Jo’s Monday walk : Street art spotting in Sáo Brás

Leaving the sea behind for a little while, one of my favourite roads in the Algarve is the N270.  It winds steadily up into the hills, a series of twists and turns, with glimpses of small villages in the valleys below.  As the road levels out you come to the market town of Sáo Brás de Alportel.  It’s a nice peaceful spot for a wander.  Come with me and we’ll see what we can find.

As with most traditional towns in Portugal, the streets are mainly cobbled.  Claiming a convenient patch of shade, a snowy white cat regards me solemnly with its one green and one blue eye.  Is it my imagination or does that lady on the wall look more anxious as I look back at her?

Around the corner, the entrance to the episcopal palace gardens, beyond which sparkles the municipal pool.  This lovely outdoor facility was renovated last year and I expected to see it busy on this warm summer day.  Another casualty of Covid-19, I suspect.

Much of Sáo Brás is a little dog-eared and worn, but resourceful locals have done their best to brighten the shabbiest walls.  The local tourist information office and art gallery was open and I popped in to examine current trends.  An interesting perspective on a corn field?

The town has a lovely church, the scene of devout and colourful celebrations at Easter.  The streets are decorated with a multitude of flower heads and floral torches are paraded through them to a chant of ‘Hallelujah’.  Not this year, of course, but at least they can’t take away the beautiful view.

Somebody must have had a job lot of paper swallows, because they appear on several of the artworks.  How many swallows make a summer?

But the town is not short of more conventional beauty.  The azulejos are as fine as any you will see.  This cheerful scooter picks out the lemon of the background tile rather nicely, don’t you think?

The central square had a makeover a couple of years ago, and has become home to several modern art pieces.  I was happy to find this metal family in a nearby street.  Very appropriately, wearing their masks.

Perhaps you’d like to see the town in happier times, Celebrating life at Easter.  We have to believe they’ll come again.

walking logo

Meanwhile, just a few walks to share this week, which inclines me to think I could make Jo’s Monday walk a fortnightly feature, and confuse everyone!  Today I’m going to join Sami, who shares street art every week on Monday Mural.

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Ducks and dragonflies… I’m smitten, Janet :

Monday walk…Sweetwater Wetlands

He’s home again!  Not such a terrible place to be, Drake :

Back in town

Is anything more splendid than this?  A Cornish garden, much loved by Jude :

Herbaceous borders

While Albert goes in search of another splendid view :

Sherwood Homestead (Former) Walk via Mountain Creek Road (Plus)

Ending with Janaline in exotic Shanghai :

Monday Walk in Century Park

Wishing you all a good week, though I know life is difficult right now in many places.  Take care till next time!

144 comments

  2. So much art to see, particularly like those cornfield photos. How interesting and I hope someone really did have lunch or dinner or something in the square. Also the sculptures are so different aren’t they? Fascinating.

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  5. Quite a pleasant stroll around Sáo Brás de Alportel thanks Jo 🙂 The road could have a more romantic name than N270!!!! Love the jaunty scooter and the wall adornments.
    A Sao in Australia is a cracker biscuit which was first made in 1904 by Arnotts….and a bra is…well….so a bra made of a cracker biscuit from Alportel 😀 😀

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    1. Nor do I, Susan, so I seem to have picked the right place to live. 🤣 Family complications aside, of course. Sorry I haven’t made it yet to read your story. The intention is there but somebody ambushes my time. Soon, I promise. Sending hugs 🤗💕💕

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  11. thanks for a lovely walk, Jo! beautiful tiles and interesting art are truly delightful. but the yellow scooter is a winner! what a great find! have a wonderful week!

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  15. O my goodness, what a lovely place to explore on foot. One of the things I always look forward to seeing when traveling to Portugal is the azulejos and beautifully arched doorways. I don’t think I can ever get tired of tin-glazed ceramic artwork; it certainly speaks to my soul. Thanks for sharing and have a good day. We are getting ready for seasons to change here in Ireland. Hopefully we get to see colourful autumn 😀 Aiva

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    1. It was a lazy Sunday morning wander while we waited for the tasty but very inexpensive Indian restaurant to open, Margaret. They do keep adding to the artwork, keeping me interested 🙂 🙂 Thanks, hon!

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  19. What a cheery walk, especially with that lemon-yellow motor scooter, street art and those metal people. Are those perspectives on a cornfield or a wheat field? They’re very cool, whatever they are. Of course the azulejos are fantastic. 🙂

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    1. I imagine it’s wheat in the Alentejo, Cathy, but there were no written details I could see. It was just a tiny gallery with a few striking pieces. 🙂 🙂 A peaceful Sunday morning.

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