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Lisbon Attractions >> • Residencial JoãoXXI is located near the historic marks most visited, because they not only represent the town’s history, but also the Portuguese history. • At 5 minutes walking distance you have Marquês de Pombal Square, Lisbon’s main entrance for many people. This square has the statue of Marquês de Pombal, the minister of King D. José I. It is one of most influent historical figures, standing on the same level, of importance and value, of D. Afonso Henriques, 1st Portuguese King and Infante D. Henrique, the figure behind the Portuguese Discoveries. Marquês de Pombal was known for his pragmatic point of view, bearing in mind that this man lived during the 18th century. From the square Marquês de Pombal we can go to Baixa Pombalina (don’t forget the name) taking the most important avenue in Lisbon, Avenida da Liberdade. Lisbon, as well as Portugal, is known for making a revolution without firing one bullet. This revolution is known as the Carnation Revolution because, when the militaries where ready to the confrontation, someone from the people put a carnation on the weapon and prevent the death of soldiers. The revolution was over on April 25th 1974. Since then the Liberty day is celebrated every year on April, 25th. • Going down Avenida da Liberdade, we get to Baixa Pombalina. Baixa, as it is more often referred to, is the city centre, the downtown, where you can admire Rossio square, the Theatre D. Maria and where you can find the traditional stores. You can also see Praça do Comércio, also known as Terreiro do Paço, with the statue of King D. José. To go from Rossio to Comércio Square you can use the streets that reflect the powerful nation that Portugal was before: Rua do Ouro (Gold Street), Rua Augusta (August Street) and Rua da Prata (Silver Street). The downtown has this name because Marquês de Pombal was responsible for its reconstruction after the big earthquake in 1755; the downtown represents the view of a man who lived more than 200 years ago and was able to rebuild a town whose structure has not change since that period, until now in the 21st century. • Lisbon is also known as the city of Seven Hills, therefore we advise to use comfortable shoes to visit those hills because they have different points that you should see. On one of the hills you have the Castle of S.Jorge. The castle reminds the medieval period and all structures around it have that characteristic; small streets almost like a labyrinth that cross the most typical neighbourhoods associated to Portugal musical tradition, Fado. Mouraria and Alfama are names that immediately lead our mind to Fado. • Lisbon is a beautiful town where you can apreciate the different moments lived by one of the countries that has given more, through out history, to Europe’s expansion. This is why you should profit from the view that you get from the castle or from one of the several sightseeing, like Graça’s Sightseeing, another typical neighbourhood, that you should always visit, especially during Saint Anthony’s celebration, the town’s patron. • Portugal is famous for the food and you can taste the best of portuguese cuisine in one of the Bairro Alto restaurants. This neighbourhood is famous for the statue of one the greatest Portuguese poets, Fernando Pessoa, in A Brasileira Café. It is a bohemian neighbourhood where the artist and politicians figures used to talk about the nation. There, you can also enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Lisbon by night and if you are lucky you might be able to listen to a Desgarrada, a challenge between two Fado singers. • Representing another period of World’s history, you can visit Belém. The use of the word “World” is not national pride. It was from that area that the Caravelas, the ships which discovered the way through sea to India and which discovered Brazil, departed and brought a new life to Europe during the 15th and 16th century. As a symbol of the Discoveries Period you might see the Jerónimos Monastery, built in Manuelino style, whose theme is the sea; the Belém Tower and the Discoveries Monument, a dedication to Portuguese navigators, lead by Infant D. Henrique. You can also visit the Cultural Centre, a recent construction where you can find several national and international exhibitions. • Once you are in Belém, you can not leave without tasting the famous Pastéis de Belém coming out of the oven. Another historic mark is the Bridge April, 25th that, before the Carnation Revolution, was called Salazar’s Bridge. Looking at it, you might see that it looks like The Golden State Bridge, in San Francisco. • Talking about bridges, you have a recent one, the Vasco da Gama Bridge, built for the World Exposition in 1998. All the Expo area is beautiful to visit and you can also visit 4 different oceans in the Oceanário. • Near Lisbon you have Sintra where you can visit different palaces built during the Portuguese Romantic Period, who precede the German palaces of the same period. Sintra has always charmed poets, artists and philosophers with its protected nature beauty, with its streets covered by the trees through which the sun can barely pass, with its palaces, especially the Pena Palace, the prototype of the European Romantic Period. Due to its natural charm, Sintra still attracts artists, especially from the 7th Art, because it has its own life. Did you know that part of the movie The 9th Gate, with Johnny Depp, was shot in Sintra? If you want to have a taste of what you will find in Sintra pay special attention to the search for the second book. To those who like literature, you might read Eça de Queirós’ work, Maias, where you can live the love of Carlos and Maria Eduarda in a scenario that you can see for real when visiting Sintra, or you can just go there to get the same inspiration that Lord Byron got from this town. Take a walk on the Monserrate Park at the end of the day and you will see that you will return felling differently. • Someone said that Portugal is a garden near the sea and therefore you can look at the beautiful beaches on your way from Sintra to Cascais. There you can visit the ancient fortress and when returning to Lisbon you can try your luck on the Estoril’s Casino. We advise you to take the train back to Lisbon because it is a wonderful trip, where you can enjoy an amazing view since it is along the shore and you may rest while looking at the calm waters of the Tejo. • Being on the water subject, but this time on the other bank of the river, you have Sesimbra; a bay protected by the mountain, with narrow streets. It is located in Arrábida Mountain and you can find one of the most beautiful protected areas due to its wild nature. • One of the greatest sanctuaries to the Virgin Marie, since the beginning of the 20th century is located in Portugal: Fátima. It was there that three little shepards, Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta, saw a lady who identify herself as being the Rosary Lady. It is a place of pilgrimage especially between May and October with a special meaning for the 13th of those months, since it was that day that the Virgin appeared to the three children. • After leaving Lisbon, you will find out that what you felt in Sintra and in all the other places you’ve been, what you felt while listening to Fado, what you felt while walking on the Portuguese typical pavement and what you felt when you left the welcoming smile from Residencial JoãoXXI staff, it is a felling that you can only describe as Saudade. If you want to know what this word means, come and visit us; we will be happy to explain it to you.