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