Lisbon has several neighborhoods and Rick Steves has a walk for each. Here's the one in the Baixa neighborhood.
The Baixa is Lisbon's historic downtown. The walk starts in Praca Comercio but since we already saw that, we picked up the walk near Praca da Figueira (Fig Square). A hospital sat in this square but was destroyed by the earthquake of 1755. In the 1880s, it was filled with a large iron-framed market until it was torn down decades ago. The large square is now a transportation hub.
The square is dominated by a statue of King Joao I on a horse.
When we were there, there was a market with various vendors..
Continue down Rua dom Antao de Almada. You'll still find a shop selling bacalhau, salted cod, which is a staple of Portuguese cuisine. It's said that there are 365 ways of making it.
Church of Sao Domingos was a center of the Inquisition in the 1600s. It was rebuilt after the earthquake but suffered a fire in 1959.
Two famous royal weddings were held here in the 1800s.
There is a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima. She is accompanied by 2 of the 3 children to whom she appeared. The 3rd was still alive when the chapel was created so she is not pictured here in heaven.
The square where the church sits, Largo de Sao Domingos, is outside the city walls and home to ginjinha bars. Ginjinha is a sweet liquor made with ginja berries, sugar and brandy that can be drunk any time of the day. Some Lisbonites start their day with it.
In this square, there is a stone memorial that remembers the Jewish massacre of 1506. Many Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492. They took refuge in Portugal. When a massive drought ravaged the country, Lisbonites killed several thousands of the Jews in this square.
"CIty of Tolerance" written in the languages of the communities that now reside here.
Rossio Square is Lisbon's historic center. The National Theatre sits on the square.
The column in the center honors Pedro IV, king of Portugal and Emperor of Brazil.
The black and white mosaic that is characteristic of Portugal is made of basalt and limestone.
From the square, you can see the Elevador de Santa Justa.
Rossio Station
Its horseshoe arch entrance is neo-Manueline.
The statue of King Sebastian was replaced after it fell to pieces after a tourist climbed the facade to take a selfie in 2016.
A statue dedicated to fado on one side of Rossio Station.
Statue dedicated to the laborers who made the black and white calcada sidewalks.
2022 05 02
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