Historic Lisboa

We had a quiet morning, a bit of a walk and then found a nice square with a church and a kiosk selling coffee.

We were saving our energy for an afternoon tour of the city starting with Belem (Bethlehem) the area on the edge of the city on the riverside. Here, where the River Tagus is nearest to the open sea, is a very historic world heritage site as it was from here that the great Portuguese navigators set sail to discover the world.

The Mosteiro de los Jeronimos nearby now houses a museum of Navigation and the attached church has the tomb of Vasco de Gama who's voyage to India was the high point of the Portuguese era of discovery. He proved Columbus wrong by rounding the Cape of Good Hope and gave Portugal the competitive edge in the spice trade.

Nearby is the relatively recent monument (1960 - to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Henry the Navigators death) to the navigators with Henry at the head of them looking out to sea. (Extra)

Much older is the Torre de Belem, seen in my blip, built in Manueline style (as is the monastery) which is uniquely Portuguese. It was built in the early 16th century for defensive purposes and at that time was on an island in the river.
In the distance to the left you can see the April 25 Bridge designed by the same engineers as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Just beyond it on the far bank is the Cristo Rei monument and shrine. Itvwas inspired by the famous statue in Rio de Janeiro.

The rest of,ourmtime was spent in the historic centre of the city - Alfama created by the Moors in the 8th century and occupied by them for 400 years. Twisty little streets and lots of cafes, currently decorated gaudily with streamers for the coming Feast of St Anthony (12 June). More later as we will definitely be coming back here. There was a wonderful smell of sardines cooking as this is apparentlymthe best time for them. I spotted some in a box and asked if I could photograph them, the old gentleman proudly held one up for me. Extra 2.

A hot and sticky afternoon after a cloudy morning. Pooped now and ready for bed.