Monday, January 30, 2012

LINHARES DA BEIRA




















Linhares da Beira, Guarda

The old Castle is a minimalist composition of walls and turrets, laid on top of a raw stone mass that overlooks Spain and protects the charming village around. Recent "improvements" have scarred its entry and passages, but from afar the granitic mass is still imposing in its exactitude. The hills around are used as a major paragliding spot.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

STONE STEREOTOMY




















Still in Peso da Régua, a fine detail of stereotomy in stone.
Private House, Peso da Régua

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

HAND PAINTED EXTERIOR WALL TILES


Private house, Peso da Régua

Monday, January 23, 2012

LIME PLASTER PAINTED ROOF


























Quinta da Pacheca, Peso da Régua

Friday, January 20, 2012

WOOD AND METAL HOOK


Private House, Covas do Douro

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

BRASS PLUMB WEIGHT NO. 6



This is the last one, bought in a regular hardware store in Guarda. All other places are out. The top pin unscrews to open up the inside, filled with swarf.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

STONE BRACKET


Private house in Passeio das Virtudes, Porto

Monday, January 16, 2012

ELECTRIC WIRING

Porto. Everytime you visit an old abandoned townhouse the electrical installation is similar: twisted silk wires and outward mounted bakelite switches (see bakelite, here) with ceramic fasteners holding the whole thing to the walls, casings, ceilings. When you can't conceal the little functional things, they have to be made beautiful.

Friday, January 13, 2012

BLACK AND WHITE DOME



View of the dome at Casa da Ínsua 18th century chapel.

Casa da Ínsua, Penalva do Castelo

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

MINCHIN - MADE IN PORTO


We tried to know more about the brand of this beautiful radiator with an integrated plate warmer, but still with no results. This heater, made in Porto, is apparently from the XIX century and was part of the central heating system at Casa da Ínsua. Out of curiosity, the heating system at this house was made with hot olive oil and grappa.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

JEREMIE GIROD À PORTO


The amazing mechanism of the watch by Jeremie Girod at the Church of Casa da Ínsua.

Casa da Ínsua, Penalva do Castelo

Friday, January 6, 2012

PINHÃO, STEAM TRAIN

At the time of writing, this train still works as a tourism line. More information here.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

CASA DA ÍNSUA
























The Grand Salon.
This was preceded by the "Chinese Room" and the "Hall of Portraits", symbols of living in another era. Although the house dates from the 18th century, the main public rooms were decorated in the late 19th-early 20th centuries. The photo was taken a few days ago, but it could have easily been part of "Palm Beach Houses" or "Beaux-Arts Mansions". Nicola Bigaglia was responsible for the decoration.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

CASA DA ÍNSUA


Stone rail, detail at main entrance

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

CASA DA ÍNSUA




We start 2012 with a visit to Casa da Ínsua, an 18th century house recently converted to a 5 star hotel. Located near Viseu, in the small village of Penalva do Castelo, it is definitely worth a visit. Casa da Ínsua, also known as Solar dos Albuquerques, was built in the second half of the 18th century by Luís de Albuquerque de Melo Pereira Cáceres, governor of Portugal in the State of Cuibá and Mato Grosso in Brasil. To learn more about the history of the house you can visit their website here.