City Scenes Downtown 9

Just a street lamp.

City Scenes Downtown 6

People, pigeons and water at Rossio Square.

City Scenes Downtown 5

City Scenes Downtown 4

Well...Rossio square again!

City Scenes Downtown 3

Rossio Square

City Scenes Downtown 2

   Rossio square

"Rossio is one of the most beautiful squares in Lisbon. People pass here everyday, rushing for work, and hardly take the time to look around. It's not only the beautiful monuments and the fountains, or its fascinating history... Rossio is a living book.

Recently renovated, it hasn't lost any of its mysticism... Feel it around the D. Maria II National Theatre, where many plays were, and are, performed and seen by Kings and Queens, around the fountains used at the beginning of October to baptize the freshmen as they were about to enter the University -, around the cafes frequented by famous Portuguese personalities - like Cafe Nicola founded in 1929 - and yes, oh yes, smell it on freshly roasted chestnuts that have been sold in the Rossio Square for many many years.

In the middle of the square there's a statue of Dom Pedro IV and at its foot the four female figures representing Justice, Wisdom, Strength and Moderation, qualities attributed to Dom Pedro himself.
The originally called 'Dom Pedro IV Square', got the name Rossio from the local people and it's still today a traditional meeting point both for Lisboetas and visitors." [*]

Take a tour :)

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City Scenes Downtown 1

Rossio Square
Praça do Rossio

Take a google walk :)                                                                                

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Happy Valentine's Day for you all!!

Municipal Square
Lisbon's City Hall

West of Comercio Square, following Rua do Arsenal, is Praça do Municipio (Municipal Square), a small peaceful square where the City Hall, Appeals Court and Navy Arsenal stand.

The City Hall building is a neoclassical palace with an elegant exterior featuring sculptures on the triangular tympanum supported by four paired columns. The interior, which can only be visited on free guided tours on Sunday mornings, is rich in works of art, including a painting showing Marquês de Pombal during the times of the reconstruction of Lisbon.

Outside the building is an interesting pillory with a spiral column built of a single block in the 18th century, and crowned with a gilt metal sphere.

Ride Lisbon's metro, buses, and trams for FREE with the Lisboa Card.
Where: Baixa
How: Walk from Comercio Square or down from Chiado.
When: Sunday mornings

Sights Nearby

Comercio Square - Monumental riverside square.
Rua Augusta - The city's main shopping street.
Conceição Velha Church - Church that survived the Great Earthquake.
Santa Justa Elevator - An Eiffel Tower-like landmark with views over the city.
Rossio Square - Lisbon's elegant main square.
Figueira Square - Busy square and transporation hub.
São Domingos Church - A church marked by tragedy.
Rua das Portas de Santo Antão - Pedestrian street lined with seafood restaurants.
Rossio Station - A monumental train station.

Random Restauradores I

Restauradores Square
A large busy central square

This large square commemorates the country's liberation from 60 years of Spanish rule in 1640.

In the center is a patterned pavement surrounding a 30-meter high obelisk with two bronze figures on the pedestal depicting Victory and Freedom.

On the west side is Foz Palace, the former residence of the Marquis of Foz, now housing a national tourism office.

Built from the mid-18th to the mid-19th centuries, the palace may only be visited with special permission. The interior and its furniture were inspired by Paris' Versailles Palace and the most interesting rooms are the Renaissance-style Stove Room, the Mirror Room, and the atrium of the chapel of Our Lady of Purity.

Next to the palace is a building known as Eden Cinema, now serving as an aparthotel (which may be booked here). Built in 1929 it is considered an art deco marvel, with its lavish interior having masqueraded as a Russian hotel in the Wim Wenders film "Until the End of the World."

A few steps away is the much photographed Elevador da Gloria, a funicular that links downtown to the Bairro Alto district.

Another popular attraction in this square is Lisbon's "Hard Rock Cafe", which is always a popular attraction for homesick tourists or memorabilia collectors of the world-famous music-themed restaurant. [*]

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Ride Lisbon's metro, buses, and trams for FREE with the Lisboa Card.

Where: Baixa How: Metro - Restauradores Station

Sights Nearby

Avenida da Liberdade - The city's main avenue.

Rua das Portas de Santo Antão - Pedestrian street lined with seafood restaurants.

Rossio Station - A monumental train station.

Rossio Square - Lisbon's elegant main square.

Figueira Square - Busy square and transporation hub.

São Domingos Church - A church marked by tragedy.

Comercio Square - Monumental riverside square.

Municipal Square - Home of the City Hall palace.

Rua Augusta - The city's main shopping street.

Conceição Velha Church - Church that survived the Great Earthquake.

Santa Justa Elevator - An Eiffel Tower-like landmark with views over the city.

Marquês de Pombal Square - A roundabout dedicated to one of the city's historical figures.

Edward VII Park - The city's largest park

Café Nicola II

Some of you had already read this information when I put the first post of this historic coffee, more than a year ago, year so maybe you only want to review some of the photos witch I personally prefer to these. Sorry for the inconvenience :) 

MB: I've puted some information about the convent three posts ago. 

The Café Nicola is par excellence of the more literary cafes of the capital. Founded in 1787, by an Italian named Nicola, this was the coffee elected by Bocage, which eventually became the symbol of the brand of coffee Nicola. In 1837, led to a bookstore and only in 1929, returned to serve coffee, continuing connected to artists and intellectuals such as Malhoa, Pato Monis, among others. Its new owners, the family Albuquerque, decide to make a difference by creating your own coffee. Today, mainly frequented by tourists, is off the scene of releases of books and tertúlias. Recently refurbished, the restaurant located in the basement, whose decoration was in charge of Graça Viterbo, maintains original furniture from 1935 and offers a refined service lunch and dinner. [*]

Since there is much that the Café Nicola is a symbol of Rossio and low Pombaline as the Tertúlias of Lisbon, attended by artists, politicians and other figures of Portuguese culture. Today, refurbished continues to delight with the same spirit and charm of other times. For its location is considered a tourist attraction, not only for their beauty and historical seniority as well, its gastronomic specialities, including the "Bife to Nicola" and "Bife the Café," and "Cod to Lisbonense." At thursdays good jazz and classical music over the already known and authoritative "Encounters Nicola." [*]

Busy Rossio

Enjoying the Shadows

Rossio, April 2009

Enjoying Downtown sun

Some Grafitti at Chiado

#366 - The Naughty pigeon

I didn't thought in any photos in particular to my last mandatory post, therefore I chose a series of them taken last September 1st and which had already posted on another blog of mine. I think it is funny!
The fountain is located in downtown Lisbon, and is the same as can be seen in the header.

I wish you all a happy new year!

#365 - The Beggar

#364 - Chestnut vendor

In autumn streets and squares of lisbon are invaded by wheeled coal braziers, in which chestnuts are roasted and then sold to passers-by. the braziers produce a warm, pleasant scent of roasted chestnuts as well as clouds of white smoke, which rise in the air making lisbon look a mysteriously magical place. this photo shows lisbon's downtown, between figueira square and rossio square. [*]

#363 - Crew Hassan VIII

That was the full moon reflected.

#362 - Crew Hassan VII

#361 - Crew Hassan VI