PORTUGAL

What to see (1)

- Lisbon city

The legend says Lisbon was founded by Ulysses at the estuary of the Tagus and Phoenicians called it the « delicious harbour ».

In fact, the seven hills city has largely benefited from the age of great discoveries in the 16th century when Portuguese sailors brought to European civilisation corn, tobacco, cacao, spices from India, silk from China, rare woods from Brazil, noble metals from Sumatra, precious stones from South Africa…developing markets, shops and handicrafts in Lisbon. It was the time of prosperity (as Shakespeare wrote it).

But the city has been destroyed in 1755 during the mass office time on 1st November by earthquake, tidal wave and burning. Hopefully the marquis de Pombal reshaped up the line the whole down town (Baixa) as it is still today; he deserves to throne at the central place where departs l’avenida de la Libertade leading to Praça de Comercio, finest square of the city through the busy shopping streets where new art, culture and fashion in the showcases blend in harmony with the ancient typical Portuguese façades.

The architecture is multicultural. The old fortified cathedral is roman. The Hyeronimites monastery and cloisters are gothic and the Belem Tower is sort of muslim art even they are linked in history: the monastery has been erected just after the return of Vasco de Gama near Belem where his caravels departed for the discovery of Indies.

The earthquake did not destroy the Castelo de Sào Jorge on the top of Santa Cruz where to enjoy a magnificent view after climbing up by the old lift of Santa Justa. The quarter all around is called Alfama. An old tramway still runs to the top through old well preserved but lively streets. An interesting stroll in the very intimate Lisbon life. It is in the same quarter where are some well known literary cafés frequented by writers or many others where to hear the angst-filled strains of the originated here famous fado song which engenders the sausade (Portuguese spleen).

Charming city, Lisbon has preserved carefully its traditional art of life while becoming more and more active and up dated. As examples, the Fàbrica dos Pastéis, founded in 1837,offers still its famous cakes (pasteis de nata) on a terrace nearby the gothic monastery of Os Jeronimos and the modern style building of the Belém Cultural Centre while the 16th century muslim architecture of the Belém tower is in view of the red metal structures of the recent 25th April Bridge (1013 m long at 74 m over Tagus) which is dominated by the 26m high modern statue of Christ where visitors can enjoy a panoramic view over the Tagus estuary and the old quarters of Lisbon.

And this city swarming with friendly people is proud of its more than twenty castles and palaces, twenty churches and twenty museums (Gulbenkian and Azulejos being the most famous) and many other points of interest like the World Show Centre which has become an attractive recreational centre or the Vasco de Gama bridge, the longest in Europe.

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