Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Meeting Nunu

On our last afternoon in Lisbon, after returning from Sintra, we went up the street elevator just off the huge square near our hotel. it provided wonderful views to the coast and across to Castello Sao Jorges.

From the top we were able to walk across to the old Carmelite convent and to tour the ruins. It had been established by Nunu Alphonso and we saw the grave in the courtyard museum.

The Nunu that we met was Gatto nunu....., the convent cat named after the founder. She spent her day lazing in the courtyard or sitting on the ticket office window.

The convent was established in the 1500s and is one of the few buildings that predates the earthquake of 1755. it remains as a shell of a building as in the 19th century, tha fashion was for romantic ruins.

1 comment:

Miss Di said...

I just read 1/2 that post thinking "Who is Nunu? Some cousin I should know? A child mum or dad taught?" D'oh! The cat. And at least they are real romantic ruins, not the sort you had your builder knock up for you!