Turism |

On the right hand bank of the river Tagus, Lisbon is a city whose legendary history stretches back over twenty centuries. The maritime Voyages of Discovery turned Lisbon into one of the world’s great ports and the centre of an empire that stretched from Brazil in the West to India in the East. On the banks of the river, great monuments testify to that history.

After the earthquake of 1755, the Baixa Pombalina downtown was rebuilt in the classical style while many of its adjoining medieval neighbourhoods survived and are now home to an amazing array of stores, restaurants and cafés.

Lisbon’s most symbolic monuments are located in the historical area of Belém, the Torre de Belém (Tower of Belém) and the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jerónimos Monastery), illustrious examples of architectural beauty and the Manueline style evoking the time of the Portuguese Discoveries. Both monuments have received World Heritage status.

The Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument of the Discoveries) pays homage to the greatest Portuguese explorers. From its top, you can see the Rosa dos Ventos drawn on the ground.

The Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George’s Castle) was wrested in 1147 from the Moors by D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal. Here, you can visit a multimedia exhibition on the city’s evolution in the Olissipónia space. D. Afonso Henriques also gave the orders to build the Sé (Cathedral).

The São Roque Church, one of the first Jesuit centres in Portugal, boasts a magnificent baroque chapel dedicated to Saint John the Baptist built in its entirety in Italy. The Estrela Basilica, illustrative of the transition from baroque to neoclassical, is home to an extraordinary manger scene comprising over 500 pieces. In the São Vicente de Fora Monastery, discover the interesting decorative tiles inspired by the La Fontaine fables. In the baroque Santa Engrácia Church, today known as the Panteão Nacional (National Pantheon), visitors can see the tomb of the Portuguese fado singer, Amália Rodrigues.

Lisbon’s exceptional and highly individualistic light has charmed writers, photographers and filmmakers with the polychrome façade tiles serving to create a particular atmosphere. On foot, by tram, boat or walking the banks of the Tagus, and even on the metro - an open underground museum of contemporary Portuguese art, any means serves to reveal the cultural diversity of the Portuguese capital of Lisbon.