Sesimbra

Sesimbra is a working fishing village but also seems to be a popular holiday spot being relatively close to Lisbon ( about 45 mins by road )

The streets are a mix of new and old some of the tiled facades are very attractive.

The Marina is tucked behind a "mole" that is 900 metres long and is a popular evening walk for locals.

There are a few traditional boat and a glass bottomed tourist boat based in the marina. Sesimbra is a popular diving centre.

Art is everywhere, the lady pictured below had us a bit worried as she is eating a. Flying fish, the symbol of the Ocean Cruising Club. We are members.

We decided we could not leave without climbing to the prominent castle on a hill above the town. The kind lady in the tourist office told us of a new pedestrian path which we found fairly easily although apart from the start it isn't signposted in any way.

It begins and continues as a set of steep staircases with benches thoughtfully provided at several points for tired old folk!

There is a surprising amount of wildlife to be seen.

Eventually the path rejoins the older roadway at the summit carpark and there is a final haul up to the Castle entrance.

There is a small exhibition housed in one of the towers. Showing the history of Moorish invasion and occupation and Christian reoccupation.

The castle was probably better described as a fortified town.

The views back down to the town and sea are very lovely and we spotted the small church within the walls and its accompanying graveyard.

The day was slightly overcast which was a good thing for a steep climb! If not for the views from the battlements.

Lynne seems to be getting happier at climbing around battlements without any safety rails.

We wandered down to the cafe and visitors centre which was adjacent to the church.

It had a simple and plain exterior, very attractive and freshly whitewashed.

Also scattered around the car park were several sculptures.

All had a nautical theme.
Inside the church unsurprisingly was a splendid riot of decoration, a very tasteful and beautiful blue tiled walls and alcove and the normal gold gilt altarpiece.

There were wooden panels and painted decoration, I suspected it was either very well maintained or had been restored. Either way it was very well done.

The altarpiece was quite restrained by Portuguese standards...

A popular theme on religious Azulejos I am discovering is the circumcision of Christ, as shown below.

After all that climbing we were in the mood for a coffee.

A rather unusual photo, Im in it!

We looked around the visitors centre where we discovered evidence that the church had been recently restored after falling into neglect and in fact partially collapsing in the 60s.

We walked back the same way looking at the graveyard on the way. It was still very well used and was certainly a spectacular place to end up.....

This is the view back down to Dark Tarn snug in the marina.

As we walked into town we passed another local church. The Igresia Matriz de Santiago

The gilded altarpiece was illuminated to good effect. The main body of the church was quite restrained and sober.

There was a small side room holding a collection of statuary.

Of course there is usually a surprise to be discovered in even a small Portuguese church and here it was the roof above the altarpiece.