Portugal is located on the edge of Europe.This country is quite small, but at the same time it has preserved a rich historical heritage and a large number of ancient fortresses, palaces and cathedrals on its land. In addition, Portugal is known for its mild climate and beautiful beaches, hospitable people and modern resorts.

The capital of Portugal and its attractions

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal.This city is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is located on the slopes of the full-flowing Tagus River, exactly where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The center of the city is Rossio Square, paved with mosaics. The square is home to the famous Dona Maria II Theater and a majestic statue of King Pedro IV. Right on the embankment of the Tagus River stands a monument to Jose Maria II, which is located on Praça do Comércio Square. Of course, the city's attractions do not end there. The western district of Lisbon is Belém. It is there that the most impressive building in the central city of the country is located - the Jeronimos Monastery, which is made in the Manueline style. This monastery is a true architectural masterpiece: in its decor, the building contains the coats of arms of Portugal, marine elements and armillary spheres. In addition, Fernando Pessoa, a famous Portuguese writer, was once buried in this monastery. Portugal also has good museums in its capital: the National Museum of Azulejos, which houses ancient tiles; the National Museum of Ancient Art of Antigua, which exhibits works by many Portuguese artists; and the large Gulbenkian Museum, considered the best museum in the country, as it exhibits sculptures, paintings, ceramics and coins collected from all over the world. These attractions are very popular with travelers and tourists. The Bahira and Alfama districts have retained the charm of antiquity: streets, alleys and squares covered with pebbles, artisan shops, castles and colorful buildings remind us of days gone by. Among the city's attractions, one can highlight the old quarter of Bairro Alto, São Bento Street, Amoreiras and Rato Squares, the Museu do Chiado and the Palace of the National Assembly. The Botanical Garden of the University of Lisbon is also popular. It is noteworthy that the very first butterfly nursery in Europe was opened in this garden.

The symbol of Portugal - Belem Tower

The Tower of Belem (Tower of Bethlehem) is one ofmain symbols of Portugal. This tower is located in the area of ​​the port of Restelo, an old suburb of Lisbon. The history of this small area is closely connected with the history of the country. It was from the port of Restelo that all the ships of the discoverers set out to sea. The Belem Tower was built in the late Gothic (Manueline) style at the beginning of the 16th century. The structure is 35 meters high. The tower offers a unique view of the Portuguese capital and the ocean. The eight-pointed crosses on the fortress remind us that it was built by the Order of the Templars, famous for their power. The limestone walls are decorated with images of shells, seaweed, ropes, exotic animals and fruits - everything that sailors encountered in distant overseas countries. The building is also decorated with beautiful balconies made in the Venetian style and observation towers. Stone carving made the tower look like a luxurious palace, and not a defensive structure. All the sights of Portugal cannot compare in beauty with this majestic tower. Today, the Belem Tower is the most visited tourist site in the country. The Belem Tower is one of the few buildings that survived the strongest earthquake that happened in the 18th century.

The second main city of Portugal

The second largest city is Porto.This city gave its name to Portugal itself, and it used to be the capital of this country. Gourmets and aesthetes should definitely visit Vila Nova de Gaia - a city located on the opposite bank from Porto. There are a huge number of wine warehouses with Portuguese wine. The historical center of Porto is declared a world heritage site protected by UNESCO. Porto is a lively and ancient city. It has a large number of beautiful buildings. It is in this city that you can visit the castle where Don Alfonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, was born. In all the houses and palaces, visitors are always welcomed hospitably. Ribeira - an area located along the coast, known to everyone who comes to this city. There are many narrow winding streets with colorful facades and houses that are imbued with the spirit of antiquity. Such sights as the Clerigos Tower, the Church of Cedofeita, and the Church of San Francisco are also worthy of attention. The city has a beautiful bridge Dona Maria Pia, which was built in 1877 by Gustave Eiffel. Porto has several small museums, theaters, concert halls and libraries. The best museum is considered to be the Soares Dos Reis Museum, which was named after a Portuguese sculpture made in the 19th century. This museum houses a collection of Portuguese art of the past and present. The Museum of Ethnography and History describes the customs and life of this historic city from its early days, as well as the sights of this country. In the province of this town is Villamoura - "the village of love", which is famous for its discotheque "Cadoque". In addition, this small village is home to a large yacht club, a casino, three water parks and a huge zoo. The main city of central Portugal is considered to be Coimbra. It is in this city that the oldest university in the country is located, which was founded back in 1290. Thanks to this, Portugal has long been known for its high level of education.

The famous island of Madeira

In the Atlantic Ocean, southwest of PortugalThe island of Madeira is spread out. Madeira is not only the name of the island, but also the name of an autonomous archipelago. This archipelago is known for its mild climate and exceptional natural beauty. The rocky ridges and steep cliffs of the island end vertically right at the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, which is so deep that large whales can be seen right off the coast. Thanks to this island, Portugal annually receives a large number of tourists who want to see these huge animals. The island of Madeira consists of volcanic soil, so the plants and flowers there are painted in the colors of flame. Many different flowers grow on the island: bougainvillea, jacaranda, orchids, poinsettias, geraniums, wisteria, cannas. Bush apple trees, mangoes, avocados and bananas grow all over the island. The forest that covers the entire island is very diverse, with about 145 species of trees growing there that cannot be found on any other continent. These trees are included in the list of world heritage, which is protected by UNESCO. Madeira Island is a "window" from Europe to the world of the tropics. The surroundings of this island are unique in that you can enjoy the spring climate all year round and visit real wild nature. The island has a wonderful atmosphere of silence and peace.

Romantic city of Sintra

Sintra is a small town in Portugal,which is located near the capital of the country. The romantic character of the city was described by Lord Byron himself in the poem "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage". The city was included in the UNESCO heritage list. The symbol of the city is the National Palace, which has been the summer residence of kings since the 15th century. The conical white chimney towers rising above the castle are visible from a great distance. This castle is one of the examples of royal architecture of the country. The entire building of the palace is decorated with wooden carvings, as well as wall ceramic tiles, which were brought to the country by the Arabs. An example of the individual architecture of the city is the Palace of Da Pena, which was built in the 19th century. This castle was made in different architectural styles. It is worth noting that this castle was admired by King Dom Fernando II himself, the husband of Maria II, the Portuguese queen. From the castle grounds, you can see the ruins of Castelo Dos Mouros, a fort that was built in the 8th century. This fort was built by the Arabs, it was intended to protect the territory from Christian troops. Sintra has other attractions. The city is also famous for its winemaking, marble, cuisine and souvenirs. In addition to all of the above, Sintra has everything for a pleasant holiday: clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean, golden sand and a majestic coastline where you can do water sports and just go fishing. Portugal would not be so popular without this charming island.

Everything interesting about the city of Evora

The city of Evora is located in the south of Portugal.Thanks to the huge part of the city, in which the ancient walls and monuments erected in different historical periods are well preserved to this day, Evora was included in the list of world heritage, which is protected by UNESCO. A huge number of monuments, previously created by great creators, characterize the cultural, historical and artistic past of Evora. These are more than just attractions - this is the life of the city and the whole country. The variety of architectural styles (Manueline, Baroque, Gothic, Rococo, Romanesque), palaces and even narrow streets and squares - all this is part of the heritage. The Cathedral of Evora was built in the Romanesque-Gothic style. Inside the cathedral there is an altar of Our Lady, which was made of gilded wood. In addition, the cathedral has a Museum of Religious Art. To the right of the cathedral there is a square with a temple in the Romanesque style. This is the Temple of Diana, which is the symbol of the city of Evora. The city museum is located close to the cathedral. This museum contains a large collection of European and Portuguese art from the 15th to 17th centuries, medieval jewelry and ceramics. The attractions do not end there. Of architectural interest is the palace of King Manuel, which was built in 1490. This building was the residence of the royal house of Avis when Portugal was under their rule.

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