Lisbon. A look at Rua dos Fanqueiros

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(Free-Press-Release.com) February 10, 2012 -- Coasts, castles, and beaches come with a stay in Lisbon (Lisboa in Portuguese). The warmest and westernmost capital in Europe, Lisbon rises on seven hills situated along the Tejo River and its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean. The port made Lisbon—and Portugal—powerful in the 15th century; during this "Age of Discovery," ships sailed from Lisbon's harbor to the New World in search of gold and glory.

You can get a sense of the city during its medieval prime by strolling the cobblestone streets of Alfama, a centuries-old neighborhood once populated by nobles. It's fun to search for the family coat-of-arms fronting the 16th - to 18th-century houses. Along the winding streets such as Rua dos Fanqueiros, you pass shops, cafes, old churches, and even vendors selling canaries.

Following Rua dos Fanqueiros, you will come to praça de figueira (Square of the Fig Tree), a large square in the centre of Lisbon. It is part of the Baixa Pombalina, the area of the city reurbanised after the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake, which includes Rua dos Fanqueiros.
The earthquake, also known as the Great Lisbon Earthquake, was a megathrust earthquake that took place on Saturday 1 November 1755, at around 9:40 in the morning. The earthquake was followed by fires and a tsunami, which almost totally destroyed Lisbon in the Kingdom of Portugal, and adjoining areas.

The high, stone walls of the Alfama's Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George's Castle) testify to its 5th-century beginnings as a fortress. Although the earthquake destroyed the original castle, the structures have been rebuilt. Kids will marvel at the peacocks that roam the gardens and you can pace the ramparts for a scenic city and water view.

Lisbon has an interesting Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum). Hundreds of model ships from the 15th to 20th centuries details Portugal's naval prowess.
The Museu Nacional dos Coches (National Coach Museum) is a top city attraction. Housed in the former riding stables of the Belém Palace, the museum displays the 17th- to 19th- century coaches, carriages, sedan chairs, and children's buggies that belonged to the royal family. Some glitter, like the intricately carved and gilded 1708 ceremonial coach built for the marriage of Maria Ana to King João of Portugal.

In the 74,000-acre Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros, you can follow in the footsteps of the real dinosaurs who roamed this region 175 million years ago. The park's prints are one of the largest collections of sauropod (herbivore) and therapod (carnivore) prints ever found from the Jurassic period. Walk along the dino trail, or add to the adventure by riding a donkey.