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| In and Around the Station |
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Estação de Chelas |
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The station of Chelas serves the parish of Beato. This eastern part of the city has two main attractions: the Museu Nacional do Azulejo (Azulejo National Museum) and the Convento do Beato.
The museum is one of the most renowned in the country featuring a vast and rich collection of Azulejos from the 15th to the 21st century.
The Convento do Beato was once a chapel, founded in 1455, later converted into a hospice by Queen Isabel. A century later, a new convent was rebuilt thanks to father Frei António da Conceição, who lent this construction his name (Beato António) after his death. In 2004 the building, classified as public interest was partially destroyed in a fire. In 2005 it opened its doors after refurbishing works.
LISBOA
Capital since 1255, Lisbon was founded by the Phoenicians although the tale attributes its birth to Ulysses, the great Greek hero. With the River Tagus at its feet, this city is known as the White City due to its luminosity or as the City of the Seven Hills because of its irregular relief.
A developed and cosmopolitan city with picturesque popular neighbourhoods. It has been the attraction of artists, writers and photographers and enchants its inhabitants that as the days go by admire it even more. Its winding roads which you can visit on foot or by tram, lead to the river from where one can get a glimpse of rich elements of the past such as the Castelo de S. Jorge, the Panteão Nacional, the Basílica da Estrela or the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. In fact, the actual city with its old whitewashed houses or azulejo covered walls together with the most recent skyscrapers can be considered a true monument, whose life mingles with the history of Portugal. If on the one hand it preserves medieval jewels such as the walls of Moorish times, on the other it has witnessed the creation of areas of great interest. An example of such areas is the Parque das Nações, where Expo 98 took place, situated by the river boasting beautiful gardens and buildings.
A city that connects the European north to the Mediterranean south, it was practically reconstructed after the devastating 1755 earthquake, Its irregular old neighbourhoods gained a new regular outline, as can be seen in Baixa (downtown). Special highlight goes to the beauty and splendour of the Rossio and Comércio squares.
Filled with life and entertainment, the capital lives 24 hours non-stop. The never ending nights start at cafés in Chiado, a neighbourhood that reflects the bourgeois charm of the 19th century Lisbon, or at its innumerable restaurants, theatres and cinemas. Then off to Alfama and Bairro Alto, where one can here the impressive Fado, and to the bars of the Docas (docks), a riverside spot.
Amongst the festivities focus goes to the Santos Populares (Popular Saints), during the month of June, especially the commemorations from the 12th to the 13th in honour of Saint Antony, the city?s patron saint. The historical neighbourhoods fill up with lively entertainment and enthusiastic people who come here to eat the delicious sardines, whilst the marchas populares (parades) display their attires along Avenida da Liberdade, on one of the most enjoyable nights of the year. Lisbon has an increasingly rich cultural life with privileged venues, namely Culturgeste, Gulbenkian and the Centro Cultural de Belém, and extremely creative artists.
Contacts
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