In Eça de Queirós most famous work "Os Maias", one of the most idiossincratic characters (João da Ega) says something like "if in Paris there is a new fashion trend of making toe caps a little bit proeminent, in Portugal they'll exaggerate it so much to comply with the latest trend that it will be simply ridiculous and nonsense".
For me (and for Ega, as much as I understand of his speech) this sums up almost everything in this country. There is a incomprehensible need of feeling like a true central-european country, but by denying our true culture (that is NOT central-european!) all that is left is some horrendous ridiculous pieces of "artistic" nonsense.
About the picture, this was a beautiful building in the very center of the city. But to comply with the latest artistical trends....... Well, see for yourself.
Steepshot