LISBOA BY TRAM If you would like to get to know Lisboa’s hidden secrets, without the slog of climbing its seven hills on foot, then take a ride on the no. 28 tram. This is the ideal way of discovering some of Lisboa’s most interesting historical sites. Lisboa by Tram Starting from Martim Moniz, the no.28 heads in the direction of the Graça neighbourhood, past São Vincente de Fora Church which is worth a visit due to its imposing tiled facade. Behind the Church is Campo de Santa Clara, where the “Feira da Ladra” market is held every Tuesday and Saturday and you can buy and sell everything. The tram continues through Alfama, passing by some of medieval Lisboa’s most picturesque streets and squares such as Rua das Escolas Gerais and Largo das Portas do Sol. The latter is a beautiful belvedere overlooking the river with Sao Jorge’s Castle above. Descending towards the downtown Baixa area, the no. 28 goes past the city’s cathedral, the Se de Lisboa, with its austere Roman façade and by Santo António’s Church, the city’s favourite saint. As you go down past the busy Rua da Conceição, its worth getting off in the heart of this Pombaline downtown area, commissioned by the Marquis of Pombal, following the 1755 earthquake. The tram now starts to climb again along the elegant Chiado hillside, stopping almost in front of the famous cafe A Brasileira; in Largo do Chiado, where the statue of Fernando awaits your company. Along this ride, it’s worth noting the architecture of the buildings whose facade are adorned to the rooftops with tiles, often Art Nouveau. The main highlight on the way to the Estrela is the Parliament building, house in the former Sao Bento Convent, at the top of an imposing staircase. So now, you know why this tram is known as the “tourists’tram”.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 14:09:02 +0000
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