V o y a g e Welcome to KALTBLUT´s new rubric “Voyage, Voyage“. From now on, we will take you with us on trips around the world. Let’s start with one of the most beautiful countries in the world: Portugal. For a few years I have been traveling to Portugal for ModaLisboa, the fashion event in the South of Europe. Every time I’m there I go on a little trip through the country. And I lost my heart in Portugal. What I like the most about Portugal is the rich history. I mean, what would the world be without the brave men of Portugal who travelled around the world, 4-5 hundred years ago? Let´s face it, Europe would look different
History
Portugal became its own kingdom in 1139 but was not officially recognized until 1143. The border with Spain has been almost the same since the 13th century. Fishing and trade with other countries are important here. Portugal was important in world exploration for two reasons. Henry the Navigator, a prince from Portugal, was very interested in exploration. Inventions in navigation led to a bigger knowledge of geography. This world exploration began the Portuguese Empire. Portugal was a world power during the 15th and 16th centuries. However, it lost a lot of money soon after this. The city of Lisbon was destroyed in an earthquake in 1755. The country was occupied during the
Napoleonic Wars. It lost its largest colony, Brazil, in 1822. In 1910, Portugal became a Republic, and in 1926, a military group took control of the country from the Portuguese 1st Republic. This began a time of rule by fascist governments that
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nowadays without these people. Portugal has been named many times as the poorest region of Europe, and yes, maybe there is some truth in it, but for me Portugal is just pure magic. The nature wows me everytime. The beach and the coast, the mountains. The food. Art and fashion. But most of all, Portugal is rich of the most lovable people with a big heart. The people there are proud, strong, sexy and always with a big smile on their face! Portugal is a forgotten kingdom. And now, where Autumn has just arrived here in Europe, you should book a trip to places like Lisbon, Porto or the Alentejo Region.
lasted until 1974. That year, a peaceful left-wing army coup, called the Carnation Revolution, happened. The coup changed how the country was run. Portugal went into the European Union in 1986. The capital and largest city is Lisbon.
Lisbon
Lisbon is the hub of a multifaceted area that appeals to different tastes and senses. In a city that has been influenced by many different far-off cultures over time, there is still a village feel in each historic
neighbourhood. Stroll through the Pombaline grid of streets in the Baixa district that opens on to the Tagus in Praça do Comércio, then follow the river to discover some of the city’s most beautiful parts: the monumental area of Belém with its World Heritage monuments, the mediaeval quarters and the latest contemporary leisure spaces, such as the Parque das Nações. If you continue to the mouth of the river, you’ll understand why they say that Lisbon is the centre of a vast resort. Along the coastal road you’ll find beaches and beach resorts that combine villas and hotels from the beginning of the 20th century with marinas, terraces and excellent golf courses. Further along the coast you’ll come across world-renowned surfing
