Restos del Convento do Carmo. Lisboa.

Eve in Montana, on September 6, 2007, said:

Dear Arturo, this is a fascinating ruin. Now I will ask you a question. Perhaps you can tell me what destroyed this Convent?

Since Lisbon wasn't bombed in either of the great wars, I am guessing this place must have been ruined in the great earthquake in 1755 which destroyed Lisbon and killed many thousands of people. I know of this event because Voltaire used it in the plot of 'Candide' and also wrote a poem about it.

I would like to see this ruin in person sometime, and know its history. Very nice photo, Arturo! Greetings from Montana!

Arturo García, on September 12, 2007, said:

Dear Eve:

The Convent do Carmo was a Gothic temple of the 14th century constructed in times of Dom João I for one of the participants in Aljubarrota's Battle, in which they won to the Castilians and it took place the definitive independence of Portugal of Castile, it is contemporary of the Monastery of Batalha, commemorative of the victory, and its style is very similar, the so called begging Gothic. The Monks Carmelite occupied it and of there its dedication.

Its destruction was produced in the earthquake of 1755 though great part stayed in foot, today an Archaeological Museum shelters of not a lot of interest. As curious information, it was a barrack and in Marcelo Caetano was sheltered in the Revolução dos Cravos of April 25, 1974. I am a lover of Portugal, for having lived so nearby, and Lisbon is a delicious city that deserves to be visited. Encourage to visit this Peninsula that I assure you that you will never repent.

Greetings from Granada, Arturo.

Eve in Montana, on September 17, 2007, said:

Thank you for your fascinating explanation of the history of this building, Arturo. I certainly hope to have a long visit to Spain and Portugal someday.

Greetings from Montana!