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We started out our last full day in Porto checking out the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar (“Serra do Pilar Monastery”), which is just on the other side of the Pont Luis I bridge from our hotel. The monastery was originally built in the 16th century but became a military fort during the Peninsular War when Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom fought to expel Napoleon from the Iberian Peninsula.
You can see why it was so important, as it overlooks all of Porto.
Unfortunately, the monastery/fort was being refurbished while we were there, so we weren’t able to go inside.
But that didn’t keep the pigeons out.
The rest of the day we spent at Parque de Serralves, which features:
a contemporary art museum, a park, and a villa, with each one of these being an example of contemporary architecture, Modernism, and Art Deco architecture. The museum, designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira, is now the second most visited museum in Portugal (almost 1 million visitors per year).
Serralves – Wikipedia
It wasn’t anywhere near busy when we were there…and I’d have to say I found the exhibits, both outdoor and indoor, more than a little quirky. Then again, I’m not the biggest fan of really modern art.
One particular exhibit was an audio/visual piece you could walk on. When you stood beneath each light/speaker fixture, you could hear various tones.
Barbara may have figured out what it all meant. I never did.
The park itself was beautiful, and decorated with some interesting pieces of art.
But I have to say my favorite piece was, once again, a sculpture. Which really spoke to me about life and the human condition :).
One of the things that always concerns me on international trips is “how is our cat Moose doing while we’re out of town?” So, I was more than a little surprised to see him trotting through the park.
1 thought on “Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar & Parque de Serralves”
I love that piece of art too!