City Go

The Municipal Forum was the main public area of the Roman city of Emerita Augusta, founded in 25 AD. The forum was the centre of the city life, it was a place for debates, a seat of justice, a market-place. All the main administrative and social buildings were close to the forum, and in this case, the designated Temple of Diana can be found nearby. As the capital of Lusitania, Merida had a second forum, the Provincial forum, built in 50 AD. However, little is known from this second forum, apart from its location. It was likely smaller and less majestic than the Municipal Forum, which had medallions decorated with the god Jupiter and medusas, greek style elements and magnificent statues. Back to Merida

The Folk Museum was founded in 1978 by the Cultural Association of Eastern Crete. It displays traditional Cretan handicrafts in a model of a traditional Cretan house. It also includes books, manuscripts, old photos and paintings. This very small museum is located by lake Voulismeni, on the first floor of the Port Authority building, one of the oldest buildings in town. Opening hours: 10 am to 2 pm (the opening hours are unreliable, I passed by several times and only saw it opened at 4 pm for about one hour) Entrance fee: €3

The fortress that towers over Rethymnon was built in 1571 by the Venetian occupants, in order to protect the town's inhabitants from Ottoman attacks. It is thought to have been built on top of the acropolis of the ancient town of Rethymna but evidence of this town has never been found. Right after the siege of Rethymnon by the Ottomans, in 1646, the new occupants built a mosque on top of the remains of the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, which was destroyed, and named it after Sultan Ibrahim Khan. Within the walls, there are also warehouses, residences and a small church, built in the 19th century, dedicated to Saint Catherine. Opening hours: 1st of Apr. to 14th Nov., 8 am to 8 pm. Entrance fee: €4 (2017) Back to Rethymnon

The Roman Fountain of Hersonissos can be found on the seafront, in the middle of shops and tavernas. It has the shape of a pyramid and is covered by mosaics depicting maritime motifs, such as fishermen, boats, sea serpents, squids, ducks and fish. The fountain dates from the 4th century, when Hersonissos was an important Roman harbour, and is one of the many Roman remains that can be found in the area, many of which, unfortunately, cannot be visited.

Lisbon Book Fair is a fair held annually, from the end of May to mid-June. The fair was inaugurated in 1930 and is one of the oldest cultural festivals in Lisbon. It has been held every year uninterruptedly, and, although the first venue was Largo do Rossio in Pombaline downtown, it's traditionally located in Eduardo VII Park , which has one of the best scenic views over Lisbon. At the fair, you can find books with great discounts, particularly the so-called "books of the day" and during the "H-hour", after 10 p.m. For non-Portuguese speakers, there are books in other languages, mainly English, French and Spanish, and educational toys. It is also possible to have a light meal, attend presentations and debates by national and international authors, and take part in activities. Free wifi access is available. In 2018 the fair takes place from May. 25 to Jun. 13. Opening hours: Mon. to Thu. 12.30 to 23.00; Fri. 12.30 to 00.00; Sat. 11.00 to 00.00; Sun. a...

Dating from 1887, the fountain replaced the mayorship well in supplying water for the population.  The fountain has four spouts made from a smelting of a bell of the main church. On its facade is the coat-of-arms of Portugal.

The Flower Torch Festival takes place in Easter Sunday in the small Algarvian town of São Brás de Alportel. The townspeople carpet the streets with flowers and raise the flower torches in honour of the resurrection of Christ. This used to be a procession popular in the whole of Algarve. The members of brotherhoods had to carry a lighted torch or lantern but with the shortage of wax, the torch was replaced by a painted stick decorated with flowers.  Opening hours: Easter Sunday, from 9.30 am. Entrance free How to get there: There are no public transports to São Brás on Easter Sunday. You can only get there either by car or taxi.

The Fountain of the Idol (Fonte do Ídolo) is a small shrine dating from the Roman period, which probably begun being built in the first century. It is associated with the water cult, dedicated to the Galician and Lusitanian gods Tongoe Nabiagus and Nabia. It was first identified by Georg Brau in his map of Braga, in 1594. The monument was first studied in the late 19th century, early 20th century by the well-known Portuguese archaeologist José Leite Vasconcelos, contributing to its classification as a national monument. On January 2006 the interpretive pavilion was inaugurated, protecting the monument from further deterioration. Opening hours : Tue. to Fri., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat., Sun. and Holidays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrance fee : €1.70 (€3.10 together with the Roman baths) Back to Braga