Where in the World is Sharon Daugherty2: Lisbon, Day 3

Today we decided to take a ride on the old tram and let it do the walking for us. Our handy dandy transportation pass got us on. We took the Number 28, which goes through the Alfama, Chiado and Bairro Alto districts. The number 28 is the yellow one bringing up the rear

Meeting another coming the other direction

We rode the entire route. When the driver stopped and made everybody get off. He then pulled slightly forward and let us get back on; however it required us to use our card again. This is not a get on / get off. You must pay the fare both ways. Too funny. So we paid and got back on and rode back the way we came, but this time we did get off in the Alfama district again for a little walking. We had passed this huge church earlier on the ride and decided to start here

The Church or Monastery of São Vicente de Fora; meaning "Monastery of St. Vincent Outside the Walls" is a 17th-century church and monastery in the city of Lisbon, Portugal. It is one of the most important monasteries and mannerist buildings in the country.

The floorplan of the church reveals a Latin cross building with a one-aisled nave with lateral chapels. The church is covered by barrel vaulting and has a huge dome over the crossing. The general design of the church interior follows that of the prototypic church of Il Gesù, in Rome.

The beautiful main altarpiece is a Baroque work of the 18th century by one of the best Portuguese sculptors, Joaquim Machado de Castro. The altarpiece has the shape of a baldachin and is decorated with a large number of statues. The church also boasts several fine altarpieces in the lateral chapels.

Altar piece

Side Chapels

We did not realize this was a Monestery as well, so did not search it out. Another day perhaps. We walked on down hill to the Portas do Sol miradouro (terraced view). A popular and stunning view over the Alfama district from Sao Vincente Church to the river.