Lisbon is Portugal's capital and a port on the Rio Tejo. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Lisbon was one of Europe's richest cities, largely a result of new trade routes discovered by explorers such as Vasco da Gama and Henry the Navigator.
Lisbon sunrise from our Corinthia Hotel room window
Lisbon sunrise from our Corinthia Hotel room window
Chiado District in Lisbon
Chiado District in Lisbon
Chiado District in Lisbon
Chiado District in Lisbon
Café A Brasileira (The Brazilian Lady Cafe) was opened by Adrian Telles in the early 1900s to import and sell Brazilian coffee.
Café A Brasileira (The Brazilian Lady Cafe) was opened by Adrian Telles in the early 1900s to import and sell Brazilian coffee.
Interior of Café A Brasileira
Interior of Café A Brasileira
Kathryn shares her Rick Steves guide book with poet Fernando Pessoa, a frequent customer of Café A Brasileira.
Kathryn shares her Rick Steves guide book with poet Fernando Pessoa, a frequent customer of Café A Brasileira.
A foot shot on the black and white tile that characterizes many of the streets in the oldest neighborhoods of Lisbon.
A foot shot on the black and white tile that characterizes many of the streets in the oldest neighborhoods of Lisbon.
Casa do Ferreira das Tabuletas
Casa do Ferreira das Tabuletas
A typical Lisbon kiosk (quiosque) located in Largo do Carmo
A typical Lisbon kiosk (quiosque) located in Largo do Carmo
The Convent of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was ruined by a series of earthquakes in 1755. Today it is the Museo Arqueológico do Carmo, or Carmo Archaeological Museum.
The Convent of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was ruined by a series of earthquakes in 1755. Today it is the Museo Arqueológico do Carmo, or Carmo Archaeological Museum.
Inside the main nave of the Carmo church. A decision was made to preserve the structure as the earthquake left it. Without a roof, your eyes are drawn to the heavens.
Inside the main nave of the Carmo church. A decision was made to preserve the structure as the earthquake left it. Without a roof, your eyes are drawn to the heavens.
Along our walk from Chiado to Bairro Alto
Along our walk from Chiado to Bairro Alto
Examples of the azulejos, typical Portuguese tile, used on building façades
Examples of the azulejos, typical Portuguese tile, used on building façades
Funiculars carry people up and down the hills of Lisbon
Funiculars carry people up and down the hills of Lisbon
São Pedro de al Cantara Park. The bust honors a 19th century local journalist. This district is famous for its poets, writers, publishers, and bohemians.
São Pedro de al Cantara Park. The bust honors a 19th century local journalist. This district is famous for its poets, writers, publishers, and bohemians.
A view toward the Alfama District and São Jorge Castle and fortifications
A view toward the Alfama District and São Jorge Castle and fortifications
São Jorge Castle and fortifications
São Jorge Castle and fortifications
Walking into the Baixa District, the valley between Alfama and Chiado/Bairro Alto
Walking into the Baixa District, the valley between Alfama and Chiado/Bairro Alto
Approaching Praça do Comercio on the Rio Tejo (Tagus River)
Approaching Praça do Comercio on the Rio Tejo (Tagus River)
The Arch of Triumph on the Rua Augusta
The Arch of Triumph on the Rua Augusta
Statue of Dom Josè I, the king who gave control of the government to his chief minister, Pombal
Statue of Dom Josè I, the king who gave control of the government to his chief minister, Pombal
The 25th of April Bridge crossing the Tagus River
The 25th of April Bridge crossing the Tagus River
Tower of Belém
Tower of Belém
The Tower of Belém was built from 1514-20, both as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon and as part of a defense system at the mouth of the Tagus River.
The Tower of Belém was built from 1514-20, both as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon and as part of a defense system at the mouth of the Tagus River.
The Monument to the Discoveries was built in 1940 to mark the starting point for the caravels that left Lisbon during the Age of Discovery in the 16th century.
The Monument to the Discoveries was built in 1940 to mark the starting point for the caravels that left Lisbon during the Age of Discovery in the 16th century.
The Museu Nacional de Arqueologia
The Museu Nacional de Arqueologia
To the right of the Archaeology Museum is the entrance to the Monastery of Jerónimos
To the right of the Archaeology Museum is the entrance to the Monastery of Jerónimos
Cloister
Cloister
Dining room of the cloister
Dining room of the cloister
The National Palace of Queluz, an 18th century rococo building, was the summer home of Portuguese royalty.
The National Palace of Queluz, an 18th century rococo building, was the summer home of Portuguese royalty.
National Palace of Queluz
National Palace of Queluz
The ceremonial façade of the palace designed by Mateus Vicente de Oliveira
The ceremonial façade of the palace designed by Mateus Vicente de Oliveira
Part of the palace gardens were under renovation
Part of the palace gardens were under renovation
Calouste Gulbenkian (1869-1955) was an Armenian oil tycoon who bequeathed his art collection to Portugal in gratitude for asylum granted him in Lisbon during World War II.
Calouste Gulbenkian (1869-1955) was an Armenian oil tycoon who bequeathed his art collection to Portugal in gratitude for asylum granted him in Lisbon during World War II.
A photo of Calouste Gulbenkian in Egypt (1933)
A photo of Calouste Gulbenkian in Egypt (1933)
Rembrandt, 'Portrait of an Old Man' - 1645
Rembrandt, 'Portrait of an Old Man' - 1645
Rembrandt and pupil, 'Pallas Athena' - 1657
Rembrandt and pupil, 'Pallas Athena' - 1657
Peter Paul Rubens, 'Flight into Egypt' - ca. 1630-32
Peter Paul Rubens, 'Flight into Egypt' - ca. 1630-32
Peter Paul Rubens, 'The Loves of the Centaurs' - ca. 1635
Peter Paul Rubens, 'The Loves of the Centaurs' - ca. 1635
Peter Paul Rubens, 'The Loves of the Centaurs' - ca. 1635
Peter Paul Rubens, 'The Loves of the Centaurs' - ca. 1635
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 'Portrait of Madame Claude Monet' - ca. 1872-74
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 'Portrait of Madame Claude Monet' - ca. 1872-74
