BEAUTY FROM ASHES

The phoenix is a mythical bird that has always been a symbol of renewal for its ability to be reborn from its own ashes. Believe or not, this gorgeous hotel in Portugal has a lot in common with this famous creature, as it was revived after a fatal fire almost burned the original building to the ground. Casa do Conto, or House of Tales, was fully rehabilitated after that unfortunate event giving rise to this unique hotel. During its rehabilitation, the architects tried to save as much as they could from the original structure, keeping some of the historical features intact. Some of the hotel's most unique features are the various texts engraved on the ceilings of some of the rooms, transforming an architectural element frequently neglected into focal points and great pieces of art. I wish more beautiful things like these would emerge from tragedies.