Dom Jose Hotel

Sightseeing at this awesomely...

by Krystynn

Sightseeing at this awesomely huge square of Praca do Comercio here in Lisboa. A magnificent bronze equestrian statue of Dom Jose 1 stands right smack at the center... and with the arch opening onto Rua Augusta.

Praca do Comercio

by freya_heaven

This wonderful building sits on the water front at the southern end of the Rua Augusta in Lisbon.

Until the 1755 earthquake the Praca do Commercio was called the Terreiri do Paco (palace square). The palace was ruined in the earthquake hence the change of name.

The huge white archway to the right of the photo is the Arco da Victoria which is Lisbons "Arch de Triumph"

Staue in the forefront of the photo is Dom Jose l

Autumn in Portugal

by Krystynn

"Praca do Comercio...."

The awesomely huge square of Praca do Comercio here in Lisboa.

The magnificent bronze equestrian statue of Dom Jose 1 stands right smack at the center and the arch opening (behind) leads straight to the eclectic mix of shops and cafes of Rua Augusta.

"Mosteiro dos Jeronimos (Jeronimos Monastery)... Y"

Manuel 1 ordered this monastery to be built in memory of Vasco de Gama (the great Explorer had earlier discovered an all-important sea route to India). You can also catch a glimpse of his embalmed body being laid to rest inside the fabulous cathedral.

"Torre de Belem (Tower of Belem)"

Torre de Belem (or in English, the Tower of Belem) is an impressive monument which has come to symbolize Lisboa and the Age of Discoveries... This is perhaps Portugal's most photographed landmark! In the days of old, Manuel 1 had intended this monument to act as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisboa's great harbor.

"Pub-Hopping at the Bairro Alto"

Go pub-hopping through the BAIRRO ALTO area... and then stop somewhere for a taste of vinho tinto wine (you absolutely must!) and listen to this Portuguese brand of music called - Fado... (even if you, like me, don't like sedate classical like music)....

After this Fado experience, I headed straight to the discos of Lisboa!

"SINTRA: Major Highlights...."

If you have additional time/ days to spare, a highly recommended place to visit is the grand mansions, castles and lush gardens of SINTRA..

If you make only one side trip from Lisboa, Sintra should receive top priority. Cool and verdant (and just 45 minutes away from Lisboa), the kings of Portugal (for over 500 years) have chosen Sintra as their summer resort and needless to add, the aristocrats have built extravagant villas and surrealist palaces on its wooded hill slopes.

"A Tour Of The Grand Palaces Here in SINTRA!!!"

The grand PENA PALACE of Sintra.

The PALACIO DE PENA again....

No further explanation needed.

The beautiful PALACIO NACIONAL DE SINTRA dominating the sleepy town of Sintra......

"CASCAIS"

The beautiful resort town of CASCAIS.

En route to Sintra, we dropped by Cascais (only 30 minutes away from Lisboa).... for some sightseeing and lunch.

This former fishing village is now the liveliest beach resort on the Estoril Coast attracting a young international crowd (ahem!). If you like "McDonald's" or England's "Mark's & Spencers", you'll be happy to be seen in the touristy pedestrainized center. There's also a surprisingly unspoilt Old Town area with some remnants of traditional fishing activity that carries on regardless of us busybody tourists hovering around them.

"Major Highlights - Cabo da Roca (Rock Cape)"

Cabo da Roca (Rock Cape), approximately 18km west of Sintra, is what I would describe as a wild and rugged spot with only a handful of stalls, a cafe and tourist office - where you can buy a certificate costing approximately 500 Escudos to show that you've been here. Sigh.

Why is this place so important?

Well, it is here that you see the magnificent cliff plunge 150m into the roaring ocean below (which just so happens to be Europe's westernmost point).

"FATIMA: The Holy City...."

The Holy City of FATIMA. It was here that an apparition in the form of Virgin Mary first appeared to 3 village children early this century.

Strangely, when we headed towards Fatima, our entire trip was shrouded in THICK, HEAVY fog!
But the minute we reached our destination, the mysterious fog completely disappeared and a bright sunshine greeted us.... When we headed out of Fatima towards Oporto (another bustling city in Portugal), the same HEAVY fog again appeared! Go figure.

I was really touched by some of these devout Catholics who went on bended knees and "walked" all the way from this huge square into the main cathedral... all the while deep in prayer.

"Shhh! Quiet Pleeeease!!"

Inside the huge cathedral of Fatima...

"THIS WAS WHERE VIRGIN MARY APPEARED!"

This is the tree where the first vision/ apparition of Virgin Mary supposedly appeared to the 3 children (Jacinta, Lucia and Francisco) and it was believed that the Virgin Mary also gave them 3 secrets regarding the fate of this world.

Apparently, the first 2 secrets have been revealed/ come to pass... but not the last one. And it is believed that the only person who knows about the 3rd secret is the Pope!

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain (1835-1910); American Writer.

"LISBON: Shopping at Rua Augusta!!!"

When visiting Portugal you absolutely must: do some great shopping, sightseeing or just people-watch here in ROSSIO (pronounced as "roo seo") - right in the city center. Some of Lisboa's great monuments are found here. The Portugal Escudos (vs other major currencies) is considered weak... so you can imagine how inexpensive things would cost here!

Photo: Great shopping can be found here at RUA AUGUSTA, Lisbon.

"Shopping, Anyone?"

Besides shopping at the famed Rossio/ Rua Augusta area, you can also browse along the quaint alleys of Lisboa...
Who knows?? You may just chance upon some great souvenirs and interesting stuffs. ;-)

Happy shopping!

"Ah..... Beautiful Al Fama.....!!"

An interesting way to catch a panoramic view of the entire city of Lisboa is to take the wrought iron elevator (Elevador de Santa Justa) right to the top...
Trust me, you'd never miss this HUGE elevator right in the middle of the pedestrian shopping mall.

Sights you'd see include the Castelo Sao Jorge, the bustling harbor and the Rio Tejo...
and if you strain your neck far enough, you may catch a glimpse of the regal Statue of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer stretching out His hands and holding fort at the Lisboa harbor.
This monument has been christened "Cristo Rei" by the Portuguese.

"Al Fama - From Another Angle!"

Enjoy the view of AL FAMA, my friends.

Al Fama is one of the most typical quarters of the city of Lisbon. All you need is to walk along the narrow and winding streets and you can breathe the soul of Lisbon!

"Lisboa Buildings"

The busy, busy town of LISBON....

"Check This Out!!!"

A sweeping view of the City of LISBON.....

Magnificent, isn't it?