Friday, February 21, 2020

Palácio Nacional da Ajuda





This week's activities kept us in town. 
We needed to find the mission office and have some documents printed up for our travels during the upcoming temple closure.


(President snd Sister Fillmore, Elder Saples, and Elder Jensen)


With that task completed...
They say the best way to explore the city is to walk. 
Yes, we do walk...and walk...and walk.
We climb, as well.
 Lisbon was built on seven hills (and then some!) so you can really get a work-out!!

We found yet another church.


...and this quirky little place.


But the Ajuda National Palace was our determined destination. 
Palacio da Ajuda, Lisbon


Located at the top of Ajuda hill (I know!), and with a superb view of the Tejo River, the palace's construction began in 1796. 
After the devastating 1755 earthquake, the royal family moved to the Ajuda area, where the land was safer. At first, they built a wood building which was known as the Royal Tent. The king thought that a wooden palace would be safer if another earthquake occurred, but, alas, in 1794, an accidental fire destroyed this house and new royal dwellings had to be built, this time in stone. 
Although the palace was never completed as planned due to the exile of the royal family in Brazil caused by the French invasion of Portugal, it is still one of Europe's most perfect romantic buildings.

This was the last official residence of the Portuguese Monarchy in the 19th century.








We weren't really in the area, but, hey, we had walked so much anyway, we decided to go and have lunch at our favorite - 
Time Out Market
- before heading home.


If I do say so myself - and not to brag or anything - but I do believe that we are becoming very proficient at navigating our way around this city - whether it be by metro, train, bus, taxi, or by the 'heel-toe' express!











1 comment:

  1. y'all are going to be fit as a fiddle! :) I'm seriously so impressed with all the walking!
    So that quirky place???? What is it?? homes??

    ReplyDelete