(This story continue from Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 and Part 5)
**ONE DAY LISBON TOUR (Last Part)**
++Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (The Hieronymites Monastery)++
The bus took me and the others back to the Belém district of Lisbon. The guide brought us to one of the greatest monastery in Protugal - Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (The Hieronymites Monastery). He told us that this place was built in Manueline style and it was where 'Vasco da Gama' and his men spent the night in prayer before departing for India in 1497...
Credit: WIKIPEDIA
...And after the successful return from India, the above limestone structure was built as a history and glory of Vasco da Gama. The construction took around 50 years to finished. It, then, became the house of prayer for seamen when leaving or entering the port of Lisbon. In the time of "the great earthquake", 18th century, the church received some damage and the restoration took place in 1850's.
The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos was divided into 2 main parts: "Church of Santa Maria", and "the Monastery". Due to the limited time, I had entered only to the Church of Santa Maria. Outside of the building, you can see limestone architectures which was very great in my point of view.
Inside the Church of Santa Maria, a high roof beautiful architecture in the main chapel was stunning but I have no skill to describe into words. Beautiful, fair and stern the thing I was stared.
Credit: YouTube
After a breif visit at the great monastery, our guide guided us to the Pastel shop. The place where the renowned "Pastéis de Belém", a creamy dessert, is believed to be originated. He told us that even the president of Portugal also came here to eat such Pastel. The cafe was crowded. The tale and the crowd encouraged us to try. It was only 0.75 EURO each. So, we queued into the queue and after 15 minutes, we came out with the Pastéis de Belém, one for each...
Don't ask me about the taste.... I knew it's the famous one... but personally, there's nothing much special in it...I like the bakery in Sintra....more...
++Torre de Belém (The Belem Tower)++
Credit: WIKIPEDIA
Another place of interest from 16th century. This "L-shape" fortified tower is the memorial of power of Portuguese during the age of Great Discoveries.
'This is one of he symbol of Lisbon.', I murmured, blinking at the tower which once was used as the defense of Rio Tejo (Tagus River).
'Why they have to built a war tower with many decorations?', said Mr. Praphon, 'It must cost a lot to built but only a few shots of cannon are enough to waste all the money.' He, also, looked at one of the strangest fortified tower we had ever seen.
'However, I think because of it's beauty that last its life and becoming a tourist attraction today.', I said.
Near the Tower, I've found an interesting place named 'Monumento Combatentes do Ultramar' (Fightings the Overseas Monuments). It is a place of memory for portuguese soldiers who lost their lives in servicing of the Portuguese Empire in 1958-1975 (in colonial wars). There was a monument and a list contains more than ten thousands of name. In the picture, I did a sign in the same way as of the monument for I thought the monument made me thinking of the reunion. I had no intention to disregard the place and sorry if any Portuguese is serious about it.
++Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries)++
Another place of interest near two world heritage sites above. Firstly, it was built here, by the Rio Tejo, using the Perecíveis (perishable) materials for the Portuguese World Fair in 1940. Twenty years later, it was re-built by concrete as you have seen today for the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the death of Dom Henrique o Navegador (Prince Henry the Navigator).He is the figure in the front, holding a Navio (ship). Our guide also said that this place contains around 30 famous Portugueses, such as;
- Vasco da Gama (discoverer of the sea route to India),
- Ferdinand Magellan (first to circumnavigate the globe),
- Bartolomeu Dias (first to cross the Cape of Good Hope),
- Saint Francis Xavier (missionary), and more...(These are those whom I am familiar with.)
In front of the monument, there was a fine mosaic decoration pavement showing the world map with the routes of various Portuguese explorers and a wind rose.
Credit: WIKIPEDIA
Standing by this pavement, you can see a stunning view of Lisbon.
And this is Jessica's son, Ethan. Jessica Teo is one of the two participants from Singapore. Her husband and her son also joined this event too!! At the time I write this post (MAR 2008), she is expecting to have another baby. God bless you and your family Jessica!!
We ended up our tour with taking pictures with Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa or Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon Cathedral), the biggest and oldest (12th century) church in Lisbon. Then, we, with the guide of our guide, walked for a mil or two in the old district of lisbon. The city was old and nice but it was dark and cold and I was too tired for shooting picture, I just followed him and wished to find our bus again.
**THUS COMPLETE THE ONE DAY LISBON TOUR OF MINE**
But it wasn't over yet!!! I still had one full week to go on!!!
The next part will be about my journey north, to the City of the old port, "OPORTO" or "PORTO" ...It was a very fruitful journey!
2 comments:
hard to read many portugese words...btw, nice pics
Writing in Portuguese words make the atmosphere o' my post more Portuguese, I believe with these Portuguese words, many of you can be closer to what I'd like to tell ^_^
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