Portugal’s capital is distinguished by a specific architectural style (Manueline) – a combination of Gothic and Moorish elements – characterized by an abundance of marine and vegetal ornamental motifs (shells, coral, waves, fish, anchors, navigation instruments) reminiscent of the Age of Discoveries that Lisbon as well as other Portuguese towns and islands proudly display to their visitors.
The Jeronimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) in Lisbon – built between 1517 and 1522 at the request of Manuel I, also called O Venturoso (the Fortunate) – with its high arches, decorated in the late Baroque and Renaissance styles, is a masterpiece of Manueline architecture– this unique style of the Portuguese pre-Renaissance period that blends traditional local elements of Arab and Hispanic influence and symbols reminding this nation’s most glorious and prosperous period. Its square two-storey cloister with its richly decorated arcades with both marine and religious motifs is magnificent and so is its central fountain.
Lisbon’s emblem, the elegant tower of Belem, built by the architect Francisco de Arruda in honor of Vasco da Gama’s expedition (the famous Portuguese navigator who discovered Mozambique and India in 1498), dates from the same period.
Originally conceived on defensive purposes, Torre de Belém, which is now part of UNESCO, was built in the middle of the Tagus River, but it was moved towards the shore by the wave that accompanied the earthquake of 1775. While at its beginnings, the tower and its cylindrically shaped watch posts were aimed at supervising the northern part of the river, at protecting the city from invaders and at guiding the ships coming back loaded with exotic merchandise from their conquering expeditions, nowadays, it remains solely a tourist sight.
Once you recover from the dizziness caused by he narrow swirling stairs up to the top, you can admire a breathtaking view over the Taje river, the imposing Ponte 25 de Abril and Christ’s statue on the other shore.
In fact, the whole city is adorned by monuments that recall the glorious past. The most significant example is the Monument of Great Discoveries, located across the monastery, on the Tagus river’s shore, with its three ships ready to depart into new exciting missions. It bears carved figures some of the era’s heroes (explorers, rulers, monks, crusaders) : Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), Alfonso V (1432-1481), Vasco da Gama (1460-1524), Pedro Alvares (1467-1520) – who discovered Brazil – and Magalhaes Fernão (Magellan), who crossed the Pacific in 1520-1521.
By getting on its top, you can have a panoramic view over the magnificent world map mosaic that lies in front of it.Besides these architectural tributes, Lisbon offers many other attractions: Praça do Comercio and Rossio, Castelo de Sao Jorge, Gothic and Baroque churches, the Polytechnic School’s botanical garden, the Monsanto park and its castle, the flea market in Campo Santa Clara and the typical old streets of Bairro Alto and Alfama districts (where tourists can still hear the typical Portuguese music in the famous Casas do fado), museums – Chiado Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Museum of Azulejo (tile), the Museum of Fine Arts.
