PORTUGAL : Lisbon - Sightseeing
Lisbon, the dazzling city that stretches along the banks of the Tagus,
is an enchanting capital. There is the fortress around which the city
originally sprang up, and which is now circled by neighborhoods drenched
with medieval charm. Everywhere are fine monuments that bring to mind
the great Age of Discoveries, and picturesque houses whose facades are
decked with ornate ceramic tiles.
The heart of the city is the Baixa or lower town, this area of the city
is being considered for UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The Baixa is
organized in a grid-system and a network of squares built after the 1755
Lisbon earthquake. The São Jorge Castle and the Santa Maria Maior
Cathedral are located on one of the seven hills of Lisbon, to the east
of the Baixa. The oldest district of the city is Alfama, close to the
Tagus, which has made it relatively unscathed through the various
earthquakes.
Near by the Tagus river, there are monuments and leisure areas. The
Torre de Belém is where the departure of many caravels took place, in
search of new worlds in the 14th and 15th centuries. The Mosteiro dos
Jerónimos or the Padrão dos Descobrimentos are just three examples of
beautiful places, worth a visit. Close by, you will find the Docas, a
place with a little bit of everything. A simple walk, a meal, sampling
the best Portuguese cuisine available. The bars and discos are also
countless, all housed within a fantastic atmosphere.
Marquis of Pombal Square is the intersection of some of Lisbon's main
avenues. Parque Eduardo VII in the backgroundThe city of Lisbon is rich
in architecture; Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Traditional
Portuguese, Modern and Post-Modern constructions can be found all over
the city. The city is also crossed by great boulevards and monuments
along these main thoroughfares, particularly in the upper districts;
notable among these are the Avenida da Liberdade, Avenida Fontes Pereira
de Mello, Avenida Almirante Reis and Avenida da República.
The centre of the city, apart from being the privileged area in terms of
business, also has a wide variety of places, including shopping centres
and tourist attractions. Places like the Atrium Saldanha or the
Monumental are perfect if you want to buy a gift from the best brands
available in the world.
