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Index:
TRANSPORTATION
1-Transportation (ferry boats) 1.1-Transportation (ferry boats: the harbor) 2-Transportation (double-deckers)
3-Transportation (Santa Justa elevator) 4-Transportation (funiculars) 5-Transportation (trams) LISBON PARADES
1-Lisbon parades (Saint Anthony feasts) 2-Lisbon parades (change of the National Republican Guard)
TRADE
1-Trade (Ribeira market) 2-Trade (flee market) 3-Trade (Shopping areas)
SQUARES
1-Squares (Trade square) 2-Squares (Figueira square) 3-Squares (Rossio square) 4-Squares (Restauradores
square) 5-Squares (Marquis of Pombal square) 6-Squares (Saldanha square) 7-Squares (Entrecampos square)
8-Squares (Spain square)
OTHER MONUMENTS
1-Other monuments (aqueduct) 2-Other monuments (Monument to the Discoveries) 3-Other monuments (Belem
Tower) 4-Other monuments (Statue to Christ the King) 5-Other monuments (Expo 98) 6-Other monuments (Expo 98:
the Oceanarium).
PARKS
1-Parks 2-Parks (zoo)
TRANSPORTATION
1-Transportation (ferry boats) There are long and short trips we can take on the river, depending on the kind of boat
we chose. Most of them take between 15 and 30 minutes but if we take a tourist boat they can take more than 2 hours.
There are fast boats here, but we are taking a ferry, something that Lisboans got used to a long time ago. It was the
only way to cross the river before the 1960's, when the first bridge was built. Commuters come to work in Lisbon early
in the morning. Thousands of people arrive to Lisbon every day by ferry. They come with the sunrise early in the
morning, even when its foggy, and nobody think of the nostalgia of the past history of sailors. Portuguese are
hardworking people, although the inhabitants of Lisbon are known as the lettuce eaters. A name that is often related to
the peaceful and friendly manners of this people that can be connected to the quietness of the estuary.
The promenade is an unforgettable one. It doesn't look like we are on a river. Although the ocean tides arrive here and
most of the water comes from the ocean, there are no waves and we enjoy a pleasant tour, watching Lisbon from the
river like sailors used to do in the past from the caravels. Tagus River used to be navigable for some 30 km further
up where boats went to load cereals, thus giving the name to the mouth, the straw sea, which can also be related to
the golden reflections of the water. This river comes from Spain, like most of the big rivers in Portugal, and although it
had a different course in the past, it will remain for a long time like a brooch of the history of Lisbon
1.1-Transportation (ferry boats: the harbor) The harbor of Lisbon, more than 20km long, already a stop for maritime
people like Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians, thousands of years ago, is now close to all routes of big vessels
crossing North Atlantic. It was the busiest in the world during the Portuguese discoveries and an important site for all
Portuguese boats coming and going to the former Portuguese colonies.
2-Transportation (double-deckers) Well, we are going back onto dry land. We could take a carriage, but for the
moment we are taking a double-decker, a kind of bus that used to abound in Lisbon in the 3rd quarter of the
20-century as a regular mean of transportation for the locals. They are now tourist buses and they run all year round.
We can take them both in the summer and winter, due to the nice and mild climate of Lisbon. In fact, the temperature
never falls below zero, and the summer is always freshened by cool breezes of the ocean. It's when we breathe the
good smell of the sea, in this arboreal city with green even in the winter. We have several means of transportation
doing dozens of different tours in Lisbon, every day, without exceptions. We then realize how vast and charming this
city is. Because of the nonexistence of skyscrapers this city hasn't so many crowded places like other capitals, and its
ample and extensive. We enjoy the nice maritime breeze of the ocean and the river, in a capital that is definitely not
smoggy as other capitals, but often cooled and cleaned by the natural clouds coming from the Atlantic. Although big
buses can not go through the crooked and narrow streets of the ancient town, which is mostly located near the river,
we can take a glimpse at them and compare how Lisbon has evolved lately, with the white limestone of ancient
monuments and soft colors of previous periods often giving place to gaily colors and conceptual shapes of current
architecture. 3-Transportation (Santa Justa elevator) We are changing again the transport to a more standing one.
It means the elevator built by the school of Eiffel in the end of the 19-century. It connects downtown with a hill and from
the top we have a nice view. It is now almost but not all obsolete for the inhabitants as the main clients are now
tourists. As it stands in the middle of the shopping area is always running, giving an antique look to this already elderly
section, with its familiar art nouveau style, similar to other constructions in Portugal.
4-Transportation (funiculars) For the hills, we have another ride: funiculars. Sometimes it's not easy to go up the hills
walking and we take a funicular. The result is always a nice view from the top. They go through the narrow streets to
reach the peak and when one is going up, the other one is going down, because in the past, the weight of the one
going down pulled the other going up. You can also take the funicular to go down, but as the Portuguese say ?All
saints help to go down.
5-Transportation (trams) We change again but we keep in the same family. Now we take a tram, another typical ride
in Lisbon. These trams were never eradicated in this city and in fact we even have new ones here. They don't pollute
and they are safe. Yes, they almost never have an accident. We have the big and modern ones for the long and wide
avenues and we have these old ones for the ancient part of the town. This ancient, tram, is the only way to go to the
old section of the city, through the narrow streets, some of them so narrow, that only this cozy and little tram can
handle. The old trams were first made by the enterprise making those of San Francisco. Because they run with
electricity, the Lisboans often call them electricos. Sometimes the street is so narrow that there is even only room for
one. So, it has to wait for the other to get through before diving ahead, in the adventure of another thin street.
LISBON PARADES
1-Lisbon parades (Saint Anthony feasts) They take place on the eve of 13th of June every year. It's the day of Saint
Anthony, who was born in Lisbon. Actually, in June there are the feasts of the so-called popular saints of Portugal,
which are Saint Anthony, Saint John and Saint Peter. The most important is Saint Anthony. Each quarter makes a
procession and they are more than 20. The celebration goes on all night long?
2-Lisbon parades (change of the National Republican Guard) We have another spectacular show in Lisbon, which is
the change of the National Republican Guard in front of the Presidential palace. We have it every month. This guard
is connected to the Portuguese Republic, which exists since 1910, after the end of the monarchy.
TRADE
1-Trade (Ribeira market) Let's see the commerce of Lisbon. This is the biggest, the most ancient and the most typical
market of Lisbon. It's still a busy one, which opens at 5 a.m., and here you find everything including a nice mood and
friendship. Even if you don't want to spend your money, everybody welcomes you with opened arms. The Portuguese
are very much known for hospitality and goodwill for everybody without exception. Our country has been one of
merchants and negotiators. They had an important role in the Portuguese history and they still account a lot for the
Portuguese economy. Despite the fact that many hypermarkets were opened all around the place, we still see many
of this kind of markets in town. Fish is good but the main dish is codfish.
2-Trade (flee market) We also have a flee market since 1882, close by saint Engracia church. Here you can find
everything less expensive and second-hand stuff. They are not tricky in trading, but if you want you can bargain the
price. Yes, because among many new items, you always find those kind of things the others don't need anymore. This
works like a cash converter to many people and anybody is free to trade here. And like everything that is old and
traditional it stands near the river.
3-Trade (Shopping areas) In the traditional shopping area of Lisbon, close by the castle, shops are opened since the
time of the Romans, for more than 2000 years. It's still the forum of Lisbon, in spite of many other shopping areas that
developed here and there. It's all decorated with lights during Christmas time. Although they close here by night, you
can find many opened till almost 12 p.m. in the many shopping malls, everyday, including Sundays and public holidays.
We have some of the biggest in Europe. Most of them were opened quite recently, with fine-looking décors, and work
as a symbol of the recent boom of the economy, so much echoed in the capital.
SQUARES
1-Squares (Trade square) A square is the mirror of a city. And to show you how graceful this city is, we start by Trade
Square, close to the river, the entrance of Lisbon for caravels and galleons in the past. There is Glory crowning Fame
and Victory at the top of the Triumphal Arch with statues of important people of Portuguese history. It's like an
entrance to the shopping area behind the square and it is in due proportion with the square, the most elegant one,
another badge of this city. In the middle, the equestrian statue of king Joseph. He was king during the earthquake of
1755, since this square was rebuilt afterwards. This was the most famous square in the world in the 16 century, where
king Manuel, who had his palace here, used to ride elephants in front of boats arriving from different parts of the world.
This was one of the most famous squares in Europe, the entrance of Lisbon when people and trade used to arrive by
sea. It was a point of reference for many navigators and discoverers.
2-Squares (Figueira square) Figueira square is another in the heart of trading area. Here is the statue of king John I,
the one who stimulated the maritime expansion, thus connecting the west and the east by sea and bringing the new
world to the knowledge of Europeans.
3-Squares (Rossio square) And side by side with this one is Rossio, the public square since the middle Ages. This is
the heart of Lisbon, for a long, long time. The statue in the middle is of king Peter IV, who fought for liberalism in
Portugal in the 19 century. He gave independence to the Portuguese colony of Brazil becoming its first emperor. His
statue was made in Paris, like the two elegant bronze fountains. In front, queen Mary II theatre, made in the 19 century,
in neoclassic style. It was in this square that many important events took place, like feasts, bullfights, public executions,
processions, revolutions? Still busy and a romantic place by night, when light is given to its best parts.
4-Squares (Restauradores square) Also a few steps away, there is Restauradores square. Homage to those who
restored the Portuguese independence in 1640. It's next to the restaurants where you can try the typical dishes of
Portugal, the tourism office and a number of good Hotels, which stay close to the center. This is another strategic
square, close to the center, and if we take Liberty Avenue up north, we arrive to marquis of Pombal square.
5-Squares (Marquis of Pombal square) There's the statue of the marquis, who was a prime minister in the 18 century.
He took care of the reconstruction of Portugal with a powerful iron will and a wrist of steal after the 1755 earthquake,
one of the strongest, perhaps the worst, natural catastrophe in Europe. This square was the end of Lisbon in the 18
century, which means that we are leaving the old town and see the modern plazas.
6-Squares (Saldanha square) If we move a little further up, always taking the large and wide avenues, made in the 19
century when Lisbon was developing to the north, we arrive to Saldanha square. Duke of Saldanha, grandson of
marquis of Pombal, was a brave man who fought several battles for freedom and liberalism in Portugal. Some of his
heirs are still the owners of several private plots of land all around the country. In this square starts Republic Avenue,
one of the longest and widest in Lisbon, named in homage to the Portuguese republic, which started in 1910, after the
fall of monarchy. We take this avenue to arrive to Entrecampos Square.
7-Squares (Entrecampos square) Entrecampos square has a monument to those who fought in the peninsular war. In
this square start a number of long and wide avenues, which means that this is definitely the modern part of Lisbon.
8-Squares (Spain square)
Not distant is Spain square part from the arch that belonged to a convent of Lisbon ordered by king Philip II of Spain,
we have here a XVII century palace built for a Portuguese count, prior to the trembling of the 18-century.
OTHER MONUMENTS
1-Other monuments (aqueduct) We have many other monuments. One is the aqueduct, dating from the 18 century, a
work of genius, standing firm during the quake. It's more than 20 kilometers long; it has 109 arches, being the biggest
one, on the Guinness book of records, as one of the biggest ogival stone arches ever built in the world. It's 65 meters
high and 29 meters wide. This aqueduct still brings water to the several ancient fountains of Lisbon.
2-Other monuments (Monument to the Discoveries) There is prince Henry at the top of the prow in the monument to
the discoveries, built on the north bank of the river, replica of another that existed for the Portuguese World Exhibition
of 1940 that went on around here. This one was made in 1960, 500 years after prince Henry died, and represents the
prow of a caravel, with 33 statues, corresponding to kings, princes, navigators, warriors, preachers, writers,
mathematicians, cosmographers and painters. The only female is queen Felipa of Lancaster, mother of Henry the
navigator, the brain of the discoveries. Behind the monument, on the floor, there is a mosaic compass dial, which is all
in marble and was offered by the South African government in 1960.
3-Other monuments (Belem Tower) Bethlehem fortress, or Belem, was built to defend and control the trade arriving by
boat. It's another jewel of the 16 century in Manueline style, built from 1515 to 1520 to make crossfire with another one
on the south bank of the river. The Portuguese artist, Francisco de Arruda, worked in Morocco, where Portugal had
colonies, from where he brought influences, like the 12 domes, similar to north African ones. It looks like the prow of a
boat facing the river, and its function was a warlike one, but it's undoubtedly a work of art, still the lacework in the white
limestone of Lisbon. The mouth of the river had plenty of forts like this, but most of them are gone with time and
earthquakes. This is one of the resistant ones, and the most beautiful and historical one.
4-Other monuments (Statue to Christ the King) One of the symbols of Lisbon is the statue of Christ on the south bank
of the river. Actually, it is called Christ the king, the highest rank in Portugal in the past. It was made from 1949 to 59 in
homage to Portugal neutrality during World War II. Its an initiative of the Portuguese church and is a replica of the one
in Brazil. It stands on a 130 meters high hill and the monument is 110 meters high. It means that its peak is 240 meters
high and can be seen from most parts of the city. It´'s curious to mention that it was started 13 years before the bridge
was completed and it is still the very only monument there is in the south bank of the river, in spite of the long history of
Lisbon. It's one of the lit monuments by night, with its golden reflected light on the river.
5-Other monuments (Expo 98) As promised, we continue our tour close to Tagus, the husband of Lisbon, which still
fetches wealth and color to the capital city. And we arrive to the east section of Lisbon that was completely renovated
in 1998. We talk about the place where the world Exhibition of 1998 was held. Close by the river, near Vasco da Gama
Bridge, which was, in fact, opened 1 month before the exhibition started. Pavilions for 145 countries were made here
and of the still existing ones is the pavilion of Portugal with a suspended roof, a work of genius by a Portuguese
architect. Several buildings were made, like a gigantic one with a round roof, which is still used nowadays for concerts
and other shows. The area is on the riverside and is a nice place for some rides on Sundays both by cable car, bicycle
or boat. There are here marinas able to take 500 yachts but are only some of the many in Lisbon. This spot still holds
many other modern theatres that are used today for several shows. It was a part of Lisbon, which was all restored with
a modern architecture and works now as a residential area, and a place of leisure. Here, the cable cars are always
running. If we take one of them, we see a totally different face of Lisbon, than it was before 1998. Not only the all
decadent old industries that were erased from this part of the map to give place to all this fresh and up-to-the-minute
look this section took, but also this fantastic flight over the estuary. And all this was made to commemorate the arrival
of Vasco da Gama to India.
6-Other monuments (Expo 98: the Oceanarium) Our tour here is going to end in one of the pavilions which is very
much worthwhile to be seen. It's this huge construction, housing a gigantic oceanarium. We have here more than 700
species of plants and fish in 5 reservoirs. The central one, has 5 million liters of seawater and represents the global
ocean.
PARKS
1-Parks There are a great variety of parks in Lisbon, most of them with plants from different continents. It's a tradition
from the past, when species from different places, arrived here on the Portuguese ships. We have countless small and
big parks scattered all over the town. In most of them, among giant palm trees from different parts of the world, we
have countless species of plants that were introduced here. Portugal has several microclimates and because it never
freezes in Lisbon, plants grow here like in any tropical forest. We can see flowers in full blossom in the winter, here in
the so-called city of the 4 springs, where flowers bloom in the 4 seasons of the year.
2-Parks (zoo) We continue this flora and fauna tour, by visiting one of the best zoos in Europe. The zoo of Lisbon was
founded in the end of the 19-century by king Louis. There are more than 2000 different animals. It's housed in the
huge gardens of a palace that belonged to a Portuguese count and this jungle is inside the city. Among many other
funny shows with the animals there are those of dauphins and sea lions. Because Portugal still keeps relationships with
many Portuguese speaking countries in Africa and Brazil, we have many species that are direct gifts and have a
proper climate to live a happy life.
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