The Bernardim Branco Apartment in Lisbon

Campo de Santana

The freguesia of the Pena which comprises the Sant’Ana hill is one of the oldest historical district in Lisbon. In 1580 died here the famous poet Luis de Camões, author of « Os Lusiadas » and in 1920 was born in the same place Amalia Rodrigues, the well-known portuguese fadista. This quiet neighbourhood has still many XVIIIth et XIXth century palaces, like the Palace of Bemposta, residence of the queen D.Catarina de Bragança, widow of king Charles II of England, in early XVIIIth century. Only 100 mètres away, have a walk in the garden of Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, a green space in the center of the city with a public parking lot. Here you will be surprised by the spontaneous religious fervour of Portuguese people who have honoured the statue of doctor Sousa Martins in front of the faculty of medecine for more than a century. Don’t forget that you are located at the top of a hill and go to the Miradouro / Garden of Torel and admire the view over the occidental part of the city, the avenue of Liberdade, the Eduardo VII park and the São Roque hill. Two choices are for you if you want to go down to the center and towards Rossio or the avenue da Liberdade : walking down the calçada de Santana, a very steep slope leading to the squares of Rossio with many restaurants and shopping zones or alternatively (and a MUST for the return) take the funicular of Lavra, the first transportation to overcome a hill in Lisbon 120 years ago, it links the Largo da Anunciada (at the foot of the hill) with the Travessa do Forno do Torel (at the top).