Lisboa - Portugal

After an unforgettable stay in Sevilla; filled with the passionate sounds of Flamenco, a unique architecture, romantic gardens and some delightful food, it was time to head for Portugal.  First stop; its capital Lisboa.  This place and its history have always fascinated me and I was keen to put the little Portuguese I knew to the test.  I expected some of the locals would speak some Spanish but was quite surprised to meet quite a few who spoke French.  This I found out is due to the large number of Portuguese tradesmen (principally in the building industry) who have spent some time working in France.

Monastery of Jeronimos

The Bull Ring - Campo Pequeno

I had a few things I wanted to do while in Portugal; sample their famous cod dishes, discover the Alfama district; the famous old quarter of the city, listen to some Fado, the traditional Portuguese musical expression and wander the streets of this legendary city.

Triumphal Arch in Comercio Square

Lisboa Architecture

Lisboa is the capital and the largest city of Portugal, with a population of around 2.7 million people.  It is situated on the northern banks of the River Tagus (Rio Tejo).  The river established Lisboa as a major Roman port with its estuary providing good protection from the Atlantic Ocean.

Discovering the Streets of Lisboa

 Interesting Balcony display

Lisboa is one of the oldest cities in the world and the oldest in Western Europe.  Ruled by a series of Germanic tribes from the 5th century, it was later captured by the Moors.  Prior to the 18th century, Lisboa had experienced several significant earthquakes.  In November 1755, the city was destroyed by another devastating earthquake, which killed an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 residents and destroyed 85 per cent of the city's structures.  After this earthquake, the city was rebuilt largely according to the plans of Prime Minister, The1st Marquess of Pombal.

The Statue of the Marques of Pombal - the Rebuilder of Lisboa

Much has been said about the many remarkable features of the reconstructed Lisboa after this latest earthquake.  I was instantly impressed by the grandeur of its avenues, the imposing columns bearing the notable people who left their marks on the city and the country.  The architecture of some of the buildings was a testimony of the rich history of the city and the open spaces and various green areas were friendly and welcoming.  I was also fascinated by the stunning Black and White mosaic on all the footpaths and public squares.

Statue Near the Rossio Square Fountain

The Impressive Mosaic Displays Are Everywhere



More Mosaic in the City

I Wonder How Much Time This Display Would Have Taken To Complete

During World War II, Lisboa was one of the very few neutral, open European Atlantic ports, a major gateway for refugees to the U.S. and a haven for spies.  More than 100,000 refugees were able to flee Nazi Germany via Lisboa.

We went on the traditional form of public transport in Lisboa; the tram.  These yellow trams (Line 28 is the most famous) are not only used by tourist but by many locals as well.  We were repeatedly told to watch out for pickpockets.  We couldn’t resist taking a ride on a small motorised open-air taxis (similar to the ones you find in some Asian countries).  It was a lot of fun to zoom in the streets and get a closer feel of the moment and the place.

The Famous Line 28 Lisboa Tram

The Other Famous Mode of Transport in Lisboa

Whether it was the cod dishes, pastries, wines or freshly squeezed orange juice in the morning for breakfast, all the foods I tried left me very impressed.  I was also particularly taken by the caring approach that Portuguese restaurants have about the food they serve.

Grilled Cod and Steamed Vegetables - Simple but Delicious

Portuguese Pastries

Lisboa, is a city also known for its soulful Fado music.  Fado is what it is to be Portuguese.  There were various places where Fado was performed.  Rather than opting for one of the many outlets that offer this kind of entertainment, we chose the theatre.  I hadn’t heard much Fado and didn’t know much about it either.  The 90-minute show was an absolute delight.  A lot of emotion and musical talent go into Fado and what attracted me most was the elegance of its language and the depth of the emotions.  There is a huge difference between Flamenco and Fado; two musical expressions from two countries located next to each other and with so much history in common.

Statue Celebrating the Fado

The Reception Hall of the FadoTheatre 

All in all, an unforgettable two days in Lisboa.  I would like to return there one day.  Our next destination; the medieval town of Obidos.