Impressions from the Casa Rosada.

Visiting the Casa Rosada is mentally going back in time. Not such a long period though. Entering this Palace by the Plaza de Mayo means you already were confronted by the Crazy Mothers. 

Inside the palace itself, for people of a certain age, there is still the ghost of the junta that ruled from 1976 to 1983. There are no artifacts as such to remind us, but the feeling is there. It is good to see the portrait of Allende among other portraits of more classical freedom fighters like Sucre and Martin.

There is a possibility to take a guided tour through the building. The group was rather large and we had to go single file in some places. So it was difficult to hear all that the guide told us. 

I tried to find just a few things that would give an impression of this building.

The most famous person that was here is of course Eva Peron, Evita. Her desk with her picture....

The balcony from where she spoke to the Argentinian people.

The mirrors in this large room.

There is a gallery of more Argentinians that are famous. Like Maradonna, Piazzolla, Gabriela Sabatini....

The Casa Rosada contains many paintings. Of the different landscapes of Argentina, but also very abstract ones. I could only take details.....

 

It was an interesting visit. That ended with a quick look at the rooms of the president Cristina Kirchner. But: No fotos......

(I made this blog on my I-pad. Hope everything is all right....)

Sintra National Palace: “For the best” (“por bem”)

 

To get the best view of the National Palace in Sintra you have to climb the ancient ruins of the Moorish Castle on the mountain nearby. Down below, in the middle of the old town, lies the palace.

The most striking feature are two enormous chimneys, that stick out over the roof of the palace. More or less the shape of the tower of the hop kilns (a building designed for drying hops as part of the brewing process) in Kent. The chimneys are (in) the roof of the kitchen. When you look up from the kitchen you can see the hole where the fumes go out. 

Originally the palace was built as residence for the Moorish governors of Lisbon. From 1147 onward it became the residence of the Portuguese kings until the monarchy ended in 1910. It is obvious that is was a place of splendid entertainment. While there, the Swans' room was full of people. It derives its name from the painted ceiling; covered with white swans wearing little golden crowns around their necks. 

In another room the ceiling is covered with magpies. The magpies hold ribbons in their beaks with the motto of the king: "Por bem" (For the best). It is the first known private "antechamber".

Everywhere in the palace (as everywhere in Portugal) are tiles. Different rooms have different tiles with different images, mosaics, forms. The vine pattern of the tiles (in King Sebastião's room) is unique.

The palace is a result of building efforts of many kings. The Arms room represents the centralised power of Manuel I. The ceiling in its heraldic glory. From this room the fleets going to or coming back from Brazil, Africa or India could be seen.

The most strange part tough are these two towering chimneys. The wind – straight from the Atlantic Ocean - blows over the openings and makes a howling noise in the kitchen. 

Alongside the palace are small but lovely gardens. When the cold ocean winds are gone, this friendly grinning lion would love to talk with you about all the kings and queens that kept him company before.... 

Queluz….. what a light…..

If ever there is a name for a palace that is more fitting than this one. “Que luz” is Portuguese for “what a light”. There is light coming in from the outside. There is light from chandeliers. And what light there is, is reflected by mirrors everywhere.

 

Queluz is rightly called the Versailles of Portugal. It is a Barok / Rococo palace built in the 18^th century by prince Pedro and his Maria. A last dream palace before the French revolution changed the rules.

Passing through the ballroom…..

Into the throne room…..

As you walk there through these rooms you 

might even think you were back in the past. 

Two young people reflected into a door...

No it is not real. It is a mere reflection of the past. 

The kings and queens have left. 

The mirrors are worn by age. 

But what a light!