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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