Lisbon. Legends, myths and realities of the ancient city

The first thing that catches your eye when leaving the airport in Lisbon is palm trees and a blue sky. The end of December, we trample perplexedly, taking off our scarves and hats ... From the fresh air our head is spinning. And then you understand that you want to smile and enjoy. A magnificent city, in which it is so quiet, as if it is covered with an invisible transparent cap. A hospitable city where you are always welcome and always ready to help. An ancient city with streets soaring up sharply, and huge gulls that walk among the flowers in winter ... I have been waiting for this meeting for ten years - exactly so much has passed since the last visit.

We were met by an employee of a company that rents apartments in the center. "Just write how you will get out of the airport, I'm here," he wrote on the eve of our trip. So it was. A swarthy talkative Portuguese with a snow-white smile picked up our suitcases and, constantly chatting in English, drove home.

While traveling, chatting about local life. “We are lazy people,” he says. Laughs in full mouth. Reasoning. “We don’t like to work. But who loves? But we love guests very much! I promise you: you can come to any Portuguese, help you! We love when we come to us! And we rejoice when the children come. They will grow up and return ! "

He talked about the sights of the city with such pride that I even envied him. Great as !!! By the way, he himself lives 25 km from Lisbon. He says living in the center is expensive.

“But terrorists don’t come to us. The country is poor, what should they do here ...” he reassured us. And he warned that the main danger is pickpockets. Even 50 euros is better not to shine ... And even better not to pay by card. "It’s better to withdraw money in advance and pay in cash," he said. Scrimmers do not sleep ...

Our apartment deserves a separate topic. It is located in a historic old house, in the center. Cost - about 100 euros for four. Small and comfortable. “If you freeze, here’s a heater for you,” the owner says. Well, yes, they don’t know the cold, and there is no central heating. And then - rrraz - and he puts a bottle of local wine. "It is for you!". Nicely))

And this is the view from the window :)

Here we lived :)

Life is already in full swing in the square. Musicians, tourists and locals - that's it!

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world and the oldest city in Western Europe, centuries beyond the age of such modern European capitals as London, Paris. You can go to historical places here for a long time :)

For example, the church of San Domingos, near which we lived. It was built in 1241. And in 1536, the Inquisition was officially established in Portugal. The courts sat in the church, and nearby, right on the square, the sentences were carried out. From 1536 to 1821, 355 men and 221 women were burned alive in Lisbon, 6,005 men and 4,910 women were tortured, 706 men and 546 women died in the Inquisition Prison ...

And in the 20th century there was a fire. In 1959, the interior of the church of San Domingos burned to the ground, and the black marble used to decorate the church acquired a blood-red hue from the fire. Now the church is restored.

But the courts of the Inquisition are not the only nightmare events that took place here. For the Jews who lived in Lisbon, this place is special. It all started with the fact that on March 19, 1497 a decree was signed on the baptism of the entire Jewish population of the state. Tens of thousands of Jews were imprisoned in the camps, they were forcibly baptized and only after that they were declared full citizens of Portugal.

Christians were not very good with the "new Christians" - this is how these Jews were christened. And then one day, on April 19, 1506, a dispute arose in the church of San Domingos. During the evening Easter sermon, the ray fell on the face of Christ. It was considered a miracle. But one of the “new Christians” said that it was just the light from the setting sun. A fight ensued. The arguer was dragged out of the church onto the street and beaten to death there. It all started with that. And then, instigated by the nobility, Jews were attacked by sailors from the ships that stood in the port of Lisbon. The pogrom lasted several days. Two to five thousand people were killed.

The brutal people began to attack the Portuguese, and the pogrom stopped only after the death of the royal shooter, who had nothing to do with Jewry. Then King Manuel severely punished the instigators and participants of the Portuguese ...

In 2006, the Jewish community requested a memorial sign for the 500 year old tragedy. And on April 22, 2008 the monument was unveiled.

And we move on. Wonderful composition near the metro :) There are so many locks :) It was installed so that people do not hang locks on bridges :)

Cow. Remember this sign everyone who is going to Lisbon. A cow is an identification mark of a small shop selling a lot of very different cool things. I bought a bunch of gifts there :)

Praça do Comércio - the heart of Lisbon and the Market Square. Before the devastating tsunami, there was a royal palace. This is where we met 2017!

There are a lot of souvenirs in Lisbon. It seems to me the most optimal souvenir - these are the tiles. They look beautiful and many different options are offered.

One of the most striking sights of Lisbon is the Santa Justa elevator. The construction of the elevator began in 1898 and ended in 1901. Santa Justa officially opened to the public a year later, on July 10, 1902. On that day, they say, the weather fell on the city, but nothing affected the curiosity of citizens. At first, the elevator cabins were driven by steam, and since November 1907 the elevator switched to electricity. The tower rises 45 meters, the elevator rises 30 to the first observation deck, from where the bridge connects the lift to the square. True, the queue is huge. Everyone is interested!

But those who do not want to stand can climb to the upper part of the city on their own, and get to the observation deck. Let's go around :)

And here we are at the lookout :) Here it is, the city of red roofs! :)

You can go down here on such a lift. He is old, he is one hundred years old!

As in other European cities, chestnuts are roasted everywhere in the winter. But I noticed that in Lisbon they are fried in salt. Apparently, it was more convenient to clean.

Jeronimos Monastery ... His story is as follows. King Manuel I asked the pope for permission to build a large monastery in gratitude to the Virgin Mary for the successful journey of Vasco da Gama to India. The request was granted, and in 1501 construction began on the proceeds from the sale of spices and treasures brought from Africa, Asia and South America ...

Founded by Henry the Navigator during the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries, the monastery became the last refuge of Vasco da Gama, the kings of Manuel I and Juan III, as well as other important people, and is considered one of the seven wonders of Portugal.

The construction of the Jeronimos Monastery lasted almost 100 years. Surprisingly, the Jeronimos Monastery survived the earthquake of 1755 ... It is open to the public.

From the monastery to the Belem Tower - about 15 minutes on foot. When we reached, the sun was setting. What a beautiful sunset!

And here she is. Unforgettable. The castle of Torre de Belem has become a symbol of the era of the great geographical discoveries of Portugal and the emblem of its capital Lisbon. The tower was built to protect the entrance to the harbor. Ships leaving for long voyages departed from here ... Torre de Belem is also named one of the seven wonders of Portugal and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

And we are returning to the city. The center is about 20 minutes.

A short walk through the evening Lisbon.

And we are again in our square. In the evening, trade started in full swing. What is there just not) Have tried mulled wine :)

They say that addicts gather on this square and offer to inject everyone. We saw nothing of the kind, although we lived here and went regularly. It's always fun and lively :))

You can talk about Lisbon for a long time, but I will stop here for now :) I tried to keep up with not the largest number of photos :) By the way, among the European capitals I was in, Lisbon takes an honorable third place after London and Rome :)