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Panoramas of Portugal: from the Tagus to the North

The Tagus valley is defined by a chain of hills and mountains named Montejunto-Estrela; these mountains feature the typical relief North from Tagus: steeper slopes, thicker forests - especially pinewood - and denser population.

 
 

These pictures were taken with digital cameras featuring a special mode for panoramas, except for the photos taken with Minolta Z5, in which case the angle step is variable and the exposure is manual.

Since the file size of each picture is above 200Kb, I added an intermediate size with approximately 50Kb to 100Kb.

For panoramas of other locations, see bottom of page.

The technical data on the right shows the equivalent focal distance in conventional 35mm format (135 film), the angle is the azimuth spanned by the camera and the ratio is the aspect ratio, between horizontal and vertical.

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Roman bridge at Chaves

The roman bridge of Chaves that crosses river Tâmega was constructed at the end of 1st century AD, while Trajan was the Roman Emperor. À época, a cidade chamava-se Acquæ Flavia por causa das nascentes termais que brotavam nas proximidades.

O projecto é atribuído ao arquitecto local Aulus Flaviensis. A solidez da ponte é atestada por quase dois mil anos de uso constante, sendo ainda hoje atravessada por numerosos automóveis. A ponte tinha guardas de pedra que foram substituídas no séc. XIX por grades de ferro para alargar a via disponível para carros e peões.

No meio da ponte, estão os marcos romanos que registam a sua construção:

CameraMinolta Z5
DateSeptember 2005
Focal62 mm
# photos6
ratio4.9:1

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(full image: 289Kb)

Moliceiros in Aveiro

These boats - named moliceiros - sailing along the channels of the "ria" are a hallmark of the city of Aveiro.

The "ria" is similar to the Dutch and German haff: It spreads over the lowlands of the Vouga river, which is split into hundreds of tiny channels; it is bounded to the west by the dunes raised by the sea winds. During the history of Portugal, the "ria" has been isolated from the sea, then linked to the sea near Mira (to the south of Aveiro), isolated again and, from 1809 onwards, linked to the sea through a channel near São Jacinto. The town of Aveiro was decaying for centuries and has become prosperous since, due to the sea related activities. On 1932 the piers were reinforced. Meanwhile, many populous villages and towns were born around the "ria", taking advantage of the fertile land and the transport network over the water.

The town is embraced by three channels : São Roque, Central channel also known as the City channel and the Santos Mártires channel. All three meet around this square, the Rossio. Downstream, they are combined in the Pyramids channel.

"Moliceiros" were used to harvest seaweed - named "moliço" - to be used as fertiliser. Other similar boats - the "saleiras" - were used to transport salt, one of the most important businesses in the "ria".

CameraMinolta Z5
DateMarch 2005
Focal62 mm
# photos7
ratio6.3:1

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Braga Stadium

Drawn by architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, the stadium was fitted on an old quarry. To make the most of the scenery, there are no seats on both tops: to the South, one can see the old stone walls; looking northward, one sees the Dume valley and forests spreading over the hills and water streams.

The stadium has 30290 seats and it was built for the Euro 2004, the European Football Championship. The stadium is one of the cornerstones of an urban plan for these districts of Braga.

CameraPentax S40
DateMarch 2005
Focal74 mm
Angle 
# photos3
ratio3.5:1

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Winter scene, Zibreira, Torres Novas

On the foreground, one sees a dormant vineyard. On top of the hill, on the right, sits a small village whose inhabitants maintain a rural way of life, ever more rare. The massif of Nature Park of "Serras de Aires e Candeeiros" raises on the background.

These bucolic scenery is visible less than 3km (2mi) from A1, the main motorway of Portugal.

CameraPentax S40
DateDecember 2004
Focal62mm
Angle 
# photos6
ratio6.8:1

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(completa: 221Kb)

River beach in Mondego, Coimbra

On the banks of Mondego, upstream from Coimbra, near the village of Vale de Canas, a very pleasant beach was ???

 

I visited it during the Winter and it was deserted. Nevertheless, the sunny day and the blue waters were inviting me to take a swim.

CameraPentax S40
DateDecember 2004
Focal35 mm
Angle 
# photos2
ratio3:1

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(full image: 257Kb)

São Pedro de Moel, Marinha Grande

View of the beach of São Pedro de Moel, a little village surrounded by the Pinewood of Leiria. The beach is well known for its strong currents and dangerous waves. The sea is so wild that a swimming pool was built next to the beach.

The villagers built the first houses on the narrow valleys, seeking protection from the wind. The leisure villas were built up the hills. On the top one can see a Hotel and a light tower.

CameraPentax S40
DateAugust 2004
Focal105mm
Angle 
# photos4
ratio5.6:1

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Castle of Porto de Mós

The earlier memories of a defensive construction on this hill date from the Roman occupation. Later, the Moors built stronger walls and a well inside to resist the frequent raids of the Christians.

The site was conquered by Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal, by the end of the XIIth century. A proper castle was built afterwards, close to the walls we see today. On the XVth century, the fortress was redesigned as a manor for an important noble, the Conde de Ourém.

The castle was severely damaged by the earthquakes of 1755 and 1908. Later, it was reconstructed according to the XVth century plan.

CameraPentax S40
DateAugust 2004
Focal105mm
Angle 
# photos3
ratio4:1

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(full image: 335Kb)

Port of Aveiro

View of the light and the port of Aveiro, where the river Vouga meets the ocean.

On the left, you can see the light tower and a few houses of Barra beach town. On the right, looking North, you'll see São Jacinto airfield.

CameraCanon A70
DateAugust 2003
Focal60mm
Angle130º
# photos9
ratio7.3:1

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(full image: 382Kb)

Cabreia Waterfall, Sever do Vouga

A hot summer day, a dense forest, a waterfall bursts on top of the narrow valley, which unfolds gently downstream, offering small clearances for picnics and leisure.

Enjoy a delightful afternoon away from the noisy beaches, the worries and the hurries of popular holidays. And if the heat is too strong, take a bath: the water will feel ice cold!

CameraCanon A70
DateAugust 2003
Focal60mm
Angle130º
# photos9
ratio7.3:1

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The ruins of Castelo Rodrigo

This castle is located north of Almeida, near the Spanish border, south of Douro.

This region was the stage for various border conflicts between Castille and then Spain and Portugal. This castle was part of a string of castles to protect Portugal from the Douro to the Tagus river.

CameraOlympus C-2000Z
DateAugust 2002
Focal37mm
Angle>360º
# photos10
ratio11.4:1
 

Monastery of Alcobaça

The Abbey of Alcobaça was founded on late XIIth century by the first King of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques, who called French monks to the kingdom. Although there are earlier houses of the Cluny order in Portugal, Alcobaça is the most important because the number of monks and also the extension and wealth of its properties.

The present monastery was erected in the beginning of the XIIIth century, using some preexistent edification. The construction of the abbey was concluded in the XIVth century. Two hundred years later, it was enlarged with a new cloister, dormitory and other buildings. During the XVIIth century a new façade was built, following the baroque style.

On 1834 the religious orders were extinct and the Monastery buildings were dedicated to civilian uses, while the church kept its function.

 

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King Dinis' Cloister or Cloister of Silence

Inner view of the cloister. The ground floor dates from 1311 while the first floor was built two centuries later.

Near the centre of the image, the round walls embrace the lavatory, in front of the refectory door.

CameraOlympus C-2000Z
DateJuly 2002
Focal37mm
Angle>360º
# photos10
ratio9.5:1

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(full image: 313Kb)

Chapter Hall

According to the Cluny rule, the Chapter Hall was the most important room for the community life. This Hall was erected at the same time of the Cloister of Silence, possibly using some elements of a primitive cloister that was then demolished.

The statues come from other points in the Abbey.
 

CameraOlympus C-2000Z
DateJuly 2002
Focal37mm
Angle>360º
# photos10
ratio9.5:1

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(full image: 299Kb)

The Castle and the Town of Óbidos

Partial view of Obidos and its Castle, seen from the West wall. There is notice of a castle at Obidos during the XIIth century and one century later the whole town was surrounded by walls. Today, the centre of the town is still bounded by the walls, and one can make the tour by foot, as shown in the picture.

The castle was reconstructed and it is now a Pousada.
 

CameraOlympus C-2000Z
DateJuly 2002
Focal36mm
Angle240º
# photos6
ratio6.1:1
 

Copyright

  I, João Gomes Mota, keep all the authorship and reproduction rights of my photos.

The copy and reproduction of these photographs is not authorised, although I can do very little to prevent it.

  In case you want a copy, contact me. Your courtesy will be rewarded wit a higher quality file, whenever possible. 

 

More panoramas

In addition to this page, there are three other panorama pages:

Panoramas of Lisboa

Lisbon (Lisboa) is the capital of Portugal, the city where I was born, where I live and the one I photograph the most. The city unfolds over multiple hills, offering high viewpoints, numerous belvederes and attractive slopes.

Panoramas from the Tagus to the South

Portugal is shaped by the Tagus river that cuts the country in two. To the south, plains and sparse forest dominate the landscape. On the inland, population is currently scarce whilst traces of ancient peoples abound.

Panoramas from other countries

Some panoramas from Spain and Italy and references to other sites featuring panorama photos and software to create panoramas.

 
©2002-05 João Gomes Mota
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Published: June 2005. Last update: September 2005.inicio da página