Sunday in Cascais with Chané

 We had our cousin Chané over in Portugal on a work assignment so obviously the time was very short. We decided to take her for lunch at this great restaurant called Cacau Rooftop. The views were amazing and the foid delicious!

Prawn curry

Arroz de marisco

Bacalhau com batatas e grelos

Polvo com batatas

The views from the rooftop

From here we went for a stop for drinks at Senhora da Guia

Then from here we went to 

**Boca do Inferno** (Portuguese for "Mouth of Hell") is a dramatic seaside cliff formation near Cascais. It’s famous for its rugged beauty, powerful waves, and the natural arch carved into the rock by the force of the Atlantic Ocean.  

The Key Highlights:

- **Spectacular Views:** The crashing waves against the cliffs create an impressive and sometimes eerie sight, especially during stormy weather.  

- **Natural Arch & Cave:** The site was once a sea cave, but over time, the roof collapsed, forming the current open chasm.  

- **Sunsets & Photography:** A popular spot to watch the sunset and capture breathtaking coastal views.  

- **Legends & Mystique:** Some local legends associate Boca do Inferno with supernatural events and even old tales of disappearing people.  

- **Accessibility:** Just a short walk or drive from Cascais, with a viewing platform and nearby cafés.  

It’s a must-visit if you're in Cascais, offering both natural beauty and a bit of dramatic history. Have you been there before, or are you planning a trip?

And lastely because it was getting late we took a drive to

Cabo da Roca which is the westernmost point of mainland Europe, located in Portugal along the Atlantic coast. It lies within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, about 40 km (25 miles) west of Lisbon. The cape is known for its dramatic cliffs, which rise about 140 meters (460 feet) above the ocean, offering stunning panoramic views.  

Historically, Cabo da Roca was considered the edge of the known world in the Age of Exploration. Today, it’s a popular tourist spot, featuring a lighthouse, a monument marking its geographical significance, and a small shop where visitors can get a certificate to commemorate their visit. The rugged landscape and strong ocean winds give it a wild, untamed beauty, making it a favorite for photographers and nature lovers.

We all had a lovely time and hope to see Chané and her hubby soon.

Free monuments for residents

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Novo regime de gratuitidade em museus e monumentos

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Ministra da Cultura, Dalila Rodrigues

Os portugueses e residentes em Portugal passam a poder visitar 37 museus, monumentos e palácios do Ministério da Cultura no Continente, gratuitamente, 52 dias por ano, a qualquer dia da semana. Até agora a gratuitidade estava limitada aos domingos e feriados.

A decisão da Ministra da Cultura, Dalila Rodrigues, que entra em vigor a 1 de agosto de 2024, permite também que cada pessoa visite mais de um museu ou monumento num dos 52 dias de gratuitidade. 

O processo é simples: à entrada em cada museu ou monumento, cada visitante deve apresentar numa das bilheteiras – uma primeira vez para registo – o seu Cartão de Cidadão e indicar o seu número de contribuinte.  

Quando entrar novamente num museu ou monumento deverá dirigir-se à bilheteira e voltar a apresentar o seu Cartão de Cidadão para lhe ser descontado o dia no computo dos 52 dias de acesso gratuito.

Garantir o acesso à cultura é uma medida estruturante do Programa da Cultura do Governo. 

Os portugueses e residentes em território nacional podem visitar em qualquer dia da semana, gratuitamente, os museus, monumentos e palácios que se seguem: 

• Convento de Cristo, em Tomar. 
• Fortaleza de Sagres, em Vila do Bispo. 
• Mosteiro de Alcobaça, em Alcobaça. 
• Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitória, na Batalha. 
• Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, em Lisboa. 
• Museu de Alberto Sampaio e extensão no Palacete de Santiago, em Guimarães. 
• Museu de Arte Popular, em Lisboa. 
• Museu de Lamego, em Lamego. 
• Museu José Malhoa, nas Caldas da Rainha. 
• Museu Nacional da Música, em Mafra. 
• Museu Nacional da Resistência e da Liberdade, em Peniche. 
• Museu Nacional de Arqueologia, em Lisboa. 
• Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, em Lisboa. 
• Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea — Museu do Chiado, em Lisboa. 
• Museu Nacional de Conímbriga, em Condeixa -a -Nova. 
• Museu Nacional de Etnologia, em Lisboa. 
• Museu Nacional de Machado de Castro, em Coimbra. 
• Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis e Casa-Museu Fernando de Castro, no Porto. 
• Museu Nacional do Azulejo, em Lisboa. 
• Museu Nacional do Teatro e da Dança, em Lisboa. 
• Museu Nacional do Traje, em Lisboa. 
• Museu Nacional dos Coches e Picadeiro Real, em Lisboa. 
• Museu Nacional Frei Manuel do Cenáculo e Igreja das Mercês, em Évora. 
• Museu Nacional Grão Vasco, em Viseu. 
• Museu Rainha D. Leonor e extensão na Igreja de Santo Amaro, em Beja. 
• Paço dos Duques, Castelo de Guimarães e Igreja de São Miguel do Castelo, em Guimarães. 
• Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, em Lisboa. 
• Palácio Nacional de Mafra, em Mafra. 
• Panteão Nacional, em Lisboa. 
• Torre de Belém, em Lisboa. 
• Museu D. Diogo de Sousa, em Braga. 
• Museu dos Biscainhos, em Braga. 
• Museu da Terra de Miranda, em Miranda do Douro. 
• Museu do Abade de Baçal, em Bragança. 
• Museu Dr. Joaquim Manso, na Nazaré. 
• Museu da Cerâmica, em Caldas da Rainha. 
• Casa-Museu Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves, em Lisboa.

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Walking around Belem

  Today we woke up and decided to take a tour to Belem. 

Our first stop was at the beautiful Mosteiro dos Jeronimos. 

It is one of the most iconic landmarks in Lisbon. It is a masterpiece of Manueline architecture, a unique Portuguese style that blends late Gothic and Renaissance elements with maritime and natural motifs.

Construction begun in 1501 during the reign of King Manuel I, the monastery was built to honor Portugal’s Age of Discoveries, particularly Vasco da Gama's successful voyage to India.  The construction was financed by a "pepper tax," a levy on spices brought back from India and the East.

 It took almost 100 years to complete, with contributions from several architects, including Diogo de Boitaca and João de Castilho.

  The cloisters are considered among the most beautiful in Europe, with ornate arches and detailed stonework.

The monastery was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, along with the nearby Belém Tower.

 It houses the tombs of prominent figures, including Vasco da Gama, Luís de Camões (Portugal’s national poet), and King Manuel I.

The monastery now serves as a museum and is a major tourist attraction. It houses the Maritime Museum and the National Archaeology Museum.

The Belem Tower is a historic landmark located in Lisbon. Built in the early 16th century (1514-1519) during the reign of King Manuel I, it is a masterpiece of the Manueline architectural style, which incorporates maritime elements and ornate details.

 Originally constructed as a defensive fortress to protect the entrance to the Tagus River and the port of Lisbon, it also served as a ceremonial gateway to the city.

 It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, alongside the nearby Jerónimos Monastery, due to its historical and architectural significance.

  The tower features intricate stonework, maritime motifs (like ropes, anchors, and armillary spheres), and decorative battlements.

  The tower is a symbol of Portugal's Age of Discoveries and its rich maritime history, as it was built during the height of Portuguese exploration.

Today, the Torre de Belém is a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors panoramic views of the Tagus River and a glimpse into Portugal's storied past.

If you're a resident of Portugal make sure you make the most of the opportunity to visit our monuments and museums for free. Not only on Sundays and Public holidays but on all other days. All you need is your "NIF" and then each time you visit it will discount 1 from the 52 available to visit.

https://pumpkin.pt/eventos/museus-gratuitos-domingos/