It’s time for a virtual field trip to Portugal, a true treasure of Europe that many travelers overlook. The crown jewel of Portugal is its capital, Lisbon. With its fantastic architecture, historic monuments, and ancient castle, a simple stroll through the streets of Lisbon is equal to spending a week in a museum. The city’s charming neighborhoods and decorative cobblestone roads are sure to make a lasting impression, so let’s not waste another moment. Grab your mouse, adjust your monitor…our virtual tour of Lisbon is about to begin! Click each of the following attractions and you’ll get a spectacular 360 degree panoramic view of that place. You can look all around each scene by moving your mouse. If you want to zoom into the picture for a better look at something, press your ‘shift’ key. If you want to pull back to see the full picture again, push your ‘control’ key. Enjoy this online introduction to a city you will never forget…Lisbon, Portugal.
The Rossio
Let’s start our tour smack in the center of Lisbon. The Rossio, or Paca D Pedro, has been a gathering place for Lisbon natives since the Middle Ages. Some of the square’s cafés go back to the 18th century. In this scene you can see the National Theatre D. Maria II, a neoclassical building constructed in 1846. The statue on top of the massive column is of Pedro the 4th, King of Portugal and first Emperor of Brazil.
The Castle of São Jorge
One of the main tourist sights of Lisbon, the Castle of São Jorge (Saint George) stands on the highest hill of the city. It can be seen from just about every location in Lisbon. The castle dates from medieval times, however its oldest parts can be traced back to the 6th century. The castle has changed hands many times throughout the centuries. It was originally used by the Romans, then the Visigoths, and eventually the Moors. Northern Europeans helped capture the castle in 1147. In the 14th century, the castle was dedicated to Saint George.
View of Lisbon From Castle of São Jorge
This scene offers an absolutely stunning view of Lisbon and the Tagus river as seen looking out from the castle. Aren’t the red-tiled roofs of the city wonderful? In the distance you can see the 25 de Abril Bridge - the 20th largest suspension bridge in the world, constructed in 1966 by the same company that built the San Francisco –Oakland Bay Bridge.
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Rua Augusta
This scene gives us a virtual view of the Rua Augusta, a Lisbon street closed to traffic. This area is favored by local artists, and for good reason. Check out the interesting architecture and the unusual mosaic street pavement. The colorful cow statues are part of The Cow Parade, an international traveling art exhibition that passed through Lisbon in 2006.
Municipal Square
The Praça do Municipio is a serene square containing Lisbon’s City Hall, Appeals Court and Navy Arsenal stand. The City Hall building is an elegant neoclassical palace containing four pairs of exterior columns and sculptures. Across from the City Hall is a unique pillar from the 18th century. It is a five story spiral column built from a single block of stone with a shining metal sphere on top of it. And, of course, Lisbon’s signature cobblestone streets…
The Lisbon Cathedral
With its two bell towers, the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Mary Major looks like an imposing fortress - but it is actually a Roman Catholic cathedral. It is the oldest church in Lisbon, dating back to the year 1147. Zoom in to get a good look at this impressive structure!
Empire Square (Praça do Império) is one of the largest town squares in Europe. It was built in 1940 to commemorate the glory days of the Portuguese Empire. The square features a cultural center, an enormous fountain, and a view of the magnificent Jeronimos Monastery, which was begun in 1502 and took 50 years to complete.
No tour is complete without a nighttime walk, so click on Commerce Square to visit the Praça do Comércio and get a glimpse of Lisbon after the sun has gone down. Check out the Triumphal Arch, built to commemorate Lisbon’s rebuilding after the great earthquake of 1755. Zoom in and you will see Portugal’s Coat of Arms at the top of the Arch. You will also see statues which symbolize Glory rewarding Valor and Genius.
If our virtual trip to Lisbon has left you wanting more, these next links should help. Click on the Lisbon Photo Gallery if you want to see additional images of the city. You’ll see some excellent shots taken from the Tagus river and also some neighborhoods and buildings that weren’t on our tour.
If you would like some information about planning an actual trip to Lisbon, visit the Lisbon Travel Planner. This web page provides useful content about planning a vacation to Lisbon Portugal including information about the Lisbon airport, rail stations, and tourist offices. You’ll also find helpful facts about Lisbon hotels and local attractions. The site also offers more facts about many of Lisbon’s different neighborhoods as well as links to various articles about the historic Portuguese capital.
More Virtual Destinations
There can be no doubt about it - travel expands the mind and excites the senses. Whether your trip is virtual or actual, learning about new and interesting places is always a fun activity. If you enjoyed this Internet introduction to Portugal, you will probably also like the Virtual Tour of Pisa, Italy which features a 360 degree panoramic view of the famous Leaning Tower and surrounding attractions. Also, for museum lovers, there is a Virtual Tour of the Louvre which highlights many exhibits from the Paris museum’s priceless collection. Finally, the Virtual Tour of Buckingham Palace will bring you face to face with the lavish décor of the Royal Family’s residence in London.