Tag Archives: portugal

Photographs: Europe, Photographs: Portugal, Photographs: Travel

Grapevine and Door, Provesende

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Grapevine and Door, Provesende
“Grapevine and Door, Provesende” — A volunteer grapevine grows against an old wall next to a doorway, Provesende, Portugal.

Our May week-long walk in the hills above Portugal’s Douro River Valley began in the small town of Pinhão — with a rather stiff climb from the river up into those hills at Provesende. (We used Portugal Green Walks to organize the trip, and I give them a lot of credit for designing the trek to start with a short, steep day… and conclude the trip at a place with a stunning view overlooking the Douro.)

Provesende was one of many charming small towns we passed through on the walk. Most are quiet places, with old buildings and narrow streets, and surrounded by vineyards. If I recall correctly, this scene was part of a small rural building on the edge of town. The textures and colors of the old building attracted my attention, as did the solitary, opportunistic grapevine growing from a crack at the base of the wall.

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G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.

Photographs: Architecture, Photographs: Europe, Photographs: Portugal, Photographs: Travel, Photographs: Urban/Street

Lisbon Rooflines

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Lisbon Rooflines
“Lisbon Rooflines” — A succession of rising rooftops against a cloudy sky, Lisbon.

On one level this photograph is about the forms and colors of the buildings in this Lisbon neighborhood. The color palette is more typical of Southern Europe — from here to Italy and beyond — with the earth tones and the red tile roofs. The angle relationships are compressed, in part because the buildings are so close to one another.

It is also about the “atmosphere” of the place — the light of this region seems to me to have a particular quality. On one hand it can be sharp edged, I suppose due to the southern location and the high position of the sun. But there can also be a softness to the atmosphere that isn’t like the harsh quality often seen in, for example, the American Southwest.

Leave a comment or question using the form. (If you are reading this on the home page, click the article title to see the full article and the comment form.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.

Photographs: Europe, Photographs: Portugal, Photographs: Travel, Photographs: Urban/Street

Republica dos Kagados

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Republica dos Kagados
“Republica dos Kagados” — The well-worn front of a building in Coimbra, Portugal.

During our travels this past May (and early June) we spent several weeks in Portugal. We returned to Lisbon and Porto, but we also visited some new (to us) places, one of which was the town of Coimbra. It isn’t the same kind of tourist center as the other two, larger cities — tourists (like us) do visit, but Coimbra perhaps has a few more rough edges. That’s part of its charm.

The popular part of the town, it seems to us, lies between the river and the University, which is perched on top of the tallest hill. (If you walk in Coimbra — and you should — be prepared to do some climbing!) I do not know exactly what this building represents, but its weathered appearance, numerous posters and bits of graffiti, and name caught my attention. (Update: I did find some information on Republica dos Kagados — it is apparently some sort of historic student housing.)

Leave a comment or question using the form. (If you are reading this on the home page, click the article title to see the full article and the comment form.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.

Photographs: Europe, Photographs: Portugal, Photographs: Travel

Alfama and Panteão Nacional

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Alfama and Panteão Nacional
“Alfama and Panteão Nacional” — The dome of the Panteão Nacional rises above Alfama, Lisbon.

The Panteão Nacional is one of several sites along this ridge above the Alfama district of Lisbon. It and the others command a sweeping view of the city and the water, but they also form focal points for views of the area from elsewhere in the city. I photographed this view from the Portas do Sol viewpoint area.

As striking as the building and its dome are, the Alfama itself is really the show here, in my view. The colorful buildings with their red roofs are packed tightly together along narrow and curving streets.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email

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(All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.)