Porto, full of history (1) São Bento railway station


Before I headed to Porto, I asked around on must-sees.
There are two main reasons I wanted to visit there.
First, it's full of history.
Especially the azulejos at the São Bento railway station are well known for its beauty and historical significance.
Second, the night view from D. Luis bridge is said to be just breathtaking.

Its walls are decorated with beautiful 20000 tile pieces.
Amazing to see all these tiny pieces become such wonderful artworks of Jorge Colaço.
It took him about 11 years to install these azulejos.

Among many works, I will mention only four, which are essential to Portuguese history.
(1) The Valdevez war scene

This shows the war between Afonso I, the first King of Portugal and the Spanish(Leon and Castile) king Alfonso VII.
By winning this war, Portugal became an independent country.

Afonso I on Portuguese money

Afonso I in Lisbon, Saint George Castle

(2) Egas Moniz and his family in front of Spanish King Alfonso VII

The above work shows the first Portuguese King's teacher, Egas Moniz and his family kneeling before the Spanish King to apologize.

The first King Afonso I was then a count living in Guimarães, trying to establish Portugual as an independent country.
The Spanish King came with an army and demanded Afonso to take a pledge.
Afonso didn't see the king.
Instead, his teacher Egas Moniz went to the Spanish King and took the pledge on his behalf.

Later, when Egas Moniz realized his disciple Afonso broke the promise,
he went to see the Spanish king with his family in tow
to take the full responsibility.
Fortunately, the Spanish king forgave him and his family.

(3) Portugual King John marrying English Filipa

King John I and Filipa of Lancaster got married in Porto.


King John I was the one who defended Portugal from Spanish
and opened the second dynasty, Aviz.
To strengthen ties with England, he got married to Filipa from Lancaster family.
As a token of celebration, he changed the name of the castle in Lisbon to Saint George castle after the guardian saint of England, Saint George.

The church the king John I got married. 



Queen Filipa and King John were the parents of Prince Henry the Navigator.
You can see her presence in Lisbon Discovery monument, too.
the second person from the behind wearing a crown is Queen Filipa
Queen Filipa on the Portuguese bill

King John I on the Portuguese bill
(4) Prince Henry conquering Ceuta 
Prince Henry the Navigator became one of the most popular bachelors in Europe thanks to the conquest of Ceuta. 
However he remained single, dedicating his life to explorations. 
Prince Henry the Navigator on the Portuguese bill
Gold from Ceuta made it possible to mint gold coins.
You can see various precious gold coins in Lisbon Money Museum.

Gold Coins in Lisbon Money Musuem




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