Sunday, December 9, 2007

Lisboa...View from the top

Views from Elevador de Santa Justa

After visiting the Praca de Commercao, the weather as usually sunny with blue skies inspired me to walk around the city. The hunt was to find the Elevator of Santa Justa.

After asking for directions I found it nestled in between two buildings (if you miss it you may walk up and down the street and find it only after asking a few people) and walked up to the ticket counter. I was wondering what all the fuss was about but once I reached the top it was a different world. You can walk up and down 2 flights from where the elevator leaves you. On the topmost level they have a cafe and you can sit there and admire the view for as long as you want.

From looking out to the south that faces the Tagus River and Algarve to looking down and around at all the different types of rooftops you can spend quite a while and absorb what Lisbon has to offer. Towards the East the view of the Castelo São Jorge and all the houses surrounding it shows how old this city really is.

Historical information on the Elevator
The Santa Justa Elevator is a remarkable masterpiece designed by an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel and makes the connection
between the Baixa (downtown) and Bairro Alto (high neighborhood).

It was opened in 1902, when it was steam powered, then in 1907 it became electrical and was the only vertical elevator in Lisbon in public service. Made entirely of cast iron, and embellished with filigree, the lifts within the tower go up to 45 metres and carry 25 persons in each cabin of which there are two. If in Lisbon, you cannot afford to miss this ride!







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