While I am gearing up for a series of wine posts on Lisbon, I will start light, with some general information and quick photos on the city. The truth being, I have around 3500 photos, that will take a while to edit before I can write about anything deeper. However, I think it’s quite fun starting with the basics, because, there are things about Lisbon, that I barely before knew.
- Lisbon is one of the oldest capital cities in the world (late 1st BC), predating other European capitals by centuries. London and Paris are basically teenagers, compared to this mature lady. Athens is the only European capital city that beats Lisbon to the punch. Rome has not been continuously inhabited before 1000 BC
- Legend has it that is built on seven hills, just like Rome. Each hill has its stories to tell and its place in the history of the city. There are hills all right, my aching legs are proof of that, however, it seems that in reality there are more than seven of them.
- It is the home of the smallest bookshop in the world, and I also saw some awesome small libraries that were founded in old telephone booths and kiosks.
- Lisbon and its surroundings have some of the most interesting wine areas in Portugal and Europe. Colares, west of the capital city, has some of the only European vines that are not grafted upon American rootstocks. Colares escaped the 1940’s wine plague due to the grapevines being rooted in sand (where Phylloxeira cannot live).
- There is a vibrant nature wine scene emerging in Lisbon, driven by some young Portuguese winemakers. More about where you can drink and buy these wines during the coming few weeks.
There you go! Some fun facts and hints to what my Lisbon posts will be about. Brace yourselves – there will be a lot of them!
xx Soile
The famous rooftops of Lisbon. Photo: Soile Vauhkonen
Lunch in Lisbon includes a bottle of wine. Photo: Soile Vauhkonen
Nibbless at Os Gazeteiros. Photo: Soile Vauhkonen
Port wine to finnish. Photo: Soile Vauhkonen
Graffiti is a part of the scenery in Lison. Photo: Soile Vauhkonen
Up and down the hills. Photo: Soile Vauhkonen
There are several amazing spots for a good view. Photo: Soile Vauhkonen
Lisbon views. Photo: Soile Vauhkonen
