I loved this “window” at the ancient Fort of Arrifana but sadly it no longer exists.
The old fort as it was a year ago…an old ruin, but a place to take in the views and reflect.
We returned a year later to find…
I am not sure this has been sympathetically restored. Look at the cement work – I think a chimpanzee could have made a better job!
The 16th Century cliff-top fort which once protected the Tuna fishing industry is situated on the Ponta da Arrifana. It is well worth a visit for the spectacular view encompassing the Needle Stone (Pedra da Agulha) and along the Costa Vicentina. I won’t post pictures of the views please come armed with your camera and decide for yourself!
Why not bring a bottle of wine and enjoy the sunset! Alternatively enjoy a meal at the adjoining restaurant Por do sol.
This post was inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challange ~ Windows
Piglet in Portugal 
horror of horrors! that’s got to be the worst restoration job EVER!
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Hi Lu and welcome!
I know- I so was angry when I saw it!
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Beautiful and even more striking is your before and after photo of the fort… Pity really that they created that mosaic pattern… reminds me of a nice bathroom. 😆
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LOL it is like a mosaic pattern. I never noticed until you mentioned it!
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Oooo. That’s awful. What a way to take the charm out of an intriguing landmark. Glad you got the picture.
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I only wish I’d taken more 😦
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I winced when I saw the photographes of the restoration but, as you say, it looks a beautful place
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I was still angry two days later. Looks like it’s been done on the cheap!
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What a disappointment! Might as well have let it fall to earth!
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I suppose newcomers to the fort will not know what they’ve missed!
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I like the top three, especially the first. 🙂
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The first is a little diffferent. It’s one of my favs
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Oh no! They’ve spoiled it.
That first photo is gorgeous.
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It’s criminal. I am so glad I took those photos. We were in the middle of a meal at the little restaurant and I loked up and saw the sunset. I immediately grabbed my camera and started taking photos.
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Love all the photos. A bottle of wine and the sunset sounds marvelous. I’ll be right over! 🙂
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You are welcome Carlaat!
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You could cover the ‘window’ and the ‘wonder’ photo challenge themes with these. The window inspires thoughts of wonder of ancient secrets that may lie just beyond the stone walls. Your sunsets are so lovely. Sadly, the well meaning humans trying to preserve historical ruins doesn’t always turn out complimentary to the original design. Oh well, thank goodness you have photos of it before as it was. 🙂
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I did think about making it the “wonder” challenge. Then by accident I found something “really” bizarre!
The window did inspire such thoughts of wonder. I wondered about those who gaurded the coast…it can be quite blowy up there. I wonder what they aore and how they kept warm.
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In my wine drinking days they had a brand called “Madeira ” from the Azores supposedly that I enjoyed.
Lovely pics. I love the true coldness of the Old World.
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Is that Madeira wine? It’s very stong!
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Dear piglet, I am so glad you have the original photographs, what’s left is not very inspiring. You have to wonder who makes these decisions. We lost an lovely old church here recently, the owner thought that being close to the village the land would be snapped up by a developer. Now we have an empty plot with a few sad weeds, and with the economy the way it is I expect it will stay that way for a long time. It still hasn’t been sold, so I console myself that the greedy owner hasn’t made any money on it.
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Hi Katrina,
Sorry for the late response I ahve just found your comments in SPAM!.
It’s sad when people destroy old buildings, better if they want to develop them they restore them. The price is progress – or is it?
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Beautiful photos, PiP. Yes, such a same the original window is gone. It had so much soul!
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Maybe it was only I who saw it as a window. It just captured my imagination.
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Wow! That really is awful, PiP! Maybe they hired chimpanzees at that?
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It’s such a shame. Think I preferred the hippy chic ruin!
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I’m all for restoration and preservation, but I agree with you, PiP. There’s more cement than stone! The original “window” is a treasure.
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Yep Rose, I could have cried when I saw what had been done. Still after having a good old rant I looked out at the views and a feeling of peace once again washed over me. 🙂
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Lovely pics thanks for sharing. Glad the oven is on the mend 🙂
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Thanks patty! Yep, I am a happy piglet at the moemnt re temporary oven!
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The window image is magical and has my creative juices flowing. The restoration is disgusting and makes my heart hurt.
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Lisa you have framed my thoughts exactly. If you could visit the site though your creative juices would certianly be flowing with the wonderful views.
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Beautiful pics PIP…especially the first one.
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I love the first picture granny. I just wish I’d taken some pictures of my family looking through it, using that as a frame
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So glad the Mexicans didn’t do this to the Mayan Ruins. Such a shame.
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Hi Shell,
this is not the only example of “excessive” cement work. I suppose there must be a reason..
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the restoration has a lot to be desired. The ruins at the top were beautiful.
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😦 looks souless. I was speechless when I saw it! Hey ho it’s still a beautiful place to go and watch the sunset.
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