Who has not seen Lisbon with his own eyes, he does not know how the beauty looks like, the Portugueses say. Anyway, most enchanting arrival into city centre is those on sea surface. This leads from Atlantic Ocean, via estuary of Tejo-river into calm bay, which forms, with surrounding nature, one of most beautiful ports of the world. So, on this place, along moderately arising north coast, completely turned towards sunshine, this nice cíty is to be found. It is situated along seven hills, is proud on marvellous decorated palaces, and fascinates daily with its charm of old-time small streets and legends, reminding glimmer of past times.

The Phoenicians entered mouth of Tejo-river with their group of vessels, as the first traveller here, in 1200 B.C. Local anchorage-ground got the name as Alis Ubbo, later Lisbon. Also Romans and Visigots had their share on town´s building. The Moors conquested this place 400 years later. Nevertheless, in 1147, King Alfons I. succeded, with help of crusaders´ troop, to expel them from the town. Anyway, a death of Marim Monez, Lisbon citizen, had an important share. He wedged devotedly among two wings of church gate, and so enabled crusaders to occupy this strategically important point.

Since that time period, town´s treasuries started to be fulfilled with immense speed. Lisbon vessels dominated the trade with Africa and the business blew in continent, too. Moreover, when Vasco da Gama discovered a sea-way towards India at the end of 15th century, and  Pedro Alvarez Cabral colonized Brasil, Lisbon capital became richest metropolis of Europe, and Portuguese King´s Empire was world great power. Anyway, Torre Belem, watch tower with wonderful battlement, situated along Tejo-river, is stone witness of this famous time period. Just nearby, there was effected wharf of goods and treasuries brought by sea-farers.

King Manuel I. took with six elephants and panters during his famous rides He wished to thank God for such success, so he let to construct magnificient St.Geronimo Monastery. This building  is unique with its audacious architecture bearing Gothic-Arabian-Indian elements. However, the termination of this construction, with three-navy church from grey-white sandstone, took nearly 60 years. The monastery is one of few buildings, which overcame the greatest catastrophe of this town. Hard earthquake, three sea thunderstorms and several big fires destroyed completely the whole town in 1755. 30000 inhabitants found their death below ruins of walls, in destructive high tide waves or during enormous fire of the town. 15000 buildings, 300 palaces and 110 churches were destroyed altogether.

Town reconstruction, led by Marques de Pombal, was effected in accordance with latest notions of town´s architecture. Lisbon could be thankful to his enlightened access that the town has today´s bigscale face. Pombal let to establish Praca de Comercio (extent of 35000 square meters) along Tejo-river, which decorates the town till now. Triumph Arch, situated on north part of the town, leads towards newly built low town. It is symetrically arranged town quarter. Rossio Square, belonging to low town, is busiest town quarter. Here, there were sent to the stake alleged heretics even in 1820. Just from here, there is not far to representative street Avenida de Libertade, bordered with many oak-trees, marquises and parasols of local caffees. Many local people enjoythis place, despite enormous noise of passing cars, their refreshing relax, whereas the tourist study thick guidebooks and walk around.

In Lisbon, town with 700000 inhabitants, there are not missing historical monuments. The tourists could mount along steep stages up to Castelo sao Jorge, visit some of 50 museums or 80 churches or to try Lisbon cast-iron lifts, which connect several town quarters.Nevertheless, you can enjoy local life and atmosphere in old-time caffees, drinking cup of fabulous caffe-espresso. You can also order some craw-fish and hear, tasting marvellous local wine at the same time, a couple of „fados“ - sad songs about love and death.

Text: Denisa Arvajová

Photo: google, google earth