Ailsa of “Where’s My Backpack?” was very surprised today to see a YELLOW orb in the sky. After 23 days of rain in January, the windiest December ever, and more rain to come, I was also blinded by the light today. There is one problem though, it showed up all the layers of dust in the house which have obviously built up whilst I have been busy blogging so I had to abandon my PC and look for a yellow duster which is why this particular post is later than usual. 😀
So finally having returned the yellow dusters to the cupboard, I went searching for some splashes of the sunny stuff in Lisbon, where I came across a few examples, including the header of yellow lilies and sunflowers and canopies of a flower stall in Praca Dom Pedro IV one of Lisbon’s busiest squares which was once used as a cattle market, a public execution centre, a bullfight arena and carnival ground. Rossio is the old heart of the city and popular with locals and tourists. There are many shops and cafés and the beautiful Rossio train station
Several historic trams still run in Lisbon. The most famous being Tram no 28 which runs between the Estrela Basilica to the Sé Catedral and Castelo Sao Jorge and which can be jam-packed throughout the day. You need to be on your guard against pickpockets on this route.
From Praca dos restauradores you can take the Elevador da Gloria (a funicular tram) to the Bairro Alto. Unfortunately like much of the city Gloria has not escaped the graffiti artists.
Mosaic pavements are characteristic of Lisbon and much of Portugal, and although delightful to look at they can be very slippery when wet and I really don’t recommend wearing high heels. This wide pedestrianised street leads through the Arch of Rua Augusta into Praca do Comércio, Lisbon’s largest square built at the end of Baixa because the Marquis de Pombal wanted a wide square that stood out in the whole of Europe. All streets in Baixa will lead you here. There is a large bronze statue of Dom Joao I (18th century) in the centre of the square.
And finally a photo of a yellow wall belonging to Palácio Nacional da Pena in Sintra, just a short train ride from Lisbon. Just look at that detailed carved stonework, even the flower-pot is a woven basket carved out of stone. The Park and Palace of Pena are the finest examples of 19th century Portuguese Romanticism and the integration of natural and built heritage. It is another example (along with Rossio Station in Lisbon and Count Guimaraes Palace in Cascais) of neo-Manueline style, a revival architecture of 19th/20th c
If you would like to join in with her challenge then please do. Everyone is welcome.
Great selection of yellows Jude. I really like the tram in yellow, but it was a shame to see the back of it disfigured in that way.
You could have slipped in a photo of the duster too, just for luck!
Regards as always, Pete. x
I could, but it is no longer yellow 😉
The one thing that I dislike about a lot of Europe is the extent of the mindless graffiti all over lovely buildings and historic objects. It especially upset me here in Lisbon where ancient tiled frontages were disfigured.
What a lovely post, Jude. Took me right back there. Perfect yellows 🙂
Thanks Jo. I hadn’t realised I had so many!
lovely lovely lovely so need to go this year.
I have every confidence you’ll get there Mrs C 🙂
What a lovely collection of yellow! Can’t even choose Jude…I guess the door ! Love it!
I know, it is difficult to pick a favourite – mine is probably Gloria with the woman in the yellow top; she just makes that photo better than it would have been without her.
Great choices. I have to step it up! I don’t have many yellow !
Very nice golden gallery!
Thank you TRS, the colour certainly cheers me up!
Oh I love yellow, and these photos are wonderful, although it is a shame to see the graffiti, oh that does make me so cross 😦
Ha, I was expecting to see photos of your yellow dusters though Jude, I have to admit, and as for that yellow orb in the sky, did you ever find out what it was… a UFO perhaps? 😉
Haha, glad you enjoyed the yellows (despite the lack of a duster) – it’s not a favourite colour of mine apart from in flowers so I am surprised I had so many from Portugal.
Oh and the yellow orb has been back this afternoon, but I suspect that might have been a fluke.
Funny how that happens! Yellow must be a popular colour in Portugal 🙂
Ha ha! Yes, we had a sighting here earlier too but it has since disappeared…
Wow. What beautiful images of yellow. An enjoyable read about Lisbon.
Why thank you! I am glad you enjoyed dropping in. Lisbon is a very interesting city to visit. You might enjoy reading about the Botanic Garden there: http://wp.me/p3jVw4-ts
Jude xx
Thank you Jude. I do love gardens. I will check your post out.