Casa do

[chawen]

Casa do Principe

 

 

 

Bom dia,

Dear Friends, I have no idea why my previous post was tagged as sensitive. Apart from discussing my wanderings, I mentioned the May Day activities and complained about the exchange rate. It's safe to read, honest!

I am making progress! I can use my left hand a bit.  I managed to wash my hair, but the real triumph was putting in my earrings. I may try contact lenses tomorrow. Swollen fingers crossed.

I set out early as rain is expected, and I don't fancy fighting my way through the crowd with an umbrella and slippery sidewalks.

But I very much wanted to see the Casa do Principe. The building was the Royal Mint, which also apparently also collected and administered port fees and taxes.  I don't know what the Queen--the English Princess Philippa of Lancaster (daughter of John of Gaunt) [No one but you cares about who her father was, nor do they care about Lancaster].

But people should care about the Prince--the Portuguese term is Infante--she gave birth to. He was Dom Henrique, known to history as Prince Henry the Navigator. Apparently devoid of personal ambition, Henrique dedicated himself to the spread of Christianity and the defeat of Islam. You may not approve, but the Infante's methods proved effective.  He established a navigation center at Sagres on the Southern tip of Portugal.  After his death his efforts bore fruit in the voyage of Vasco da Gama around Africa to India--where he was not welcomed.

 

The Casa is a small museum, so perfect for me today. The irritating thing was that although I got a discount for being old, the ticket taker did not require proof. 

The first thing I noticed was the smell of old stone. as befits an old mint, some coins are on display along with ceramics and other sparse artifacts from the site.  I enjoyed my day out except for the long, slow climb home.

 

Adeus

Comments

[sartorias]

That looks fascinating!