|
Best of Lisbon
Belem Tower
This monument is the greatest symbol of Lisbon; it is 35 meters high, has 4 storeys and a terrace that offers a amazing view of the surrounding landscapes. This fortified tower was constructed between 1515 and 1521 to defend the harbor of Lisbon and commemorate the expedition of “Vasco da Gama”. The building has a late Gothic style with many Moorish influences, known as “Manueline”; it was designed by the military architect “Francisco de Arrunda”, one of the most prestigious Portuguese architects of the time, who had built several fortifications in Morocco.
The monument is divided into 2 parts: the Bastion, which has the shape of a hexagon and the tower itself situated at north of Bastion. The tower’s architecture incorporates many stonework motifs like the figure of St. Vincent or the exotic rhinoceros inspired by the Dürer’s drawing of the beast. . During XVII and XVIII centuries, the tower was used mainly as prison and custom house. In 1840 thanks to the impulse of the writer “Almeida Garret”, the ancient building was restored by order of the King Ferdinand II, during this restoration, several Manueline decorations were added. In the XX century the tower was declared national monument in 1910 and some decades after was declared World Heritage by UNESCO. You can visit the Belem Tower from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 between October and April. From May to September, it can visit the building between 10:00 to 18:30. It is located at “Avenida da India” and admission cost 3 euros for adults and 1.5 euros for people between 15 and 25 years old.
Belem Tower
Alfama
It is the oldest district of the city and is considered one of the most cherished jewels in the country. This beautiful neighborhood dates from XII century and provides an excellent example of the lifestyle both ancient Romans and Arabs. His name derives from the Moorish word “Al - hamma” that means baths or fountains. During Moorish domination this district was the whole city and was inhabited mainly by fishermen and poor people. This neighborhood survived the great earthquake of 1755 and has retained much its original charm. In Alfama, it can see narrow cobblestone streets, strings of garlic, pepper adorning and cage of canaries. This district hosts also many important attractions of Lisbon like the “Gulbenkian Museum” (which owns important collections of Egyptian and Persian items), the “Sao Roque” church (one of the oldest churches in Portugal), the “Lisbon Cathedral” or the “Sao Jorge” castle. Now, Alfama has been restored and it hosts many bars and restaurants and is one of the main tourist attractions in Portugal.
Alfama District
Castle of Sao Jorge
It is one of the main historical and tourist locations of Lisbon. Its oldest parts dates from the VI century, when the first fortifications were built by Romans, later these fortifications were modified and improved both by Visigoths and Moors. The castle was the a Moorish royal residence until 1147 when both the castle and the city were retaken by the King Afonso and a Northern European army. By 1255 the castle beacame the official Royal residence of the Portuguese crown. During the XIV century the castle was remodeled and many Moorish elements were eliminated. At the end of the XIV century, the castle was dedicated to “Saint George” by the king “Juan I”. In 1511 the king "Manuel I" moved the royal residence into the actual “Praça do Comercio”, because of this fact “Saint George” lost its importance. During the XVII century the castle was used as prison until 1755, when an earthquake destroyed almost all walls of the complex.
The castle’s architecture is square-shaped, with many gardens, squares and terraces, as well as some ancient buildings like the ruins of the former royal residence, it highlights the “Ulises Tower”, a high structure that allow to visitors to have a 360 degree view of the city. The castle is decorated with some old cannons and bronze statues.
In the XX century between 1938 and 1944 the castle was finally restored and since then, it has been a great tourist attraction. Now “Saint George” is an oasis of peace, which hosts some restaurants and souvenirs stores. This historical monument is located at “Largo do Chao da Feira” in the Alfama district. It opens every day from 9:00 to 21:00 between April and September and from 9:00 to 18:00 between October and March.
Saint George Castle
Lisbon Oceanarium
It is one of the best aquariums of the planet, being the biggest aquarium in Europe and the second in the world. It is a giant building made of stone and glass, whose center piece is a 5 millions liters (around 1.3 millions gal). The aquarium has over 16000 plants and animals, which represents around 450 different species, amongst fish, birds, amphibians and reptiles. The Oceanarium includes sections dedicated to the Antarctic, Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. This is one of the best attractions in the contemporary "Parque das Naçoes". This amazing aquarium is located at the “Esplanada de Carlos I” in the newest and most modern quarter of “Parque das Naçoes”. It opens every day from 10:00 to 19:00 during summer and from 10:00 to 18:00 during winter. Admission cost 10 euros for adults and 5 euros for students and children under 13 years old.
Lisbon Oceanarium
The Calouste Gulbenkain Museum
This museum was founded by the petroleum engineer Calouste Gulbenkian, a Armenian man who was educated in London. He was one of the richest men in the world, he was owned of the 5% of the famous company Shell. Because of his profession, Gulbenkain spent many years of his life in the middle Eastern countries, where he got a great collection of Islamic pieces. Gubelkain arrived to Lisbon in 1942 and he said that had never felt hospitality as in Portugal. Therefore, he decided to donate several important pieces of his collection to the National Art Museum Artiga. After Gubelkain death, in 1969 was opened the Calouste Gubelkain Museum as part of the organization of the same name.
The actual collection of the museum owns almost all pieces of the original collection of Gubelkain and many other pieces acquired in the last years. There is a permanent collection which is orderly by geographical and chronological parameters. The collection covers mainly Egyptian, Greek and Roman items. It highlights also the collection of Islamic pieces, which includes pottery and textiles from Turkey, Syrian and Persia. One of the most important acquisitions of the museum are two pictures of Rembrandts, which were purchased from the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.
In addition to, the Gubelkain Foundation supports many other cultural events and activities like films, concerts, ballets and rotating exhibitions. The museum is located at 45 “De Verna” Avenue and is opened from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. Admission costs around 3 euros.
Jerónimos Monastery
This monastery is located in the Belem district and is another great sample of Manueline architectural style. It is the most impressive symbol of the Portugal’s power during the "Age of Discovery". This amazing complex was built on the same site of the “Ermida do Restelo”, a hermitage founded by “Henry the Navigator” around 1450, where Vasco da Gama and his men spent their last night in Portugal in prayer before leaving for India. The monastery was constructed to commemorate the feat of Vasco da Gama and give thanks to the Virgin Mary for the success of Vasco. Therefore, Vasco da Gama’s tomb was placed in this monastery. The decorations of the monastery combine Gothic and Moorish influences with classic and Renaissance elements.
The architecture of this complex is absolutely wonderful, with magnificent cloisters, columns carved with coils of rope and amazing decorations inspired in the sea, as well as marvel statues of stone. This monastery was declared World Heritage by UNESCO and is a symbol of Lisbon. It is located at “Praça do Imperio” and opens from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. Admission costs 5 euros for adults and 2.5 euros for children.
Ancient Art National Museum
This important museum is located at 95 “Rua das Janelas Verdes”. It hosts the greatest collection of paintings and sculptures of Portugal. The pieces of the museum date from XII century; the collection includes a wide variety of artist of Portugal and the rest of the world. The museum works in an ancient palace of the XVII century. Some of the most famous pieces of this museum are the “polyptych” from St. Vincents’s monastery made by Nuno Goncalves in the XV century, “the Temptation of St. Anthony”, “St. Jerome” by Albrecht Dürer and several paintings made by Velázquez, Poussin and Courbet. The museum also exhibits an important collection of golden and silver items. “Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga” opens from Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 and on Tuesday from 14:00 to 18:00. Admission cost 3 euros for adults and 1.5 euros for students and children.
Back to:
Portuguese in Lisbon
Portuguese in Portugal
Portuguese Courses
| 
Send to a friend
