Synopsis Intern Adventures: Lisbon City Tour
April 2022 Cohort from Capacity Ireland and Capacity London
During every intern’s first days in Portugal, they get the amazing opportunity to experience a guided tour of the city. This is a great chance to learn more about the history of their new home, socialise with other interns and see parts of the city that they might not have discovered otherwise.
At the start of our tour we were greeted by Monika, an experienced local guide who was ready to answer any questions we had about the city and provide us with lots of information and knowledge.
We began our tour in ‘Chiado’ , the main central shopping area of Lisbon. We all were immediately impressed with the grand architecture and sights we were surrounded with, which looked even better in the warm sunlight of the afternoon. Following this, we moved into ‘Bairro Alto’, an exciting neighbourhood known for its bars and restaurants. Whilst we took lots of photos, Monika told us all about the food and drink culture of the city and provided us with some great recommendations for the coming months.
It was then time to continue on to Mirador de São Pedro de Alcântara, an incredible viewpoint with views of the whole city. As we marvelled at the view we were able to learn even more about the history of this city, such as old alliances and feuds from centuries before. I think we all would have been happy spending hours sitting here however with so much more to see it was soon time to move on!
The next stop was the Convento de Carmo, a centuries old church that was destroyed during the catastrophic Earthquakes and floods of 1755. Following on from this tragedy, the council of Lisbon decided not to repair the building, and so it stands to this day as a reminder of the tragedy faced by the city all those years ago. As we sat opposite the church, a Portuguese man was playing a beautiful rendition of a classic Portuguese fado song. This was an incredible moment for us all, having the chance to listen to a beautiful piece of music whilst standing next to such a historically important building was a moment I don't think we will forget!
As we started to come to the end of our tour, we continued on to Praca do Rossio, another historically significant point in the city. This square has been an important place in the city since the 13th Century, having hosted many events from markets to bullfights (and it was even the place where public executions took place during the inquisition)
Unfortunately, this was the final part of our tour and it was now time to say goodbye to our fantastic tour guide. Overall, it was a fantastic afternoon that provided all of us with great knowledge and a newfound appreciation for the city around us. It was a fantastic way to start our time in Lisbon and we are all very thankful to have been given this amazing opportunity!
Post written by Isla Neil