Walking In The Steps Of The Knights Templar

 When we visited Portugal last Fall, we made sure that we joined the original and historic Tour of the Knights Templar. This tour is a whole day tour outside of Lisbon, Portugal visiting the towns that the Knights Templar inhabited and ruled around Portugal. The first place we visited was the Castelo de Almourol located in the middle of the Tagus River. We had to ride a boat to the island then hike up to the castle to visit and learn about this Knights Templar stronghold. They used this castle to protect Portugal from invaders. After visiting the Castle, we drove on and visited the Convent of Christ in Tomar, Portugal. This huge castle complex was the original stronghold of the Knights of the Order of Christ, which is the Knights Templar branch in Portugal. It is a well preserved round Church in the middle of the castle where the Knights performed their religious service. The whole Church was decorated elaborately in the baroque style. So much history and event must have taken place in that place. I'm sure that the Knights are still using it, secretly. Whatever their secrets are in these buildings, I am sure that they are still around, making history and changing our World. 

 

 

 

 

 

View of the Convent of Christ. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Visiting Igreja de São Roque

 One of the fun things to do in Lisbon is to ride the funiculars around the city that climb the hilly streets around the city and visiting its historical churches.  When we visited Lisbon, we made sure that we rode the Ascensor da Glória which is a funicular railway line that connects the lower Restauradores Square to the higher Bairro Alto district of Lisbon. The ride up was a steep and hilly ride travelling past narrow streets and older buildings of Lisbon. When we reached the Bairro Alto, we walked towards the Igreja de São Roque, the Church of San Roque, a Jesuit Church known for the early 17th Century baroque style chapels in gold. This Church was built in the 16th Century and survived the Lisbon earthquake. When in Lisbon, do not miss riding the funicular railways around the city and visit the historical church in the Birro Alto district of Lisbon.  

 

 

Chapel of Saint Anthony of Padua, patron saint of Lisbon. St Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal.

 

 

 

 

 
Funicular, Ascensor da Gloria.

View from the top at Bairro Alto.

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Holy Week: Jeronimos Monastery

 During Holy Week, it is a tradition among Catholics to visit several Churches to pray and reflect on the Passion of Christ. When we visited Lisbon last October, we made sure that we visited the Jeronimos Monastery  in the town of Belem in Lisbon. This site was the former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome, the building of this enormous Church and Monastery was initiated in 1501 and completed 100 years later in 1601. The whole building facade and interior were designed in the Portuguese Late Gothic Manueline style of architecture in Lisbon, carved with intricate ornamentations. This monastery was classified a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Inside the Church of Santa Maria, dedicated to our Mother Mary, there were several Portuguese monarchs and their royal families buried near the main altar and the famous Portuguese navigator and explorer, Vasco Da Gama. Just walking around and exploring the architecture, the history and the Church was full of the history of Portugal. This is one of the beautiful and historical buildings we have ever visited. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May this Easter be a season of forgiveness, hope and renewal. 

Happy Easter! 

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Weekend In Obidos

 One of the beautiful and medieval towns we visited was Obidos in Portugal. It is a walled city a few hours away from Lisbon, Portugal's capital. The charming town had white buildings painted with different colours and filled with fuchsia bougainvilleas. It's a small town to explore all over but there are charming shops inside to explore. We also tried their famous drink Ginjinha de Obidos, a sour cherry liquor that they pour over a cherry and a chocolate cup. After drinking a shot of the liquor from the chocolate cup, you eat the chocolate together with the cherry. It was a delicious sweet experience and definitely wishing to try more until you realise that your are quite drunk from it. Visiting Obidos was a truly a nice break from busy Lisbon. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Enchanting Nazaré

 Enchanting Nazaré is one of the hidden gems of Portugal. I never heard of this city until we visited it during our tour of Portugal. Nazaré is one of the most popular seaside resort in Portugal, known for it's surfing. For me though, it was the majestic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the wide shoreline facing against the white buildings of the town that captivated me. Before we began our tour, we first had lunch at Restaurante Arimar, right on the cliff with spectacular views of the ocean and seaside town. We had the best of the Portuguese seafood there including their sardines. After lunch, we visited the main square where the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré  is the main attraction. There is a legend on the Lady of Nazaré which really is the main story of this town. Inside the magnificent church it was decorated with gold leaf and the traditional blue and white Portuguese tiles on the walls. Afterwards, we visited the old grotto by the cliff where the ancient wooden image of the Virgin Mary laid hidden since 714. Our overall visit at Nazaré was enchanting and enriching with its breathtaking views, delicious seafood and visiting the Our Lady of Nazare, whom we ask for her intercession for miracles in our lives. 

 

 

 

 
The legend of Our Lady of Nazaré told the story of the ancient wooden image of our Lady, believed to be carved in wood by St Joseph himself of  the Virgin Mary breastfeeding baby Jesus. This image was hidden in the grotto for 469 years since 714, after it was found by  D Fuas Roupinho in 1182. During a hunting trip, chasing after a deer, he almost fell on the cliff but invocating the name of the Virgin Mary, he was saved from the fall and escaped death. As thanksgiving in saving his life, he ordered to build the grotto. Finally, in 1377, by order of King Fernando of Portugal, the Virgin Mary was transferred to the Our Lady of Nazaré’s Sanctuary.  

 

 
The original Our Lady of Nazare is an ancient wooden image of the Virgin Mary breastfeeding baby Jesus. 

 

Image of the Virgin as it was found in the cliff. 

 

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