Lisbon 2003 - The City

 
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The City

Lisbon was built on seven hills next to the Rio Tejo about 3000 years ago. Large parts of the old center of the city have remained almost unchanged, and if you go to Lisbon you should definitely take the time to just stroll around and explore its tiny streets and hidden places. However, if you walk too much away from the interesting sites, things are getting boring pretty fast as the living quarters look the same everywhere, so you shouldn't lose the orientation.
Lisbon also has very beautiful beaches, although you won't find them directly in the center. With the palms that are standing around everywhere, it somehow appears like a medieval town in the Caribbean.

Most of the pictures below have been taken in the Baixa, which is the old center of Lisbon, or at least near it.




The Mosteiro de São Vincente de Fora, where our Lisbon trip began. On the right side you can see the statue of São Vincente.




Here you can see the Atlantic ocean from a position next to the statue of São Vincente.




The picture was taken from the Castelo de São Jorge, and you can look down on the old city of Lisbon. In the background you can see the Ponte Vasco da Gama and the Cristo Rei, which is the blurred structure on the mountain in the background.




This is in the yard of the Castelo de São Jorge, you can see part of the ruins. I have no idea how the tree managed to grow out of the stone floor.




Here we are walking along the Rua do Arsenal, which was on the left side. Directly in front of us is the Arco do Victória, which is the entrance to the old Lisbon. You can't see it because we're just walking from the side through it.




Now you can see the Arco do Victória, but only its back side. We are walking along the Rua Augusta, which begins at the Arco do Victória and leads into the old city. We came from the left. In the background, you can see the equestrian statue of Dom José I, which is standing on the Praça do Comércio.




On this picture I'm standing in front of the Elevador de Santa Justa, which was built by Raul Mésnier du Ponsard, a follower of Gustave Eiffel. The iron structure of the Elevador de Santa Justa really reminds you a little bit of the Eiffel Tower. You can take a lift to the viewing platform on top of the building.




This is inside the antiquated lift of the Elevador de Santa Justa. We're just going up. The lift operator somehow looks as if he has always been a part of the building.




Now I am standing on the viewing platform of the Elevador de Santa Justa, from where you have a magnificent outlook over the old Lisbon. On the picture you can see the Castelo de São Jorge, where we've been before.




The Arco do Victória with the Atlantic ocean in the background. The picture was also taken from the viewing platform, but right of the previous one.




This picture was taken from the opposite site of the viewing platform. The ruins of the Convento do Carmo can be seen. The convent was built in 1423 by Nuno Álvares Pereira and was once one of Lisbon's greatest churches. It was destroyed by the devastating earthquake of 1755.




The Praça Dom Pedro IV, where the Rua Augusta ends.




The impressive Arco do Victória. You can look into the Rua Augusta.




This is in the excellent restaurant where we've eaten dinner after we had visited the city. It had a very noble atmosphere. On the picture I'm enjoying my aperitif.




Here you can see Lisbon at night. Majestic, isn't it?




 
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