Let's take a walk in Lisbon: Estrela Basilica, Jardim Guerra Junqueiro and English Cemetery

There is no lack of magnificent views in Lisbon: from the Miradouros da Senhora do Monte and Monte Agudo, the Arch of Triumph on the rua Augusta or from the top of the imposing Cristo Rei on the south side of the Tagus.

One of my favourites remains the panoramic roof and the magnificent dome of the Basílica da Estrela.

I highly recommend accessing the terrace via the 114 steps of the narrow spiral stone staircase for €4.

In the right arm of the transept, the basilica houses one of the largest cots in the world with more than 500 statues. It was created in 1781 by Joaquim Machado Castro. Many elements of the decoration are made of Alentejo cork.

🌿 A stone's throw away, the Jardim da Estrela ("Garden of the Star") dating from 1842 - also known as Jardim Guerra Junqueiro - calls for relaxation. It is very pleasant to walk along its shady paths, to take a picnic break and to come across the famous statue of the Lion and Neptune.

For the little story, a real lion brought back from Mozambique was the star of this park from 1869. It is claimed that 10,000 curious people came to admire the mammal, named "Panhel", on the sole afternoon of 17 May 1869!

Another curiosity in the same area,🪦 the English Cemetery. One of the most beautiful in Lisbon, also nicknamed "cypress cemetery" in reference to the obligation made by the Inquisition court to erect a wall of cypress trees around its enclosure to prevent Catholics from seeing the graves of Protestants. This place was then called the "ground of heretics". Many of the mausoleums date from the second half of the 18th century.

Enjoy exploring these sites!