"My wonderful country" Portugal by johnsakura

Portugal Travel Guide: 23,534 reviews and 52,722 photos

Portugal

My pages on Portugal:

Northern Region:
Viana do Castelo
Caminha
Paredes de Coura
Matosinhos

Lisboa area and surroundings:
Lisboa
Vila de Colares
Sintra
Almourol
Cabo da Roca-Most Westerly point Europe

Alentejo Region:

Fortified cities with medieval castles
Portel
Medieval Terena
Viana do Alentejo
Aviz
Arraiolos
Evoramonte
Monsaraz
Torre de Coelheiros

Viana do Castelo

Megalithic monuments and pre-historical related places
Anta do Zambujeiro
Escoural and pre-historical caves

Lost convents and abandoned chapels
Convento do Espinheiro
Sanctuary of Sao Matias
Santa Justa
Sao Bento dos Pomares chapel
Monte de Sao Jo?o

Lost villages
Sao Brissos
Boa Fe
Cork producer village of Sao Sebastiao da Giesteira
Sao Bartolomeu do Outeiro
Santa Sofia
Igrejinha - Small village
Vale do Pereiro
Oriola
Towns and Cities
Vila Vi?osa
Redondo
Alcacovas
Evora-Museum city
Lavre
Pavia
Benavila
Reguengos de Monsaraz

Farms and rural spots
Graca do Divor
Esbarrondadouro Farm
Sao Bento dos Pomares
Moor Valley
Valverde

UNESCO World Heritage sites:
Vila de Colares UNESCO World Heritage (Sintra's complex)
Sintra - UNESCO World Heritage
Evora-UNESCO World Heritage
Lisboa-UNESCO World Heritage

Algarve Southern Region:
Aljezur-Castle near the sea
Alvor fishermen village and beach
Lagos rocky and sandy beaches in fortified castle
Portimao
Raposeira
Sagres most south-westerly in continental Europe
Silves ancient Arab city
Albufeira - Southern resort
Praia da Rocha - The beach

Evora's Roman Temple

Portugal's history goes back to the Celts, who settled the Iberian Peninsula around 700 BC. The region soon attracted a succession of peoples and was colonised by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Visigoths. In the 8th century, the Moors crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and commenced a long occupation that introduced their culture, architecture and agricultural techniques to Portugal. But resistance to the Moors grew and they were finally ejected during the 13th century.

In the 15th century, Portugal entered a phase of overseas expansion due to the efforts of Prince Henry the Navigator. Mariners set off to discover new trade routes and helped create an enormous empire that, at its peak, extended to India, the Far East, Brazil and Africa. This period marked the apogee of Portuguese power and wealth.

Intro Updated May 30, 2004
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Reviews (36)

"The Last Supper" - Terracotta on schist - Portugal

Contemporary handicraft-Oficina da... Shopping (2)

This shop is on of the most special places in Evora concerning you have a unique regional handicraft with a great... more travel advice

"Naked Christ" - Terracotta on an olive wood cross - Portugal

Contemporary handicraft-Oficina da... Shopping (2)

This shop is on of the most special places in Evora concerning you have a unique regional handicraft with a great... more travel advice

santa justa alentejo portugal - Portugal

Santa Justa Off The Beaten Path (1)

The Santa Justa religious complex is formed by a church, an abandoned school, a cross and a cemetery. The church is... more travel advice

Portel Things to Do (29)

Portel-Small town with huge 13th century castle-With a castle and royal charter dating from the 13th century, Portel has... more travel advice

Restaurants (4)
See All Vegetarian restaurants in North Portugal

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Travelogues (1)

Written Jun 3, 2004

2 photos

A bit of Portuguese History

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Comments (5)

Maurizioago Feb 24, 2007 at 4:38 AM Report Abuse

I have to go to Monsaraz one day. Ciao!
crostudent Jul 5, 2006 at 2:37 AM Report Abuse

Hello! Great page! Excellent pfotos! If you will be in Portugal in mid September, we can meet . I will be there with 2 friends and we will rent a car. We need someone who can help us to explore the are, so if you are interested...
millablake Mar 27, 2006 at 7:48 PM Report Abuse

i am vegetarian... this is very helpful. i had also heard that it was had to get vege food in port. what a lie!
iamnot Mar 13, 2004 at 1:09 PM Report Abuse

very nice country
margaretvn Jan 18, 2004 at 2:18 AM Report Abuse

lovey photos - Portugal is still on my list of places to visit!