São Vicente de Fora, chasing Lisbon's history

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The Monastery of São Vicente de Fora is considered perhaps one of the most beautiful religious buildings of the city of Lisbon and certainly one of the most underrated. Sure there are other important places to visit, but for those who have already been to Lisbon or for those who want to see something different, and very significant, this place cannot be missed!

The Monastery has arisen in one of the first inhabited areas of Lisbon, situated between the traditional and ancient neighborhoods of Alfama and Graça. Its foundations are age-old and immersed in the cold waters of a natural water source from which the main columns of the structure emerge!

It is possible to visit the interior gardens of the building, its huge rooms filled with Portuguese history, the silence of its cloister, and also have access to the exciting view you can enjoy from the Monastery’s terrace. 

All of this defines this building as a beautiful architectural work to be found, and confirms it’s history as part of the history of Lisbon itself.

Discover the traditional neighborhoods of the city, and their magnificent religious monuments, choose off-mainstream sites, get to know the city from its heart and refuse to be a part of the masses, 
be yourself!

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.