Monuments and structures, Lisbon

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Located in the eastern part of Lisbon, it stands a little bit isolated, turning it in a less visited monument.

It's a very interesting church from the 16th century, now making part of the Tile Museum, though allowing an independent visit.

To go there, you must search for Xabregas, served by bus.

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Built after the 1755 earthquake, this palace was unfinished due to french invasions. Used by the government for some feasts, is has been restored and enriched with art collections.

Its location, in somewhat despised area, means few visitors, but if you don't mind crossing some degraded areas (under recuperation), you may be surprised by large views, and the splendorous colours of Lisbon.

I heard that it is going to be open to public visits, and that... it is very interesting. I will check it out.

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This reservatory was built in the 17th century as a part of Águas Livres’ Aqueduct, one of the most impressive constructions in Lisbon. It was built to receive and distribute the water that came from the aqueduct, and it was finished in 1834.

Inside you can see an ark water with the capacity for 5500 m3 and a cascade made of stone. Above the monument you’ll find a panoramic view over the city and the ending arcs of the acqueduct.

The museum is open every day except Sunday and Holidays. The entrance fee is 2€

Adress: Praça das Amoreiras, nº 10
Subway: Yellow Line - Rato

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One of the most typical works during the dictatorship of "Estado Novo" was a large alley, with the interesting building of the IST in one top, and a large fountain sustaining a garden in the other.

The harmony of the ensemble is regularly being broken with massive works, that last for... an eternity.

Political retaliation?

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A little far from the touristy area, in modern Lisboa, stands my favorite monument:

The "Monumento aos Mortos da Guerra Peninsular", which means the dead fighting the French invasions of Napoleon's soldiers.

It's a medium size monument, but so harmonious, so expressive, so perfect, that each time I see it I find it even better then before.
It is in the square of Entrecampos, the meeting point of Av. da Republica, Campo Grande, Av. Estados Unidos and 1st May Av.

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One of the hidden splendors of the city is the almost destroyed “Church of Our Lady of the Carmo Hill”- Carmo Convent.
Most of the tourists are not stopping there as they consider it simply a “ruin”
Even if the church’s nave and transept is almost completely destroyed, I found it as the most beautiful building in Lisbon.
First of all because it is one of the oldest ones and the only gothic building I have found here.
The most important quality of it being the fact that it is telling you “stories” about the way it was built in the 14-15th centuries.
You must only look at the sky through its broken arches and you might understand how this beauty was built and how strong is it, despite of the missing vaults and roof….
Looking carefully and with piety at the remaining stones, you may possibly see with your mind’s eyes, the loads transferring to the arches and then to the columns (still up-standing after the big earthquake in 1755) and down to the bare ground.
I have always wondered how the simple stonemasons were able, almost thousand years ago, to erect such impressive buildings.
They were so close to our style as they have probably built first the strength structure
and after that they have had only to fill the walls between the stone ribs.
I have “lost” my steps on the huge nave, between old classic capitals and Manueline architecture elements and I’ve found, together with my son, the way down to the museum in the old apse of the church.
Unexpected exposition of old artifacts, some of them really old (Egyptian sarcophagus form 2-400 yrs. BC) and some of them really well preserved.
My son was a bit scared by the two mummies from South America, tight and buried in the fetal position.
If you’ll go there with kids, be ready to “provide” them a nice story about the “fake mummy”… It was scary even for me.
As a conclusion, if you’re in Lisbon, keep 30 minutes to visit this unique church and you’ll not regret the 3,5 euro you’d pay at the entrance.

A large building now used for military purposes, is something I can't qualify. It seems a fort, but it is only a palace with a style that... style?

Well, just have a look and make no questions, because I don't know the answers, unless that it belonged to a rich man named Vasco Eugenio de Almeida, also know as count Vill'alva, that lived using his fortune... and doing things while he could. He died in 1975, the palace was there... the army needed space... the walls were strong... you know!

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It's not a highlight of Lisbon, but, in the way up to the cathedral you may visit this modest but nice church.

Built after the earthquake in the place where a former church from the 12th century was built upon a roman temple, this church used an old door brought from... well, another destroyed church.

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Celebrating the memory of Sa-Carneiro, a prime minister killed in a plane crash a few years after the revolution of 74, the beautiful square of Areeiro was the place for a ugly monument. Most people criticize it, some considering it offensive to the memory of Sa-Carneiro.

A small face in the stone pedestal, and a mass of tin trash atop of it, challenge the champion of bad taste: Cutileiro's monument to the revolution in Parque Eduardo VII.

One of the most famous sight of Lisbon, the Cristo-Rei statue is actually located in Almada, on the other side of the river.
The idea of building this statue came after Cardinal Cerejeira visited the Corcovado hill in Rio de Janeiro (where the "Christ the Redeemer" statue can be found) in 1934. However, it was the fact that Portugal did not participate in World War II that actually led to the construction as the Cardinal promised to build it if Portugal was spared from the destruction.
It was inaugurated on th 17th May 1959 and stands high at 110m (although the statue itself is anout 28m, the rest is the pedestal).

It offers a great view over the city and can be visited every day from 09.30 to 18.00, entrance costs 2.5Eur

To get there by car, just cross the red bridge (Ponte 25 Abril) and by public transport, it is probably easiest to take the ferry to Cacilhas at Cais do Sodré (can be reached by metro) and then bus 101.