And the DETAIL lives on ....

an exquisite juliette balcony.   note the detail above the door...

Architectural detail on old buildings is simply fascinating!  How some of these buildings were put together is mind boggling, how long they must have taken to build and the effort required is often beyond imagination.

All of of these, detailed here, are very old, some centuries old, and yet they live on, standing proud!

a "home" for "our lady"

fascinating stone work ....

an ancient door knocker.... 

wonderful arch and gable, ancient clay roof tiles .....

a clock face, carved out of stone .... (sadly this one no longer functions)

curves and curls ... out of stone ....

tilework (azulejo) ... everywhere you look

wonderful brick arches, still standing proud .... on a delapidated building.

Picture Credits:  Gena D Images & Photography.  Taken in various locations in Portugal Aug 2009

The beauty of old "cities"

I was thinking about whether posting something on an old city or country construes as vintage!?! Well my point is this, I just love old buildings, old homes, old cities (OK, yes with modern amenities!) but the look and feel of the architecture, the texture of the finishes, the artistry (just look at the detail of the window surround, below), that fact that history oozes out of the walls and cobbled streets ..... I often wonder who has walked these streets, what good or even great things have happened here......

As I am travelling to Portugal very soon and a good friend left for Italy last night, I guess that is where my mind (and heart) is at present. I was recently looking through some of the numerous pictures posted on Emma De Cerro's The Algarve Facebook page (and also the I Love Portugal facebook page) and just so enjoyed the moment ....so, here is a mere sampling of some of the pictures, sadly not my own, this time round...

Hope you enjoyed this little detour in your day...... more to come ....

PS. Old Cities is really poetic license referring to places steeped in a rich architectural and cultural history ... whether they be a a city in the real sense of the word, or simply a view of a beautiful old village or town.

Pictures: taken off Emma Cerro's Algarve Facebook Page

And talking of things old....

And talking of things old, see the blog and link at Thinking Aloud, on Erik Gauger's story and photography of the old part of Lisbon - Alfama.

http://tobethinkingaloud.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!
G