Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world and at least the most senior in Western Europe. The first mention of it dates back to the 3rd century BC. Despite this, practically no evidence of this antiquity remains in the city. It's all to blame - the fact below.

 

Lisbon is the westernmost capital of mainland Europe. Near the city is the famous Cape Roca, from which only the boundless Atlantic Ocean extends.

 

Facts about Lisbon

 

1. The city of Lisbon is the capital of Portugal.

 

2. He is respected in Europe because he is one of the oldest.

 

3. The first settlements on the site of the modern capital of Portugal appeared earlier than in Rome and Paris.

 

4. According to most estimates, the city was founded in the 12th century BC, near the Tagus River, providing excellent living opportunities. It turns out that Lisbon is older than Rome by four centuries. In fact, in Europe, only Athens was founded earlier than Lisbon.

 

5. Lisbon has been considered the capital of Portugal since 1255. However, there are no official documents confirming the fact that Lisbon is the capital of Portugal. The city became the capital by accident when King Alfonso III settled with his court in Lisbon. This made sense since Lisbon was already Portugal's largest and most important city.

 

6. A long time ago, this region was inhabited by pre-Celtic tribes. Then came the Celts, and then the Phoenicians. The Punic Wars forced the inhabitants of this place to think about building defensive walls. And then they began to build castles and towers here.

 

7. In the Middle Ages, Muslims came to the city and brought with them a new culture. But their reign ended when the Norwegian crusaders came to Lisbon.

 

8. Gradually, the city expanded due to its advantageous position. As a result, it became the most important European port, from which the gates to many states were opened.

 

 

9. And again, the city wants to capture the enemies. Lisbon survived both the invasion of the Spaniards and the arrival of Napoleon's troops. So Lisbon is a city that has seen a lot in its lifetime. But the most terrible disaster in the city's history was the most powerful earthquake of 1775.

 

10. It turned out to be so ruthless that the city turned into ruins. But he was not destined to die. With the help of the remaining townspeople, the use of the country's inhabitants was gradually revived.

 

11. Then, a new city practically rose from the ruins and became one of the most beautiful. Three revolutions took place here in the 20th century. After them, the rapid development of modern capital began.

 

12. Today's Lisbon is the most beautiful European capital with its sights and legends.

 

13. Lisbon is the warmest European capital. There are at least 100 rainy days here a year.

 

THE OLDEST DISTRICT OF LISBON - ALFAMA

 

14. Alfama is the oldest district of Lisbon and the only one that survived and even retained its appearance after an earthquake in the middle of the 18th century. The Alfama district is located in the southeast of the city along the banks of the Tagus River. Alfama is situated at the foot of two of the seven Lisbon hills, one of which crowns the castle of St. George, and the other is the Cathedral of St. Vincent.

 

15. Its architecture stands out as a bright spot against the background of the rest of the city - chaotically located streets and tiny houses with stairs on the slopes form the image of the Middle Ages, and in general, it looks not like a district, but like a small village in the city. For a long time, it had a reputation as an area where sailors, anglers, etc., lived, that is, simple poor people, but in the Middle Ages, Muslims used the springs in Alfama to improve their health; for this, they came here as a resort.

 

16. Down to the banks of the Tagus River, the Alfama area is taking on more modern features - the old port warehouses have turned into modern loft spaces equipped with restaurants and trendy nightclubs.

 

17. The sights of Porto and Lisbon are a unique tandem of two Portuguese pearls that allows you to discover all the most atmospheric places in Portugal, feel its lively character and plunge into the old days.

 

18. The ancient buildings and centuries-old streets of these cities allow you to go back in time and understand how the state's glorious history developed.

 

ROSIE SQUARE

 

19. One of the most iconic places in Lisbon is Rossio Square, which can be classified as a must-see for tourists. It is surrounded by buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries, which house numerous shops, cafes, and restaurants today, from modern eateries to fine Art Nouveau establishments.

 

20. Over the centuries, the square has seen a lot - even the Romans equipped their hippodrome on this place. Bullfights, festivals, military parades, and executions were held in the court. Today, city and public holidays are celebrated here; they study original installations and relax.

 

21. Locals are sure that Lisbon is associated with Freemasonry since the entire central district of Lisbon Baixa was designed and built on the principles of Masons: there are seven streets (one of which is Golden Street and the other is Silver Street), three squares, two columns near the river, one triumphal arch and many other facts point to this. But it is difficult to say this is true because Freemasonry is covered with a veil of mystery.

 

22. Ravens have been a symbol of the city since 1173 when they accompanied the body of Saint Vincent to Lisbon, where he was buried. Every coal merchant in the town kept ravens as pets. All these beloved pets have always had the same name: Vicente, in honor of the saint. The raven can always be seen in the castle of San Jorge and below at Se.

 

23. Lisbon is the first city to import Guinness. It is not in the Guinness Book of World Records, but records from 1811 show Lisbon was the first city to import Guinness beer.

 

24. O'Gillins and Hennessy's are among the few pubs in Lisbon where you can enjoy a perfectly poured pint of Guinness - continuing a tradition over 203 years old.

 

TRIUMPHAL ARCH

 

25. One of the attractions of Lisbon is the Arc de Triomphe. The date of the creation of this architectural structure is the end of the 18th century. The majestic arch was decorated with statues, sculptures of famous Portuguese, stone carvings, bas-reliefs, and column groups. By paying a few euros, you can climb to the observation deck, located on the roof of the building.

 

26. The Tahoe River stretches for 14 kilometers, winding through the capital.

 

27. The Tagus River is not the most attractive. No one in their right mind would think of swimming in its waters. But the world-famous oysters were once found in this river.

 

28. Only five people know the recipe for their favorite Lisbon cake. In a city where almost no one has secrets from each other, one terrible secret is kept - the recipe for Pastel de Belém cake. The secret recipe of Pastel de Belen has never been written down and is transmitted only orally; it has always been remembered and kept in mind. To prevent the formula from being lost, its keepers are not prohibited from flying together in the same plane or driving in the same car.

 

29. As you know, with great secrets comes great responsibility, and the keepers of this recipe take special precautions: they never travel in the same plane, do not sit in the same car, and do not order the same dish in a restaurant.

 

ON THE HILL OF GRACE

 

30. Graça is the highest of Lisbon's hills, but it was excluded from the original and official list. The seven lucky ones lined up in this order: San Jorge, San Vicente, San Roque, Santo Andre, Santa Catarina, Chagas and Santa Anna.

 

31. Maybe that's why most locals tell tourists that Lisbon is a city of seven hills. But this statement is not valid. They are deliberately misidentified to make Lisbon more like Rome, also known as the city of the seven hills.

 

CHURCH OF SAINT ENGRAVE

 

32. One of the most impressive creations of Portuguese Baroque architecture is the Church of Saint Engracia, also called the National Pantheon. This is a magnificent building made of pink marble with a vast dome, at the base of which, at the height of about 80 meters, there is an observation deck overlooking the city and the Tagus River.

 

33. This temple began to be built in the 17th century but was supplemented and rebuilt over the next three centuries. The construction process dragged on so much that the well-known phrase “construction of Santa Engracia” appeared in everyday life of the Portuguese, which meant an endless delay in work. The church has a design that has not previously been used in any Portuguese building - the interior space is distributed according to the scheme of the Greek cross. Above the entrance are niches with statues, and a beautiful baroque portal leads inside, where two angels hold the Portuguese coat of arms.

 

34. The city is considered multinational. At the same time, according to the census, 97% of the Portuguese live in it.

 

35. The Guinness Book of Records writes about a dinner in Lisbon, which 15,000 people attended. This dinner took place on the Vasco da Gama bridge during its opening in 1998.

 

36. In one of Lisbon's classic cafes, Martinho da Arcada, two tables remain empty and are permanently "reserved" for late writers. One for Fernando Pessoa, Portugal's most famous poet, and one for Nobel laureate José Saramago, Portugal's most beloved writer.

 

BASILICA - ESTRELA

 

37. A hill west of Lisbon crowns a majestic building - the Basilica da Estrela, erected by the Queen Mary of Portugal decree. Sometime during the marriage, Mary vowed to build a temple for the nuns of the Order of Barefoot Carmelites if the Lord would grant her a son. After a while, her heir was born, and at the end of the 18th century, the construction of the basilica began.

 

38. So, a unique building with columns, bell towers, and bas-reliefs grew. A tower complements the dome with a cross, which to this day serves as a guide for travelers - it can be seen from almost any part of the city.

 

39. Unfortunately, by the time construction was completed, the queen's son had already died from the smallpox he had suffered. The picturesque architecture of the temple combines the Baroque and Neo-Gothic styles; the facade is decorated with sculptures of angels and six allegories. The central dome is surrounded by a terrace from which you can enjoy beautiful views of the capital.

 

40. Lisbon has the world's only public tie mirror. At least there is no other city with such a mirror in the world. It is located next to door number 115 in Piazza D. Pedro IV. The inscription calls: "Put in order the knot of your tie."

 

MONUMENT TO THE PIONEERS

 

41. In Lisbon, there is a monument to the discoverers. It is located on the Belen embankment of the Tagus River. This large-scale 50-meter sculpture was created in memory of the era of legendary geographical discoveries. According to the project, the monument should personify the exploits of the famous navigators of Portugal. At the top level of the monument is an observation deck.

 

42. Lisbon has one of the smallest bookstores in the world. Bertrand is known as the world's oldest bookstore, a well-known fact. But Livraria do Simao is one of the smallest, with an area of ​​​​only 3.8 square meters. Meters. However, it holds 4,000 books! It is so small that the store owner usually leaves the premises when a customer enters.

 

VASCO DA GAMA BRIDGE

 

43. The Lisbon Vasco da Gama Bridge is the longest bridge in Europe, its length exceeds 17 kilometers. It is also the largest in Europe. Its appearance marked the 500th anniversary of the opening of the route to India by the great navigator. The construction crosses the river in its widest part, connecting one of the districts of Lisbon with the opposite towns of Montijo and Alcuchet.

 

44. The Vasco da Gama Bridge is a powerful support, dozens of cables, a curved line of the roadbed over the waters of the Tagus River. It is known that the design of the Vasco da Gama bridge is able to withstand the elements, 4.5 times more powerful than the famous Lisbon earthquake of the 18th century.

 

PRASA SQUARE - DO - COMERCIU

 

45. Praça do Comercio in Lisbon is one of the most beautiful European squares, from which the active development of the city began in the 15th century, regarding the famous geographical discoveries. It was during these years that the construction of the port and administrative buildings associated with maritime trade began. During the prosperity of Lisbon, ships with treasures from the Portuguese colonies moored in the port, important royal delegations arrived.

 

46. ​​And in our time, in the Praça do Comercio area, evidence of past glory remains - monumental monuments, ancient administrative buildings and various interesting places. Ministries, banks and other state organizations work in historical buildings located along the perimeter of the square. The legendary cafe Martinho da Arcada also operates here, where true aristocrats dined.

 

47. There are many unusual museums in the city: carriages, electricity, ancient art.

 

AT THE GALUST GULBENKYAN MUSEUM

 

48. The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is a private museum. Usually private museum collections do not attract as much attention as large national museums. The Galouste Gulbenkian Gallery is a special case, with a huge and diverse collection that can outshine any large-scale exhibition.

 

49. The first part of this exposition presents objects of Greek, Egyptian, Persian art, here you can see the rarest jewelry, precious vases, fragments of Egyptian tombs. The second part is dedicated to European art - these are collections of paintings, carvings, sculptures, and various decor. But the most impressive part is the collection of paintings with paintings by Rembrandt, Renoir, Claude Monet and other eminent painters.

 

PAVILION OF KNOWLEDGE IN THE PARK OF NATIONS

 

50. In Lisbon, in the Park of Nations in the Interactive Museum of Science, a thematic pavilion of Knowledge was opened in 1999. It will be interesting to visit it for a person of any age - both kids from 3 years old and pensioners.

 

51. In the pavilion, divided into separate rooms, you can set up all kinds of experiments, for example, in the field of chemistry or physics, participate in experiments, learn about technological innovations and natural phenomena. Special attention deserves a hall with interactive modules called Escaping Exhibition: here you can ride a rope at a height of 6 meters on a bicycle, or relax at a huge table.

 

52. An unusual Santa Justa street elevator operates in the city, raising tourists to a height of 45 meters.

 

53. Lisbon Oceanarium is the largest in Europe. 450 species of marine inhabitants live here.

 

54. Almost all Lisbon streets look in black and white. Such an unusual coloring is not associated with mourning events, but symbolizes the robes of St. Vincent, who is the patron saint of the city.

 

55. During World War II, spies arrived in Lisbon from all over the world. The richest European refugees have created a small community around the casinos of the city of Estoril near Lisbon. They spent their days on the beach, dancing the night away, hosting banquets and gambling games where the stakes were very high.

 

56. The best spies of all Western countries worked hard in these circles. The most famous is Ian Fleming, the author of the James Bond novels, who was here in the service of British Naval Intelligence.

 

57. The April 25 Bridge across the Tagus River is 2.2 kilometers long. It is the largest in Europe among similar suspended transitional structures.

 

ZOO IN LISBON

 

58. The Lisbon Zoo is a unique menagerie. It stands out from other zoos in that it does not have cages or enclosures. The inhabitants live in recreated "natural" conditions: a house is built for the rhinoceros in the form of an entire African village, macaques and chimpanzees jump on real trees, tigers and lions rest on the grass of the "savannah".

 

59. For comfortable observation of animals and organizing picnics, tables and benches are located on the area of ​​​​the complex. Tourists who come to Lisbon with children should visit this wonderful zoo in the first place.

 

TRAMS IN LISBON

 

60. The narrow, uneven streets of the historic part of Lisbon are lined with tram tracks that have existed here for more than 100 years. They are followed by miniature yellow Remodelado trams that appeared in the early 20th century, and today everything inside them, from controls to wooden benches, seems to transport you to a charming era of the past.

 

61. Tourists who just want to wander around the city, the first thing you should pay attention to is Augusta, the main pedestrian street of Lisbon. It stretches from the central city square of Rossio to the famous triumphal arch and is a pavement lined with ancient mosaics in the form of a fancy pattern. It is a favorite place for walks of locals and visitors, a large shopping area and a popular vacation spot with numerous outdoor cafes, boutiques, exhibitions of local artists and performances by musicians.

 

62. Tourists are everywhere surrounded by colorful facades of old mansions, and the end of the walking route is crowned by the majestic Arc de Triomphe, which in itself is a separate attraction. The grand building is decorated in a mixture of Baroque, Renaissance and Manueline styles. A spiral staircase and an elevator lead to the top of the arch, where the observation deck is located.

 

63. The observation deck of San Pedro de Alcantara is a panoramic observation point, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bwhich is divided into two levels. At each level there are small restaurants, sculptural compositions, shops, fountains and vegetation. It is here that the local intelligentsia and the youth of the capital gather. Moreover, you do not need to pay for access to this observation terrace in the fresh air.

 

64. When exploring the ancient quarters of Lisbon, one should not forget about its surroundings, which are no less rich in historical monuments. For example, you can go outside of Lisbon to explore the sights of Sintra - Moorish castles, palaces, ancient monasteries against the backdrop of landscapes immersed in greenery.

 

65. Tourists say that once they see Lisbon, they cannot forget it or confuse it with another city. And you will definitely want to return there again to wander through its streets and visit its many other attractions.

 

 

If you want to spend your time in Sri Lanka as fun, safe, and exciting as possible, you should get to know the locals better, the features of their way of life, and other things. It is also worthwhile before the trip to figure out what is accepted on the island and what is better not to do.

 

We invite you to discover 50 exciting facts noted by researchers and travelers who have repeatedly visited the tea island.

 

Top facts about Sri Lanka

 

1. Sri Lanka is a hot tropical country located in southern Asia.

 

More precisely, the country of Sri Lanka is located on the island of the same name in the Indian Ocean.

 

2. Previously, the European name of the island on which this state is located was used - Ceylon. This name of the country existed until 1972.

 

3. Sri Lanka is in many ways related to India, but at the same time quite noticeably different from it, this is especially striking if you spend at least a month there and there. There are plenty of similarities, though.

 

4. Translated from the ancient Sanskrit language, “Sri Lanka” means “Blessed Land”.

 

5. Sri Lankans - this is how the inhabitants of Sri Lanka are officially called.

 

Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte

 

6. The actual, but not the official capital of the country is the city of Colombo. The official capital is the city of Sri Jayawardenepuru Kotte.

 

7. The name "Colombo" comes from the Sinhala "kola-amba-thota", which means "mango harbour".

 

8. Sri Lanka was a British colony until 1948. English is very popular on the island.

 

9. Sri Lanka will make anyone believe in heaven on earth. This is a real gem of South Asia. It is impossible not to admit that this tropical island is really beautiful.

 

Galle Lighthouse

 

10. As in all Asian countries, there is a high population density - 308 people per square kilometer. The population of Sri Lanka is approximately equal to the population of Beijing.

 

11. Two languages ​​​​here have the status of state - Tamil and Sinhalese. English, on the other hand, has a special status and serves for communication between representatives of different ethnic groups living in Sri Lanka.

 

12. The main religion of Sri Lanka is Buddhism, it is followed by 70% of the population here. The remaining 20% ​​are Hindus and 10% are Muslims, Sikhs and Christians.

 

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

 

13. The Tooth of the Buddha - one of the most revered Buddhist shrines is located in the city of Kandy and is kept in the Temple of the Tooth Relic.

 

14. The leadership issued a wise law to avoid conflicts between believers. All religious holidays of all religions practiced by residents are days off for everyone. Therefore, there are more than half of the holidays in the year.

 

15. Alcohol is strictly prohibited on such days. On weekdays, alcoholic beverages can only be bought at specially designated places.

 

Sigirya Mountain

 

16. One of the most popular places for tourists here is Mount Sigiriya, on the way to the top of which you need to climb a staircase of 1001 steps.

 

17. The most popular dessert treat in Sri Lanka is ice cream. They are sold literally on every corner.

 

18. Buffalo milk is popular here along with cow milk. On the palate, if you are not a professional taster, there is no noticeable difference.

 

19. Smoking in public places in Sri Lanka is subject to a decent, and by local standards even a huge fine - about $ 37, or 5 thousand local rupees.

 

20. The national flower of Sri Lanka is the Star Lotus.

 

Fruits in Sri Lanka

 

21. Due to the warm and humid equatorial climate, Sri Lanka has an abundance of a variety of exotic fruits and vegetables. Bananas are harvested up to six times a year.

 

22. Bananas are not the same as on the shelves of our stores (large, feed varieties), and small bananas are baby. They have a thin skin, yellow flesh and are very sweet, with a high content of trace elements and vitamins.

 

23. Sri Lanka is thoroughly saturated with the smell of spices and incense. The main spice is cinnamon, and it is considered the highest quality in the world. Scientists believe that Sri Lanka is the birthplace of cinnamon.

 

24. There are also dangers awaiting tourists in Sri Lanka. These are monkeys. Among the inhabitants, they are considered a sacred animal, but they often behave very aggressively. It is better to keep the windows closed and things under supervision.

 

25. There is also an abundance of insects here, it is imperative to use special creams and ointments. And walking in the evening, you need to wear closed clothes and closed shoes from snakes.

 

Elephants in Sri Lanka

 

26. Here, the inhabitants treat elephants with love. The elephant is the symbol of the country. The punishment for killing an elephant is life imprisonment.

 

27. Divorces in Sri Lanka are very rare - 1%. Maybe the reason is that after the divorce, the husband is obliged to pay the ex-wife 50% of his salary throughout his life.

 

28. Here, when a daughter is married, she should be given a house and a car as a dowry. Therefore, as soon as a girl is born, parents begin to earn and save for a dowry.

 

29. The youth of Sri Lanka study at 11 universities, in terms of the quality of education they are not inferior to other universities in South Asia.

 

30. Here the literacy of the population is 92%. This is higher than in any other country in Southeast Asia, with the exception of Hong Kong and Singapore.

 

31. Schools in the country are free, however, for 300 rupees per month ($ 2.5) you can allow your child to study at an international school with the study of English.

 

Tangalla city beach

 

32. The beach in Tangalle, located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, is popular because you can watch both sunset and sunrise from it.

 

33. The biggest danger in this country is swimming in the waves of the ocean. The strength of the ocean surf and waves is significantly different from the sea. It can carry a person into the ocean like a grain of sand. Therefore, it is necessary to relax on the beaches here in places specially equipped for this. No need to try to conquer the waves on wild beaches.

 

34. All working women in the country are required to wear national clothes - saris. Many men here wear skirts.

 

35. Numbers 9 and 12 are considered the luckiest here.

 

36. Tea, which Sri Lanka is so famous for, was brought here by the British. Before that, there were no tea bushes here.

 

Tea Plantations in Sri Lanka

 

37. Now Sri Lanka ranks third in the world in tea production, second only to India and China. The famous Ceylon tea is grown here.

 

38. In total, about 10% of all tea in the world is produced here, which is more than 300 thousand tons annually.

 

39. One of the most visited places on the island by tourists is tea plantations. There you can see the process of making tea, as well as taste it.

 

Ramboda waterfall

 

40. Alut Avurudu - the Sri Lankan New Year, associated with the lunar cycles. It begins in accordance with the calculations of astrologers and is celebrated in April.

 

41. Sri Lankans do not use toilet paper, but it is sold for tourists and costs 2 times more than in India and 4 times more than in Russia.

 

42. Instead of toilet paper, Sri Lankans use a hygienic shower, or even a ladle and a bucket of water, just like in Thailand.

 

43. There are practically no fat people in this state.

 

Royal Botanical Garden

 

44. The Royal Botanical Garden with an orchid greenhouse in Sri Lanka is considered the largest in Southeast Asia.

 

45. The export of currency (Sri Lankan rupee) outside the country is strictly prohibited.

 

46. ​​Sri Lanka is a major exporter of precious stones. Sapphire, emerald or ruby ​​can be bought here inexpensively.

 

Sinhalite stone

 

47. The most expensive gem here is sinhalite(more expensive than a diamond). It got its name in honor of the indigenous people of Sri Lanka.

 

48. The inhabitants of this island-state are very respectful of the people of the white race. They are very hospitable and friendly to tourists. Instead of a handshake, it is better to use the greeting of the locals: - fold your palms on your chest with a “house” and bring them to your forehead. In return, you will receive a radiant smile!

 

Bentota beach

49. Among local residents, it is considered prestigious to know the Russian language. It brings in a good income from tourists.

 

50. Russian tourists are found in Sri Lanka, but not very often, while this country is not yet strongly covered by compatriots, although Sri Lanka is one of the best places for a winter holiday.