Jacaranda trees
by toonsarah
Although I have been to Lisbon on two previous occasions, the most recent visit was my first in the Spring, and I was thrilled to discover another element to the city’s charms, its jacaranda trees. They were in full blossom, and their soft mauve haze seemed to drift above my head as I strolled the streets, or beneath my feet as I looked out from my hotel balcony. They were particularly eye-catching in the Largo do Carmo, set against the weathered grey stone of the ruined convent.
This beautiful tree is more commonly seen in more tropical climates: South America, Africa, northern Australia and the southern states of the US. I have never seen them in any profusion in Europe but Lisbon’s sunny climate clearly suits them and they thrive here. Does anyone know if one would grow in England?!
Alfama
by call_me_rhia
The Alfama is the oldest area in Lisbon: it's very quaint, with narrow winding streets nestled upon the hillside. There are many discoveries to make - at every twist or turn: old churches, statues, beautiful old buildings, a castle. Above all Alfama is a maze: we tried to navigate it with a map, but it proved useless - we would see something nice in the distance, and we would forget about where we were planning on going. And yet... Alfama's not only beauty: at times it gives you the impression (wrong, I assume) of poverty, of decadence.
Avenida da Liberdade - Liberty Avenue
by a2lopes
This large Avenue goes from Praça dos Restauradores to Parque Eduardo VII and it’s among the most emblematic places in the city, a symbol of the “classical Lisbon”. Built as an extension of the Public Walk it open to the public in 1882, and it started off by being a pedestrian avenue with gardens, very similar to the style of the Champs Élysées in Paris. This great improvement in Lisbon is due to Rosa Araújo, who was then the president of the City Council. It connected the downtown of the city (Baixa Pombalina), rebuilt a century earlier, to the preferential area of the city’s expansion, known as the Avenidas Novas (the new avenues), in this way, transferring the attention of the people from the river Tejo to the emerging northern area of the city. The name (Liberty) comes from the fact that the earlier Public Walk was elitist and surrounded by walls and gates that were knocking down when the liberals come to rule the country in 1821 putting this area “free for all”.
Nowadays the Avenue is the finest artery in Lisbon with 90 meters wide (the widest in town) and 1500 meters long (the biggest), and has been considered the most important and central place in the capital. It goes up in imperceptible incline and offers a magnificent perspective, with ten lanes divided by pedestrian pavements. This is the best spot of the town to pay attention to the side walks and perceive the works of art known as the Portuguese calçadas as you will find many different patterns and motifs -from the symmetric ornamental designs to the advertisement names of the shops, small businesses, restaurants, and hotels. This is very unique kind of advertisement.
The entire Avenida (as the Lisbonners call it with affection) is full of trees (some centenary) from beginning to end, and includes small gardened spots, fountains, cascades, and statues. Among these statues noticeable are the ones of the poet Almeida Garrett, and the historian Alexandre Herculano, and the allegoric statues representing the 2 main rivers of the country –Tejo and Douro. Also important is the monument to the fallen in World War I, inaugurated in 1931. At the top of the Avenue we will find Rotunda do Marquês de Pombal (see link).
Currently it boasts several interesting buildings that reflect Portuguese architecture from the late 19th through the early 21st centuries. Neoclassic cinema Tivoli (1924) is one example but there are still several Valmor prize awarded buildings (the architecture prize for the best building in town, since 1902). Unfortunately (in my opinion) many of the original Art-Nouveaux and Neoclassic buildings (I remember several from my childhood) of the avenue have been replaced in the decades after the Carnation or April Revolution (April 25th 1974) by tall office and hotel buildings. Preserved was also 1 of the many 1920’s Art Deco kiosks (in front of Tivoli) that populated Lisbon many years ago.
All along the Avenida we can find some of the finest Hotels in Lisbon, good coffee houses, fine restaurants (Tivoli Hotel Restaurant is fantastic and have a great view but expensive) cinemas, newspapers’ headquarters, and important offices of major national and international companies (insurance, trade, airlines, etc.). Along with that “of course” we can find here the best international fashion and design shops - Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein, Timberland, Todd's,Trussardi, Massimo Dutti, Armani, Burberry, Christian Dior, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, among others. Walk along the Avenida was always a synonym of elegance and ... it is still. According to some recent international statistics about the most expensive avenues in the world by Cushman & Wakefield Avenida da Liberdade is on the top 40 (just in case you intend to buy any square meter here).
The Avenida is the place for big popular demonstrations and marches by trade unions (on strike or not) or just simply to commemorate big events as the traditional march of 25th April (freedom day). But without any doubt the largest commemoration occurs here on every Santo António’s eve (12th June) -the street parades known as “Marchas Populares” (a street carnival, literally “popular marches”) with all the Lisbon districts entering a contest for the best parade. These are the largest festivities in Lisbon. It’s also very nice to come here during the Christmas season as the trees all along the avenue are filled of light bulbs in various colors and designs.
The Avenue is served by many buses from everywhere on the city (and near towns) and there are 3 metro stations along the avenue: Restauradores, Avenida, and Marquês de Pombal .
More info here
Basic language
by Durfun
Just learn some Portuguese words, it's endearing when one makes an effort!
Hi = Ola
Please = faz favor
Speak English? = fale inglis?
Thank you = obrigada (feminine)
Don't understand = nao percebo
Excuse me = Com licença (sounds like kong lee-SEN-sa).
Otherwise, with your English, you're good to go :)
Lisbon has become, in the last...
by Joana
Lisbon has become, in the last few years, a very cultural city, that offers all kinds os entertainment to suit all tastes.
But, that is not all. 500 years ago the portuguese were known to be brave and fearless sailors that had the undying desire to discover new lands and new people. They actually did travel to Brasil and to India binging with them a lot of things unknown in this part of the world... Well, we're not a country of sailors and explorers anymore, but it is still possible to see some of the treasures they brought back and alo some of the popular attractions like Belem Tower, that used to guard Lisbon harbour.
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Rossio Station Clock Tower
Old Lisbon
Igreja de São Domingos
Jerónimos Monastery
