TRAVELING TO PORTUGAL. GETTING TO KNOW LISBON

So, here it is, Lisbon! The city for which I drove all of Europe lies at my feet …
No, I do not have delusions of grandeur, I just look at him from the height of the observation deck of Edward VII Park. A luxurious grass carpet, and even with a geometric relief ornament with a green ribbon, goes down to the city and the Tejo River.
The view is so majestic that God’s grace seems to fall on you … Of course, it may be just fatigue from the day on the road and a lot of impressions from the already seen Portugal, but somehow you don’t want to take these arguments of reason into account. The main things now are sensations and emotions: we just silently admire the pacifying green splendor.
Meanwhile, this is the oldest city in Western Europe, one of the oldest in the world (for centuries more ancient than London and Paris) in the XVIII century was practically rebuilt again! His story is incredibly tragic …
The great geographical discoveries of the XV-XVI centuries made the port city the center of European trade with Africa, America, India, and Lisbon was literally buried in luxury, swam in gold and silver! But the day of November 1, 1755, ironically the Day of All Saints, became the end of the world for him. A powerful earthquake in 6 minutes almost destroyed the city, and the subsequent tsunamis and fires exacerbated the destruction. Architectural masterpieces, diaries and records of travelers, priceless decorations of houses and cathedrals – all took the elements together with one hundred thousand human lives … The city made a historic feat, rising from the ruins and creating the beauty that is available to us now! That is why the Marquis of Pombala, who planned a new city with earthquake-resistant houses, is so revered in Portugal. By the way, people were perplexed about the new wide streets, but the Marquis insisted, saying that they would seem descendants to be narrow and cramped. As the water looked!
If we turn away from the panorama of the city, then a monument of the era of “social realism” with a fountain in honor of the revolution of carnations will appear before us as a certain sobriety. Yes, on April 25, 1974, Portugal had its own socialist revolution with all the consequences … True, it was bloodless – God repeatedly kept Portugal from bloody losses.
The famous statue of Christ near the suspension bridge on April 25 rises 110 meters above Lisbon. It was built with the money of Portuguese women as a token of gratitude to the Creator for having saved their husbands by the non-participation of the country in World War II. By the way, this statue is an exact copy of the famous symbol of Rio de Janeiro, only a little lower.
From the bus window (alas!) I saw the Kremlin of Lisbon – the castle of St. George. It was on its territory that the remains of the life of an ancient person of the 6th century BC were found! I remembered Greece – there, in the museum, we were taught to recognize the architecture of this very 6th century BC! And this is one of the most impressive viewing platforms in Lisbon! Looking ahead, I will say that there are 26 (!) Viewing platforms in Lisbon, of which I managed to visit only 3.
A very pleasant impression was left by a walk in Beleni – once a suburb, and now Lisbon. Within walking distance, separated by an amazing park with fountains, there are two unique and significant (both monuments are included in the UNESCO World Heritage), and in terms of safety (both practically survived in 1755) of the seven wonders of Portugal. This is the symbol of Lisbon – the White Tower on the banks of the Tagus, one of the three surviving towers in Europe of the XVI century.
Openwork, despite the military mission, it is also called the castle of the princess. I went to her along the Tezhu from the distance, and it gradually opened up in all its glory. Nearby are the archaeological museum and the Monument to the Discoveries.
In general, most of the monuments of Lisbon are somehow connected with geographical discoveries. Like the amazingly beautiful and elegant “neighbor” of the tower – the Jeronimos Monastery.
For its construction – for the success of the Vasco da Gama enterprise in opening the sea trade route to India – the blessing of the Pope was requested. It was there, along with the remains of those of the royal families, that the ashes of the great Vasco, who justified the hopes of the king and the Vatican, now rest.
The cathedral was built for 100 years, and, being a 150-year-old by the time of an earthquake, he withstood the elements, practically avoiding destruction! The interior of the monastery impresses with its unique Portuguese style “Manueline”. Both the Belen’s tower and the Jeronimos Monastery are glorious witnesses of the “golden age” of Lisbon.
The ancient beauty (XVI century) Church of St. Roca is one of the world’s first churches of the Order of the Jesuits. The chapel of John the Baptist located there is also very impressive with what is considered the most expensive in the world. Built in Rome, she received the blessing of the Pope, and only after that the ships were delivered to Lisbon.
And I remember the Aqueduct of Free Water. They built it in the XVIII century to supply the city with water just before the earthquake, which it survived quite well. It is considered an achievement both in architectural (baroque) and hydrotechnical sense. The fact that he is now an exhibit of the Museum of Water reminded me of Kiev, and “smiled” …