The view from the Castle - Sesimbra

The castle of Sesimbra, a Fishing village South of Lisbon, the oldest fortress of Sesimbra, was built on top of a hill, north of the village, dominating the whole bay.

The view from inside the Castle to the bay

This remarkable military work of the Saracens, has not released until today, any artifact that allows us to date the time of its construction. It was only found in this fortress some prehistoric and proto-historic materials indicating the existance of prior occupation of the same.

It was conquered from the Moors in February 21, 1165, by D. Afonso Henriques and abandoned in June 1189, due to the onslaught of the Almohad Caliphate Mirambolim Iacube then king of Seville, which regained Alcacer do Sal and continuing until Sesimbra whom attacked the castle destroying its entire defensive structure to its foundations. Only in 1200 was possible to have the final decision of Sesimbra, in the reign of Sancho I, with the military aid of the Crusaders. The Monarch then ordered the reconstruction of this fortress, having featured the friends of King William of Flanders, who offered to populate and defend this important part of the coastline.

Sesimbra

According to some, Sesimbra’s name comes from Zambra, from Roman oprigins, others claim to have been Sesimbrique from Celtic Origins or Zimbra from Celtiberia.

Anyway, today is a beautiful fishing village.

The view of Sesimbra from the Stonghold

The Eastern Door (Porta do Sol)

The Citadel - The place where the "Alcaide" (Governor) and his family lived

The “Alcaide” was the representative of the military order of Santiago(Saint James)

The view from the Donjon (Stronghold)

The Cemetery inside the Castle

The Church  inside the Castle

Sunday afternoon in Lisbon

Last Sunday I decided to take a walk in one of the nicest parishes of Lisbon, Misericordia (mercy).

Just love to walk on the typical, small, colorful, streets full of contrasts.

Cute, Happy Stylish couple

The tracks of the world famous TRAM #28

The City Council

At the end of the day, the sunset was glorious

Santa Apolonia — Train station

Today I decided to visit Lisbon’s railway terminus called Santa Apolonia.

It is situated in the city’s central part on the bank of the Tagus river in the historical “Bairro”of Alfama. It was opened on 1 May 1865, where it used to be the “Santa Apolonia” Convent.

From 1891 to 1957 all the passenger services which had terminus on Santa Apolónia had moved to Rossio Train Station, also known as Central Station (will be visiting soon).

It is served by the national rail company CP (Comboios de Portugal) and operates different suburban, national and international routes (such as to Paris and Madrid, including the high-speed service Alfa Pendular.

The other major railway hubs are Gare do Oriente (1998 world Expo), which is situated on the same track stretch 6.5 km northeast, Cais do Sodré, Rossio Rossio Train Station and Entrecampos.

Santa Apolónia rail station is connected to the Lisbon Metro station of the same name, which opened in 2007 (for the 1998 World EXPO).

The main entrance to the trains

Where are you?

Bull's eye

Driver and his smartphone

Sending SMSs

Channel #5

Outside the Station, chestnuts for sale

Inside view of a municipal market

A Bird's eye view

As I had to renew my citizen's card, the quickest way to do it was to go to my district capital, i.e. Setúbal.

Seen that this is a bit far from my house (about 35km), I quiclky went to see the Municipal market from the 1st floor view.

The building of the Market is an Art-Deco, opened in 1930, with cast iron pillars, and on the south wall, a massive tile panel.

I only made photos from the inside.