Lisbon, capital of Portugal, attracts lots of tourists, due to its history and also to its monuments (the Aqueduto das Águas Livres, Sé Catedral, Torre de Belém and Mosteiro dos Jerónimos). One of the outstanding is the gigantic aquarium situated on the oriental part of the city and also the amusement places at night on the Lisbon Docks and the famous bairro Alto.
Not far from Lisbon, Cascais and Sintra are places of interest, for their monuments, beaches and lovely views.
Not far from Lisbon, Cascais and Sintra are places of interest, for their monuments, beaches and lovely views.
Lisbon and Center zone of Portugal
LISBON, Portugal. As ancient explorers sailed up the Tagus River from the Atlantic Ocean, they reached a point about 8 miles (13 kilometers) above the mouth where the river suddenly broadened into a lake. The northwest bank of this sheltered estuary became the site of Lisbon, which is Portugal's capital as well as its largest city and port.
The city stands on seven hills around a small riverside plain. The climate is cool and wet from December through February, but very warm in July and August. Evenings are chilled by ocean winds.
Lisbon is a city of distinct sections dating from different periods. The oldest part is the Alfama, the medieval quarter. Its narrow, cobbled streets and alleys wend steep, crooked paths up the slopes of Lisbon's highest hill. At the top stands the ten-towered medieval Castle of St. George, Lisbon's oldest monument, parts of which date to the 5th century.
On another hill is the Bairro Alto, the high quarter, which dates from the 17th century. The streets are steep and narrow, but much straighter than those of the Alfama. The Bairro Alto is known for its craftspeople and its nightlife. In the low plain near the waterfront are broad parallel streets and squares, which were laid out in the 18th century. This is the commercial Baixa district, centered on the crowded cafes and neon lights of Rossio Square.
Tall modern office buildings tower above the fountains and cafes of the tree-lined Avenida da Liberdade. Modern low-cost apartment complexes have been built on the outskirts of the city.
Disaster struck Lisbon on Nov. 1, 1755, when an earthquake destroyed two thirds of the city. The Baixa district was planned and built on the devastated plain at the city's center. Another disaster struck the city in 1988 when a fire destroyed the historic Chiado shopping district, leaving 2,000 people without jobs and 300 homeless.
The city stands on seven hills around a small riverside plain. The climate is cool and wet from December through February, but very warm in July and August. Evenings are chilled by ocean winds.
Lisbon is a city of distinct sections dating from different periods. The oldest part is the Alfama, the medieval quarter. Its narrow, cobbled streets and alleys wend steep, crooked paths up the slopes of Lisbon's highest hill. At the top stands the ten-towered medieval Castle of St. George, Lisbon's oldest monument, parts of which date to the 5th century.
On another hill is the Bairro Alto, the high quarter, which dates from the 17th century. The streets are steep and narrow, but much straighter than those of the Alfama. The Bairro Alto is known for its craftspeople and its nightlife. In the low plain near the waterfront are broad parallel streets and squares, which were laid out in the 18th century. This is the commercial Baixa district, centered on the crowded cafes and neon lights of Rossio Square.
Tall modern office buildings tower above the fountains and cafes of the tree-lined Avenida da Liberdade. Modern low-cost apartment complexes have been built on the outskirts of the city.
Disaster struck Lisbon on Nov. 1, 1755, when an earthquake destroyed two thirds of the city. The Baixa district was planned and built on the devastated plain at the city's center. Another disaster struck the city in 1988 when a fire destroyed the historic Chiado shopping district, leaving 2,000 people without jobs and 300 homeless.
