the author
I'm Portuguese, graduated in Electrical Engineering. My interests encompass history - in particular, History of Portugal - photography and Web page design.
Although I am an amateur in the three fields, I'm pleased to share with the visitors the result of these three interests combined.
My particular interest in the Monastery of Santa Clara a Velha comes from its historical relevance as well as its photographic appeal.
Beyond the surprise reaction when I found the church partially sunk in the swamp, the combination of stone and water with numerous reflections and refractions as well as geometric effects and colour shades.
I'm afraid the restoration works now in progress, which include the drainage of the wet ground and the construction of a dry precinct around the Monastery premises will reduce its photographic interest. Notwithstanding, I expect that the additional historic knowledge acquired during the works and from the analysis of the new areas now visible will compensate this loss. Moreover, a gothic church with a floor plan at mid-height may offer interesting points of view.
My work on the Monastery is still incomplete. For years I've been waiting for the restoration works to end, but the work is still in progress, as the archaeologists find new materials and engineers find new difficulties. Impatient after several years of wait, I decided to publish this pre-album while I wait for the opportunity to visit the Monastery again.
João Gomes Mota
