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Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Lisbon - overviews and elevators

Most of Lisbon today was built subsequent to a massive 1755 earthquake, except for the famous Alfama and Belem. Like many of the world's great cities, it's said to have been founded on seven hills by Odysseus and Calypso, who turned herself into a snake whose coils became the hills when Odysseus left her to continue his quest. The Phoenicians are a better bet, building a port here around 1200 B.C. In any case, it's one of my favorite cities in the world.
First, a funicular ride up one of those hills:

Then a viewpoint over the City:

 Love the mosaic sidewalks of Portugal!






The Castelo de São João, much of it built by the Moors, can be seen from a number of places in Lisbon



Elevador de Santa Justa, a 20th-century Neo-Gothic confection of steel with beautiful wood-paneled elevators:

And, finally, a night view from the Hotel Mundial:

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