Page 21 - Cape-Camera-February-2025

Cape Camera February 2025

Evora's eclectic architectural styles makes it worth a visit. Plan to stay at least 2-3 nights in Porto.

All the historical influences that helped shape Tomar present interesting photographic opportunities (above and below).

Portugal from p20
ago, when the egg white was used side the São Bento station.
to starch clothing for the clergy and Our route took us to the Rio de Avei-
the yolks had no use. ro Special Protection Area, which
We travelled via Ponte de Lima to is good for birding, and Aveiro,
Matosinhos, where we stayed as where the world-renowned porce-
it is close enough to reach Porto by lain manufacturer Vista Alegre has
bus for our daily excursions. been producing for more than 200
Porto is one of those cities that is years. Close-by is the Venice of Por-
a must-see destination in Portugal, tugal (Vera Cruz Aveiro) with its wa-
with many cathedrals and histori- ter channels and boats resembling
cal buildings, port wine tastings, gondolas from Venice. A few hours
street scenes and much more. at each location sufficed before the

In Porto we visited the historical road took us to Tomar.
railway station Sao Bento with its Tomar is an ideal tourist destina-
tile murals, the church Santo Ilde- tion if you are interested in Portu-
fonso, spotted a girl with a raptor gal's early history and culture, as
catching doves, viewed the stun- it was once a stronghold for one who lives from1139 to 1185.
ning Palacio da Bolsa (the old stock of history's most enigmatic orders, Tomar was originally established in
exchange), and crossed the river the Templar Knights. Tomar's story the walls of the Convento de Christo.
Rio Douro to see the port cellars. begins in 1160 when Gualdim Pais, A visit to the castle and monastery is a
We took the cable car to return over a prominent Templar Knight, was must when visiting this historical area.
the high bridge and had a 5-Star granted lands by King Afonso Hen- Not far from Tomar we stopped to
supper at Tapabento restaurant in- riques, the first Portuguese king view the impressive To p22

Cape Town Photographic Society 21