Lisbon, Portugal \u2013 There is no stronger presence than his on the streets of the Portuguese capital. Whether one enjoys literature or not, it is impossible go to Lisbon and not feel close with Fernando Pessoa. The poet is there in the places he went to, the house he was born in, the neighbourhood where he lived before his death, the souvenir shops with his best known verses printed. To cap off this story of love and reverence, Pessoa did even more: he wrote his own tour guide for his city. The material, uncovered after his passing by researchers of his work, hit the bookstores under the title Lisbon \u2013 What the Tourist Must See, issued in Brazil by Companhia das Letras. Much more than the novelty factor, the work features an in-depth route of the main local attractions, from the sentimental perspective of one of the most illustrious Lisbon dwellers. <\/p>\n
In his list of favourite places, the poet highlights two spots with special fondness: Pra\u00e7a do Com\u00e9rcio (Commerce Square), in the Baixa, a central area of the city, and Mosteiro dos Jer\u00f4nimos (Monastery of the Hieronymuses), in the Bel\u00e9m neighbourhood, in which, by the way, his grave is located, in a more-than-fair tribute. To Pessoa, Pra\u00e7a do Com\u00e9rcio is the \u201cgreatest of Lisbon\u2019s squares,\u201d the one the Britons know as \u201cBlack Horse Square,\u201d in addition to being \u201cone of the world\u2019s largest\u201d and able to give an \u201cextremely pleasant impression on the most demanding of tourists.\u201d When faced with that view of the Tejo River, right in front, and the set of sculptures, such as the bronze statue of King D. Jos\u00e9 I and a horse, there is nothing to do but acknowledge that the writer did not exaggerate at all in his description. <\/p>\n
In turn, the Mosteiro dos Jer\u00f4nimos is described as \u201ca masterpiece of stone which all tourists visit and never forget. And it is, in fact, the most notable monument the capital possesses.\u201d This is true. The place, whose construction was announced in 1502 by order of King D. Manuel I, the site impresses for its size, the detailed fa\u00e7ade and the vast interior. A detail: the local Chapel harbours the graves of poet Lu\u00eds de Cam\u00f5es and of sailor Vasco da Gama. Pessoa\u2019s own lies along one of the halls by the central patio, decorated with his own quotes. One of them to pique your desire to visit the monastery: \u201cTo be great, be whole.\u201d <\/p>\n
While on the topic of \u201cgrandeur,\u201d another highlight, in fact another Lisbon classic: Castelo de S\u00e3o Jorge (the Castle of Saint George). According to Portugal\u2019s most illustrious tour guide, the building was erected \u201cby the Moors and, it seems, was a part of Lisbon\u2019s forts, with its think walls, battlements, and towers. The kings made it their dwelling, and it also staged many notable events in the political history of Portugal.\u201d Not convinced yet? \u201cThe view of the Castle is wonderful.\u201d And wonderful it is. It will probably originate the best snapshots of your stay in the city. <\/p>\n
After the poet\u2019s tips of places he went to, it is crucial to guarantee a picture with his own sculpture, in front of the A Brasileira caf\u00e9, in Chiado, a central area, facing the metro station named after the neighbourhood. It was a mainstay of Pessoa\u2019s. Not far from it, less than a ten-minute walk away, at Largo de S\u00e3o Carlos, a stylized image of the writer indicates that on the fourth storey of house number 4, on June 13, 1888, he was born. The building, a private property, is not open to the pubilc. <\/p>\n
If one cannot visit his place of birth, how about a trip to Museu Casa Fernando Pessoa? The property, in the Estrela neighbourhood and easily reached by the electric (typical buses which are, in fact, trams) from the Centre, was the poet\u2019s place of residence for his last 15 years (he died in 1935). Do not expect much from the collection, made of a few original items such as a chest of drawers and the books in the library. Go if you\u2019re a fan. And if you\u2019re interested in checking out delicate and interesting temporary exhibitions, such as children\u2019s works on the author or photographs inspired by his work. <\/p>\n
More than retracing Pessoa\u2019s steps around the Portuguese capital, following the guide he wrote, tourists will have an even more inspired trip if they set out to find Pessoa\u2019s Lisbon on their own. It is there in Mercearia do Chiado (grocery store), in the namesake neighbourhood, all decorated with his quotes on the walls, at the nearest bookstore, on each corner of the Centro that he probably passed through, by the Tejo, on the face of each Lisbon dweller, in the Portuguese sea, near the city\u2019s exit, definitely dominated by the river. The river which belongs to Pessoa, to humanity, to the Portuguese soul. To the passionate visitor who, once there, shall be dying to come back. <\/p>\n
Service: <\/b> <\/p>\n
Discover Lisbon
http:\/\/www.visitlisboa.com\/Home_UK.aspx?lang=en-GB<\/p>\n
Casa Fernando Pessoa Museum
http:\/\/casafernandopessoa.cm-lisboa.pt\/<\/p>\n
Mercearia do Chiado
http:\/\/www.merceariadochiado.com\/<\/p>\n
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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