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Saint George Castle
Perched on a charming hilltop citadel with geese and ducks roaming
around the castle gardens, Saint George Castle, the cradle of the
city, is a magical place. Home to many local families today, the
Castle was at one time used as a fortress. This place certainly
deserves a visit at one time. The existing walls are said to have
been built during the centuries of Moorish domination and appreciated
even today for its fantastic architecture.
Visitors can climb the towers and walk along the reconstructed ramparts
of the castle walls and wonder at the spectacular views over Lisbon
and the Tagus river, while local men play backgammon and cards under
the trees.
Elevador da Gloria
Inaugurated on 24 October 1885, the Gloria funicular is the busiest
funicular in Lisbon and most accessible for tourists as it lays
next door to the main tourist information office in the Palácio
Foz.
While traveling by the funicular, visitors can drop at S. Pedro
de Alcântara belvedere for a magnificent view of downtown
Lisbon and the magical St. George Castle. Just across the road,
at Rua de S. Pedro de Alcântara, nos.39-49, lies the Instituto
do Vinho do Porto, where a vast range of port-wines may be tasted
and purchased in the sumptuous surroundings of the Palácio
Ludovice.
Museu da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian
Opened in 1969, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, the
museum houses one of the world's finest private art collections
that covers Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities; a remarkable
assemblage of Islamic art, including ceramics and textiles from
Turkey and Persia; Syrian glass, books, bindings, and miniatures;
and Chinese vases, Japanese prints, and lacquer ware.
The European displays include medieval illuminated manuscripts and
ivories, 15th- to 19th-century paintings and sculpture, Renaissance
tapestries and medals, important collections of 18th-century French
decorative works, French Impressionist paintings, René Lalique
jewelry, and glassware.
The museum simply astonishes visitors with such rare and world-class
collection.
Sintra
Enchanting sceneries, Monuments, sea, mountains, and warm air …a
perfect refuge for the lonely and tender couples, Sintra, a highly
romantic place lies near Lisbon. Declared a World Heritage site
by UNESCO, Sintra was once home to the aristocracy who chose it
to build their palaces and mansion-houses.
There is lot to offer visitors. Make sure you visit the Royal Palace
(Paço Real), the National Palace of Pena (Palácio
Nacional da Pena), the Moors Castle (castelo dos Mouros), the Monserrate
Palace and its gardens (Palácio de Monserrate) and some of
the museums, like the most singular Toy Museum (Museu do Brinquedo)
that displays a fascinating collection of toys.
Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga
A 17th-century palace and an added edifice built on the
site of the old Carmelite Convent of Santo Alberto have been transformed
into the National Museum.
This National Museum of Ancient Art exhibits the country's greatest
collection of paintings including the polyptych from St. Vincent's
monastery attributed to Nuno Gonçalves between 1460 and 1470.
There are 60 portraits of leading figures of Portuguese history.
Other outstanding works are Hieronymus Bosch's triptych The Temptation
of St. Anthony, Hans Memling's Mother and Child, Albrecht Dürer's
St. Jerome, and paintings by Velázquez, Poussin, and Courbet.
Especially noteworthy is the 12 Apostles, by Zurbarán. Paintings
from the 15th through the 19th centuries trace the development of
Portuguese art.
The museum also displays remarkable collection of gold- and silversmiths'
works, both Portuguese and foreign. Among these is the cross from
Alcobaça and the monstrance of Belém, constructed
with the first gold brought from India by Vasco da Gama. Another
exceptional example is the 18th-century French silver tableware
ordered by José I.
The museum is open from Mon to Sat.
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