Hello people and pinmapplers!
There are many cities that we would like to visit, for their emblematic places, atmosphere or for their charm. Possibly one of them is Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, a small and quiet country that hides many jewels and beautiful places to admire and enjoy if we go there.
We have already visited the most photographed place in the country, surely, Sintra and its Pena Palace, but the capital is very close and you have to discover it.
We arrive in a different way, crossing a bridge that reminds us of another place, right? It is not San Francisco but the April 25 Bridge that connects us directly to the city, because Lisbon faces the river, not the sea, well almost too, but it is the Tagus River that gives it life and those beautiful views, the mouth of the river in the Atlantic Ocean.
And as soon as we cross, we head to one of the most important tourist spots, the Belém area, where we are struck by the wonderful Monastery of the Jerónimos, with its spectacular architecture and decoration. A wide esplanade, with a huge fountain, many tourists around because there are more museums and also a large planetarium. There is a lot to see in this area and also try the Belém pastries simply called there "pastéis de nata"(custard tarts), they are really good.
It is not exactly the center but you have to come here, because very close there we discover the most emblematic monument of the city, the Belém Tower, unique and special, as a watchman at the mouth of the Tagus River. And also very close to an iconic monument, the Monument to the Discoveries, in homage to so many Portuguese navigators who traveled the world.
Now we are going towards the center, first we realize that there are many statues and perhaps the most important is that of the very famous Marquis of Pombal, I think I remember for being the one who restructured and rebuilt the city after the most terrible earthquake in this area in 1755 (I remember well this data that is repeated in different museums and also people told me about it).
Although there are also others, even some surprising obelisks, now in the most central part, in the Rossio Square and nearby, one of the most beautiful Starbucks we could find surprises us. Have you seen any like this? In a beautiful train station building.
It is the busiest area for inhabitants and visitors, there are typical souvenir shops, and more classic buildings that stand out more with the bright sunlight.
A vibrant and elegant center that takes us to the heart of the city, to the Trade Square (Praça do Comércio), where, in addition to a curious beer museum (Museu da Cerveja), stands the Triumphal Arch on Rua Augusta, a street where the commercial area is located. It is also a viewpoint where you can go up to enjoy the views. Do you see people at the top?
But going up or not going up we have the Tagus River, a square that literally ends in the water, with two columns that indicate the level of the water and where people come to relax, to look at the horizon (although Almada is on the other side and some beaches beyond, I'll tell you about it...).
And speaking of views, we can see the city from above from many different points because there are more viewpoints, all popular and great. But since there is so much to see and share, I will also tell you more about this in another next post.
We continue walking through the center, we discover curious buildings, we see the face of a universal Portuguese writer, José Saramago (have you read "Essay on blindness?" I have).
And we went up and down, through old, historic and bohemian neighborhoods, narrow streets, the mythical yellow tram that goes up steep streets from another era.
Neighborhoods that we will hear about, Chiado, Bairro Alto, Baixa and of course Alfama, where the typical tiles invade the walls.
And there are very good places to eat, to eat cod, to drink, to drink Portuguese green wine or Porto, even to discover the local musical style: Fado, it is a heartbreaking, deep and at the same time content and nostalgic song.
Because Lisbon is flooded with nostalgia or “saudade”, (=longing) the most used word there... and so are we also, after leaving this unforgettable and special city.
