2963
7 minutes read

October 28, 2019

The founding of Lisbon, Portugal [Repost]

Lisbon’s history as a human settlement dates back to the Neolithic period when the region was inhabited by Pre-Celtic tribes who built all manner of religious and funerary monuments in…..

3350
10 minutes read

March 29, 2019

Lisbon Sites: Castelo de S. Jorge [Repost]

Our cruise with the Vision of the Seas finally came to an end as we pulled into port at Lisbon, Portugal. Having gotten some great sightseeing suggestions from a Portuguese…..

3379
8 minutes read

January 17, 2019

Abridged history of Casablanca [Repost]

Derived from the Latinization of a Portuguese word combining the meanings for “White: Branca” and “House: Casa” – whose translation was used to confuse the Germans during World War II…..

1220
8 minutes read

April 14, 2018

Lisbon, Portugal’s Jewish history [Repost]

The history of Lisbon’s Jewish community traces itself back to Nebuchadnezzar’s reign in the sixth century BCE and if the legends are true perhaps as far back as King Solomon’s…..

1884
15 minutes read

March 16, 2018

1755 Lisbon Earthquake [Repost]

While earthquakes weren’t all that an uncommon in Lisbon, the city suffering a handful of significant occurrences each century, the earthquake of November 1, 1755 proved especially devastating as it…..

1468
9 minutes read

February 6, 2018

What’s in a Name: Morocco [Repost]

Perhaps one of our favorite countries to visit, the kingdom of Morocco is found along the northwest coast of Africa and is one of only three nations – along with…..

2422
3 minutes read

April 24, 2017

Moroccan history: the Almohads [Repost]

Given how much I’ve written about their ruins, I thought I’d pay a little attention to the Dynasty responsible for settling one of our favourite parts of Morocco. Founded in…..

2233
10 minutes read

December 6, 2016

UNESCO site: Santa Maria de Belem [Repost]

Derived from the Portuguese word for Bethlehem, Santa Maria de Belem, or simply Belem as locals call it, is a civil parish in the Lisbon municipality situated on the mouth…..

1564
6 minutes read

September 15, 2016

Lisbon since the earthquake of 1755 [Repost]

Misfortune would unfortunately find Lisbon again as they continued their efforts to rebuild the city after the devastating earthquake in 1755 with the queen and future king being forced to…..