Lisboa, Capital of Portugal, In the estuary of Rio Tajo, It is a beautiful city that lends itself well to walk it and enjoy every step every corner or monument that appears before us in our walk. Because it is an important city is much the information offered. I intend here to simply make a small review and some comments from some buildings of heritage value and sites that have seemed interesting and share many images of these wonderful places.
Its geographical location has favored it throughout history, Obliged point for navigators in various historical periods. In his coastal walk buildings and monuments related to his maritime activity testify to it. So we found, on Brasilia Avenue And in front of the Tajo River estuary, he Monument to discoveries preceded by a huge mosaic on the floor that represents the Wind rose and flanked to his right by a sports port. In line with the monument crossing the avenue and crossing the praza do empire, The Marine Museum which has spaces for permanent and temporary exhibitions and library.
West and on an extensive park, the Belem Tower, built in the 16th century as a defense tower. At the end of the 16th century, Your stores would work as dungeons. The tower architecture is of great architectural value, In Portuguese Gothic style or Manuelino with Moorish influences. Their external faces are richly decorated unlike their interior that lacks ornamentation. Among the decorative elements there are those who allude to the discoveries and marine crossings. On the eastern facade, the figure of a rhinoceros that recalls the first animal of that species that arrives in Europe as a gift from the Portuguese governor in India in the early 16th century. It is possible to ascend to the tower and also visit its interior.
This is a very busy city area where the visitor can freely enjoy both in open spaces, parks and gardens as in several of the museums and monuments implanted there. Neighbor to the aforementioned Museum of the Navy is the Monastery and cloister of the geronyms, also Manuelino style and of which I have already made a publication.
The Gerónimos Monastery is a must and highly recommended visit.
Continuous to the monastery the Church of Santa Maria de Belen which is part of the group of the geronyms.
For those tasty to appreciate art and exhibitions, In this area is the Belem Cultural Center, a modern building that houses the Museum of Modern Art and contemporary as well as art galleries, library and recreation and restoration spaces.
On the way through the city center we will find numerous monuments, public spaces and buildings of great importance and significance for the Portuguese capital. This can be listed:
Nozzle house: About Custom Street. Dates from the 16th century and was built as a house for the son of the conqueror Alfonso de Albuquerque. Highlights its facade of diamond tip stones, known as bicos, who remember the facade of the Diamond Palace in Ferrara, Italy, Own the Italian Renaissance, also including typical elements of the time such as lobed arches. Suffered great damage during an earthquake and was later used for various activities. Finally it is restored in 1984. Today the house works Saramago Foundation.
Iglesia de Nostra Señora da Conceição Velha: On the way to the Plaza del Comercio, the facade of this small church also known as the Church of Mercy will caught our attention. Built on another church, suffered, Throughout its history, various modifications including the location of its main facade. Manuelino style as well as the geronyms monastery. Sculptures like Maria and the Angel of Annunciation, They ornament their facade.
Rua Augusta Arc: rebuilt on the original arch that had been destroyed and on the Plaza del Comercio, gives entrance to a pedestrian and commercial area. In addition to the sculptures that crowned the monument, A poster in recognition of conquerors and honorary characters from Portugal, There is a poster in which it translates: "The virtues of the greatest, that serves all of the teaching ".
Plaza Rossio The Plaza de D. Pedro IV: By Rua Augusta until the end of the street, This wide and busy walk opens, whose sources are meeting and meeting points of neighbors, Friends and tourists. In the center a great monument honors Pedro IV, who was the first independent Brazil Emperor, surrounded by sculptures that represent, justice, force, Wisdom and moderation. The most remarkable buildings on this square are the Doña Maria National Theater and the Railway station. It is an appropriate place to stop to replenish strength enjoying any of the bars or restaurants in their surroundings.
Santa Justa elevator: neighbor to Rossio Square, About Rua Aurea, We will be surprised by this metal structure that serves to save level differences between two important areas of the city, In addition to giving us the possibility of stopping at its last terrace to appreciate the city from above.
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Carmo Convent Church: Behind the Santa Justa elevator and on Largo do Carmo is this archaeological site that I house in addition to the remains of what was the largest Gothic Church in Lisbon the Archaeological Museum. The building was built at the end of the fourteenth century. Suffered the consequences of the earthquake of 1755, Its cover was destroyed in its entirety. In the mid -nineteenth century there were reconstruction attempts, But later the Association of Portuguese Archaeologists decides to interrupt this reconstruction and install a museum there is worth visiting. In my opinion, It is wonderful to visit this site. It is an open -pit church. Generates the feeling of being participating in the construction of a basilica in the Middle Ages. Highly recommended*.
In the tour of this neuralgic center of the city we will find pleasant corners, avenues and small littleels that would surely cause our attention and as previously mentioned, due to the difference in levels between various areas of the city, We will find esplanades and stairs that propose an adventure towards the top to explore the views and discover new neighborhoods. As we will also have the possibility of venturing into one of its typical and colorful trams that cross the city in various directions and that allow us to take a more rested walk while enjoying the same.
Thus we will arrive at San Jorge Castle, On the hill of the same name, One of the main monuments that the capital has. Beautiful views of the city are obtained from its access courtyard, Its squares and parks, His reddish roofs with the backdrop estuary.
The Castle building, which was affected by earthquakes, It is in good condition, It has various towers and also has a protection pit. Archaeological studies show that there would have been a defensive fortification of the city for the city that will suffer various attacks and invasions in the different periods from the Romans, falling in the eighth century under the Muslim Domino to then be reconquered by the Christians. But years later, 11th century, It falls under Muslim dominance again by the lunch. The fortification in that period was subsequently modified and expanded. In the twelfth century and with the support of the crossed knights, Muslims would deliver it. This fortress served as a home of the Royal Palace When Lisbon becomes the capital of the kingdom of Portugal.
Lisbon Cathedral: Santa Maria la Mayor. Dates from the 12th century and was restored and modified several times. Supreme, Like much of the city's buildings, The consequences of various earthquakes and fires. Probably built on an old Roman temple. The style is Romanic with elements of overlapping of other currents and previous elements of Norman influence in the original temple.
Jardim da Estrela O Jardin Guerra Junqueiro: West of the city, surrounded by Rua de Sao Jorge streets, pink street, Rua da Etrela y Rua de Sao Bernardo. A large park with numerous species and welcoming walks works as one of the green lungs of the city. It has a bar and numerous travel paths.
Star Basilica: also known as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Data from the end of the 18th century. It is a neoclassical -style building with baroque elements with two high towers on its main facade and an important dome. Inside, marble coatings of different colors are appreciated that, when receiving the sunlight, infuse the environment a feeling of mystery and rest.
Sao Bento Palace – REPUBLIC ASSEMBLY: Continuing along the roadway and in front of the Plaza de la Constitución, This building is located that is the host of the Portugal Legislature.
The modern city
Park of the Nations: Lisbon has an area of modern buildings of great relevance to the northeast of the city next to the estuary. Built on the occasion of the World Exhibition of 1998. Area of important convention centers, Exhibitions and sport, as well as hotels and shopping centers and casino.
Among the most prominent buildings are:
East station, Work of the Spanish architect Santiago de Calatrava.
Pavilion of Portugal, Work del Architect Portuguese Álvaro Siza
Lisbon Oceanario, work by American architect Peter Chermayeff, It is the second in Europe and houses flora and fauna that is exposed in differentiated sectors according to each ocean.
Vasco da Gama Tower, work of Portuguese architect Regino Cruz. The visitor can arrive at that tower by means of a cable car from which fantastic views viewed along the route.
Altice Arena multifunction stadium O Pavilion of the Atlantic Opened with the name of Utopia pavilion, work of Portuguese architect Regino Cruz.
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sources consulted obtained through information provided by the monuments themselves, museums and sites visited, Tourist Information Offices, uba-fau.