DESTINATION:
Lisbon
Lisbon is arguably one of the most attractive of all the world’s maritime cities. Situated at the estuary of the river Tagus just a short distance from the Atlantic, many of its historic buildings reach out to the water’s edge. The city’s days of glory were undoubtedly during the Age of Discovery, and at that time Lisbon was an important centre for world trade and the springboard for ambitious voyages of discovery which encircled the globe.
The commercial heart of Lisbon was devastated by an earthquake during the mid-18th century, and methodical reconstruction meant that the city underwent one of Europe’s first large-scale town planning schemes. Today the commercial heart of Lisbon boasts a network of elegant and well-planned streets and avenues, particularly in the busy Baixa area with its banks, offices, cafés and shops. By contrast, the colourful Alfama district, which survived the earthquake, is a labyrinth of alleyways and narrow streets with surprises at every turn whilst hilltop Bairro Alto and elegant Chiado offer further contrasts and delights.
Recommended duration - 4 nights/5 days. Lisbon works well alone but makes an excellent partner with Porto, the capital of the north.
KEY VISITS (Recommended)
- ALFAMA – the city’s most ancient quarter. Sitting just below the imposing Castelo de São Jorge (St George’s Castle), the Alfama District still retains its kasbah-like layout and the compact houses and steep streets offer the visitor an insight into the daily life of this fascinating quarter.
- ST GEORGE’S CASTLE – the ruins of the former residence of the Portuguese kings. Although the entire area was almost destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, the ramparts have been restored and give fine views over Lisbon.
- GULBENKIAN MUSEUM – housing one of the finest collections of art in Europe which was amassed by the wealthy oil magnate, Calouste Gulbenkian. The exhibits span over 4,000 years and are beautifully presented in spacious, well-lit galleries.
- SINTRA – set in a stunning location on the north slopes of the granite Serra, Sintra was once the summer residence of the Moorish kings attracted there by the cool climate and the beauty of the town’s setting. Sintra was also a favourite retreat of Lord Byron and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- ROYAL PALACE – built by João I in the late 14th century as a summer retreat for the royal family. Later additions echo the Moorish traditions but gradual rebuilding has resulted in an unusual amalgamation of various different styles.
- MONASTERY OF JERÓNIMOS – commissioned by Manuel I in 1501 following Vasco da Gama’s historic voyage, and financed largely by monies made from the spice trade. The monastery was entrusted to the Order of St Jerome until 1834, when all religious orders were disbanded.
- BELEM TOWER – built in the middle of the Tagus, this was the starting point for navigators who set out to discover the trade routes.
- TILE MUSEUM – located in the monastic building of the Madre de Deus convent. It presents five centuries of decorative tiles or azulejos, tracing the history and production of this unique art form. The only collection of its kind in the world, it exhibits an excellent collection of tiles from as early as the 15th century.
ALTERNATIVE VISITS
- PALACE OF MAFRA – this huge baroque palace was built during the reign of Portugal’s most extravagant monarch, João V, in the early 1700s. Initial proposals were for a modest monastery to house 13 Franciscan friars but the final result was a huge monastery housing 330 friars, a royal palace and one of the finest libraries in Europe.
- PLACE OF QUELUZ – in 1747 the Infante Dom Pedro commissioned Mateus Vicente to transform his 17th century hunting lodge into a Rococo summer palace. The main body of the palace was completed by 1758, but after Pedro’s marriage in 1760 it was further embellished and extended.
FURTHER AFIELD
PORTO perches on the north bank of the River Douro; it is the second city of Portugal, a flourishing port and centre of commerce and industry. In existence since the time of the Romans as Portus Cale, it was, despite a long and stormy history, a well-established trading post by the Middle Ages. The city gained world renown for the production of port wine and capitalised on the wealth amassed by its discoveries, which is reflected in the grandeur of its churches and public buildings.
KEY VISITS (Recommended)
- GOTHIC CHURCH OF SÃO FRANCISCO – with its gilded Baroque interior and spectacular Tree of Jesse.
- PALÁCIO DA BOLSA (Stock Exchange) – whose glittering highlight is undoubtedly the gilded Arabian Room and the São Bento Station with its azulejos murals.
- RENAISSANCE CHURCH OF SANTA CLARA – which disguises an opulent interior of gilded woodwork behind its simple external façade.
- CHURCH OF DOS CLÉRIGOS – with its soaring Torre dos Clérigos which is still one of the tallest buildings in Portugal.
ALTERNATIVE VISITS (Suggested)
- BRAGA – known in Roman times as Bracara Augusta, by the Middle Ages it had become the seat of Portugal’s archbishops and one of Europe’s great religious centres.
- BOM JESUS DO MONTE – one of Portugal’s most impressive religious sanctuaries. An ornamental Baroque stairway of some 800 steps leads up to a small shrine and is traditionally climbed by pilgrims on their knees. The lower section portrays the 14 Stations of the Cross, the middle section depicts the five senses whilst the upper section highlights the three virtues.
- GUIMARÃES – birthplace of Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal. He defeated the Moors in 1139 and declared Guimarães the nation’s first capital, earning the title ‘Cradle of Portugal’. Today it is a large industrial and commercial town but still retains much of the street pattern and fabric of medieval times in its old centre. Visits include the Paço dos Duques, constructed in the 15th century by Dom Afonso, the first Duke of Bragança which today houses a fine collection of 16th to 18th century furniture, tapestries and porcelain.