In recent months I noticed that there were several streets that did not have street view images. The Google Street View car forgot to get on some specific streets in my city.
Then I thought: “If people want to know how are the streets from their homes and are far away, how can they make?”
So I started to fill in the gaps that existed in my city. I’m referring to Portalegre city, in Portugal.
This kind of “project” started some months ago. At this point I’m already going through several hundred 360-degree photographs scattered all over the city. In these last days I put more than a hundred photos (100+).
At some point I had the idea of photographing the streets of the city center at night.
As I know this page is about the local guides, and as I am too, I take this opportunity to show you my work.
Say something, whether you like it or not, if I have to improve anything!
So, The origin of the name Portalegre comes from Portus Alacer in that Portus signifies crossing point and Alacer joyful. Another fact about the origin of the name is that this area served as a point of passage for travelers because this region had the activity to give food and shelter to them.
This small settlement was enlarged after the Portuguese reconquest to the Moors in the thirteenth century, being that it was founded in the reign of Afonso III, in 1259. This king ordered construction of the first fortifications built in the village, by which it was continued by the king D. Dinis.
Portalegre was elevated to the status of city on 23 May 1550, by John III. At this time, the city was regarded as an important administrative and economic centre. In the 15th century, it was already recognized for its cloth manufacturing.
In the eighteenth century this city was attacked by the Spanish warriors by the context of the Spanish succession war and also in the nineteenth century by the War of the Oranges and the French invasions. In 1835 the city was elevated to district capital.
Other important facts…
In 1849, the English cork industrialist George Robinson settled in Portalegre.
In 1947, the Portalegre Tapestry Manufactory is created.
The house-museum of José Régio, a famous Portuguese poet, was installed in his home, in which he lived for 34 years.
Today there are several historic buildings within the city, I give some examples:
Cork museum;
Portalegre Tapestry Museum Guy Fino;
House Museum José Régio;
Castles of Portalegre and Alegrete;
5 doors of the old castle wall;
Cathedral of Portalegre;
Several palaces, such as the palace of the “Condes de Castelo Branco”, for example;
Rossio plane tree, planted in 1838, today classified as a tree of Portuguese public interest. In summer, with the high temperatures, the shadow of this tree is much sought after.
This is just a summary. There are several websites with much more information:
@AlvaroFS !! Wow!! Really appreciate for your effort. Thank you very much. But you know, as much as you share as more curious I am about the place. I just hope you keep sharing more photos about your city. What is “alegre” now in Portalegre?))
Thank you for your enthusiasm! I am glad for this, after all, in recent years my country has been visited mainly by enthusiastic tourists to know all the good that there is around here.
As to the origin of the name “Alegre” in Portalegre, refers to the origin of it. In the past, even before the formation of the city, there were small settlements in this region who provided shelter and food to those who passed by.
So, in this place of passage (porto), situated in a verdant and pleasant (alegre), the set of houses was increased, constituting the city of Porto Alegre, that with the passage of time happened to designate Portalegre.
And yes, I hope to continue to take photos and expand the image of this city to all concerned
Until then you can visit my photos in my google maps profile. There are already more than 200 photographs in 360 degrees. I know that it is still too little for many streets, but it’s always better than nothing.
I’ll be able to rethink creating a post over time on this region.
@MashaPS, the address you shared with me about how to capture our Street View was very important to me. I’m grateful for that!
Taking lots of pictures with a mobile phone, plus limited is a bit embarrassing. I waste a lot of time to take a few dozen photos. Even because I can not use the “Video Mode” or “Street View ready cameras” functions. And worse, sometimes the photos get a little out of place when they are made by the camera on the smartphone.
Even with these limitations I do not give up. The taste for this activity motivates a lot
Thank you for sharing the historical details, @AlvaroFS . Every place has a story behind it and that’s what makes it special.
I’d be happy to see posts about the Cork museum and the 5 doors of the old castle wall. Lately, I’ve been super curious about cork and all its features, so the more information from the source, the better.
Hi Alvaro, great Work! I am LucioP1, Italian local guide level 5 and travel planner. I would contact you about Igreja de Santo Antonio in Portalegre. My email ls
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