#27 Postcard Trivia 8.28.18
Postcard from the collection of J Garner.
Lisbon, Portugal, is one of the oldest cities in the world. It predates London, Paris, and Rome by centuries. A friend sent me this postcard while she was travelling in Europe.The three photos are reminders of interesting times in Lisbon's colorful history.
The top photo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 16th century Jeronimos Monastey. It was under construction for 100 years and was funded with a 5% tax on imports from Africa and the Orient - with the exception of pepper, cinnamon, and cloves. Taxes from spices went straight to the king. The role of the monks in the monastery was to provide spiritual assistance to the explorers and sailors leaving the port. They did this faithfully until the 1800s.
Next is a photo of Belem Tower, also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This fortress was built at the mouth of the Tagus River during the Age of Discovery (15th and 16th centuries). Portugal was one of the first countries to create a global empire through exploration and trade. Vasco de Gama passed by the tower as he left Lisbon to discover a sea route to India.
The Arch of Augusta is in the photo on the bottom right. It was constructed as a symbol of strength after a catastrophic earthquake in 1755. The quake destroyed much of the city and Lisbon lost its position as a world power. City leaders, however, were determined to rebuild utilizing the best technology available. The inscription on the arch, The Virtues of the Greatest, reflects the strength, resilience and achievements of the Portuguese people.
Trivia Question:
Lisbon is well known for its production and display of which of these artistic creations?
a. hand painted ceramic tiles b. silk fabrics c. marble statues
See answer below
Answer to Trivia Question:
a. hand painted ceramic tiles Decorative Portuguese tiles can be purchased today for use in homes and commercial buildings.
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