Archive for the 'History' Category

Bacalhau (codfish), Portugals’ dried & faithful friend (fiel amigo)

The Portuguese have a very long history with codfish: shortly after Columbus (about 500 years ago) discovered America, the Portuguese were fishing for cod near NewFoundland. They were the first Europeans to do so. The nickname of bacalhau is ‘fiel amigo’ (faithful friend).

Lisbon luxury food shop: shop Manteigaria Silva, Rua D. Antao de Almada 1-C […]

Walking around: unique Lisbon Baixa area, despotic Marquis of Pombal & scissors-grinders

The Baixa Pombalina is an elegant district, with beautiful buildings. The area is primarily constructed after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. It takes its name from Marquis of Pombal, the Prime Minister to Joseph I of Portugal from 1750 to 1777. Pombal, who kept calm during and after the big earthquake in 1755, renovated the city. He had […]

Lisbon shopping: postcards, stamps & jackpot queen Leonor in Rossio

After buying postcards in Lisbons’ touristical shops or kiosks in Rossio, you need stamps (selos) to send them to your friends or family. ‘Very sorry, no stamps’ (‘Desculpa, não selos’).  

Rossio: a traditional meeting point both for Lisboetas (locals) and visitors.

Besides, Rossio near Restauradores: Portuguese like to drink a ‘Ginjinha’, a liqueur made of berries.

For stamps friendly Portuguese shopowners will explain you […]

Famous Cafe ‘A Brasileira’, Rua Garrett: bad service and inattentive staff

Elegant shopping street Rua Garrett, that leads from the Baixa to Chiado, is named after the author and poet Joao Almedia Garrett (1799-1854). The area is also an important cultural area, with several museums and theatres.

Rua Garett, June 2008. On the background cafe ‘A Brasileira’ terrace. You will see young locals here just socialising or window shopping.

The most famous street of Lisbon, […]

Romantic Parque Principe Real, Rua dom Pedro V, near Bairro Alto

Parque Príncipe Real (Real Prince), near Bairro Alto, is a wonderful park. This century-old cedar ‘umbrella’ tree is really amazing! At night Park Principe Real  is one of the most popular and safest cruising areas in the city.

Laid out in 1860 with lots of exotic plants, the garden hosts a handicraft- and ecological products bazaar on specific days […]

Lisbon people: Viviane Durieu’s (Belgian) favorite places

Viviane Durieu is creator of ‘A Travessa’, one of Lisbons best restaurants, set in a 17th-century convent, with a picturesque courty yard.

“When I arrived in Lisbon in December 1969, two days before Christmas, I thought the climate and the light were fantastic. Especially because I had arrived from Belgium where it’s cloudy for nine […]

Breathtaking views: ferry from Lisbon to Cacilhas, lunch & Cristo Rei statue

Take the ferry from Lisbons’ Cais do Sodré (every 10 minutes) to Cacilhas at the other side of the river Tagus. A boat trip is always fun! (Returnticket 1,20 euro)

Cais do Sodré, boat to Cacilhas (near the railway station)
Cacilhas is a picturesque neighbourhood in the banks of the river best known by its Cervejarias (traditional beer […]

Santo Antonio in June: parades, feast, sardines, wine & live Fado music (2)

In June, the month of the Festas dos Santos Populares (Feast Days of the Popular Saints), the Lisbon nights are filled with lively festivities, parades and live music that take over the city’s historical center. The main Saints’ days are for Antonio (June 12-13), John (June 23-24) and Peter (June 28-29).

Mouraria - all the streets […]

Cheap restaurants: ‘O Panteao’ near Lisbons’ flea market

After browsing Lisbon’s famous flea market Feira da Ladra, (early in the morning you can find the best bargains), it’s a good idea to have lunch in Restaurant ‘O Panteao de Santa Clara’ (from the terrace you can see the Pantheon) just above the market, serving real Portugese food for a good price. If you […]

Alfama: the Pantheon & Amalia Rodrigues

You can find the Pantheon (Panteão Nacional) on Campo de Santa Clara, near Lisbons’ most famous flea market ‘Feira da Ladra’ (Thieves market)

The Pantheon is opened daily, from 09:00 - 13:00 and 15:00-19:00, a ticket cost 2 euro. It is possible to walk around the inside of the dome, you can climb the 169 stairs […]