Portugal Never Stops to Amaze

Today we'll wander along the streets of Lisbon where the past blends with the present and ancient remains are still possible to be discovered.

This is the monument to the Marquis of Pombal, the prime minister responsible for the rebuilding of Lisbon following the Great Earthquake in 1755, showing him standing on a column with his hand on a lion (symbol of power) and his eyes directed to the downtown area that he rebuilt.

An unusual city block with a variety of tiny streets and picturesque buildings.

A poster on the walls of the buildings in the block.

It's Cabaret Maxime.

Maxime used to be a luxury cabaret, with clients from upper-class Portuguese families to the King of Spain. Later on, it became an underground brothel, but in 2006 it was revamped and turned into a bar and concert venue with a regular program. It has maintained the style and decor that made it famous.

The Praça dos Restauradores (Restorer's Square) is located on the south end of Avenida da Liberdade (Liberty Avenue), right beside the Rossio railway station (also an architectural masterpiece not to be missed!). This is a busy area of Lisbon and also the place to find the recently renovated Orion Eden, once a theatre and today a hotel that has kept the wonderful original facade.

Rossio is the liveliest square in the city, where people stop to sit and relax, or for a drink at the several atmospheric cafes with outdoor sitting.
 On either side of the square are two baroque fountains, and in the center is a monument measuring 27 meters in height. It consists of a pedestal with marble allegories of Justice, Wisdom, Strength, and Moderation, qualities attributed to Dom Pedro IV, whose statue stands on top of the monument.

The floor renders the effect of running waves producing a fascinating view.

On Sundays an exposition is available. They sell different kinds of food here.

Local rock band is giving a concert under the open sky.

A standard yellow tram.

After the bridge Ponte 25 de Abril is passed by, an industrial area starts which is still decorated with some visual pearls like this.

The Municipal Square is a small peaceful place. The City Hall building is a neoclassical palace with an elegant exterior featuring sculptures on the triangular tympanum supported by four paired columns. Outside the building is an interesting pillory with a spiral column built of a single block in the 18th century, and crowned with a gilt metal sphere.

Red bug sculpture.

The Castle of Saint Jorge is located atop the highest hill in the historic center of the city. The castle is one of the main historical and touristic sites of Lisbon.

The castle consists of an external yard and an internal palace.

The yard embraces the internal citadel protected by the second level of walls.

The view of Praca do Comercio.

The view of Ponte 25 de Abril.

Santa Justa Elevator is an Eiffel Tower-like landmark overlooking the city.

The internal citadel is surrounded by the trench and the second wall. A bridge connects the wall and the external part.

The castle comprises numerous semi-destructed rooms.

This is Alfama, one of the most typical quarters of Lisbon. In Alfama, it is still possible to see Roman and Arab remains, two of the most dominant civilizations in Lisbon's past.