Majestic city with medieval castles and walls, with an outstanding history the representative of which are these silent stones yet having much to tell every visitor. Once home to kings, nobles and glamor women of elite layer, many castles are now crumbling and hidden. They are forgotten reminder of incredible and fabulous histories from years gone by. Lisbon castles are extremely spectacular when compared to the rest of Europe. They are the getaways of romance and can’t be compared with any other places throughout the whole Europe. It’s hard to pick favorites when visit these castles, because all of them have their unique story, gorgeous culture and each is an architectural masterpiece. It’s entirely true that there are thousands of amazing castles and monasteries in Portugal and the plenty of them is near marvelous Lisbon. One of the most visited of Lisbon historical places is Convento do Carmo/Carmelite Convent/, Sao Vicente de Fora and St. Anthony Church.
Convento de Carmo
Once is was the largest convent of Lisbon but after being damaged several times and especially entirely damaged in 1755 scary earthquake, now ruins present memories about this once outstandingly beautiful piece of stones. Nowadays, endless concerts or orchestra take place here in open-air surroundings of the convent. Carmelite Convent was founded in 1389 by the knight Nuno Alvares Pereira who was the Constable of Portugal. This architectural treasure was damaged by not only the earthquake but also suffered from vandalism by Napoleonic soldiers. Other buildings were rebuilt here but the church continues to present us that scaring times of earthquake and vandalism.
Ths Gothic style church was the largest in Lisbon at the time of the earthquake. What used to be once the main altar of this place now is a small archaeological museum with special collection of tombs the largest of which is King Ferdinant I’s one, ceramics and mosaics. Other parts of the museum include South American mummies, a sculpture of the Virgin Mary, ancient tombstones which can be a good example for history lover to explore them, Visigothic articrafts which date back to even thirteenth century.
Now the walls of semi-ruined place are full of classical concerts especially during summertime. If you happen to visit Lisbon exactly during this period of time, don’t hesitate visiting any of these concerts and you will see how the atmosphere influence the quality of voice and will feel another breathtaking emotions.
Monastery of Sao Vicente de Fora
The English name of Sao Vicente de Fora is Monastery of St. Vincent Outside the Walls. The overwhelming 17th century church and monastery is in the city of Lisbon. This is one of the most significant monasteries of Portugal entirely and incredible heritage of mannerist buildings of the country. The original monastery was founded around 1147 by the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques. This is a Romanesque style architectural wonder and one of the main representatives of medieval monastery industry of Portugal. Nowadays building was rebuilt due to the effort of King Philip II of Spain who became the King of Portugal in 1580.
The church of the monastery is fascinating place the facade of which is designed in Renaissance style known as Mannerism. The church has two towers and really rich interior covered with golden colors and various luxurious items. The church also includes the amazing ivory of statue of Jesus and many tombs from different centuries. The place is worth visiting not only because it presents a religious place, but due to its combination of various styles that up till know make people amaze every time they see, and through these places you discover centuries culture and history of Portugal.
St. Anthony church
St. Anthony was the protector of young brides and he was the sponsor of lost people. Anthony was born in Lisbon exactly on the site of this church. The Catholic priest died in Padua that’s why the church is sometimes called Anthony of Padua. The construction of this building started in 1757 and present Neoclassical style and Baroque together. The entrance is blessed with unique columns which embellish and give an original attractiveness to the building. Inside there is an altar featuring the image of the saint with Christ in his arms.
There is also a small museum in the territory of the church where endless manuscripts connected to the life of the saint. A lot of silver and gold is used to decorate the church. Many wedding of Lisbon take place in this church and especially during the Day of St. Anthony which is in the mid of June you will see even a queue of couples who are waiting to get married in this artistic place. It’s a nice place to spend an hour in tranquil and isolate from everyday hustle and bustle of the city.
People usually visit Lisbon for its attractions which are really countless in this fashionable hotspot, but they forget about the historical wonderlands that are the base of this city and if they were not, maybe Lisbon will not be so culturally and historically developed as it is now.
