When visiting a city like Lisbon, with so much history, it is important to try and learn as much as possible. I found the Lisbon Walker tour company (www.lisbonwalker.com) that offered a tour called Revelation that spent three hours exploring all of Lisbon. We met our tour guide Jose first thing in the morning. He has been doing tours with the company since 2005. He was fantastic.
Our tour started at Praca do Comercio. This area faces the harbor and is one of the largest plazas in Lisbon. Just 40 years ago this plaza was used as a parking lot. Luckily it has been cleaned up and is a major meeting place.
The center of the plaza has an iron statue of Dom Jose I. There is a horse on one side and an elephant on the other. This is to mark all the exotic animals that he brought over to Portugal from his trips to India and Africa.
Not far from the square is a marker for the 1908 assassination off Dom Carlos I and his son. Right there in the open air as they paraded around in a car, they were shot. It was considered the fall of the monarchy in Portugal.
What really draws everyone’s attention in this plaza is the Arco da Rua Augusta. This was designed by Eugenio dos Santos. This arch was built after the 1755 earthquake (an earthquake that destroyed the city of Lisbon). It was part of the Lisbon reconstruction. It is adorned on top with a statue of Glory rewarding Valor and Genius with crowns.
Four historical figures are represented at the center on each side of the arch. On the right side are statues of Nuno Alvares Pereira and Sebastiao Jose de Carvalho w Melo, Marquis of Pombal. On the left side are statues of Vasco da Gama and Viriatus.
At the far end of each side, there are two lounging figures. On the right the figure represents the Douro River. On the left the figure represents the Tagus River.
While walking along the streets, we came to the Lisbon City Hall. It is located in the city square, Santa Maria Maior. This is technically where the mayor would be but this place has become more of a ceremonial location. This is where the Portugal independence was declared.
Around town on the light posts and on the tile sidewalks, you will notice a symbol of a ship with ravens on either end. This is symbolic of when the Jesuits went to look for the Christian relics of saints to bring back to the churches. They said that the ravens helped safely guide them home.
Also as you walk throughout Lisbon, you will also notice these black and white limestone tile patterns on the sidewalks and open spaces. These were all laid by hand. It is absolutely amazing the detailed patterns that were created. It is even more amazing that it was all done by hand so precisely.
An interesting architectural note that I learned on the tour, as part of the rebuild after the earthquake, many of the churches were destroyed along with all the buildings. When everything got rebuilt, the churches were required to be built into buildings so that everything was in line – for a uniform look.
There is a tram system that still operates throughout Lisbon. There are 50 classic tram cars. Tram 28 is the famous route. It takes you from one end of the city to the other. It is a great way to see different areas without having to do all the walking. It is amazing how tight some of those turns are that the tram has to make.
While walking through the limestone tiled streets we came across the Elevador de Santa Justa. This is a wrought-iron structure that was built in 1902. It stands out from all the other building that surround it. You can pay to take the elevator up to the top platform lookout, or you can just walk a little and get to the bridge that takes you over to the platform.
The views from up top are amazing. You can see all of the city. People bring locks to this area and attach them to the fencing for good luck.
Enjoy!
T
