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Looks like heaven
Travel Vacations Destinations
Portugal
Lisbon
On the Atlantic coast where the River Tagus flows into the ocean, lies Portugal's capital city of Lisbon (Lisboa), nestled between seven hills. Lisbon is a beautiful, relaxed city full of contrasts, from modern high rises to Art Nouveau buildings, wonderful mosaic pavements, brightly tiled buildings and medieval Moorish architecture.
Its port has been in constant use for the last three thousand years by a number of different rulers, but it was most prominent and powerful between the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries, when Portugal was a wealthy nation. Much of this wealth was due to the explorer Vasco da Gama, who discovered the sea route to India in 1498. This led to a lively trade in spices and gem stones, bringing great wealth to Lisbon. In the seventeenth century, gold was discovered in Brazil, bringing in more money. However, in 1755 the city was severely damaged by an earthquake and the tsunami that followed. It was never to regain its former prominence.
Close to the harbour is the Pra<;:a do Comercio, one of the most elegant city squares in Europe. The surrounding buildings have attractive arcades along their facades. The city centre of Lisbon, Baixa, is organized in a grid pattern and was largely built after the earthquake. The oldest district is Alfama, close to the Tagus, which survived almost intact and retains many medieval buildings. For a view over the city, visit the Castello de Sao Jorge, a medieval castle built on a hill in the fortified citadeL The castle was the last stronghold of resistance if attackers managed to enter the citadeL It is a handsome rectangular building with ten towers.
Don't miss the fa<;:ade of the church of Nossa Senhora da Concei<;:ao Velha. The church was rebuilt after the earthquake using rescued elements of the old building, mainly decorative pieces of the fa<;:ade which date back to the sixteenth century. This fa<;:ade is a great example of the Manueline style, or Portuguese Late Gothic, a sumptuous architectural style incorporating maritime elements and inspired by the discoveries of Vasco da Gama. This style marks the transition from Late Gothic to Renaissance.
Probably the most prominent monument of Lisbon and certainly the most successful achievement of the Manueline style is the magnificent Jer6nimos Monastery, with its delightful cloister. Close by is the Belem Tower, built in the early sixteenth century to commemorate Vasco da Gama. This defensive, yet elegant construction is one of the symbols of the city, a memorial to Portugual's power during the Age of the Great Discoveries.
Created by: Journey Discount 2008 | www.journeydiscount.com