LISBOA

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and also the largest and more populous city.

Legend says that its Roman name, Olisipo, derives from that of the Greek hero Ulysses, who paused here on his voyage and seduced the nymph Calypso. Heartbroken at his departure, she changed herself into a serpent whose coils formed the seven hills of the city.

Lisbon is a world capital whith a country manner and harmoniously balances its formal squares, pal-lined boulevards and classically proportionated buildings with colorful neighborhoods where old women grill sardines at the doorsteps, laundry flaps from lines strung between balconies colored with geraniums.

Spreading out along the right bank of the Tagus, its downtown, a Baixa, was stablished in the 18th century around the Rossio. East side of Praca do Comercio are the medieval quarters of Alfama and Mouraria, crowded by the magnificent Sao Jorge castle. To the west lies Bairro Alto and Madragoa, typical neighborhoods.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

Sights:

Praca do Comercio
Avenida da Liberdade
Castelo de Sao Jorge
Torre de Belem
Aqueduto das Aguas Livres
Mosteiro dos Jeronimos (masterpiece of the Manueline architecture and classified in the UNESCOīs International Heritage list).

Neighborhoods:

The Baixa and Rossio
The Chiado
The Alfama
Bairro Alto tascas (bistros)
Belemīs museums and monuments

Museums:

Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (Ancient Art)
Centro de Arte Moderna (Contemporary Art)
Museu de Arte Popular (Folk Art Museum)
Museu Nacional do Azulejo (Tile Museum)
Fundacao Caloust Gulbenkian
Museu da Marinha (Maritime Museum)
Museu Nacional dos Coches (Coach Museum)


Churches:

The Se (Cathedral, with treasury)
Sao Vicente de Fora (tiles)
Sao Roque (Sacred Art)
Conceicao Velha ( Manueline)
Basilica da Estrela
Santa Engracia (Baroque)

Parks and Gardens:

Jardim Botanico
Estufa Fria (Cool House)
Jardim Zoologico
Parque Florestal de Monsanto
Palacio dos Marqueses de Fronteira