The district

Martim Moniz is one of the oldest districts of Lisbon. The huge square in the center of the district is the crucial place between the districts situated on the top of the hills (Graça and Mouraria) and the plain areas of the center (Rossio, Restauradores Baixa). The square is the symbol of the neighborhood itself, its strengths and weaknesses. The name of the district comes from an important historical event, in fact, during the taking of Lisbon by the Christian troops (during the Christian reconquest of the Iberian lands), the knight Martim Moniz sacrificed his life to prevent that the More troops closed the castle's gate. Martim Moniz decided to sacrifice his life, keeping the door open with his body, so the Christian knights were able to get into the walls and then win the battle.

Today the old city walls, called walls Moura, no longer exists (or almost) in its place there is a rich Mundial hotel, with its magnificent disco / bar located on the rooftop overlooking the poor neighborhoods. Across the square the shopping center “Mouraria” and "Avenida Almirante Reis" inaugurate the green metro line (the one that goes to the poorest neighborhoods of the center). So, here we are, in Martim Moniz square, a place of transition between the center and the old poor neighborhoods, history, music, colors and multiculturalism, but also of degradation. However, these districts are in the recovery phase, the municipality of Lisbon is renovating them one by one with a large and ambitious reconstruction project. Martim Moniz square, and its surrounding buildings, was the first step of this phase of "reconstruction", but unfinished... In fact, the modern buildings haven’t yet been completed and the work has been slow due to lack of funds.

In conclusion Martim Moniz is a historic district, ancient and modern, degraded and renovated, alive, charming and with many, many things to see and stories to hear.

The Martim Moniz Tour is recommended especially for young people, but also to families, of course accompanied by a guide, because this district is a labyrinth waiting to be discovered! Let us show the adventure and the mysteries of Martim Moniz.

The pool of pillows

 

 

In Lisbon there is a hidden place with a swimming pool cushions inside.  One day, walking casually through the streets of Bairro Alto, I found an open door that led to a secret garden ... attracted by the noise coming from the inside i decided to go in. And so I found a beautiful garden with pillows, deck chairs and sun loungers surrounding a swimming pool filled with big white pillows. At the bar you could drink and eat something and then ... enjoy Lisbon from this garden / terrace that overlooked the city.

Choose what you want to visit, in which local hang out, where you want rest, create your own personal tour, be yourself!

The hidden tower

In ancient times, the Lisbon's Castle was surrounded and protected by two walls: the oldest was the wall Moura (or Old) and the second was the wall Nova (or Fernandina). One of the main access of the wall Moura was in the modern Martim Moniz Square, site of an intense battle between the Christian knights and the Islamic troops. Of this battle, today, no trace remains ...  

almost ...!

 

Lisbon is a city full of mysteries and surprises, where ancient and forgotten stories are linked with contemporary issues and events. Come with us to hear the story of the city's reconquest and the modern problems of the multicultural neighborhoods.

Listen the stories of a different Lisbon, be yourself!

Feira da Ladra

The "Feira da Ladra", is a flea market, an open-air bazaar where you can find everything, absolutely everything.

The local markets have always been quite popular in Lisbon, since ancient times, due to the geographical position of the city, moving from one district to another wasn't so simple. Even today, in many districts, are quite popular the "weekly markets".

But why "Feira da Ladra" is so special? Because when you are there you can feel the sensation of going back in time ... or at least that's how I imagine the sea's markets of the past centuries: disorganized, with every kind of goods and people trading on the price in a thousand different languages.

All immersed in the spectacular setting of Alfama and Graça, among ancient buildings of many colors, the Pantheon and the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora.

Choose to visit "Feira da ladra" in your personal tour, come with us, create your visit, be yourself!