We took a tour this morning that highlighted some of the historic landmarks and included a walk through the old city. I took copious notes for our return! The Manueline (or Portuguese Late Gothic) style is impressive, and everywhere. I'll bet you can spot it in the pics below. The city is at once active and laid back...so many people bustling in the streets and at the tourist stops, so many people lingering at cafes in the brilliant sunshine.
So here are some of our pictures from Lisbon. More will come - I'm sure - when we backtrack here on Friday.
This is Jerónimos Monastery in Belém (Portuguese for Bethlehem)
Amazingly ornate.
Very few plain spaces
Very few.
Like, almost none.
My favorite - spotted in a doorway
Vasco de Gama is buried here.
Next, is Saint Antony's. He was born here - in a tiny little crypt under the main chapel - back when it was his family's house.
This is the Se Chapel
Lovely Pieta
This is the Tower of Belem. Originally a defense/lookout, as well as the point where Portuguese explores departed for to establish trade routes with China and India.
Not far from the Tower is the Monument to Discoveries, dedicated to the explorers in the 15th and 16th centuries.
32 characters in all (16 on each side), lead by Henry the Navigator.
In front of the monument is a huge map (this is a drone shot I got off the internet) showing all the ships, years they traveled, and discoveries they made.
Cool tiles in the map; this is the North Wind
Love this one. She's beneath Africa - where they thought monsters resided.
Beautiful tiled houses
Old walls and an orange tree.
I can't wait to return and explore more. It's a fabulous city with huge squares, loads of shopping, fabulous architecture, and friendly people. As much as I hate that the cruise is coming to an end, I look forward to our time in Lisbon. More then. Now...onward to Cadiz, Spain
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