Cabo da Roca, Portugal

 

Cabo da Roca, or Cape Roca, is part of the Sintra Mountain Range in Portugal and the westernmost point of continental Europe. The landscape is lonely and pretty rough and even way into the 14th century people considered the rocky, windswept cliffs to be the edge of the world. A fact that even today is easy to understand with only the lighthouse, a café and small souvenir shop being the only buildings. The real beauty is the raw nature of the rugged, barren landscape. 

The lighthouse, located on a rock 165 meters (541 ft)  above the sea started operating in 1772 and is currently the second oldest in Portugal.

In its vicinity, there is the monument, marking this spot as the most western of Europe, with an inscription in rememberance of  Louis de Camoes, the country's most renowned poet:

"Where the earth ends and the sea begins. Where Apollo settles into the ocean"

I had the privilege of standing at this point, many years ago, looking out onto the undescribable beauty and the imensity of the Atlantic Ocean, enjoying unforgettable moments of joy and experiencing a tiny bit of eternity.

Thank you very much Isabel, for this beautiful card and for bringing back these memories !!

Barcelos, Portugal

 

Barcelos is a small city in northern Portugal, surrounded by green hills, located on a plateau above the river Cavado. Here, the most famous symbol of the country had its origins, the colourful cockerel of Barcelos. You can find it anywhere in Portuguese souvenir shops. Legend says that a visiting farmer, who was falsely accused of stealing and sentenced to death by hanging, was saved by the rooster. The full legend can be found on the cross in the ruins of the palace of the dukes of Braganza, which was destroyed by the earthquake in 1755.

Barcelos is known for excellent pottery work. Every thursday a huge market is held, one of the biggest of this kind in Portugal, offering a huge variety of locally made ceramics, handcrafted articles and goods. 

The card shows the 14th century medieval bridge that crosses the river Cavado. It was named a National Monument in 1910.

Thank you very much for this great card Salvia !!!

Porto, Portugal

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, located in the northern part of the country on the estuary of the Douro River. It is part of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city's historic centre, the impressive Luis I bridge which spans the river Douro as well as the Monastery of Serra do Pilar were inscribed into the World Heritage list in 1996. The "faded grandeur" is famous about the city, something that can only be found anymore in very few places, like Cuba or Argentina. 

Porto is namegiver to the whole country as well as the delicious Port wine, mainly produced in the Douro Valley, the second UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Thank you very much Isabel for this stunning sunset view!

 

Levadas, Madeira, Portugal (UNESCO)

Great postcard coming from Miecu. It is about the Levadas (artificial water canals) in the Laurisilva forest of Madeira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There is a network of unbelievable 2.150 km of these canals.

Vintage Advertisement Card, Portugal

I found this vintage advertisement card when visiting Lisbon during our Transatlantic cuise.

Palacia da Pena, Sintra, Portugal (UNESCO)

Really stunning view of beautiful Pena National Palace in Sintra.  It is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1995 - Cultural Landscape of Sintra) but also named among the 7 Wonders of Portugal. The palace was built in the spot of a chapel which was erected on the hill overlooking the city of Sintra after an apparition of Virgin Mary.
I received this card from Carlos as an official Postcrossing card - PT-412260.

Cabo da Roca Lighthouse, Portugal

Cabo da Roca marks the westernmost point of the European mainland. Contruction of the lighthouse began in 1758 and it was first lit in 1772.  Several years ago my husband and I visited the area and took a trip to the cape. Visiting the lighthouse and walking up to the very top was really fun.
Thanks to Miceu for this beautiful postcard and the memories of a wonderful holiday time.

Torre de Belém and Padrao de Descobrimientos, Lisbon, Portugal (UNESCO)

Wonderful evening view of the Torre de Belém in the background and the Monument to the Discoveries at the banks of River Tejo in Lisbon. I had the opportunity to see these awesome monuments myself when starting our trans Atlantic cruise from Lisbon to Barbados.,
Miceu sent me this card in a private swap.

Marvao, Portugal (UNESCO Tentative)

The medieval castle of Marvao, built on the wild rocks of the Alentejo mountains. It is on the UNESCO Tentative list. The postcard was sent by Miceu for a private trade.

Batalha Monastery, Portugal (UNESCO)

A wonderful surprise sent by Ursula and Georg Alfter from their trip to Portugal.
Work on Batalha Monastery, a Dominican convent, began in 1386 and lasted until 1517. It commemorates the battle of Aljubarotta in 1385.
In 1983 it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Óbidos, Portugal

Óbidos is a Portuguese city located on a hilltop surrounded by a medieval wall with a huge castle in its center.
This great card was sent as an official Postcrossing card - PT-309899

Shop in Campo Ourique, Lisbon, Portugal

I immediately fell in love with that postcard when I saw it at the shop. So had to buy it and send it home when visiting Lisbon, the starting point of our cruise last November.

Elevador de Santa Justa, Lisbon, Portugal

The Santa Justa Lift connects the lower streets of the Baixa with the higher Carmo Square in the historic center of Lisbon. Construction began on June 2, 1900 and it was completed in 1902. It is a major tourist attraction in the Portuguese capital city.
I sent this card myself from our cruise.

Santana, Madeira, Portugal

Santana is a village on the north coast of the island of Madeira. The traditional houses are mainly a tourist attraction now. They used to be rural homes built by famers who first settled in the area.
I sent this postcard home to friends who then gave it back to me to be added to my collection.

Laurel Forest, Madeira, Portugal (UNESCO)

This postcard was sent by Joaquim Costa and shows the Laurel Forest of Madeira, inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999.
From UNESCO: The Laurisilva of Madeira is an outstanding relict of a previously widespread laurel forest type. It is the largest surviving area of laurel forest and is believed to be 90% primary forest. It contains a unique suite of plants and animals, including many endemic species such as the Madeiran long-toed pigeon.

Madeira, Costa Norte, Portugal

Madeira is a Porgtuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean and was discovered in and the first settlers arrived there not long after. Today it is a popular holiday place for tourists from all over the world and renowned for a rich vegetation and beautiful landscape.
The card was sent by my friends Theo and Lissy Staar.

Faja do Sanguinhal, Azores

A beautiful postcard from the Azores, showing a pool and waterfall in the Faja do Sanguinhal, a very remote place on Sao Jorge Island. Since the earthquake on Jan 1, 1980 the area has been deserted. There used to be 80 people living there from whatever earth and sea could give them. It was an official Postcrossing card sent by Nicole (PT-181988)

Acores Map

A mapcard I have been missing, the Acores Islands. It was send by ConEtoiles for the Postcrossing Favourites Tag.

Portugal Map

This awesome map card showing the beautiful country of Portugal and its Islands came for the Fast Favourites Tag on Postcrossing. Thanks Martinha :)