Parque Eduardo VII and Avenida - Lisbon

Our exploration of this area in Lisbon started after we visited Fundacao Calouste Gulbekian where we looked at their permanent exhibition.

We walked along Avenida Antonio Augusto Aguiar

and reached Jarim Amalia Rodrigues, a small park named to honor the Fado singer Amalia Rodrigues. It is located on one of the highest points in the city, with magnificent views of the Baixa. This park is part of the Green Corridor, which links Park Eduardo VII to Monsanto.

Fado (literally 'fate') is often described as a kind of Portuguese blues. Popular themes are love, death bullfighting and indeed fate itself. It is believed to derive from music that was popular with 18th century immigrants from Portugal's colonies who first settled in Alfama. 

Right by the entrance to this small park is Linha d'Agua, a delightful bar and restaurant and we decided to sit here for a while and have a drink

It was wonderful.

After approximately an hour we moved on through the very small park

and arrived at Alameda Do Cardeal Cerejeira, an avenue that divides the park from the next one, Parque Euardo VII

Maternidade by Fernando Botero

The main viewing platform of this steep park

The park was named to honour Britain's King Edward VII when he visited the city in 1903.

Two tree-lined avenues flank 

the formally laid out central section

and the views of the Baixa and the river are stunning

zooming in

the pavement, is of course, what else? mosaic

It was a hot day, 31oC, so walking in the shade of the trees, was welcome

Looking back

We reached Pavilhao Carlos Lopes, the main building, ornately tiled and built for the Internatioal Exhibition of Rio de Janeiro in 1922, then dismantled and rebuilt here in 1932

a closer look

We continued on our way

until we reached Praca Marques de Pombal, a very busy square

and then we were in the shade again,

mosaics below

on Avenida da Liberdade, a 1.3 km palm-lined avenue which is still as poet Fernando Pessoa described it: 'the finest artery in Lisbon... full of trees... small gardens, ponds, fountains, cascades and statues'.

It was laid out in 1882 as the city's main north-south avenue and has several appealing outdoor cafes beneath the shades of trees that help cushion the roar of traffic.

Some of the original 19th century mansions remain, though most have been replaced by modern buldings.

The upper end of the avenue (Lisbon's most expensive real estate) houses many of the city's designer shops

The No to War banner is draped over the Communist Party headquarters

The mosaic in this small square that divides the avenue into two commemorates the discovery of America

some very exotic palm trees here

Finally, we reached Placa do Restauradores and then it was another 5 minute walk to our hotel.

 

Bairro Alto - Lisbon

The Bairro Alto, the Upper Town, sits on a hill west of the Baixa. After the 1755 earthquake, the relatively unscathed district became the favoured haunt of Lisbon's young bohemians. Home to the Institute of Art and Design and various designer boutiques, it is still the city's most fashionable district. By day, the central grid of narrow, cobbled streets feels residential. After dark, however, the area throngs with people visiting its famed fado houses, bars and restaurants, while the city's LBGTQ community coalesces around the clubs of neighbouring Principe Real. This area houses good ethnic restaurants, a legacy of the city's first black community established by the descenants of African slaves.

We walked up Rua da Misericordia

some beautiful buildings here,

and arrived at Largo Trindade Coelho

which is dominated by the Igreja de Sao Roque. From the outside, the 16th century church looks like the plainest church in the city, with its bleak Renaissance facade

We decided to to inside.

Inside lies an astonishing succession of lavishly decorated side chapels.  The highlight is the Capela de Sao Joao Baptista, for its size the most expensive chapel ever constructed. It was ordered from Rome in 1742 by Dom Joao V to honour his patron saint and, more dubiously, to gratify Pope Benedict XIV whom he had persuaded to confer a patriarchte on Lisbon. It was erected at the Vatican for the Pope to celebrate Mass in, before being dismantled and shipped to Lisbon at the then vast cost of £25,0000.  The more valuable parts of the altar front are kept in the adjacent museum. 

The statue of Padre Antonio Vieira sits outside the church. 

We continued on our way, on the steep rise of Rua de Sano Pedro de Alcantara 

Next to Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara, Elevador do Gloria, an old tram, was coming to its final journey after taking people up one of the steepest hills in Lisbon

The Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara was packed with people enjoying the sunshine

and having food and drinks from the kiosks that are to be found here

The views from here are breathtaking

zooming in on the castle

the river in the distance

and if you lean over the railing, you can see another terrace below where people can wander or sit.

We stayed here for about an hour, looking at the view and having a rest

then continued walking on Rua D. Pedro V

admiring the grand buildings all the while

some tiled

Praca do Principe Real was on our way so we stopped to have a look.

it's a small park but very pleasant

Tribute to the Victims of Homophobic Intolerance

and further along, the rainbow colours

and a stall with LGTQ information

Another tree with an amazing trunk

and another.

We left the little park and continued on Rua da Escola Politecnica until we finally reached our destination, Jardim Botanico, 

and were greeted by this, at the entrance. Isn't that amazing? It's a Dracaena Draco 

And look at that trunk or is it branches?

We paid the entrance fee and then started walking around the Botanial Garden.

Lush and green with huge palm trees

a small pond

wide avenues

 

or paths

another pond with a bridge

Phytolacca Dioica and its wonderful trunk

and lots of bamboo.

We wandered around the garden for quite a while, and then we left.

Interesting street art

and later, street artists at work.

The tram of Elevador do Gloria at Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara, was due in 15 minutes we were told. We really wanted to ride on it, but decided that walking would be quicker

so decided to walk down the steep hill, and sure enough, there was the tram as we reached the bottom.

 We reached Praca do Restauradores and then it was a 5 minute walk to our hotel.