Viana do Castelo - A walk around.
23/06/07 13:15 Filed in: Portugal
The more one looks around the town the more attractive it becomes. The detailing on many buildings is impressive.
This is a school that it is situated on the main street. A lovely well kept building.
Each end of the building has a tiled scene of local significance and a little statue of a pupil with half the alphabet set into the plinth. This picture shows the schoolboy...
and this one the schoolgirl.
The imposing entrance to the recently restored funicular railway linking Viana do Castelo to the church of Santa Luzia which can just be seen at top left.
Detailed tilework, showing the church of Santa Luzia, from the lower funicular station interior.
More tiles.
Looking down at the old town from the funicular railway. This railway, dating from early last century, has been completely restored. The track, two carriages and control systems are completely new but the upper and lower terminals retain much of their period charm.
The church of Santa Luzia. This was the building visible well out to sea. The views from here are stunning and it is a very popular spot. I was there on a saturday afternoon along with at least 30 coach loads of other visitors.
Looking down at the Eiffel bridge with the marina and swing bridge to the right. The tall unsympathetic building, at far right, is, according to the marina manager, to be demolished very soon.
The Eiffel bridge is a wonderfully complex meccano type road/rail bridge so named because its constuctors also built the Eiffel tower. The bridge has been closed to road traffic for two years for renovation but is due to open in October 2007.
Viana do Castelo harbour entrance looking south.
Later in the evening while strolling around a modern shopping complex tucked discreetly away behind the railway station I noticed this model railway. It is mounted about 3 feet below the third floor ceiling and circles a large food hall before disappearing into a shop, then emerging to follow a row of shops before returning to complete the circuit. Quite why it was there was unclear but I liked it.
Viana do Castelo Station
This is a school that it is situated on the main street. A lovely well kept building.
Each end of the building has a tiled scene of local significance and a little statue of a pupil with half the alphabet set into the plinth. This picture shows the schoolboy...
and this one the schoolgirl.
The imposing entrance to the recently restored funicular railway linking Viana do Castelo to the church of Santa Luzia which can just be seen at top left.
Detailed tilework, showing the church of Santa Luzia, from the lower funicular station interior.
More tiles.
Looking down at the old town from the funicular railway. This railway, dating from early last century, has been completely restored. The track, two carriages and control systems are completely new but the upper and lower terminals retain much of their period charm.
The church of Santa Luzia. This was the building visible well out to sea. The views from here are stunning and it is a very popular spot. I was there on a saturday afternoon along with at least 30 coach loads of other visitors.
Looking down at the Eiffel bridge with the marina and swing bridge to the right. The tall unsympathetic building, at far right, is, according to the marina manager, to be demolished very soon.
The Eiffel bridge is a wonderfully complex meccano type road/rail bridge so named because its constuctors also built the Eiffel tower. The bridge has been closed to road traffic for two years for renovation but is due to open in October 2007.
Viana do Castelo harbour entrance looking south.
Later in the evening while strolling around a modern shopping complex tucked discreetly away behind the railway station I noticed this model railway. It is mounted about 3 feet below the third floor ceiling and circles a large food hall before disappearing into a shop, then emerging to follow a row of shops before returning to complete the circuit. Quite why it was there was unclear but I liked it.
Viana do Castelo Station