We love everything that Jorge Rocha, better known as o_alfacinha_viajante, posts on his Instagram account about the city of Lisbon.
It is immediately apparent that he is someone who lives the city with immense passion, who loves to explore its countless paths, streets, and alleys and, above all, who knows some of its secrets like few others.
So much so that we challenged him to choose one of his favorite neighborhoods and give us a guided tour, where he told us in incredible detail the history of some of the most iconic places in this typical Lisbon neighborhood.
The neighborhood chosen by @o_alfacinha_viajante was Mouraria, but it could have been any other, because we are sure that the experience would have been equally rewarding.
Without further ado, here is the video of the personalized tour of Mouraria. All that remains is for us to thank Jorge Rocha for his willingness to take us on this wonderful trip to the most multicultural neighborhood in the city.
If you don’t want to watch the video, but still want to know how o_alfacinha_viajante sees our beautiful Lisbon, you can read the entire interview below.
Interview with Jorge Rocha aka Alfacinha Viajante
Our trip through the Mouraria neighborhood began here, in Largo da Achada.
1 – Where did your interest in photography come from?
It’s a recent thing. I didn’t even like photography before. I was more in the habit of retaining special moments in my mind. My interest began at the same time as Instagram appeared, which I thought was a good tool to start my love of photography. First, I had a personal account, but it was only two years ago that I started the o_alfacinha_viajante “project.” Nowadays, it’s a huge passion, especially for Lisbon—for obvious reasons—and when I’m traveling, I love to take pictures.
2 – What is your creative process like in the places you photograph?
I pay a lot of attention to angles, trying to capture the best possible perspectives. I also pay attention to light and the surrounding colors, which are details that really inspire me, especially the light in Lisbon, which I am passionate about. I really like the light in the city; I think it’s a special light.
3 – When is your favorite light of the day?
It depends a lot on the location. Some places are very good in the morning and others only at dusk. For example, Alfama is not because it is further west, but dawn in Alfama is something special. And in Lisbon, the sunsets are very good in the Bairro Alto area, the whole Chiado area, and Belém too. They are beautiful at sunset. Then there are streets that depend on the time of day. As I already know the sun’s position in Lisbon quite well, I take advantage of these moments and go to that specific street.
4 – What is your connection to the city?
I was born in Lisbon. I am 100% Lisbonese, hence the profile with the name alfacinha, which is the name given to those who were born and live in Lisbon, and the passion for the city is unique, only those who live here can describe it. And this is what I also try to show in my photographs.
5 – When you want to escape Lisbon, where do you go?
I have several places around Lisbon. If we’re talking within the district, without a doubt Sintra, a perfect place to relax, it’s a very peaceful and beautiful area. It has the sea and the mountains. I also take the opportunity to go to the south bank, where I’m drawn to the sea and the whole area from Costa da Caparica to Meco. I also like the Arrábida Mountains. All these areas give me a great sense of tranquility. And in these places, I take the opportunity to capture my photographs, my moments in these places.
Sintra is one of Jorge Rocha’s favorite places when he leaves the city | Photo by @o_alfacinha_viajante
6 – What do you miss most about Lisbon when you go on vacation to another country?
Ah, without a doubt, the coffee here in Portugal. The taste of the coffee.
7 – And what makes you feel nostalgic?
I lived abroad for 4-5 years, in London, and one thing I missed about Lisbon and Portugal was this light. The light, the food, the people. That’s what made me come back to Portugal.
8 – Why the Mouraria neighborhood?
Because it’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in Lisbon. Alfama is undoubtedly the oldest, but Mouraria is a close second. It’s a neighborhood that still retains many of its characteristics, much of its picturesque charm. We’re in the city, but it makes us feel like we’re in a village, a village within the city.
9 – What attracts you to this neighborhood?
In Mouraria, we can still breathe a little tranquility, and that life of the past… it still makes us travel a little back in time.
10 – Mouraria is?
Mouraria is… being Lisbon.
Mouraria is a neighborhood that still retains its characteristics, much of its picturesque side | Photo by @o_alfacinha_viajante
11 – What other photographers or artists working on Lisbon would you recommend?
There are many, and some will “kill” me if I don’t mention them all here (laughs). Some of them belong to a community that Lisboa Secreta may also know, such as Ruben Neves, of whom I am a big fan. I also really like the work of José Magalhães, who takes beautiful photographs. These are my favorites, but I apologize to the others… they are all incredible (laughs).
12 – Where do you usually drink your coffee/imperial?
When I returned from London, and when Lisbon was calmer, more peaceful, without tourism (on the one hand, tourism is very good, and we are all grateful for it), A Brasileira was the meeting place at that time. We are talking about 20 years ago, when it was where many Lisboners had been meeting for many decades. It was also where I used to drink my coffee. Nowadays, it depends a little on where I am, at one of those restored kiosks, but I definitely like to go to the Santa Catarina viewpoint to enjoy the views, have my good Portuguese coffee, and drink my Portuguese beer.
13 – What is your favorite monument in the city?
Oh, I have several! One of them, obviously, is the Belém Tower, one of the great symbols of Portugal and Lisbon. The Jerónimos Monastery is also a beautiful monument. São Jorge Castle, because of its location, which is an elevated area of the city. There are so many, but these are the ones I like the most.
14 – Lisbon is?
Lisbon is… beautiful, and there is no other city like Lisbon.
15 – Tell us a secret about your Lisbon.
If I tell you, it won’t be a secret anymore ( laughs). But this place where we are, Largo da Achada, I think is a gem in the city of Lisbon. It’s a square in the Mouraria neighborhood that most Lisboners don’t know about, that most tourists don’t know about either, and I think it’s no longer a secret now with this interview (laughs), but it’s worth coming here. Enjoy this square, which is the “face” of Lisbon.
Largo da Achada, in Mouraria, one of the most secret places in Lisbon.
Don’t just stand there watching ships! Follow usonFacebook,Instagram,and now also onWhatsApp!