Part 1- Lisbon Part 1 Kyle and I were blessed with an amazing trip to Europe and Africa. Not only was the trip covered financially (an amazing story in itself) but we also had gracious and conscientious people care and help with our kids. We managed to get sooooooo many amazing things packed into the time we had. I am going to make several posts as I have time to share some of the highlights. We started off with Portugal and landed in Lisbon for my birthday and Kyle and I booked couples massages:) Lisbon has been a city since the Phoenicians founded it around the 8th century but it was almost completely destroyed in 1755 by an earthquake. However, there were fortresses established by the Moors that stayed standing and are filled with history from the Phoenicians and the Romans. During the age of Absolute Monarchs and the Age of Exploration, Lisbon as flush with money coming in and it’s evidenced in the infrastructure that beautifully decorates the entire city. Prince Henry the Navigator created his school of navigation in Lisbon and, although he never sailed himself, launched the beginning of exploration with Magellan and the first recorded circumnavigation of the globe by ship as well as voyages by Columbus, Gama, and Diaz. There are statues and memorials all over to celebrate this. I’ve included many pictures with descriptions.

This tower was built at the mouth of the river leading into Lisbon from the Atlantic by Philip the Second of Spain and had large areas for ships coming from far away places to stop and pay taxes and give gifts to the king. People brought him exciting animals, spices, and other unknown fascinations to tickle his fancies

The gothic style buttresses at the cathedral for Jerome were beautiful

One of the many Moorish built stabilizers in their fortresses. During the Middle Ages, they were not confined as many Europeans were to a lack of science and math. As a matter of fact, the Arabic culture was thriving and the buildings that they built from the 1000 to the 1200s are still standing very well

This gothic cathedral was built after the earthquake of 1755

Jerome completing the Vulgate. There is a large cathedral in Lisbon dedicated to Jerome. I enjoyed this picture because I have studied the block print done by Albert Durer as well.

One of the many gorgeous rose windows in Jerome‘s cathedral

Kyle watching the sunset at the moorish fortress at the top of one of the seven hills of Lisbon. It was an excellent spot for defense and served the Moors well until the Portuguese royalty reconquered their land in the 1200s

I’ve just begun a serious study of Latin in the last few months, and I was so excited that I could understand much of what was written here

At our hotel they had this honey comb that dropped honey. I enjoyed the ambiance

This statue was erected to Prince Henry the Navigator with many of his famous students behind him

The Romans loved Lisbon, and there’s evidence of their roads, and infrastructure all over

Lisbon is famous for a pastry called pastel de nata which is a custard in a flaky crust. We found the original shop and stopped and ate some lovely pastries

We watched the World Cup playoffs all throughout our trip. It was so much fun to feel the passion. In this pita shop I was able to share the Gospel and hope with a hurting mama from Brazil and pray with her. It was such a gift

This statue was erected to Prince Henry the Navigator with many of his famous students behind him

The gothic style buttresses at the cathedral for Jerome were beautiful

Kyle watching the sunset at the moorish fortress at the top of one of the seven hills of Lisbon. It was an excellent spot for defense and served the Moors well until the Portuguese royalty reconquered their land in the 1200s

Lisbon is famous for a pastry called pastel de nata which is a custard in a flaky crust. We found the original shop and stopped and ate some lovely pastries