countrymen.
The castle's origins date back to the 10th century, intially with the construction of a monastery and then a castle by the end of the century. The following century brought a vast expansion and eventual remodel of the original structure. Portugal won its independence from Leon in 1139 and Guimarães became a royal possession. The castle saw military action several times in the middle ages, but by the late 1700s, had fallen into a state of disrepair. Its demolition was even considered in the early 19th century.
But the uniqueness of its architecture in the Minho and the historical significance meant the castle was spared. It was declared a national monument in 1910 and restoration took the better part of the next few decades.
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