Postcards Around the World: Portugal

Showing posts with label Portugal. Show all posts

2013-12-25

Christmas Postcards (II)

Sent by "profmat" (Portugal).

Selfmade by "martinha" (Portugal)

"Merry christmas and a happy new year", sent by "azzurri". (Switzerland)

Merry Christmas, sent by "dollart". (Finland)

"Merry Christmas", sent by "sofa". (Germany)

2013-12-12

Postcrossing Christmas Meeting in Palmela - Portugal

This year I wasn't able to go to the Christmas Meeting (Palmela 07/12/2013), but my mailbox received 3 great cards from this Portuguese reunion!

Sent by "PilotOne"

Sent by "geminiscp".

Sent by "gracinha"

2013-11-03

Dock of Vila Nova de Milfontes - Portugal

New.

"Vila Nova de Milfontes is a civil parish in the municipality of Odemira of the Portuguese Alentejo region.

[...]Vila Nova de Milfontes is located along the western coast of Atlantic Ocean on the northern margin of the Mira River, falling within the Nature Park of the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast. Vila Nova de Milfontes is dominated by a large estuary and ecosystem, dominated by the Mira River that gives shelter to several species of birds and marine life, in addition to wild boar and fox in the surrounding woods." In: Wikipedia

2013-10-30

Vilamoura - Portugal

New, sent by Claúdia Ferreira

"Vilamoura is the largest luxury tourist complex in Europe, covering some 20 km² of land. It is located in the municipality of Loulé, in the Algarve, Portugal. Its boundaries lie within the parish of Quarteira. Vilamoura is a purpose-built resort and marina which was started from scratch by Cupertino de Miranda, a wealthy banker from Porto, in 1974[1] and is still expanding outwards from the marine center. The resort is located 23 km west along the coast from Faro and is at 266 kilometers south of Lisbon. The nearest airport is at Faro." In: Wikipedia

2013-10-28

Beaches in Algarve - Portugal

New, sent by Claúdia Ferreira

Multiview view postcard with some of the most popular beaches in Algarve region.

2013-10-25

Ponta da Piedade, Lagos - Portugal

New, sent by Claúdia.

Ponta da Piedade (Mercy Point) is a natural protected area of rock formations in the coast of Lagos.

2013-10-22

University of Coimbra - Portugal (UNESCO WHS)

New.

"Situated on a hill overlooking the city, the University of Coimbra with its colleges grew and evolved over more than seven centuries within the old town. Notable university buildings include the 12th century Cathedral of Santa Cruz and a number of 16th century colleges, the Royal Palace of Alcáçova, which has housed the University since 1537, the Joanine Library with its rich baroque decor, the 18th century Botanical Garden and University Press, as well as the large “University City” created during the 1940s. The University’s edifices became a reference in the development of other institutions of higher education in the Portuguese-speaking world where it also exerted a major influence on learning and literature. Coimbra offers an outstanding example of an integrated university city with a specific urban typology as well as its own ceremonial and cultural traditions that have been kept alive through the ages." In: UNESCO

2013-10-18

Albufeira - Portugal

Sunset in Albufeira, unused, sent by Cláudia

Several views of Albufeira, unused, sent by Claúdia

"Albufeira is a city in Portugal. It is the seat of Albufeira Municipality. It is a main tourist destination, due to its coastal location. The city has a population of 22,000. It is 250 kilometres (160 mi) from Lisbon, and is within close proximity of Paderne Castle. Lagos is located 30 kilometres (19 mi) to the west, and Faro 45 kilometres (28 mi) to the south-east. Facilities include a marina, golf courses plus a great many hotels, apartment blocks, restaurants and bars for the annual flood of visitors." In: Wikipedia

2013-10-15

Buçaco - Portugal (UNESCO Tentative)

Sent by Marta.

Sent by Cristiana

"Measuring 1450m by 950m, the National Forest is surrounded by a wall with several gates scattered around the perimeter, providing access to the leafy woods which surround the church, part of a Carmelite convent, a monumental palace, and several other buildings of a religious nature. Bucaco's cultural landscape predates this, the only "wilderness” of its kind in Portugal, which was created by the Order of Discalced Carrnelites between 1628 and 1630. The friars of the Monastery of Vacarip, situated five kms away, had already been active in altering the natural environment, since the sixth century. The National Forest of Bucaco boasts a remarkable botanical and scenic heritage, with a large number of gigantic, century-old trees, in which one species is especially noteworthy, Cupressus Lusitanica Miller, originating in the mountains of Mexico and Guatemala, and commonly known as the Bucaco Cedar, which, due to its age, adaptation, number and height has become a symbol of the Forest." In: UNESCO

2013-09-12

Ponta das Contendas Lighthouse, Angra do Heroísmo, Azores - Portugal

Sent by Lurdes

"Located along the maritime coast, in the south-east corner of the island of Terceira, called Ponta das Contendas, it is situated in an elevated zone, resulting in a focal point that is 54 metres above sea level. Although protected by a wall, the lighthouse (ARLHS AZO-007; PT-745; Admiralty D2664; NGA 23532 is on the edge of a high cliff, and accessible only from the Estrada 509, alongside several agricultural fields." In: Wikipedia

2013-09-04

Tróia - Portugal

Sent by Flora.

"Tróia is a peninsula located in Grândola Municipality (parish of Carvalhal), Portugal, next to the Sado River estuary. Tourism is the peninsula's main activity due to its long beaches facing the Atlantic. There is a ferry boat connection between the peninsula and the city of Setúbal. Tróia has important archeological sites dating from the time when the peninsula was an island called Acalá, settled by the Romans." In: Wikipedia

2013-08-27

Orange harvest in Algarve - Portugal

Sent by "gracinha"

Algarve region is known for the orange cultivation. That area has the perfect conditions to cultivate this fruit.

2013-08-22

Castle of Penela - Portugal

Sent by "Martinha"

"Castle of Penela (Portuguese: Castelo de Penela) is located in a Penela town in Penela Municipality in Coimbra District, Portugal. The castle was built on a hill dominating the area and used to be a stronghold protecting Coimbra in times of Reconquista. Castle of Penela and the neighboring castle Montemor-o-Velho are both fine examples of defensive structures of that period.

The origins of the name are controversial and are attributed by some authors to ancient Celtic tribes. According to a local legend, King Afonso I (Afonso Henriques) exclaimed to incite his troops storming the stronghold: Coragem! Já estamos com o pé nela! (Courage! We have already set a foot in it!). A more plausible hypothesis is, however, that penela is a diminutive of penha, a place selected to build a fortress on." In: Wikipedia

2013-08-18

"Alminha" of Donfins, Guarda - Portugal

Unused

"Alminha" are small altars constructed in the nature to take a moment to leave a prayer and make offers, mostly candles and flowers. These shrines are erected at crossroads of paths, often on rural roads, in forests or near watercourses, but also can find shrines along the roads. The shrines can also be embedded in old walls or in front of houses and can be constructed in various materials. (Adapted from the portuguese Wikipedia)

2013-08-16

Waterfall and water channel ("levada") of Caldeirão Verde, Madeira - Portugal (UNESCO WHS)

Unused, sent by "ninocas"

"The property also contains an important testimony of human use. The settlers of Madeira constructed water channels, known as levadas, which run through the forest following the contours of the landscape, and clinging to the cliffs and steep-sided valleys. Typically 80-150 cm wide and constructed of stone or more recently concrete, they carry water from the forest to hydropower stations and to the towns of the south, where they provide essential drinking water and irrigation supplies. Along the levadas there are paths typically 1-2m wide, which allow access to the otherwise almost impenetrable forest. The impact of these features on the property is limited, and also has some benefit for conservation, since they allow access to the forest on relatively flat paths and cover only an infinitesimal area of land. None has been built for 70 years, but the present ones are carefully maintained. Apart from the levadas, and the occasional tiny hut used by those that maintain them, human development within the property is very limited and there is no habitation, no buildings, except the occasional tiny hut for those who maintain the levadas, and no cultivated land. There are limited impacts from two roads, with plans to replace one by a tunnel." In: UNESCO

2013-08-13

Farm in Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island, Azores - Portugal

Unused

A typical view of a farm in Angra do Heroísmo.

2013-08-11

Cabreira Waterfall, Sever do Vouga - Portugal

Sent by "JAP"

Cabreira waterfall has 25 meters high located in "Serra da Cabreira", Sever do Vouga.

2013-08-07

Mondego River, Guarda - Portugal

Sent by "Martinha"

"The Rio Mondego (English: Mondego River) is the longest river located exclusively in Portuguese territory. It has its source in Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain range in mainland Portugal (i.e. except the Portuguese islands). It runs 234 km (145 mi) from the Gouveia municipality (at 1,425 m (4,675 ft)) in Serra da Estrela, to its mouth in the Atlantic Ocean next to the city of Figueira da Foz. It flows through the districts of Guarda, Viseu and Coimbra, all in Centro Region. It flows near the towns of Celorico da Beira, Fornos de Algodres, Nelas, Tabua, Carregal do Sal, Mortagua, Montemor-o-Velho and cities of Seia, Gouveia, Guarda, Mangualde, Santa Comba Dao, before crossing the town of Penacova, is narrow, then widens by the city of Coimbra (with the University and the major urban area in Baixo Mondego), and the Montemor-o-Velho municipality (known for its castle and rice fields), before reaching the Atlantic at the city of Figueira da Foz." In: Wikipedia

2013-08-04

Typical houses in Ericeira - Portugal

Sent by "PilotOne"

"Ericeira is a civil parish and seaside resort/fishing community on the western coast of Portugal, in the municipality of Mafra, about 35 kilometres (22 mi) northwest of the capital, Lisbon. It is a popular destination for local and visiting tourists, as well as amateur surfers (owing to the 40 beaches with good conditions in the area)." In: Wikipedia

2013-07-31

Breast cancer awareness - Portugal

Sent by Cristina

In Portuguese:
"Ignorar / Detetar
Faça a escolha acertada!
Por ano, um em cada três novos casos de cancro diagnosticado na mulher é de mama."

In English:

"Ignore / Detect
Do the right choice!
Every year, one in three new cases of cancer diagnosed in women is breast."