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HomeTown Lisbon blog offers you a selection of articles devoted to the destination Lisbon, its news, culture, activities and of course, its people

Culture & Art

Discover Lisbon in the footsteps of José Saramago

5 years ago - Julie D.

For lovers of novels, there are few more enjoyable pleasures than to discover a real place in the footsteps of a renowned writer. Fortunately for inveterate readers, Lisbon is not only a city of culture and history, but also the soul city of several great writers. If you already know the novels of José Saramago, Nobel Prize in Literature, you will find them with pleasure, like old friends. If you have not yet had the opportunity to discover his finely ironic prose, a stay in Lisbon is the perfect moment! Prepare your next stay in Lisbon by delving into the deeply human universe of José Saramago's novels. In Lisbon, you can visit the José Saramago Foundation, or follow the tourist route Memorial do Convento that will take you to the National Palace of Mafra, in the footsteps of Balthasar and Blimunda, heros of the novel that bears their names. Lisbon seen with the heart: José Saramago, who are you? José Saramago was born in 1922 in a small village north of Lisbon, in Azinhaga, in a family of poor peasants. His family moved to Lisbon two years after his birth. He spent most of his life in Lisbon, until his exile in Lanzarote in 1992, after a controversy that opposed the Portuguese government at the time. Pure Lisbon, Saramago loved this city which he knew every nook and cranny intimately. But he always remained attached to Azinhaga, the village of his childhood and the village of his grandparents. In his speech for the Nobel Prize of Literature in 1998, he tells how his grandparents gave him the taste of imagination, the love of nature, and an inexhaustible curiosity for Portuguese folklore. In one of his most recent books, The Notebook, which includes many texts that the writer first published on his blog, he wrote a real love letter in Lisbon: "I would be interested, not only to know, but also to see, in the true sense of the word, how Lisbon has changed since those days. If the cinema had existed then, if the ancient chroniclers had been cameramen, if the thousand and one changes that Lisbon has known throughout the centuries had been recorded, then we could have seen this Lisbon of eight centuries grow and move like a to be alive, like those flowers that the television shows us, which open in a few seconds, from the still closed button to the final splendor of shapes and colors. I think I would have liked this Lisbon more than anything.” (The Notebook, published by Cherche-Midi, Marie Hautbergue translation) As a child, he knows poverty: Every spring his mother would bring the table covers of the family to the pawnshop, in order to recover some money, and hoping to be able to buy them at the beginning of the winter ... Because of these difficulties, and although he is an excellent student, his parents cannot enroll him in college, private. He did technical studies before working as a mechanic. Saramago is already an avid reader, even though he is too poor to own his own books. At age 19, and with a loan from a friend, he bought his first books. Saramago also becomes a translator and a journalist. A prolific writer, he published numerous articles, poetry collections and several novels, before finally becoming famous at 60, with the publication of his novel Memorial do Convento. He died in 2010 and his ashes are buried in the shade of a century-old olive tree, in front of Casa dos Bicos, which houses the José Saramago Foundation. La Casa dos Bicos – Fondation José Saramago The very pretty Casa dos Bicos, literally "house of spikes", is a very interesting example of Portuguese architecture of the 16th century. Built in 1532 for Bras of Albuquerque, the son of the viceroy of the Portuguese Indies, it is decorated on its facade with sharp stones. Bras of Albuquerque, who oversaw its construction, was most likely inspired by examples from the Italian Renaissance, such as the Palazzo dei Diamanti in Ferrara. Casa dos Bicos suffered enormous damage during the earthquake of 1755. Its two upper floors were only rebuilt in 1983, respecting the original appearance of the house, with its double-pointed windows. Since 2012, the Casa has hosted the José Saramago Foundation, with a permanent exhibition dedicated to the life and work of the Nobel Prize winner for literature. The exhibition gathers personal effects and manuscripts of the author and recreates his workplace. Casa dos Bicos – Fondation José Saramago – Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, 10, 1100-135 Lisbonne – opening hours: from Monday to Saturday 10h à 18h In the footsteps of Saramago, from Lisbon to Mafra: la Rota Memorial Do Convento Recently inaugurated, the brand new cultural route "Memorial do Convento" offers the opportunity for a pleasant excursion, on the real sites that inspired José Saramago for his novel. The route starts in Lisbon, Praça da Figueira, goes through Casa do Bicos, continues to Sacavem, where visitors will discover an information center on the cultural route to the municipal library Ary dos Santos. We then arrive in Loures, to discover several sites of the city. The route ends at Mafra, and of course includes the National Palace, which serves as a backdrop to the novel. This cultural tour, which has just been inaugurated, will include a website and an app. Baltasar and Blimunda is the novel that serves as a guide for this journey. It transports us to the 18th century, during the construction of the Mafra Palace. The novel tells of the loves of Balthasar, a one-handed worker involved in the construction of the palace, and Blimunda, a young woman with a singular gift of clairvoyance. They participate in the development of a magic flying machine, but the Inquisition does not see all of this with a very good eye... The national palace of Mafra The literary route ends at the National Palace of Mafra, 40km from Lisbon, in the province of Arrabida. To celebrate the birth of an heir, John V of Portugal honored his promise to build a Franciscan monastery. Originally, it was to be a simple and austere monastery to accommodate 13 Franciscan monks who took a vow of poverty. But two years after the beginning of the project, John V changes his mind: the cases of the Crown are full thanks to the gold coming from Brazil, Portuguese colony, and John V decides to build, not a humble monastery, but a sumptuous palace that will serve as a second home and hunting lodge for the royal family. Four acres, 1200 rooms, 156 stairs and 29 courtyards, the least we can say is that John V refused nothing! The palace, built entirely of marble and stone from the region, is richly decorated with sculptures and paintings commissioned by the greatest Italian masters of the time. Today, we appreciate the vast library of 36,000 volumes, the 6 organs of the basilica and the sumptuous decoration of this palace, a masterpiece of the Baroque, which could well deserve the name of Portuguese Versailles ... what would the heroes of Saramago have said, who died before the palace was finished!

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Discover Lisbon in the footsteps of José Saramago

Discover Lisbon in the footsteps of José Saramago

Culture & Art

Neighborhoods of Lisbon to visit: seven ways to live Lisbon

6 years ago - Julie D.

The City of Seven Hills is famous for its different neighborhoods. All the main areas of Lisbon to visit, have a personality and a charm of their own. To go see them is to discover seven (or more!) very different ways of living in the city. Seven hills, seven districts of Lisbon to visit ... The Portuguese capital owes, perhaps, her charm to the magic number! From North to South and from East to West, follow the guide to appreciate the specificities of Lisbon’s neighborhoods to visit. Parque das Nações This neighborhood of Lisbon is a recent one, renovated and largely rebuilt for the 1998 Lisbon World Exposition. Once the old industrial wasteland was redone and pumped, it was able to accommodate eleven million visitors. Today, the Parque das Nações is open to all, and you can enjoy the gardens on the banks of the Tagus, or visit the Oceanarium, which is the largest in Europe. It has also been voted the world's best Oceanarium in 2017. The aquarium contains 5 million liters of seawater and allows you to discover the fauna and flora of the oceans. But beware, we only see fish! The adorable sea otters and penguins are also there to remind us that mammals and birds are part of the marine ecosystems. An ideal family program. Lisbon Oceanarium - Parque das Nações - open every day from 10am to 7pm in winter and until 8pm in summer (closed in the morning on December 25th and January 1st) - adult ticket € 16,20, children from 4 to 12 and elderly € 10.80. For the shopaholics, the former main entrance to the Expo has been transformed into a shopping center. The Vasco de Gama shopping center brings together most of the major international brands. Vasco da Gama Shopping Center - Parque das Nações - open daily from 9am to midnight, shops open from 10am to midnight. Alfama Alfama is the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon to visit, it even resisted the earthquake of 1755. Its name comes from the Arabic Al-Hamma, which means a hot spring. Historically, it was the fishermen and seamen's district, on the banks of the Tagus River, and still retains the reputation of being a popular district. It is a charming maze of medieval streets, and it also houses the monumental castle of Saõ Jorge, first "castle of the Moors" before being reconquered by the Christians in 1147. From the castle, there is a magnificent view of the Tagus and the city. To enjoy other panoramic views of Lisbon's neighborhoods, you have to go to one of the many miradouros, or belvederes. The Miradouro de Santa Luzia, not far from the castle, makes it possible to make a halt up high. The other monument of Alfama is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maior, simply called "the Sé". Its construction began at the time of the capture of the castle, in 1147, to celebrate the Christian reconquest. It is an Augustus - and austere - Gothic monument of gray stone, which has experienced many vicissitudes. Baixa, or Baixa Pombalina Continuing along the Tagus, we arrive at one of the most famous neighborhoods of Lisbon to visit: the Baixa, in other words the lower city. Built according to innovative architectural and urban principles after the 1755 earthquake, La Baixa is an elegant, airy neighborhood with wide avenues on a grid floor, where streets intersect at right angles. Right on the banks of the Tagus River, you will appreciate the beauty of Praça do Comércio, with its pretty cobblestones forming a geometric pattern. In the middle, the monumental statue of José I serves as a focal point and, all around the square, arcades are home to shops and cafes. To appreciate this Lisbon neighborhood, it is best to walk around the beautiful, well-aligned streets like Rua Augusta. From Praça do Comércio, one passes under the magnificent and aerial triumphal arch, which can be visited. For € 2.50, you can take an elevator and two stairs to reach the top. In Rua Augusta the MUDE is found, the Museum of Design and Fashion, which houses a fascinating collection of 20th century design. MUDE - Rua Augusta 24, 1100. And if you go to Lisbon in April or September, you may have the chance to discover the mysterious Roman galleries underground. They are only open a few days a year, upon registration, so do not miss the opportunity! Galerias Romanas da Rua da Prata - Rua da Prata 77, Lisbon 1100 - 026 The Chiado Continue up Rua Augusta to Chiado, one of Lisbon's most famous shopping districts. Chic neighborhood, Chiado is full of fine shops, clothes, books, jewelry, but also museums and cafes. It is in this district that there is A Brasileira, the coffee of predilection of Fernando Pessoa, with its superb facade decorated with a fresco of azulejos. Café A Brasileira - 120 Rua Garrett, Lisbon 1200-205 - open daily from 8am to 2am To bring back a truly Portuguese object and to discover the young creators of the country, we must go to A Vida Portuguesa, cave of Ali-Baba which we spoke about in a previous post. Chiado is one of the most beautiful areas of Lisbon to visit; you have never stopped discovering its secrets at the corner of an alley, or at the corner of a small square. Square Luis de Camoes, for example, with its splendid white stone facades and small Art Deco stand, is well worth the detour. It signals the boundary between Chiado and Bairro Alto. The Bairro Alto The Bairro Alto, which sleeps during the day and lives at night, is the neighborhood of night owls. For over 20 years, it's here that we meet friends for a drink and enjoy the beautiful summer nights. Among the many good addresses, we recommend Portas Largas, with its generous cocktails; fans of mojitos will go to Clube da Esquina; and the audacious ones will go to Arroz Doce to ask for a "kick", a "Pontapé". Everywhere, or almost, live music and crazy parties! Portas Largas - R. Da Atalaia 105, 1200-037 Clube Da Esquina – R. Da Barroca 30, 1200-036 Arroz Doce – R. Da Atalaia 119, 1200-383 Belém We must now go beyond the bridge of April 25 to meet in Belém, the homeland of the famous pasteis of Belém. The emblem of the district is the massive defensive tower of Belém, which guard the entrance to the Tagus. With its graceful crenels, it is recognized from afar. The Jerónimos Monastery, with its imposing white Manuelian facade, impresses with the delicacy of its sculptures, particularly in the cloister and in the Church of St. Mary. This immense and sumptuous architectural ensemble was financed thanks to the great voyages of discovery of the Renaissance. These trips are celebrated by the Monument of the discoveries, inaugurated in 1960. Torre de Belém - Av. Brasília, 1400-038 - open from 10am to 5.30pm in winter, until 6.30pm in summer, closed on Mondays and some holidays. Jeronimos Monastery - Praça do Império 1400-206 - open from 10am to 5.30pm in winter, until 6.30pm in summer, closed on Mondays and some holidays. Monument of the Discoveries - Av. Brasília, 1400-038 - open from 10am to 18pm and closed on Mondays in winter, open every day in summer, until 19h, closed on certain holidays. Alcântara And here is the last of Lisbon's main neighborhoods, Alcântara, the dockland district in the Tagus Estuary. From Belém, you can walk pleasantly along the promenade along the river, to the bridge of 25 April. Since the 1990s, Alcântara has become the district of night clubs: separated from the residential districts by commercial buildings, it allows the party-goers to enjoy the night without disturbing the residents. During the day, one can also visit one of the many restaurants on the docks, the "Docas de Santo Amaro". Doc Cod serves the traditional bacalhau as well as grilled meat over a wood fire in a pleasant setting above the marina. A bit further, the restaurant Ardemar serves delicious Mediterranean cuisine with a typical Portuguese touch. Doc Cod - Doca de Santo Amaro, Armazem 16, 1350-353 Ardemar - Docas of Santo Amaro, Armazem 4, 1350-353

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Neighborhoods of Lisbon to visit: seven ways to live Lisbon

Neighborhoods of Lisbon to visit: seven ways to live Lisbon

Night Life

Where to go out in Lisbon? The best bars in Lisbon

6 years ago - Julie D.

Lisbon welcomes partiers, night owls and other night birds with open arms. In the different districts of the city, from the Bairro Alto to the old docks, the bars follow each other and are not alike. From the trendiest to the most historic, here are some of the best bars in Lisbon, those where it will be good to linger until the end of the night. The best decorated bar: Pavilhão Chinês The "Chinese Pavilion" owes its name to the traditional grocery store that occupied the premises until 1986. This famous bar has been established for a long time in Lisbon and its reputation is second to none. We would pass by it almost without stopping in front of its discreet facade at the street level, but once we are inside, it's magic: we enter a maze of rooms with walls covered with windows, and on the old grocery shelves are accumulated thousand and one motley items. Toys, military insignia, old advertisements, a whole world of strange nostalgia rushes behind the shop windows that once housed packets of rice and sugar. The Art Deco ceiling moldings add to the intimate and offbeat atmosphere. We settle on comfortable benches and let ourselves be carried away by the magic of the place. Old posters, articulated dolls, all these objects are the private collection of the former owner of the premises, Luis Pinto Coelho: collector since his youth, he decided to use his pieces to decorate the bar at its opening. The bar regularly hosts fado nights. Pavilhão Chinês - Rua Dom Pedro V 89, 1250-093 - Tel.: +351 21 342 4729 - open every day from 18h to 2h in the morning. The best falsely clandestine bar: Red Frog Speakeasy Bar Ranked among the 50 best bars in the world in 2017, the Red Frog serves great cocktails in a well-designed decor, low upholstered armchairs and small round tables lit by candlelight. The presentation of the beverages has been carefully considered. The small red frogs are found on some flasks, flower petals and dried fruit decorate other creations. The card tells you if the cocktail is sweet, fruity, bitter ... Will you be tempted by their "Provocative Agent "? The cocktail with subtle flavors is a blend of Hendrick's gin, rhubarb, pink pepper and kombucha. To enter the bar, you must ring - you will recognize the address to the red frog that overcomes the bell, is not it convenient? Red Frog Speakeasy Bar - Rua do Salitre 5A, 1250-198 - Tel.: +351 21 583 1120 - open from 18h to 2h, until 3h on Fridays and Saturdays, closed on Sundays. The best bar that is not one: Wine with a View This is a very original bar terrace. We climb the heights of Saõ Jorge Castle under the crushing sun ... And once at the top, we would like to cool off the throat! Wine with a View is waiting for you: in the artfully renovated 1965 Famel scooter, Isabel, Ivo or Teresa offer you Portuguese wine by the glass. You can enjoy a little vinho verde or a ginjinha in front of one of the most beautiful panoramas of the city. A unique and relaxing way to discover authentic wines, ideal for ending the afternoon and gently transition to the evening. Wine with a View - Saõ Jorge Castle and Torre de Belém - From 11h to 18h at the castle, from 11h to 17h in Belém. The best bar full of history: A Parodia In a superb Art Deco setting, the bar A Parodia is, like the Pavilhão Chinês, an institution of the Lisbon night. Opened in 1974 two days after the Carnation Revolution, the one that precipitated the fall of the dictatorship, A Parodia was named in honor of a famous satirical newspaper of the early 20th century. Velvet benches and tables in marquetry, the atmosphere is refined and vintage. Sip Portuguese wines and a beautiful menu of sixty cocktails (cold - or hot, for those who visit Lisbon in winter). The owner, Filipa, is the soul of the place, and is happy to answer questions about the history of her bar and its city. At Parodia - Rua do Patrocinio 26B, 1350-230 - Tel.: +351 21 396 4724 - open daily from 21h to 2h - The bar is smoking. The best arts bar: Arte 8 Bar In Bairro Alto, in the heart of the night Lisbon, Arte 8 is a little gem of a bar. On the wall, the works of renowned Portuguese photographers. In the room, a great atmosphere, good music thanks to international DJs, and cocktails that make your head spin. In the evening, smart lighting plays the effects of light on the ceiling, to take advantage of the nice tassel chandelier that gives the room a bohemian touch. Arte 8 Bar - Travessa da espera 54 Lisboa, 1200-176 - Tel.: +351 935 555 541 - open from 8pm to 2am on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 8pm to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, closed on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. The best beer bar: LisBeer Hidden at the corner of an alley in the Alfama district, the LisBeer bar lives only for good beer - and good music. It offers, according to its friendly owners, the largest range of beers in the country! Imported beers from different countries, but also Portuguese microbreweries (Letra C, Dois Corvos), the fanatics of ale are enchanted, and comfortably fit in the big armchairs to taste their favorite juice. As for the undecided, the staff will be happy to recommend a beer according to their tastes and curiosities. LisBeer - Beco do Arco Escuro 1, 1100-016 - open from 4pm to 1am from Tuesday to Thursday, until 2am on Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday

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Where to go out in Lisbon? The best bars in Lisbon

Where to go out in Lisbon? The best bars in Lisbon

Lifestyle

Visit the Estadio da Luz, historical stadium of S.L. Benfica

6 years ago - Julie D.

It is a common cliché about the Portuguese that they are ardent supporters of football, but it could well be that behind this cliché hides a certain truth... That's why a visit to the Estadio da Luz is essential , even if you are not a fervent admirer of the round ball! Indeed, the S.L. Benfica stadium in Lisbon is one of the highlights of Portuguese culture, just like the National Museum of Azulejos. No need to explain to football buffs the interest of the visit of the "Cathedral", another name of the stadium of the Benfica club. As for the others, several reasons can convince them to venture into the district of Luz. Above all, to visit the Estadio da Luz is to discover the legend of one of the most beloved soccer clubs in the world, during a well-made visit, which will also convince the reluctant. Sport Lisboa e Benfica, one of the three big Portuguese clubs The "Sport Lisboa e Benfica" would have no less than fourteen million fans worldwide, and in 2015 would have the second largest number of active members in the world (225,000 according to FIFA, behind Bayern Munich). In 2006, it held first place, according to the Guinness book of records. If we believe the numbers, it is the beloved club of 47% of Portuguese, more than five million people! S.L. Benfica is, with the Sporting Clube de Portugal and FC Porto, one of the "big three" clubs of the Portuguese Primeira Liga Championship: "Os Três Grandes". These three giants of Portuguese football each have their animal mascot, which also gives its name to the players: eagle for S.L. Benfica, lion for Sporting, and dragon for FC Porto. The three clubs compete in highly anticipated matches that bring crowds together. The two historical rivals, S.L. Benfica and Sporting C.., compete each year for the "Lisbon Derby", also known as the "Eternal Derby". As for the Benfica - FC Porto match, is called "O Clássico". The rivalry with the Sporting C.P. reposes first on the number of matches won, the two clubs being touch-key in the rankings. But it was poisoned by low shots in which SL Benfica did not always have the good role, as the time when the Eagles "grabbed" the player Eusébio from the Lions of Sporting, then freshly landed in Portuguese East Africa (who was not yet Mozambique)... The « Cathedral » of soccer: The Estadio da Luz The "Stadium of Light", also nicknamed "the Cathedral", should take its name from the parish of Luz in which it is installed, in the district of Benfica. But the purists argue over the origin of the sobriquet: the old stadium was called "Estado do Carnide" until 1958, when the lighting devices were installed. It is at this moment that they changed its name to become "Estadio da Luz". The current Estadio da Luz, built to host some matches of Euro 2004, opened in October 2003. It is the largest stadium in Portugal and one of the largest in Europe, with a capacity of more than 64,000 people. It notably hosted the final Euro 2004, July 4th (Portugal 0 - 1 Greece), and the final of the Champions League in May 2014 (Real Madrid 4 - 1 Atletico Madrid). The former Estadio da Luz, which operated from 1954 to 2003, was in the same location before it was demolished. It was inaugurated on November 1, 1954 by a meeting of the sworn enemies: S.L. Benfica and FC Porto - who won the match 3 to 1. Visit the Estadio da Luz It is easy to visit the Estadio da Luz; a combined ticket also gives access to the Cosme Damião Museum. Guided tours start every twenty minutes, and last between 45 minutes and 1 hour. The stadium is open daily between 10 am and 5 pm, except on December 25 and January 1 (the stadium closes at 2 pm on December 24 and 31). Good news, the visit (in Portuguese or English), exciting, will also interest those who do not really like soccer. So do not be remorseful to go with family or group. The guide will introduce you to the visitor's changing rooms, the terraces, the lawn, the press room, but also the famous eagles, emblems of the club. These mascots fly over the stadium on match days, with club-colored ribbons on their legs. A camera on the back, the eagles give an impressive view of the crowd in the stands, before landing in the center of the field to the applause of the spectators. See a match at the Estadio da Luz It is of course possible to attend a match at Estadio da Luz. Tickets can be purchased directly on the club's website or at different ticket counters for the next match. We have the choice between 4 stands and 5 levels of stands. For the schedule of matches, see here. Estadio da Luz / Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica - Museu Cosme Damião - Av. Eusebio da Silva Ferreira, 1500-313 Lisboa - metro "Linha Azul", station Colégio-Militar / Luz or Alto-dos-Moinhos - combined ticket stadium and museum, € 17,5, stadium only € 12,5, museum only € 10. The emblem of S.L Benfica and its motto The emblem of S.L. Benfica brings together several symbols that represent the history of the club and its values. In the center, a soccer ball (obvious!), Crossed with a ribbon that bears the initials of the club: S.L.B., Sport Lisboa e Benfica. S.L. Benfica is the result of the merging of two clubs in 1908, Sport Lisboa (created in 1904) and Grupo Sport Benfica (created in 1906). The shield is a legacy of Sport Lisboa, while the bike wheel comes from Grupo Sport Benfica: like many sports clubs at the time, the G.S.B. grouped several sports, including cycling. Above the red and white shield, an eagle, symbol of nobility and independence, and the motto of the club, "E Pluribus Unum": "out of many, one." This motto was for a long time that of the United States, before being replaced by "In God We Trust". It highlights the team spirit: everyone leaves their ego and individualism in the cloakroom (evil spirits will say it's not easy for some footballers ...), and becomes one with his teammates . A nice coat of arms that has gone through the decades, for a club in mind unchanged since its inception. Anthem of S.L. Benfica: « Ser Benfiquista » The anthem celebrates the "club lutador", a fighters club, "without rival / in Portugal", and its red poppy jerseys. The song recalls that "being a benfiquista" is not just about being a football fan, it goes far beyond that! Composed by Paulino Gomes Junior, it was sung for the first time on April 16, 1953 by the tenor Luís Piçarra during a "sarau", event intended to raise funds to build the Estadio da Luz. Eusébio, the black panther Eusebio da Silva Ferreira rightly deserves the name of legend. He began to test ball in a subsidiary of the sport, before joining the SL Benfica in a scenario worthy of a spy movie ... SL Benfica would indeed have found a way to convince the mother of Eusebio, then that he was already promised for the sport. Eusebio then traveled to Lisbon under an assumed name so as not to arouse suspicion! He played under the colors of SL Benfica from the early 1960s until the mid-1970s, in a brilliant career with a long life: in those years, SL Benfica was eleven times champion of Portugal, and it was thanks to Eusebio that the club came in 3rd place of the 1966 World Cup (top scorer, with 9 goals). He also received the Golden Ball in 1965. He is one of the few scorers to ever score a goal against Dynamo's legendary goalkeeper Lev Yachine. Yachine then warmly closes the hand of the one who has just pierced his defense and they will remain friends for life. And when the death of Yachine is announced in 1990, just before a game of Benfica Meteor Stadium, the cameras turn to the Portuguese delegation: Eusebio cries hot tears. When Eusebio dies in 2014 at the age of 76, Portugal decrees three days of national mourning. The body of the great footballer is touring the Estadio da Luz, according to his wish, under the screaming eyes of tears of Portuguese fans come to pay a last tribute to "the Black Panther". The Estadio da Luz is "his" stadium, as evidenced by his statue at the entrance. The next generation: the new talents of S.L Benfica Mile Svilar, the goalkeeper of S.L. Benfica, an 18-year-old Belgian, has recently made a name for himself... for a good and a bad reason! On 17 October 2017, he became the youngest goalkeeper to play in the Champions League at 18 years and a month: "to well-born souls, the value does not wait for the number of years". But in the same match between S.L. Benfica and Manchester United, he also... scored a goal against his own side, stepping back into the cage with the ball after a free kick. Oops. He thus precipitated the defeat of his club, which had to concede the victory (0-1). He apologized to the fans, and was inconsolable at the end of the match ... Was it the pressure to play a big game against Manchester United, at Old Trafford moreover?

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Visit the Estadio da Luz, historical stadium of S.L. Benfica

Visit the Estadio da Luz, historical stadium of S.L. Benfica

Culture & Art

Discover Largo do Carmo and its romantic charm

6 years ago - Julie D.

Largo do Carmo is a small quiet place on the heights of Lisbon. To be discovered during those moments when the crowd of tourists has moved away, it has a discreet charm, with its fountain surrounded by jacarandas. Instead of hurrying to take the Santa Justa lift, you can go up the alleys of Chiado, before reaching Largo do Carmo all while savoring the peaceful atmosphere that emanates from this place. A small square to discover in the spring, in the middle of the flowers The Largo do Carmo is particularly spectacular between mid-May and early June, when the jacarandas, also called blue flamboyant, bloom. These trees originating from South America, and especially from Brazil, are covered with clusters of flowers of a delicate violet blue. These are the same trees that adorn the gardens of Mamounia in Marrakech. In the middle, a graceful fountain thrones the square, also known as Chafariz do Carmo. This is the only niche type fountain in Lisbon: four pillars meet above the basin, connected by four arches surmounted by dolphins. Built in 1771, it was designed by Reinaldo Manuel dos Santos, in a style that mixes classical and baroque. At number 18, Fernando Pessoa lived from 1908 to 1912 in a small rental room. The Elevador de Santa Justa is not a must... Most travel guides take great care to recommend using the Santa Justa lift. This "elevador" is one of the four that Lisbon has. In the city of seven hills, it would be necessary to climb, at one time or another ... The famous elevadores, symbols of the city and cherished of the tourists, partly solved the problem, providing a means of rapid ascent and easy to the places in the city where the elevation is a little rough. The particularity of the elevador of Santa Justa is to be a real lift, while the other three, the ascensores of Lavra, Gloria and Bica, are funiculars that used to function hydraulic powered and today with electricity. All were designed by the same engineer, Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard. Contrary to the legend, Mesnier du Ponsard was not the student, or even the admirer, of Gustave Eiffel, with whom he had no connection, although it is true that many see similarities between the Santa Justa lift and the Eiffel Tower. The Elevador de Santa Justa was built in 1902, in a graceful neo-Gothic end of century style, and connects the Rua de Santa Justa to Largo do Carmo. At Rua de Santa Justa, its slender silhouette forms a surprising contrast with the street, which seems suddenly narrow, and the buildings, that the elevador dominates from the top of its 45 meters. At the top, an ornate metal walkway connects the elevator cabin to Largo do Carmo; You can also climb to the belvedere, which gives a magnificent panoramic view. However, one can put in front of the influx and the long wait: at peak periods, it is necessary to queue between 20 minutes and one hour to take the elevator, very popular with tourists. While the same walk takes only a few minutes - if you do not linger on the way in front of the windows of the many shops of Chiado... So, remember, the possibility of having, from the bridge or from the lookout, a breathtaking view of the hills of Lisbon, the Tagus, the roofs of the city, and the Convent of the Carmelites. However, no need to take the elevator to enjoy all these beauties. Elevador de Santa Justa - entrance included in the Lisbon Card or CARRIS / METRO Pass 24h, or € 5,15 for the elevator, plus € 1,50 for the belvedere (access to the bridge free). Convento do Carmo and the Archaeological Museum of Carmo The Largo do Carmo square takes its name from the former Carmo Convent, founded in 1389 and largely destroyed by the 1755 earthquake. The building has never been (purposefully) restored. the only building in Lisbon that gives an idea of ​​the extent of the damage. This gives it, even under the intense sapphire sky and the hot summer sun, an aura of melancholy. Sic transit gloria mundi... The imposing exterior walls of the old church stand upright and white like cliffs; but when you get inside, you are surprised to see the majestic arches that rise into the void, the earthquake completely destroyed the roof. We thus enter an open church with a very special charm. Only a small part of the interior survived. In an apse of the church has found refuge a small archaeological museum with eclectic sympathy. There are scattered remnants of all periods of Portuguese history, Gothic tombs (including that of Denis I The Laborer, which features scenes of hunting boar), fountains, steles, windows from all over Portugal. On the gothic sarcophagi, the carved scenes show a luxury of detail: that of Don Fernando I presents on one of its faces a bucolic landscape of groves, with in the foreground a staircase on which a small individual sat to read, at the exit of a church. The collection also includes prehistoric artefacts discovered during a search on the site of Azambuja, in the Alentejo region, dating from 3500 to 1500 BC Finally, for those who have the heart well attached, or who dream of Indiana Jones, two pensive Peruvian mummies of the 16th century look at the visitors, squatting in their windows. Convento do Carmo and Archaeological Museum - Largo do Carmo, 1200-092 Lisboa - entrance 4 € - from Monday to Saturday, from 10h to 18h in winter (October to May), and from 10h to 19h in summer (June to September) - Closed Sunday, December 25, New Year's Day and May 1st. The Church of Saint-Roch and its museum – Igreja de São Roque The austere white facade of the Saint-Roch church hides well its game. Under a very severe and, at the same time, boring exterior, it contains a most sumptuous interior. The side chapels adjoining the main nave are, each in their own way, a jewel of Baroque art. The most impressive, and rightly so, is the chapel of St. John the Baptist, in the Rococo style. It is a debauchery of gold, silver, marble and precious stones, agates, lapis lazuli, amethysts. The striking scenes of the Apocalypse are recreated in mosaics: some of the tesserae that make up these paintings do not measure more than 3mm. Commissioned by King John V the Magnanimous, the chapel was created in Rome by two Italian artists, then blessed by the Pope himself, before being dismantled piece by piece and transported by boat to Lisbon. The chapel is separated from the church by a balustrade of green marble; on the floor, a mosaic of fine stones represents the armillary sphere, symbol of the kings of Portugal. Lapis lazuli columns seem to support a hexagonal vault decorated with heads of putti. The rest of the church, “soberer” (if we can speak of sobriety for baroque art), is beautiful. The ceiling tricks the eyes, the azulejos, the vaults of the chapels, the twisted columns decorated with vine leaves, give the whole a haughty serenity. In the professed house, next to the church is a small museum of religious art, which also houses the treasure of the chapel of St. John the Baptist. This part of the museum was formerly the home of the Jesuit brothers who founded the church. Do not forget to spend some soothing moments in the cloister, decorated with a landscaped garden that brings together four species of bamboo around a rectangular water mirror. Igreja de São Roque and Museum of Religious Art - Largo Trindade Coelho, 1200-470 Lisboa - Baixa-Chiado Metro - free entrance to the church, museum € 2.50 - museum open from 10am to 6pm (7pm in summer) from Tuesday to Sunday and from 14h to 18h on Monday - closed on January 1st, Easter Sunday, May 1st and December 25th.

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Discover Largo do Carmo and its romantic charm

Discover Largo do Carmo and its romantic charm