The fortress was originally constructed in the 16th Century high above Setubal protecting the mouth of the River Sado from inavders, pirates and privateers.
Even today it dominates the skyline commanding impressive views, clearly the right place to defend the shoreline
There are two ways to get to the fort from the town, an exhilarating exhausting half hour uphill hike.
Or be sensible like me and use a taxi.
It is greatly restored having been damaged by earthquakes and fire, declared a national Monument in the 1990's it was conserved and partly converted into a rather plush boutique hotel. Which due to structural instabillity was closed in 2014.
Exploring the ramparts, grounds and battlements, was pretty damn boring to be honest, but the panoramic views were greatly appreciated.
What was pretty cool was the tiny baroque chapel inside the fort
The walls clad with iconic blue and white Potrugese Azulejo tiles,
Each montage depicting a scene from the life of Philip I. After whom the Fortress is named.
Lisbon
The church of Saint Mary is stuck on the side, part of the greater Jerónimos Monastery, which now is the home to a couple of museums, to enter if you really wanted to, costs money(average price £20, or if you go all disney and want to skip the line the price doubles, but alas no thrill ride the other side) and one does have to queue for ages mingling with the great unwashed. Let us instead have a look inside the church, which is free and less populated.
The complex took over 100 years to construct, starting in the early years of the 16th C. At the time King Manuel I was the boss in these here parts, the building was funded by recovering taxes from the imports of gold, but not spices and other such wondrous items which went directly into his back pocket.
With all that money pouring in there seemed to be no limit to the various architect's designs ( always good when youn are spending other people's money) and visions.
Now good old Manny needed someone to occupy the place he decided upon the religious order of Hieronymite monks......
Their role was simply to pray for the HIS eternal soul (selfish) and to provide spiritual assistance to the seafarers who sailed from the port of on a journey of discovery to plunder distant lands around the world. (greedy)
They obviously did a good job as they lasted for over four centuries until then 19th C , when the religious orders were dissolved and the monastery was abandoned
Just six 80ft high pillars support the ceiling
All of which are intricately carved
In fact inside the church was pretty much dead, just like Vasco de Gama. All hail to this fine chap, who "discovered" India, and brought us from the west coast the amazing tastes and textures of the Vindaloo curry.
Thanks for visiting my page, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. this is Stephen aka, @grindle, happily retired, travelling the world snapping away. My weapon of choice is currently a Nikon Z6(2).
Unless stated all images are shot by me, all text is mine based on various info sources. NOT AI generated.
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With a taxi or on foot going uphil, this place is a must! So beautiful 📸
cheers @mipiano I shall leave the walking to you youngsters! I shall continue my taxi rides.....but yes well worth the time and effort to get there
The baroque chapel in side the fortress has some great donations of art on the wall, it's really beautiful in there
chers @repayme4568 , yes I was not expecting to find such wonderful art work, it was a pleasure to see it and share it
You are welcome, continue to have a good time, cheers 🥰🙏
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This wonderful photography scenery with amazing ocean is truly delightful. Also visiting the church is religiously peaceful. A great place to escape from pirates. All the best for your journey.
cheers @mdakash62 thanks for dropping in, and your kind words, we are all on a journey, thank you for joining me if just for a brief moment in time
cheers @wilfredocav @visualshots for your curation, it is very much appreciated
Hiya, @ybanezkim26 here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Top 3 in Travel Digest #2290.
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wow cheers @ybanezkim26 @worldmappin thanks for this, I much appreciate it
you are welcome @grindle 🐝
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This is so stunning....Lovely work there. I definitely need to visit this place one day🤗
cheers @konquest , out it on the bucket list lol
Ohh yeah definitely😂
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From the mill onwards, it is an outpouring of immensity and beauty. I think you did well to conserve your breath by using the car. 😉
Blue and light... poetry. In that photo I can hear the silence.
thank you, yes car is best lol, the sounds of silence,