Lisbon

 

Our guide Maria and the Elevador de Gloria

This morning we learned how to use the metro, then used the same ticket to climb the hill on the Elevador de Gloria. From the Miradoura de Sao Pedro de Alcantara viewpoint, we could see across the valley to the Castle of St George and the Cathedral. Lisbon was founded by the Phoenicians around 1200 BC. In 1755, a major earthquake destroyed most of the city. Nearby we found the church of Sao Roque.

Fado at Lunch

In the Principal Real neighborhood, we found many restaurants offering traditional Portuguese music, Fado, usually offered at dinner time into the wee hours. Fado is performed with Portuguese, classical, and bass guitars with a singer. We were entertained by two well-known fado singers, Elsa Loureino and Pedro Moutinho in the Alfaia Restaurant.

Love of the Centaurs by Reubens

In the afternoon, we went to the Calouste Gulbenkian Gardens and Museum. The museum had eclectic collection from ancient coins to Chinese vases, Turkish rugs, paintings, and jewelry. 

19th Century Dragonfly Ornament