ENGRAVING AND GILDING SIGNS

This golden shop window really showcases what they did best, and what can still be seen over many doors in downtown Porto - beautiful gilt lettering over glass, advertising for goods.

WOBBLY CHURCH

 Since we love all that is wobbly, here is a church which looks like a pudding in stone. The photo wasn't altered in any way. The columns on the right-hand side are veering towards the right - but it's all stable, like a giant frozen jelly. Apparently the deformation was caused by the Lisbon Earthquake of 1755, but it's the main church at Vila Nova de Foz Côa, some 400 km away. Go figure.
The exterior is great too, as well as the ceiling which will get its own post.

WITH OUR THOUGHTS IN COVILHÃ

We are doing some preliminary designs for a substantial traditional building in the nearby area, and came across this image for inspiration. It's the steeple of the Misericórdia church in Covilhã. The church was allegedly built in 1601 but the steeple is from the 1940s! Probably designed by the same people who did the surrounding buildings, a feast of Fascist Baroque which would have made de Chirico's day - soon we will get to process the images for your viewing enjoyment.
As for the steeple, although the detailing is a little coarse and mechanical, its composition and proportions are lovely and add a wonderful touch of fantasy to the otherwise dull Plain Architecture temple.

SOMETHING SIMPLER

and not so wobbly.
Arquivo Histórico Municipal, Tavira

MORE WOBBLY WOOD DOORS

Arquivo Histórico Municipal, Tavira