Portas do Sol, Lisbon, Portugal

Portas do Sol is a lookout point over the Bairro de Alfama, the Monastery of Saint Vincent, the Pantheon and the river Tagus. The Museum of Portuguese Decorative Arts is located here and it's a good starting point for a walk through the maze of Alfama, just go down the stairs by the Moorish wall.
Its namesake is a gate that was part of the Moorish or Old walls and which was destroyed by the Great Earthquake of 1755. Segments of the walls can still be seen, both by the stairs descending to Alfama and in the Azurara Palace (Museum of Portuguese Decorative Arts), which includes a tower belonging to the old walls. 
The statue in the square represents Saint Vincent, one of Lisbon's patron saints. According to legend, after his martyrdom, the body of the saint was protected by ravens. It was thrown into the sea but was recovered by Christians who buried him in Cape Saint Vincent, in the Algarve (southern Portugal), where he continued to be guarded by flocks of ravens. After conquering Lisbon, the first king of Portugal had the body exhumed and brought to Lisbon, to the monastery of Saint Vincent. During this journey, the saint's body was accompanied by flocks of ravens, which is why ravens are one of Lisbon's symbols.

 How to go: Tram n.º 28 (beware of pickpockets) and bus 737.

 Back to Lisbon








Local: Largo Portas do Sol 108, 1100-411 Lisboa, Portugal

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