Opening our curtains today we were greeted by Cristo Rei a monument to Christ, based on Rio de Janeiro's famous monument and was built in 1959 with a 90ft Christ on the top in thanks for the safe keeping of Lisbon during the second world war as Lisbon was a neutral place.
Next to the monument is one of the longest suspension bridges in Europe and looks like a mini San Francisco and yes we actually got the ship under this JUST!
Torre de Belem was the first thing we went to see this mini waterside monument was built in the 15th century and is gorgeous. Small as it may be it was actually built as a fortress to guard the harbour of Lisbon.
Just in case you couldn't get a mini view of the little fortress they built an even smaller one to look at too. Daddy and and Sophie beach combed to see if they could find ancient treasures on the small beach that surrounded the fortress.
While we were at the fortress there was a musician playing for pennies so Sophie and daddy had a little dance and joined in drumming to help get more trade in for the man, Sophie really did have fun.
The waters edge was studded with monuments as well as the normal graffiti but in Lisbon i think the kids must be a lot more artistic
We had a rest in a lovely park that had a giant fountain and lovely vistas on to sculptures.
Jeronimos Monastery sat along side the park and built in the 15th century and is populated by monks of Saint Jerome to give guidance to sailors. We were not permitted to enter and there seemed to be a bit of a buzz about the monastery there was a red carpet and if you look clearly you will see spotters and snipers on the roof, we wondered what was going on.
There there was a mass clatter of hooves and we saw hundreds and hundreds of horsed military men with swords, flags and instruments, they rode around the street and looked every inch the regal procession. Then out of the monastery came the important people it was the Prince of Spain.
You can see that beautiful Lisbon was un scathed by war as the building and monuments were breath taking, the streets were lined with rows and rows of coloured houses large windows with wooden shutters and wrought iron balconies over looking large squares, fountains and gardens.
The above it the museum of design and the entire front of it is covered in post it notes. Lisbon Cathedral didn't look much from the outside nestled in between the houses but inside was a completely different experience it was very peaceful and simple and beautiful. built in the 12th century it is a mix or Romenesque and Gothic
Lisbon is a must go to place there is so much to see and do and the styles around the city are vastly different with something for everyone this is definitely a short break excursion and one we will try and come back to.
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