In Largo 1 de Dezembro, a busy square near the river front in Portimao, traces of Portuguese history linger. A series of benches commemorate events from the past. Some depict the glory years, when Portugal had an empire and her explorers roamed the world. Others, significant turning points, like the foundation of the Portuguese nation, on 5th October, 1143, shown above.
Not a peaceful scene to accompany a lunchtime sandwich, this bench commemorates the Battle of Aljubarrota on 14th August, 1385. One of many battles with Spain, here King Joao 1 and his general Nuno Alvares Pereira defeat the Castilians.
The Portuguese Empire spanned almost 600 years, from the capture of Ceuta in North Africa in 1415 to the handover of Macau to the People’s Republic of China in 1999- the longest lived of any of the European colonial empires. The scene above shows the fall of Ceuta in Morocco, on 21st August, 1415.
Probably my favourite scene denotes the arrival of the Vasco da Gama in Calicut, India, on 28th May, 1489. Below we have the discovery of Brazil, on 24th April, 1500.
Brazil provided a safe refuge for the Portuguese monarchy during the Napoleonic Wars but all good things come to an end and Brazil finally achieved independence in 1822.
The October Revolution in 1910 resulted in the overthrow of the monarchy, the expulsion of the Braganca dynasty, and and the founding of a Portuguese Republic. Still, it makes a pleasant bench to sit a while and contemplate history.
I hope you can enjoy a lunchtime linger. Jude asked for Benches with unusual details this month. The condition and situation of these benches means I’ve had to employ a little artful disguise.
Like many people I thought that the name azulejos (the type of tile shown on these benches) came from the Portuguese word azul, or blue. The name actually derives from the Arabic al zuleycha. Just one of many delightful things I discovered while reading the online magazine Enjoy the Algarve. You might like it too.
restlessjo 
Oh my! I doubt Jude bargained for such gorgeousness!! 🙂 They are all stunning Jo. Can’t imagine why they are neglected.
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So much azulejo styled architecture about in Portugal. I guess it’s just taken for granted. I’d give them a home 🙂 🙂
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Me too! 🙂
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Lushness of detail here Jo. A pity they’re not maintained. what will another 50 years do to them?
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Good question, Meg. What will 50 years do to any of us? Portugal has so much public art! I guess this is waiting its turn 🙂
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I’m pretty sure what 50 years will do to me!
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I hesitated to point that out, love 🙂 🙂 Are you ok, for the moment anyway? 🙂
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A bit stiff from lack of walking and hunching against snow and snuggling up tight and warm in bed, since you ask. How about you as summer heads towards waning?
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Just reading your Day Out 🙂 Waning? Don’t even think it or I shall crawl back under the duvet instantly! A few more breakfasts in the garden still to come, hopefully 🙂
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These benches are amazing, Jo. I love the fact that major events are permanently recorded instead of just an online news headline! Great stuff 😀
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It’s a favourite occupation in Portugal, telling stories with these tile pictures. A history lesson everywhere you look, Dianne! 🙂
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beautiful tiles…an under-rated art form!
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Every picture tells a story! 🙂 Lovely, aren’t they?
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they are beautiful plaques and I enjoyed reading your commentary on them!
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Thank you very much! I’m doing badly with my haiku! So much else to enjoy 🙂 🙂
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What a fascinating story behind each of the benches Jo and I love the pretty colours – I actually have some hand painted blue Portuguese tiles in a water feature in my garden (which came from a homeware store here in Perth). Our daughter has just returned from Sintra in Portugal singing its praises. She says there were so many lovely castles in the area and the Portuguese history is so interesting. Now definitely on my travel wishlist!
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We have a couple of small tile pictures in our Algarve patio, Rosemay, but I’m delighted to know that you (and your daughter) are busy promoting Portugal in your own way 🙂
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Yes I think I would love it there Jo – Mlle reckons the Portuguese are the European equivalent of Perth people very friendly and laid back plus the history would fascinate me!
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Sounds about right 🙂
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Ha! I was in Portimão two weeks ago 🙂 I think I saw those benches…
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A bit down-at-heel? 🙂 Bet it was hot, and that you found that great cake shop just over the road 🙂
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Yes! In fact, there is a picture of me in a Portimão cake shop, AND one of the cake, of course 🙂 …following a rather embarrassing linguistic incident…
https://ladyofthecakes.wordpress.com/2015/07/11/asking-for-cock-in-a-portuguese-supermarket/
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Oops! I was on my way to yours after Sherri’s 🙂 No- not trifle! 😦
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These unusual and unique benches fit the bill for Jude’s bench challenge perfectly. Enjoyed the history too…and the soft edges around your photos! Lovely post altogether Jo 🙂
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I don’t seem to have posted much on Portugal this year, Sherri. Definitely got a yearning 🙂 I have a lovely little duck that I’m determined to get into a post at some point but other things keep getting in the way 🙂 Thank you very much, darlin’. A weekend with your boys?
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Look forward to that Jo when the distractions ease off … do they ever, I ask myself? 😉 My boys were here last weekend, had a wonderful time, miss them but will see them again soon I hope. Meeting up with friends for a meal tonight and then see what the weekend brings. Have a lovely weekend whatever you do Jo, and hugs to you lovely lady 🙂 xx
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How interesting to have such fascinating world history so artfully depicted on beautiful benches. You do find such interesting features wherever you travel, Jo!
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I was surprised to find so little online about these, Debbie. I’d have liked to know who designed them, but I suppose Portugal is so full of interesting features, it would take a big book! 🙂 Thanks for your company, hon.
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Portugal is amazing–a small country with such an illustrious past. The benches are lovely. I like the restful blue and white with its bright yellow trim. My favorite bench is the same as yours: the arrival of the Vasco da Gama in Calicut, India. The composition is so graceful.
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Tall ships and rigging, Nicki 🙂 I doubt it was an easy life but it makes a pretty picture.
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Now that is some serious detail for Jude’s challenge! Yea too bad about the deterioration but alas countries only have so much money to deal with preserving history.
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I had trouble even finding any information on these, Sue! What would us bloggers do without Google? Though I do have a couple of tomes of history, somewhere 🙂
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I can’t imagine how I lived without Mr. Google. 🙂
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Such beautiful benches.
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They are, Ruth! We were tired when we got there because we’d walked miles around Portimao. I could happily have just sat and looked. 🙂
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Amazing to me that people would sit on these works of art. Maybe they’re a bit shabby, but after all those centuries of being sat on, it’s understandable.
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I only have a small bottom. I promise I sat very gently 🙂 🙂
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A most interesting read,, Jo. I also thought the same as you about the ‘azul’ for blue. Just shows that we can both be wrong at times. 😉 Love the way you’ve portrayed the lovely tiled benches. They don’t look very comfy, but then, most benches aren’t.
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Who says benches should be comfortable, anyway, Ad? You’d never get people to move on then, would you? 🙂
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