One part of Lisbon that is complete new is Oriente. Formerly an industrial wasteland, Oriente was transformed into a popular destination, as well as a new neighborhood for Lisbon. Expo 1998 was held here, and attracted 10 million people (the equivalent to the population of Portugal itself). To ensure the future of this area, housing units and office buildings are going up, along with shops. Lots and lots of shops.
|
| The ultramodern Oriente station (above) is reminiscent of the TWA building at JFK Airport, and wisely incorporates subway and commuter lines. The Vasco da Gama shopping mall (below) is a beautiful modern structure, but I am sure the 16th Century explorer would be appalled to know his name is thrown on to everything. I am half surprised no one thought of a tacky logo like "Discover the Savings." |
|
The entire Praça do Nacões was rather subdued the day I was there. I visited the Oceanario (below, left) and the Torre Vasco da Gama (below, right). The Oceanario is one of the best I have ever visited, and I have been to a few. The design has a One-Ocean concept, with a huge tank full of diverse sea creatures in it, and it's three or four stories tall. I don't even know how it holds all that water, let alone the fish. The building has four corners, one devoted to each major ocean group. The higher floors feature the birds and mammals that inhabit the shorelines. The Torre Vasco da Gama offers a panoramic view of the Tejo River and Oriente and the new Vasco da Gama Bridge. The Torre looks like the prow of a ship. I was the sole person on the observation deck; and I couldn't have lunch without a reservation (another Portuguese catch that made the trip less-than-splendid).
 |
 |
 |
 |
Some of the most beautiful things at the Oceanario were the smallest, like these sea anemone.
Next Entry... Sintra
Previous Entry... Belém