Lisbon


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Today's visit took in Lisbon, Portugal and our ship excursion was a good choice as the city has lots to offer. The coach toured around the city showing us sights and buildings on the way. we noted lots of tile mosaics on sides of buildings and a very busy city that was in the progress of renovation. Public housing was being updated and residents were moving out and reloacted until their homes were ready.

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The coach stopped and we alighted to walk up a steep hill towards the Castle of St George. On the way we passed many locals, dining, shopping and in general going about their normal days work before we arrived at the gates of the castle. Fabulous place here! Great views over Lisbon and evidence of a grand castle in times gone by. The walls and buildings left were all huge stonework construction with arches and gardens all over. Cannons sat on the ramparts and statues of famous people were set nicely in the surrounds. Of course the statue of St George was prominent at the entry to the castle.

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Walking back down to the coach took us through small alleyways with lots to see. Paintings of more modern design and decorations fo an upcoming festival were being put up everywhere. We passed fountains and descended the many stone stairways until we reached the street where our coach waited and off we went to explore more of this delightful city.

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Our next call was to the magnificent Jeronimus Monastery. This is a church of massive dimensions, tall vaulted ceilings and has the tomb of Vasco de Gama in one of the knaves. He had worshipped here before his ship departed in 1497 for what was to be the discovery of the sea reoute to India. Of course many changes have taken place and extensions and alterations have been made to the church over the years. The exterior with all the sculptures and stonework is a highlight of the building itself. The Nunnery is a beautiful area with large covered walkways and a beautiful fountain in the center.

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Bellem Tower was just across the road and was built in the age of discoveries as part of a three fortress defence on the River Tagus. It was dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Saint Vicente. In time, it lost its role of defence and over the years was a customs control point, a telegraph station and even a lighthouse. It was also a political prison and eventually in 1983 UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.The monument itself depicts Henry the Navigator holding a small caravel with other Portuguese heroes such as Vasco de Gama, Pedro Alvares Cabral, Fernando Magalhaes, the writer Camoes and many more important figures of history behind him. The huge compass set in the forecourt area was a present from the Republic of South Africa in 1960. The map shows galleons and mermaids while describing the routes of discoverers in the 15th and 16th centuries.

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Marco Polo Cruise 2006