Paris1972-Versailles2003

And again in my dear Europe, there has been so much travel here over the years, and Portugal dear as many interactions with this community since earlier days and a godfather of my son, but finally made it to Portugal and Lisbon was the start. What a start, my favorite city in Portugal, really (i had plenty of beaches before in my life) .

I have written on the country and city before , but like to stress an area dear to me as first stayed nearby and visit every time there, and not enough mention in my blog me think. Therefore, let me tell you a bit more on the very nice Praça do Marquës de Pombal.

The Plaça do Marquês de Pombal is a square between Avenida da Libertade and Parque Eduardo VII park. A monument to the Marquis de Pombal stands in the center of the square, inaugurated in 1934. Under the square passes the vehicules/pedestrian Marquis Tunnel

The square pays homage to Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, marquis of Pombal, statesman, who led the country around the Enlightenment, having ruled between 1750 and 1777. He reformed the economy, agriculture, political system and administration to improve efficiency and increase the competitiveness of Portugal. His statue is at the top of the column, his hand resting on a lion, a symbol of power, his eyes turned towards the Baixa district, in the center of the city, which Pombal had reconstructed after the earthquake of 1755. Just below of the statue are relief busts of his most important collaborators. The base is decorated with groups of sculptures which represent the institutions that the Marquis reformed, such as agriculture, industry, politics and education. Debris and waves at the foot of the monument represent the devastation of the earthquake and tsunami of 1755. The inscriptions on the monument praise the achievements of the Marquis de Pombal.

It was on this Marquis de Pombal square that the decisive events that led to the proclamation of the Portuguese Republic took place on October 5, 1910. The buildings surrounding the square are those of the headquarters of the most important companies, the main Portuguese banks and the hotels of the big chains. The Marquis de Pombal square is also a symbolic place for local Lisboners ,because it is the place where supporters of Benfica Lisbon, Sporting Portugal and Seleção Nacional (National team) come to celebrate the victories and trophies won.

To the north of the square is the Eduardo VII Park where the national flag ; the largest flag in Europe is located, as well as the monument to the Carnation Revolution (Revoluçao dos Cravos ) of April 25, 1974. The one that toppled the dictatorship of Salazar in power since 1933.

There is the Metro stop of Marquês de Pombal with lines Yellow (Amarelo) and Blue(Azul). However, I walked this wonderful district always, and go from there. The most sublime walk is to start at Pombal and walk down to Comércio square! Do it. Some directions: Head south on Praça Marquês de Pombal towards Av. Duque de Loulé Turn left on Av. Da Liberdade .Continue on Praça dos Restauradores (wonderful too); Praça dos Restauradores turns slightly left and becomes Rua 1º de Dezembro and continue taking right on Rua. Áurea ,then left on Praça do Comércio and you are there! It took me longer but never time it, the google on it tells me 27 minutes walking but the sights it should be like 45 wonderful walk anyway recommended.

Some webpages to help plan your trip to wonderful Lisbon are

Tourist office of Lisbon in English: Tourist office of Lisbon

Tourist office of Portugal on Lisbon in English: Tourist office of Portugal on Lisbon

And there you go, a nice area wonderful architecture , history, shopping, and restos and going down on the walk above is sublime. Hope you enjoy the Marquis of Pombal square in Lisbon.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!

Ok so have written about the wonderful Vianden, Luxembourg in my blog on several occasions. However, these have been mostly directed at the castle and lifts. I need to tell you about the wonderful monuments in the city , hugely historical and even architecturally nice. This post will be on the Churches of Vianden.

The city of Vianden is located east of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, on the western edge of the German border. The city is crossed by the Our river, a tributary of the Sûre. The name of Vianden would derive from the Gallic word vien which means rocky.   Already in the year 1256, Vianden is cited as a city, but it is only since the franchise letter of 1308 that Vianden legally carries the title of city by franchise letter.

The quant Church of Saint Nicolas.  Can’t missed it once entering town. After the creation of the parish of Vianden on the right bank of the Our river around the middle of the 13C, the Templars of Roth built a chapel for the inhabitants of the left bank attached to their parish. In 1545, a cemetery was built to the left of the church. Following a fire, the sanctuary was rebuilt in 1724. In 1907, the exterior was renovated in a neo-Gothic style. The altarpiece of the choir with the statue of St Nicolas dates from 1768. The holy bishop is venerated as patron of merchants and boatmen. The stone statue of St John Nepomucen, canonized in 1729, comes from the Our bridge where it has been replaced by a copy. This saint is regarded as protective against the dangers of water and as a model of the confession.

Yet no much mention so could be said off the beaten path in Vianden. The city of Vianden has a page on the Churches and Chapels and mention the Church of St Nicolas here: City of Vianden on Churches and Chapels see St Nicolas

On the Church of the Trinitarians there is more yet more seclusive. In 1248, Count Henri 1er of Vianden donated to the “Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives” a hospice located at the foot of his castle. Henri I of Vianden did this to thank the order for having bought his father from the Saracens; it contains the supposed skull of Yolande de Vianden, the daughter of Henri I of Vianden and the tombstone of Henri de Nassau, bastard of a count of Nassau. The Trinitarians founded a convent there with a church also frequented by the faithful living in the surroundings. This situation provokes dissatisfaction with the Templars of Roth, owners of the parish church located on the left bank of the Our. The sanctuary of the Trinitarians quickly obtains the same rights for the inhabitants of Vianden established on the right bank.

In 1498, a fire destroyed the Church of the Trinitarians, which was rebuilt, undoubtedly with 13C cut stone, which explains the archaic aspect of the church with two naves of equal height. In 1644, the religious choir that extends the southern nave was replaced by a new, more spacious construction. The grandstand and the organ were added on the same side in 1693. When the Order of the Trinitarians was abolished in 1783, the church continued to serve as a parish.

Two funerary monuments recall the memory of the counts of Vianden. The recumbent figure of Marie de Spanheim c1400, and the epitaph of Henri de Nassau c.1589. The stone altarpiece in the north nave dates from the beginning of the 17C and comes from a workshop in Trier. The side altars were erected in 1729. In 1758, the monumental altarpiece of the apse. The last restoration dates from 1991. The pulpit dates back to 1630 and comes from the Jesuit church in Luxembourg (current cathedral). The stalls of 1769 are decorated with musical instruments and refer to the praise of God practiced in this place for centuries by the Trinitarians. The stained glass windows in the nave were made after WWII.

City of Vianden on the Church of the Trinitarians in French: City of Vianden on the Church of the Trinitarians

Tourist office of Luxembourg on the Church of the Trinitarians in Vianden in English: Tourist office of Luxembourg on the Church of the Trinitarians

There you a nice town to visit beautiful natural country, great castle (see post) and nice looking monuments , and of course Victor Hugo was here (see post. Enjoy Vianden!

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!