Chiado and Bairro Alto
Ascensor da Glória
The Elevador da Glória is a charming funicular railway that connects Praça dos Restauradores with the Bairro Alto district and the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint. The funicular railway, also known as the Ascensor da Glória, is not only an important means of transport, but also embodies Lisbon's cultural heritage. As the second oldest funicular railway in Lisbon, the Glória has been in operation since 1885. The two striking yellow carriages date back to the 1920s, when the funicular was electrified. Inside the carriages, you can still sense the nostalgic charm of times gone by: Brass fittings, wooden benches and lovingly painted wood panelling characterise the ambience. While in many other cities, historic cable cars like these have long since been relegated to museum status, in Lisbon they still transport over three million passengers up one of the city's steepest hills every year.
Miradouru São Pedro de Alcântara
The Miradouro (viewpoint) de São Pedro de Alcântara is located next to the upper exit of the Elevador da Glória and offers a special view of the city. From here you can see the Avenida da Liberdade, the Praça dos Restauradores, the Baixa and the castle hill with its imposing walls and green tops of the pine trees. The large Igreja da Graça church and its vantage point are also clearly recognisable. The covered Rossio railway station can be seen in the foreground.
Igreja de São Roque
The single-nave hall church was built between 1565 and 1596 on the foundations of a chapel dedicated to St Roch, the patron saint of the sick. The Renaissance building survived the earthquake of 1755 almost unscathed. The ceiling fresco is well worth seeing.
Praça de Luís de Camões
Walk along Rua São Pedro del Alcãntara and Rue del Misericordia to the centre of the Chiado district, (the place) Praça de Luís de Camões. In the centre of the square is a statue depicting the Portuguese national poet Luís de Camões.
Elevador da Bica
The Elevador da Bica (also: Ascensor da Bica) is located very close by. It runs through the Rua da Bica de Duarte Belcio in the public street space and connects the Rua de São Paulo with the Largo do Calhariz in the upper part of the city. Over a length of 260 metres, it overcomes a height difference of 45 metres.
Miradouro de Santa Caterina
There is a café on the viewing terrace where we were able to relax a little and enjoy the view of the city.
We then walk through narrow alleyways to Praça Luis I. This concludes our excursion to Chiado and Bairro Alto.
