Pattern underfoot
by TheWanderingCamel
Distinctive black and white mosaics, known as Calçada, or Portuguese Pavement are a feature of the squares and pavements in Lisbon. It seems no two are the same, the patterns used complimenting the space they cover, whether an expansive square or a narrow footpath. Abstract, geometric, traditional and modern, flowers, stars, linear, swirling - there seems to be no limit to the variety or ingenuity of the designers.
Whilst the technique dates back to Roman times, the black and white style favoured in Portugal was first introduced to the country in 1849 when the distinctive wave pattern pavement known as "the wide sea" was laid in Rossio Square in Lisbon - it's still there today. They're rather beautiful and, I should think, incredibly labour-intensive to lay.
Painted tiles . . .
by acemj
. . . known as azulejos grace the walls of Lisbon. Definitely Portugal's most well-known decorative art, you'll see these beautiful adornments all over town. In fact, this picture was taken in the dining area of my hostel. Not bad, for budget lodging, huh? The Portuguese didn't invent azulejos (they learned it from the Moors who learned it from the Persians), but they certainly have taken the artform to another level. It really made me appreciate the city more and forced me to slow down as I passed by the beautifully painted buildings. My buddy Pav, who was traveling with me, liked the azulejos so much that he's decided to buy some tiles and have them put up in his kitchen at home in the States.
Vasco da Gama Bridge
by Sarita76
The Vasco da Gama bridge reaches 11km across the River Tagus and is one of the longest bridges in the world. This is not a good picture, but, believe me, it's very hard to see the other end of the bridge from one side of the river.
The bridge was officially open on March 31, 1998.
Snails...
by J_Antunes
One of the typical foods in Portugal and very popular in the area of Lisbon are snails. Snails have a season and are normally eaten in a specific time of the year (June-August) when they are in their best shape to be tasted. Portuguese people sit in an esplanade with a beer, preferably after a day at the beach, and just relax snacking snails.
The snails are normally in nets at the door of the restaurants and are stewed with some spices. Snails are healthy, with a low calorie and fat and a high protein level. Produced in farms or caught in the nature they are actually molluscs like clams or squids. The snails eaten in Portugal are quite small and have nothing to do with the french escargot. The portuguese snails are small ones and are sucked directly from the shells.
Portugal eats 4.000 tons each year. In Lisbon, the area of Alcantara is probably one of the places with more concentration of places dedicated to the snailsmania but they can be eaten everywhere.
Snails are a tradition in many cultures and are eaten worldwide for thousands of year. Now it is up to youto try it or not...
Artistic Sugar
by solopes
Pastry is famous in Portugal, mainly for its taste and diversity, but, sometimes, it mixes with art, with surprising results. In the carriages museum sugar was used to built a replica of one of the displayed coaches.
Sign in with Facebook
Chorizo Night at Traveller's House
Manueline style
Another view of the house
street graffiti near our hotel
