Lisbon colloquia

ABOUT LISBOA

The capital of Portugal, Lisboa, is a beautiful city by the Tagus estuary. Its location has been important since ancient times and some historians argue that the Greeks sailed from the Mediterranean Sea up to the Tagus mouth, founding “Ulissipo” (the original name of Lisboa) in memory of their mythic hero Ulysses. In its undergrounds, many ruins and remnants have been found from the Roman and Visigoth times and the Muslim or Moorish occupation is still visible in its old quarters of narrow streets (Mouraria, Alfama) and in St. Jorge’s Castle.
The building of Lisboa’s cathedral was begun by the first Portuguese king in 1147, right after conquering Lisboa from the Moors.

Lisboa’s downtown (Baixa) was built in the 18th century, after the great earthquake of 1755. Many architectural styles can be seen in Lisboa: Romanesque in the cathedral, Manueline gothic in Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, Baroque in several churches, Mannerist in the downtown quarters, Art Nouveau and Modernist in other quarters and very modern buildings in the eastern quarter of Lisboa, Parque das Naçôes (Gare do Oriente, Oceanarium, Portugal Pavilion,...).

Lisboa is also known for its traditional music, the Fado, recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Fado is performed mainly in the old squares.
A variety of very interesting museums and monuments can be visited and there is also a diverse range offer of city tours that will allow you to enjoy the city and its surroundings in many different ways.

Gastronomy and wine are also among the highlights of Portugal and you can get to know them in the great variety of restaurants and bars to be found in Lisboa.
A short distance from Lisboa there are fine beaches, beautiful seaside towns (Estoril, Cascais) and the romantic Sintra.

The weather is almost always pleasant and foreigners are always welcome.

Come and enjoy the Atlantic capital of Europe, one of the biggest estuaries in the world and one of the most beautiful European cities.

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