Discover Lisbon

Imagine. You are on a sailing ship heading up the Tagus river from the Atlantic Ocean. Very wide at its mouth, the Tagus river soon becomes narrower. That's when a tower appears, planted right in the middle of the river, blocking the passage upstream. The tower is in fact a fort controlling the passage of the ships and defending the entrance to the port. Once passed the fort, the density of the houses on river right steadily increase to finally form a big town. Disembarking off the port, you find yourself on a vast square surrounded by buildings. The far end of the square is a grand arch acting as the gate to the streets of city centre. From there, the hills on both sides climb quickly in altitude.

That's probably how travelers in the old time discovered Lisbon, its port and the Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio), and the Belém Tower that defended the town from the middle of the Tagus river. Nowadays, rare are travelers that come via the waterway and the Belém Tower is no longer in the middle of the Tagus river since the Great Lisbon Earthquake (in 1755) changed the river bed. Lisbon is not among the most visited cities in Europe, but it is a very captivating destination for those who go there.

Lisbon is the westernmost capital of Continental Europe, and the most temperate capital of Europe - its climate is thus quite pleasant in the winter, as well as in the summer. The character and charm of Lisbon is defined by its rich history and its diverse culture. Depending on the theories, the origin of the city goes far back to either the time of Ulysses or the Phoenician time. The town was successively occupied by the Roman, the Visigoth, the Moors, the Almoravid to finally being liberated by king Alfonso I of Portugal.

That diversity of culture can be seen in the architecture and the arts, notably in the Manueline style. The term Manueline style was coined in the 19th century to designate the Portuguese creative spirit which took place at the end of the 15th century under the reign of king Manuel I of Portugal. The country was at the time the premier maritime power in the world, and its discoveries brought back a great wealth and different visions across the world. From that melting pot of cultures is born the Manueline style. A perfect example of the Manueline style is the Mosterio dos Jerónimos - not to be missed.

Another typical aspect of the Portuguese culture is the azulejo, the art of painted, tin-glazed, ceramic tile work. Azulejos can be found on the interior of buildings as well as on the exterior facade. A little similar to the azulejos are the calades, those small black and white cobblestone in basalt and limestone forming diverse motifs. It's a form of street art, avant la lettre. The calades is what differentiates Lisbon to the other cities in Europe, and they contribute greatly to its charm.

Built on seven hills and located near the ocean, Lisbon offers many scenic views to be discovered. Take one of those famous trams or funiculars, find a terrace on the hill with view to the city and the Tagus river, relax with a drink or two and you can experience life and the beauty of Lisbon.

Practical details

Dates of the trip: 18-24 December 2013

The calades, those small cobblestone forming motifs, transform the sidewalks into art, but also make them slippery when wet. Extra caution required in rainy weather.

The hills of Lisbon can be steep at some places. Some streets are too steep for automobile traffic. Lisbon possesses three funiculars and a lift to help people get up and down the steep slopes. Some monuments and restaurants may seem of a short walking distance on the map, but end up taking a long time to get to because of the steep slopes. Take comfortable walking shoes with you and be prepared to climb and climb.

The trams are part of Lisbon's charm and are rightfully popular with tourists. Unfortunately, they are also a popular working place with pickpockets. They work in team. The one time I saw them in action - I almost became their victim - two of them block the entrance to the tram pretending not finding money to pay their fare, the others behind explore your pockets and belongings.

Check out the Lisboa Card. If you intend to visit a lot of museums and monuments, it will pay for itself.

If you need help and somehow can't find someone speaking English, try Spanish. It's close enough to Portuguese that most of them would understand. Your problem then would be trying to understand the answer in Portuguese.

Last updated: 2014-04-01 18:45:59 -0700