One of the most intriguing aspects of the view out our kitchen windows is that of Praia da Vitoria and Matriz da Praia where we were married more than 30 years ago. Our good friend is the caretaker there and escorted us to the belltower for a view of the town and our new home just to the right of the mountain in the distance.
The church was built in 1514 and has seen seveal wars, growth spurts, hurricanes, storms, and earthquakes. Yet it remains on of the most beautiful reglisions structures I know in Europe.
In these hallowed halls Sofia and her sisters were baptized, confirmed, married, and many family members consecrated. The preist who married us, Padre Candido, was a great family freind and we visit hsi grave whenever we visit others in the family.
I’m not terribly religous, but I do love visiting Matriz da Praia every now and again, just to provide a little stability in our turbulent world!