After 2 hectic days in Porto (Oporto), I rented a car and headed out into the countryside of northern Portugal. There were two places that I just had to see prior to heading south toward Lisbon (Lisboa). I headed north towards the city of Braga to see a sight that every photographer would love to capture.
Pictured at left just outside the city is Bom Jesus de Monte, Portugal's most spectacular religious sanctuary. The Baroque Escadaria (staircase) presents a scene unlike any other I have ever encountered. Simply amazing as it zig-zags its way up the mountain to the church at the summit.
I then headed southeast to the small town of Guimaraes. Being a history buff I just had to see this place as it is the site celebrated as the birthplace of the country. It was in the castle pictured at left that Alfonso Henriques, Portugal's first king, was born, and the place where in 1139 he proclaimed himself king of the newly formed Kingdom of Portugal and Guimaraes became its capital.
I continued heading southeast for an hour or so through Portugal's wine country before finally coming upon my destination. A place whose image has been seen the world over by millions of people: Casa de Mateus (Mateus Palace). The gorgeous manor house pictured at left is the family home of the owners of the world famous Mateus wines and its image is found on every bottle of wine they produce. I was lucky enough to capture a picture of the home and its reflection in its pool against a lightly clouded sky. It is one of my favorite images from the trip.
As I continued heading south my journey for the day finally came to an end just as the sun was beginning to set as we pulled into the small city of Coimbra. This picturesque town is the site of the countries oldest university and was also a former capital city. I threw a filter on my lens and captured the image at left with the university located high atop the hill and the beautiful Mondego River flowing down below. A perfect way to cap off a hectic travel day.
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