[Music] the capital of Sunny Portugal Lisbon is situated at the point where the Tas River Estuary meets the Atlantic Ocean as a travel destination the riverfront city is as rich and varied as the country's long history from the ruins of a moish castle perched at top one of the city's Seven Hills to a Sidewalk Cafe snuggled against an English visigoth wall remnants of Lisbon's colorful past are everywhere while Western Europe's oldest city has taken steps to overhaul its transportation system modernize its downtown area and revamp its waterfront it's the charm of Lisbon's oldest neighborhoods that
most attract visitors number 10 Vasco de Gama Bridge completed in 1998 the Vasco de Gama Bridge is a modern feat of engineering named after Portugal most famous explorer it was built to alleviate Lisbon's traffic congestion stretching for nearly 11 mil across the Tas River the cable State Bridge is so long that its Builders had to take the Earth's curve into consideration when constructing it but as an expense of $1.1 billion the six lane bridge is expected to stand for more than a century ensuring that visitors can experience its breathtaking architecture for generations to come [Music]
[Music] [Music] number nine Christo Ray statue inspired by Brazil's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue the Cristo R statue Rises up from a hill overlooking the Tas River the massive Monument was built to Express gratitude to God for allowing Portugal to escape the worst horrors of World War II it was open to the public in 1959 standing with arms outstretched the Christ figure is set at top a tall arch with a rectangular observation deck at the base an interior elevator takes visitors to a platform beneath the figure's feet for panoramic views of Lisbon [Music] [Music] number
eight braas doero one of the star attractions of Lisbon's downtown Waterfront the pradero is an expansive Plaza flanked by elegant 18 Century buildings Portugal's D Jose the first made his home here until the earthquake of 1755 reduced it to Rubble locals still refer to the square as the yard of the Royal Palace a monument featuring The King on Horseback dominates the center of the plaza a large triumphal Arch completed in 1873 anchors the northern Side Hotels shops and restaurants located nearby make this sunny square a popular destination for visitors exploring Lisbon's Scenic Waterfront m [Music]
[Music] number seven Monument to the discoveries the mammoth Whit stone monument to the discoveries stands like a ship with sails unfurled at the shoreline of the Tas River where many of Portugal's most important Voyages of exploration began it was built as a memorial to Dom Enrique who later became known as Prince Henry the Navigator the prince who ushered in Portugal's age of Discovery is featured at the the prow of the stone sculpture with other national heroes and explorers lined up behind him [Music] number six Rosio square there's no better place in Lisbon to soak up
the local atmosphere then at Pedro ivth Square Lisbon's most famous Plaza located in an elegant District in central Lisbon the Rosio has been the city's main Gathering Place since the Middle Ages during the Inquisition of of the 16th century the square served as a setting for public executions today it's the place where friends meet up to enjoy a beverage at a cafe or bar before attending the National Theater located on the north side of the square [Music] number five Lisbon oceanarium one of the best modern tourist attractions in Lisbon the oceanarium was built as part
of the improvements the city made when it hosted the 1998 World Exposition located in Northeast Lisbon the oceanarium is the largest indoor aquarium in Europe it's organized into four unique habitats with each representing a different ocean in addition to all manner of sea life ranging from sharks to Penguins Flora from each ecosystem are represented as well [Music] number four gono's Monastery with its Gothic and morish influences the Striking architecture of the geronimos monastery makes it a mustsee attraction for anyone visiting Lisbon located in the city's Riverside BM District the monastery is a piece of carved
Stone portals Lattis work ceilings and windows with traceries set upon delicate milons in the Nave of the church is the tomb of Vasco de Gama whose Voyage is to India made Lisbon a wealthy Maritime City [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] oh [Music] number three tram 28 most of the Decades old trolley cars that were once a primary mode of transportation in Lisbon are long gone but visitors can still enjoy a ride in an antique street car on tram line 28 the historic electrico takes passengers through the city's oldest sectors past some of Lisbon's most popular
sites tourists often take tram 28 to the hilltop Sao Jor Castle to take in the panoramic views but the line is used by locals for their daily commutes too [Music] [Music] [Music] number two sa Jorge castle one of Lisbon oldest Treasures sa H Castle is situated at the top of a hill in the Alama District the castle evokes the period when Lisbon was under moish rule but the site was fortified centuries earlier when the Romans were in power as well after driving out the Moors in 1147 the Portuguese used the castle as a royal residence
until the early 16th century climbing the ramparts is a Musto activity in Lisbon and it's easy to understand why the views from the parapets and battlements are simply breathtaking [Music] number one BM Tower BM Tower also known as the Tower of St Vincent sits on what was once an island in the Tas River dating back to 15115 the imposing to to was built both to defend Lisbon from Invaders and to welcome the city's friends built in the age of Discovery the four-story Limestone tower has a Bastion connected to it the Bastion had space for 17
cannons that could fire longrange shots a statue of Our Lady of safe homecoming designed to protect Sailors on their voyages faces the river [Music] [Music]
