ROC2C

C alçada Portuguesa (Portuguese cobblestone) is a mosaic pavement built with cubes made of limestone and basalt. Each stone is carefully cut and laid by hand by a master “calceteiro.” It takes months, sometimes years to build these majestic pavements. So, if you visit Portugal, by all means, look up to see the cerulean blue sky, the castles on hilltops, the seagulls gliding on the wind. But do not miss the beauty beneath your feet. Avenida da Liberdade, Lisboa, Portugal Text: http://saltofportugal.wordpress.com Photo: Celso Gonçalves Roc2c

Travessa dos Jesuitas, Baleal, Portugal Photos: Celso Gonçalves Roc2c

center of the village village church floor in granite bandstand housing with sidewalk rides street paving Rio Moinhos, Viseu, Portugal Photos: Celso Gonçalves Roc2c

Rua da Saudade, Nazaré - Portugal Photos: Celso Gonçalves Roc2c

Photos: Celso Gonçalves Roc2c

Nazaré - Portugal Photos: Celso Gonçalves Roc2c

Up on the hill above São Vincente de Fora Monastery is the residential Graça district, reached by tram 28. Miradouro da Graça, a splendid viewpoint offering a panoramic view central Lisbon. An even more extensive view over the city is from Miradouro da Nossa Senhora do Monte (Our Lady of the Hill Viewpoint). This is the highest point in the city, and its serene atmosphere attracts young couples. A small image of the Virgin standing in front of a chapel dedicated to Saint Gens overlooks the city. It can be reached by turning left on Largo da Graça from Miradouro da Graça into Rua Damasceno Monteiro, then bearing right up Calçada do Monte. Photos: Celso Gonçalves Roc2c

Photos: Celso Gonçalves

Hospitalia at the Villa Adriana in Tivoli http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Villa_Adriana

Hospitalia at the Villa Adriana in Tivoli http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Villa_Adriana