Day 46 Lisbon, Portugal

July 4

Today we arrived in Lisbon. We visited the Alfama quarter, Belem Tower, Monument of Discoveries, Jeronimos Monastery and the Maritime Museum.

The Alfama Quarter is the oldest part of Lisbon. It survived the 1755 earthquake that devastated much of Lisbon killing 30,000 people. It used to be the Jewish Quarter at one time. The cobblestone streets are narrow and winding in a defensive design that controlled any invading forces advance. Today, the Alfama Quarter is the poor area of Lisbon, many of the buildings are in disrepair (in the area we were shown), and there is a high rate of unemployment.

After a short city drive we had a photo stop at the Belem Tower, followed by the Monument of Discoveries. Both sit on the banks of the Tagus River.

Jeronimos Monastery is a 16th century Monastery that commemorates the great Portuguese explorers who opened the East to European trade, specifically Vasco da Gama's epic journey to India around the tip of Africa. The Chapel was founded by Prince Henry the Navigator (mastermind of the explorations). The tomb of Vasco da Gama is in the chapel.

Next to Jeronimos Monastery is the Maritime Museum. It contains nautical instruments and original maps that date back to the Middle Ages.

At the end of the tour, Nana and I jumped off the bus at the Baixa quarter, or lower town in the hub of modern Lisbon. We did some shopping and wandered around the neat grid of streets. There was no trees in this area, and little shade from the buildings, so it was hard going in the 35 degree heat. There was also little traffic in this hub as it is not allowed. 

The 25th of April Bridge, which spans the Targus. It is named for the date in 1974 when a bloodless revolution restored democracy by overthrowing the regime of Antonio Salazar. The bridge was constructed in 1966 by Salazar himself. The same engineering principals used to build the Golden Gate Bridge were employed. 

View from the ship at Lisbon.

Alfama Quarter

Alfama Quarter

View down to the lower hub of the city and port.

As you make your way from port, the area (uphill) becomes more up market. There are more trees and gardens visible.

The Belem Tower is four stories tall and was built as a defensive structure to guard the harbour in the 16th Century. It marks the starting point of many voyages of discovery.

The Monument to the Discoveries, built in 1960. This monument was constructed in honour of the great 15th and 16th century explorers of the region. It includes statues of Prince Henry the Navigator, Vasco de Gama and Ferdinand Magellan, among others.

The 25th of April Bridge. The statue of Christ the King is on the right.

Jeronimos Monastery

Jeronimos Monastery.

Inside the chapel.

Tomb of Vasco da Gama. Portuguese navigator who established the sea link between Portugal and India (1497-1499). The new trade route granted the Portuguese supremacy in the Indian Ocean for over a century.

Maritime Museum entrance. The following 6 pictures were taken inside the museum. We didn't have much time inside so I just walked around and took pictures without reading the descriptions.

There were at least 15 model ships encased in glass. This was one of the smaller ones.

The lower hub, where we did our shopping. You can see a observation tower, we didn't go up.

Lower hub. Everyone wanted to walk on the shaded side.

Out and about in Lisbon. Many of the walkways are elaborately paved like this one.

Out and about in Lisbon. Rossio Square.

Rossio Square. Formerly a place for executions and bullfights. There are twin fountains here, brought from Paris in 1890.

Old aqueduct that used to supply the city with water.

Port wine is a speciality in Portugal. So I got a little bottle. It is really good, kicking myself that I didn't get a bigger bottle.

I though I would include this funny photo, fellow tourists hanging up their sweaty socks to dry on the bus.

The next two days are at sea.