Lisboa Zones

Alcântara is derived from Arabic Al qantara meaning “the bridge”. Once, the district was more like a farming country side where the Royal families had their palaces. But now it has become rather a central area of Lisbon because in 19th century, the district converted into a high-flying industrial area with scores of industrial units and small factories.

The river view and central location has made Alcantara more of a residential area leading to the construction of new flats. Since 1990, the youth started coming in to bulk in here due to increasing range of pubs and discos. Now, Alcantra has its own unique style attracting lots of visitors for various sites of visitation.

Bairro Alto which actually means the “upper region” is quite a happening district of Lisbon located in the central area. It has attracted a huge number of young generation and people from other communities too, because of its wide range of shopping, entreating facilities, and of course residencies.

There are scores of clubs and bars which makes the nightlife in Lisbon an extremely mesmerizing experience for fun-loving hipsters. With variety of music, you would find variety of culture as well catering many sorts of music apart from the basic theme. Yet Fado has still not lost its value even in this very modern region of Lisbon. 

Heart of the city

Baixa-Chiado

Baixa Pombalina appeared more dominantly right after 1755’s earthquake in Portugal. It was then constructed by Marquês De Pombal, who inspired the name of the region and took the initiative to rebuild the district. He was one of the major figures in the illuminating era of Portugal. Under his custody, the buildings were designed as a dead set against earthquake. To check the proof, troops marched in the surrounding areas to create an impact of earthquake.

The place is now known as the “heart of Lisbon” or “City Center”. Its most worthy noticing structure is “Pombalina Cage”. A kind of wood-lattice frame work, which acted as hindrance for the forces stimulating the earthquake.

Launch place of Discovery voyages

Belém

One of the imperative and frequently visited districts in Lisbon is Belém.  “Belem Palace” is situated here which was once (17th -18th century) the residency of the Royals but is now in use by the President of Portugal. And not only this, but there are numerous historical structures present which becomes the reason of tourists’ visitation. Some of them are:

•Torre de Belém (a lighthouse near Tagus River for the protection of port)

•Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (a partly building built to protect the lighthouse)

•Padrão dos Descobrimentos or Monument to the discoveries (1940)

•Praça do Império Centro (a huge fountain covers these gardens centrally)

•Cultural de Belém (located to the west of the gardens)

  It could be considered as the most thrilling and adventurous place as well. The explorers like Vasco de Gama (1497) and Pedro Alvares Cabral (1499) took off their journey from this port for India and Brazil respectively. A place worth visiting.

Cosmopolitan Lisbon

Chiado

Every city has a specific place famous for shopping specially. Chiado is chosen to be that area where the inhabitants of the city as well as visitors come to shop various objects like cloths, books, spices, jewelry and the list continues… the region has a touch of traditional and modern vales. One of the most famous cafes’ of Chiado is “Brasileira” which is also known well for Fernando Pessoa; a great famous poet who used to visit the café quite frequently.

The district is rich in culture having museums and theaters around, including the opera! Chiado had its tragic moment in 1988 when the fire struck the area badly and caused huge destruction.  This was all then recovered during the period of restoration which lasted for 10 years and the region appeared as good as new.

Cross-section of modern Portuguese society

Bairro Alto

The place is fairly conventional with a historic background specially related to its name. Mouraria or the Moorish district has its name originated from Moors, who were confined to this area after Christian recaptured the city, (just like Jews were restrained to the area near castle).

Many famous Fado artists like Maria Severa Onofriana and Mariza belonged to this very state that is why the area is known as the birth place of Fado music. During 1930 to 1970, the old architecture was much replaced with new one. No wonder, this place has magical impact which sends you back in the pages of history.

One of the most traditional neighborhoods of Lisboa

Mouraria

Alfama is the oldest region of the city, Lisbon. The name Alfama is derived from Arabic Al-Hamma, which means “hot fountains” or “baths” or the Arabic word Alfamm, which means “mouth”. During the time of “Islamic Invasion of Iberia”, it had the leading dimension in the city.

Fado (typical Portuguese melancholic music) is in the air of this district. Every pub and bar plays Fado. Due to its compact squares and streets, the 1755 earthquake did not cause much destruction. The area is filled with mix-up construction. Somehow, the region became thickly populated with fishermen and poor lot. And still it is remembered as poor Bairro.

Oldest district of Lisboa

Alfama

Estrela

The state is infamous for “Estrela Basilica” which is the great church located on a hill so that it could be seen from by far distance. It is the actual reason of attracting visitors to the district. The very name of the region emerges from the title of the church which is considered as the first church in the world dedicated to “sacred Heart of Jesus”.

Another major aspect of the district is the political residencies. The Prime Minister and the President of Portugal have their official residencies in this area. Plus, the protégés parliament sets in the same location as well.

Modern Lisboa

Parque das Nações: (Park of Nations)

The newly born district of Lisbon is Parque das Nações. Having settled by all the new and fancy structures for the World Expo’ 98, (World Exhibition of Lisbon, 1998), the district changed immensely giving the most modern appearance to all newly built structures and construction.  It has become increasingly famous for its shopping malls and expensive living.

Gare do Oriente, the orient railway station, is central location for any kind of transportation like, trains, buses, taxis, metro etc… the building is influenced by the Gothic architecture. The very famous Vasco De Gama Mall has also been located in here. Another worth mentioning site of visitation is Lisbon Oceanarium (Oceanário de Lisboa) and Casino Lisbon. The aquarium is the second largest indoor aquarium in the world and largest in the whole Europe!

All the districts of Lisbon are well-off in culture and beauty. Some of them are more historical and some are modern.

But there is one thing commonly present in all of them that is RICHNESS.  Whether you talk about its historical monuments or the modern railway station, nothing abstain beautification.