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BAIRRO ALTO AND
ELEVADOR DE SANTA JUSTA
The Bairro Alto (Upper Quarter) occupies the top of a
steep hill just west of Lisbon's Baixa district. This
area functions as a residential, shopping, and entertainment
district. Up in this area you will find great
nightlife and also a smattering of Lisbon's famous Fado houses,
which are a must-see experience in Portuguese culture.
Fado is a Portuguese institution, much like the Flamenco in Spain.
It is a singing performance in an old tavern, usually accompanied by
dinner. The two performers are a man with a Portuguese guitar
and a lady in a black shawl, and each sings a story of sadness and
sorrow.
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Igreja do
Carmo church survived the 1755 earthquake without a roof |
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Elevador de Santa Justa |
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Looking south
towards the river from the Elevador |
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Nightfall at the Castel São Jorge |
Lisbon offers numerous ways to climb the steep hill to the Bairro
Alto (besides walking up stairs, of course). There are
numerous elevadors (usually funicular trains) which take pedestrians
from the bottom of the hill to the top (or vice versa).
The Elevador de Santa Justa (on Santa Justa street in the Baixa) is
the lone vertical transport. This elevador was designed by
Raul Mesniér de Ponsard, an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel, of Eiffel
Tower fame. This 45 meter iron tower was built in 1902 and
connects the Baixa with the Bairro Alto's Carmo Square.
The terrace at the top of the Elevador provides fantastic views over
the city.
The map below identifies Lisbon's Bairro Alto district in red.
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Bairro
Alto |
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Alfama |
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Baixa |
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Elevador
de Santa Justa |
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This grid
of streets in Bairro Alto form the epicenter of Lisbon's
nightlife. Here you will find clubs, bars, and (of course)
numerous fado bars to suit your tastes |
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Rua Garret
is the place to go for cafes and boutique stores. |
View Larger Map
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