Grand structures and architecture, Lisbon

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Casa dos Bicos (House of the Spikes) was constructed in 1523 and owned by a son of the viceroy of then Portuguese India, Brás de Albuquerque. It was built in the Alfama neighborhood and was so named for the diamond-shaped spikes adorning its entire facade. It was patterened after some urban palaces in Italy where Albuquerque stayed for some time, though he incorporated Manueline style of architecture in the windows and portals. Manueline is a Portuguese late Gothic architectural style named after the King who promoted this unique style whose designs were inspired by the great discoveries, e.g. ropes (used by the ships).

Part of the building was destroyed during the great Lisbon earthquake of 1755, and in the late 19th century was bought by a codfish trader from the original owner. For years, it was a warehouse for dried codfish until the Lisbon municipality acquired it in the 1960s.

Very recently, the building was restored in order to serve a new function -- to be the new office of the Saramago Foundation, which will also house the entire collection of the Nobel Laureate. More important, Saramago, who died in 2010, himself chose to have his ashes buried in front of the house, under an olive tree.

Thus, today, the place can be visited for its history, its uniqueness, and its new role as the resting place of one of Portugal's most important figure in modern times.

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The most central train station has been closed for sometime, due to problems in the tunnel.

Now reopened with a face-lift, this neo-manueline building is the most impressive in the short connection between Rossio and Restauradores. But don’t limit yourself to the look of its facade: go inside and see its beautiful roof.

This monument is the similar as the famous statue in Rio de Janeiro. It built in 1959 and have 28 m high. It opens its arms to Lisbon, and there is a sweeping view of the city and the 25 de Abril Bridge from the top of the 82 m high pedestal. You have an elevator for climbing.

To see monument use ferry from Cais do Sodre Station across the river to Cacilhas, and then take a 101 bus outside the station that stop right by the monument

Open: 9 am- 6 pm

This bridge is completed in 1966. At the first it was named as a Salazar, and after revolution changed its name in April 25 (1974).
It could be said this this bridge is Golden Gates twin sister (because of its appearance it looks like a American bridge in San Francisco)
This bridge on the Tejo river is 21th largest bridge in the world (2277m).

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The biggest work of the dictatorship was... a copy. Salazar bridge was an important work, reproducing in Europe the Golden Gate of S. Francisco. I saw and crossed both, and... prefer ours!

Not for nationalism, but for three objective reasons:
- The light of Lisbon is unbeatable (even when the fog releases S Francisco's bridge - 25 minutes each year).
- Lisbon's bridge is better framed by the views - The statue of Christ in the southern bank helps a lot.
- Its new name - 25 Abril - helps to remember that, no matter how much the dictators spend promoting their names, history generally ends making justice, and erasing their memory. Don't read back! Do you remember dictator's name?

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Torre de Sao Vicente de Belem
Build between 1514 and 1520 designed by Fransico da Arruda.
open
winter 10.00 - 17.00 Oct.-April
summer 10.00 - 18.30 May-Sept
last entry half hour before closing
closed on
monday, 1 januari, easter sunday, 1 may, 25th december
entrance
adults 4 euro
Dual Ticket (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos/Torre de Belém): € 8
Tour Ticket: Lisboa Monumental (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos/Torre de Belém/ Palácio da Ajuda): € 10
Group Ticket (according to the number of visitors): 100 up to 200 visitors (5% discount); 201 up to 500 visitors (10% discount); more than 500 visitors (20% discount)
65 and older and disabled by showing a suitable card: € 2
Youth Card: € 1,6
Family Card (parents with two or more children under 18, 50% discount upon the ticket price of one of the parents - mother or father): € 2

Free Admission:
Children till 14 years old
Sundays and Holidays till 2.00 pm
For individual teachers and students (maximum 15 vistors) or teachers and students on study visit, subject to previous booking and a suitable document from school or college
Lisboa Card

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The Monument of the Discoveries was built to commemorate Portugeese maritime discoveries. Openedin 1960 to commemorate the 500 year anniversary of Prince henry "the Navigator" who was the man behond the discoveries being made.

It is 52m high and is in the shape of a ship's prow - there are 33 Portugeese personalities shown from the time of the discoveries.

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Built in the 18th century to bring water to Lisbon, it offers some good views of Lisbon, in one of the the ugliest area of town. Progress around it has endangered it, because the arches are too narrow for the actual road needs, but the love and respect of the inhabitants is keeping it untouched.

It is 19 km long, but the best points are the arches crossing the valley of Alcantara, and the arrival point at Amoreiras, now the water museum of "Mãe-de-Agua"