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Lisbon Portrait Of Portugal
isbon is a relaxed city, tourism.
full of friendly folk who
make the effort to stop and The devastating earthquake of
talk. But their city was falling 1755 led to new town planning,
into decay and renovation became much of which exists to this day.
a priority. Urgent reconstruction was
necessary to keep Portugal’s
Recent years has seen Lisbon capital up and running. A new
begin to clean up its act. infrastructure heralded the start
Hosting the 2004 European of a new era.
Football Championships focused
the city and brought about an The Praca do Comercio sits at the
exiting new era. edge of the waterfront. The
pretty square attracts the
For years Lisbon sat awash with pigeons en masse and looks up to
building sites and rubble, eager a magnificent archway. The
to regain its status as one of perimeter is laced with retail
the major calling ports of stores; busy shoppers dart from
Europe. one to the other, seeking their
bargains.
Downtown Lisbon was stuck in a
time warp. Tight, cobbled streets The square provides a focal point
were a throwback to the 18th for much of the local community.
century, a million miles from the The folk gather and exchange
ultra-modern, cosmopolitan conversation whilst children
capitals of Europe. dance and play, adding to the
general din.
Today, Lisbon is at the dawn of a
bright new age and keen to The delightful smell of cooking
promote itself in a new world of emanates from the surrounding
restaurants and drifts enticingly busy backstreets, all with
across the square, inducing your somewhere to go.
hunger.
East of the city, Alfama is a
Opened in 1901, the Elevador de legacy of Moorish times,
Santa Justa is an outdoor retaining much of the old
cast-iron lift. Catering architecture. Following Christian
exclusively for those with a head victory in the religious wars,
for heights, the elevator the Romanesque cathedral was
provides unparalleled views of built on the site of a mosque in
the streets beneath. The tiny 1147.
people below scurry around the
About the Author:
Steven Cronin owns the City Breaks website featuring city break special offers from luxury hotels to budget accommodations. For more information please visit http://www.sargas.co.uk
Source: www.isnare.com |
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