Day 187: Lisbon Walking Tour

We would be spending the next three days in the Lisbon metro area so today we reverted back to a free walking tour to get our bearings.

Before the tour, we stopped at restaurant A Cozinha as recommended by Madison, Hannah, and Catie who visited Portugal a year ago. The food was very good and you can’t beat menu of the day prices. They also recommended walking to Parque Eduardo VII for an excellent view of the city.

For our walking tour, we went with small, local company Chill Out Lisbon and our guide Eduardo was the best. After exploring Barrio Alto we stopped at the Carmo Convent church to learn about the Lisbon earthquake in 1755. On All Saints Day and Day of the Dead at 9:30am, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck and shook for 3-6 minutes. Most buildings were destroyed and then a huge tsunami engulfed the city. Furthermore, many people lit candles for Day of the Dead with oil so the city continued to burn after the disaster.

This earthquake is partially attributed to the downfall of the Portuguese empire as well as the start of modern seismology, geology, and Enlightenment (science over religion). The church we stood at lost its roof in the event.

Next we walked to Praça do Comércio square and up the Alfama district with its steep steps and fantastic views of the city. We went to Casa de Fado Porta d'Alfama as recommended by Eduardo and it included a fado music show.

Restaurants:
A Cozinha - Sr. Lisboa
Casa de Fado Porta d'Alfama

Food:
Cod
Grilled chicken with couscous
Vegetable Soup
Custard
Chorizo
Tomato Salad
Pastel de Nata

Spots:
Parque Eduardo VII
Marquês de Pombal
Praça Luís de Cameos
Bairro Alto
Carmo Convent
Praça do Comércio
Alfama
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