GRAÇA - District

Graça is the name of the district that is located on a hill above the castle of "São Jorge", bordering Alfama. If in "Portas do Sol" instead of going for "rua das Escolas Gerais", we continue to walk in "rua S. Tomé" we'll arrive in "largo da Graça". In "largo da Graça" we can easily find the homonymous miradouro with its church and outdoor bar. Resting or drinking a coffee in the shade of the trees, maybe listening to the music of some street artist, is a great way to "take a break" from the fatigue and exhaustion that always involves a visit to the city.  From the top of the miradouro you can see the Baixa district, but also the opposite hills, and even the dome of the "Basilica da Estrela". 

Continuing along the narrow streets of Graça is possible find another wonderful miradouro (perhaps my favorite), namely "Senhora do Monte", with its garden and church. In this bairro there is also the famous monastery of "São Vicente de Fora", one of the oldest and most beautiful of the entire capital. At its base there is an aquifer and, after visiting the various rooms and cloisters of the monastery, you can go up to the terrace, from where you can enjoy a fantastic 360 ° view of the city.

Like its neighbor Alfama also Graça is experiencing a sort of "depopulation" due to the uncomfortable accessibility of the area, and for this reason many houses are empty and rents are very cheap, but the "bairro" is regularly full of people every week thanks to the "Feira da Ladra".

 

"Feira da Ladra" is a market where you can find everything, and every object has a story (often invented), there are old cameras, books, antiques, clothes and many others stuff. Sometimes there is a little "cheat" and sometimes the objects are stolen, but everyone is free to bring their used goods and try to sell them.

In ancient times, some rich and influential nobles have built their homes in this district close to downtown, so is possible find unexpectedly beautiful buildings colored by their azulejos. "Villa Berta" is a typical example, a majestic "villa" that runs completely across a street and it gives its name. During the feast of St. Anthony (patron of the city) the road is off-limits to the cars, therefore is possible to stop and eat at the tables, placed in the middle of the street, listening to live music played from the balconies of the villa.