Lisbon, Portugal

17 April 2024 - Lisboa, Portugal

We were again blessed with beautiful weather. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and one of the oldest cities in the world. Settled over 3,000 years ago, it is an important seaport and commerce center. It still shows the influence of its many conquerors, especially the Moors. It is very hilly and uses funiculars for pedestrians to make their way around. Unfortunately, none of the funiculars were scooter friendly, so we were restricted to exploring the relatively flat portion of old Lisbon There was more than enough to see!

Tile work figures prominently in Lisbon buildings, like elsewhere in Portugal.

The Rua Augusta arch is in the background.

A statue of King Joseph I who was the ruler when the devastating earthquake and tsunami of 1755 hit. Most of Lisbon was destroyed. He is seen as a hero of the times in the restoration of the city.

The portrait in the front of the statute is Marquis du Pombal. He planned the rebuilding of the city, and being a military man, laid everything out along a grid. He established standards for the buildings and that is why there is such a uniform look to the city - buildings five stories high, with symmetric windows and french balconies. All whitewashed, with occasional yellows thrown in.

You pass through the Rua Augusta arch to enter the Main Street of the town center.

A view back through the arch to the harbor front.

These lamps are standard throughout the town.

Santo Domingo church looks much different than the churches we have visited so far. It was built in 1241, devastated by the 1531 and 1755 earthquakes and suffered a terrible fire in 1959. Fundraising doesn’t appear to be strong, as there has been little restoration of the gold touches we normally see.

There is an air of sadness and melancholy to this church, I think because it shows so much of the devastation it has endured.

This is a cod shop. Its specialty is dried cod. Codfish is a cold water fish and not from the waters off Portugal, yet it is a national favorite. Portuguese fisherman discovered it in the Newfoundlands and brought it back preserved in salt.

It takes 3 days of soaking in water to get enough salt out of it to cook.

The Confeitaria Nacional shop has been selling sweets since 1829. On the day we visited, the line was out the door.

The oldest bar in town serving a traditional cherry brandy, with or without sour cherries. Again, the line was long. 23% alcohol - quite a kick!

This shop has been making hats since 1886 and is owned by the grandson of the founder.

The National Theater, built on the site of the inquisition palace.

The train station. The two entrances are framed by Moorish horseshoe arches.

Where the two horseshoe arches intersect is a statue of King Sebastian. In1580, he set off on an adventure to Africa and no one ever heard from him again. He left no heirs and the crown ended up with Philip II of Spain.

Lisbon’s oldest hotel. Popular with WWII spies.

Built in 1902, the iron Elevador de Santa Justa, is one example of the types of lifts and funiculars around the city designed to deal with the hilly terrain.

Tram 28 is a set of old trams that wind throughout several neighborhoods. In operation since the 1920s.

Like other towns, Lisbon’s old streets are paved with mosaic stone in elaborate patterns.

A statue of King John I, he defeated the Spanish in 1385 and ushered in Portugal’s Golden Age. His descendants would rule Portugal until 1910.

This is a reminder that this square was once the local headquarters for the Inquisition. In 1506, the city massacred the town’s Jews. And in the 1500s, it hosted a slave market. Lots of dark history.

View of the Jewish quarter, totally repurposed over the centuries.

Beautiful panoramic views as the ship leaves Lisbon.

Belem Tower was built in the 1500s and was where Vasco de Gamas, among other prominent Portuguese explorers left for their adventures. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.