WALL

A "tabique" wall in Mizarela, near Guarda. Horizontal boards, vertical boards, and wood lath before the final lime plaster layer.

TRIUMPH OF THE BAROQUE

This is the bigger sister of the previously posted fountain in Guarda. And how much bigger! This fantastical concoction of mythological beings dominates the top of a hill overlooking the city. The architecture seems practically pulverized in mermaids's tails, wavy capitals and tentacle-scrolls, but nonetheless there is a strong design structure underneath. As mentioned this was part of an estate which disappeared long ago and then was integrated into a monotonous fascist piazza/garden.

FOUNTAIN

This baroque fountain is in Guarda. It was moved here from an estate in nearby Vela. The estate is long gone, but this and its bigger sister fountain (to be published here soon) make formidable souvenirs. The setting is a stark fascist/protomodern park without any grace nor much beauty, but it places the wonderful objects in the limelight.

STONE WALL

Private house, Guarda

DOVECOT

 

Near Almofala, close to the border with Spain. These columbaria were used to raise pigeon droppings as fertilizer. Wheter this had any salubrity at all is controversial, but ruins of such buildings still pepper the landscape around, so they must have been useful at some time.

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.

SKYLIGHT - VIEW FROM INSIDE

Private house, Guarda