Lisbon Audio Tour: Explorer Paths through Santa Maria de Belém

Before you, you'll see an impressive building with white, richly decorated stone walls, tall windows, and ornate arches - look out for the Gothic spires and magnificent arcades to be sure you've arrived at the National Museum of Archaeology! Now that you're standing directly in front of the mighty National Museum of Archaeology, let's take a little journey through time together - don't worry, we won't need a time-turner from Harry Potter for this trip! Imagine the western wing of the Jerónimos-Klosters, where monks used to slumber peacefully. But today, no more friars are being woken here; instead, Portugal's past is being brought to life - and has been for over 100 years! It all began in 1893 with José Leite de Vasconcelos, an archaeologist who had a dream: He wanted to give Portugal's history a home that would make visible the evidence from 500,000 years. José passionately convinced the politician Bernardino Machado, and a decree was signed. Thus, Portugal's largest archaeological museum was created. But it wasn't a smooth start - the museum still had to find the right place. Finally, after some back and forth, it opened here in 1906, right in the heart of history, amidst this Neo-Manueline splendor of stone and arched windows. < sfx >footsteps echoing in stone corridor< /sfx > Upon entering, you immediately feel the reverent silence of ancient times. You can almost smell it: the gentle aroma of historic stone walls and ancient dust from treasures that lay hidden for millennia. Here lie treasures from over 3,200 archaeological sites - mosaics, statues, ancient jewelry, and a bit of Egyptian desert sand for the right flavor. In the treasure chambers, real gold gleams: torcs, earrings, and ornate bracelets, so magnificent that even Cleopatra would be amazed. But perhaps the most magical thing is the largest collection of Roman mosaics in all of Portugal! There, stories from ancient Rome wind across the floors: the cunning Odysseus, Orpheus with his lyre, and of course, the heroic deeds of Hercules. The colorful stones tell their stories without Wi-Fi - but beware, sitting on them is strictly forbidden! < sfx >soft chime of ancient coins< /sfx > As you continue, you'll discover the fascinating world of metal art: copper tools from times when people still conquered Europe with clubs! Next to them, you'll find Portugal's earliest iron finds - the Ferrari of the Iron Age, so to speak. People here are particularly proud of their 'Atlantic Bronzes,' which already caused a stir among the ancient Romans. And for all who have ever 'built their work on granite': In front of the museum, monumental granite warriors from Celtic times, the so-called 'Gallaecian Warriors,' greet you. They look so serious that even Roman legionaries showed respect. Language enthusiasts will also get their money's worth here. The collection of tomb inscriptions, votive tablets, and honorary stones shows how creatively the Romans used their abbreviations: D.M.S., H.S.E., S.T.T.L. - the WhatsApp abbreviations of antiquity, so to speak! For those who prefer something more exotic, there's a treasure chamber of ancient Egyptian art with statues and mummy parts, collected during adventurous journeys to Egypt. While there are no pyramids, there are a few mummified crocodiles that certainly won't scare any visitors anymore. Of course, numismatists will also be thrilled: Over 30,000 Roman coins gleam in the light. With a little imagination, you can hear the soft jingle of Roman purses as legionaries collect their pay. Imagine: Here are coins from Lusitania, when Portugal was still administered by the Roman Empire - and perhaps Julius Caesar himself cursed while counting the sesterces! A highlight are the amphorae, huge clay jars that once transported olive oil and wine across the Roman Empire. Today, they tell of the trade routes on which 'Garum,' the famous smelly fish sauce, once sailed from Spain to Africa. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the lapping of the sea from a bygone era. < sfx >gentle murmur of a distant crowd< /sfx > But not only the Romans and Egyptians are represented here. The collection is constantly growing - and thanks to generous donations and contributions, it also houses unique ethnographic treasures from Portugal and Africa. Music, ceramics, toys, religious art - from rustic shepherd's spoons to magnificent pottery from the Barroco period. Well, and as you undertake this journey through the millennia, the museum has constantly reinvented itself. It is not only a place of wonder but also the country's most important archaeological research center - here, new stories are always being sought to complete the puzzle of Portuguese identity. So, even if you might not take a gold treasure home in your backpack today: The true discovery is wonder - and you're guaranteed to get that here for free! Come with open eyes and a bit of a researcher's spirit, because who knows what story is hidden behind the next display case… Curious about the collection, the place, or the mission? Don't hesitate to reach out to us in the chat section for more information.

Before you, you'll see a magnificent building with two tall, white towers, delicate stone decorations, and red window frames - look out for the impressive archway in the center! Here you stand before the Navy Museum, the pride of Portuguese seafarers! Imagine how King Luís I, a king with more sea air than perfume on his shirt, once began collecting small treasures of navigation around 1863. He was so enthusiastic about the marine world that his palace must have temporarily looked almost like a harbor - ship models, telescopes, and old maps everywhere! His collection grew and grew, so that in 1963 this imposing museum could be opened in its current location - naturally, in a building that looks as if a piece of a fairy-tale castle had been placed right next to the Jerónimos-Klosters. Upon entering, you might think a captain with a tricorn hat and telescope could stride in at any moment - that's how authentic the old paintings and ship models are! Everywhere smells of adventure and old wood, and perhaps you'll even discover a secret hidden within one of the royal ceremonial barges. And imagine, the 'Santa Cruz' - a brave airplane - actually crossed the Atlantic in 1923! Here you'll feel how brave and a little crazy the Portuguese explorers must have been back then. So, grab your inner pirate hat, and who knows - you might even hear the echo of a ship's bell from the distant past.

Before you rises the Planetário de Marinha with its huge brown dome - just go straight ahead, and as soon as you see the large, semi-circular roof shape, you'll be right in front of it! Imagine you're standing here in 1965: Cars are honking, people are excited, because today the brand new Planetarium is opening its doors! And it all began with a man who couldn't take his eyes off the stars - Commander Eugénio Conceição Silva of the Portuguese Navy. He had the crazy idea of building a planetarium in Lisbon - not because he wanted to look for aliens (though, who knows?), but out of pure passion for the universe. Together with the famous Gulbenkian Foundation, which provided the necessary funds, and architect Frederico George, who was apparently as enthusiastic about domes as he was about stars, the Planetarium became a reality. Construction began in 1963, and when the building was completed two years later, the people of Lisbon were amazed: Finally, here, in the middle of the city, one could travel through the universe - without the risky liftoff of a rocket from the Praça pavement. Inside, the heart of the Planetarium then stood: a powerful manual Zeiss projector that conjured stars and galaxies onto the 23-meter-wide dome. For almost forty years, this device tirelessly crunched, hummed, and clicked. But time never sleeps, and in 2004, the digital age arrived: With the Universarium IX and eight LED-VELVET projectors, the Planetarium became one of the most technologically advanced in Europe. Today, these devices conjure such brilliant constellations onto the dome that even astronauts would be envious - and all without annoying image gaps! Since then, the Planetário de Marinha has transformed: Now there are not only dry astronomy lectures, but spectacular shows covering science, history, music, and even sports, fascinating both young and old. And since 2021, you can literally fly through the universe here and experience new dimensions. While the plaster isn't crumbling anywhere, many Lisboners claim with a wink that the time-traveling projectors could accidentally send a small meteor shower into the foyer at any moment. So, for a moment, forget the world outside - here stands one of Europe's largest and most modern planetariums before you, ready to take you on a journey through space, time, and imagination. Who knows, maybe you'll find a new favorite star today!

Directly before you rises a massive, bright limestone building complex with many corners and edges and large, open courtyards - look out for the wide, low-rise building whose bright facade points towards the flagpoles in front of the main entrance. Welcome to the BELÉM Kulturzentrum - or as the locals affectionately call it: 'CCB'! Imagine it's 1988. Portugal has the task of preparing for the European Council Presidency, and suddenly the big question arises: Where do we gather all the presidents, delegates, and important people? Not in some dusty hall, no, they're building something grand, modern, and permanent, right here between the river and magnificent buildings! The CCB, by the way, isn't just big - with over 140,000 square meters of usable space, it's Portugal's largest cultural building! If you think that could easily fit into a small Portuguese village, you're not wrong. But here in Belém, they built for excellence. Originally, there were even supposed to be five huge modules: conference center, performance center, exhibition center, hotel, and more - well, the hotel was omitted for now, otherwise a theater visit might have turned into a slumber party. The architects, Vittorio Gregotti from Italy - presumably with a weakness for espresso - and the Portuguese Manuel Salgado, finally delivered a design that impressed more than just politicians. Their concept: blocks lying next to each other like huge stones, traversed by narrow internal streets connecting open courtyards. It's a bit like a labyrinth where even a GPS sometimes gives up - but if you get lost, at least you'll always stumble upon the next art exhibition or a chic café! From 1989 to 1992, construction here went on day and night, while the old buildings by the water had to make way. Imagine this scene: the construction workers, the race to open in record time, and in between, the first notes of classical music echoing through the empty halls for rehearsal purposes. No sooner had it opened than it received visits from European political dignitaries, followed shortly by major summits like the OSCE Summit - it's rumored that some heads of state first had to navigate through the 'Patio-Squares' before finding the right conference room. But don't worry: while the building is ingenious, the signage is better than the sense of direction of many a politician! The architecture of the CCB is a real eye-catcher: bright stones, sharp edges, and its exposed location on the river promenade, directly opposite the majestic Praça do Império. To the left, the Hieronymuskloster winks at us, to the right, the park and Palast von Belém beckon. The architecture, by the way, has even won international awards - and the construction period itself was already award-worthy enough because everything happened so quickly! As you stroll through the interior now, you'll hear the familiar mix of chatter, the clatter of dishes in the cafés, and if a concert is on, the soft tuning of instruments from one of the two huge auditoriums. With 1,429 seats in the Grand Hall, you could almost fit an entire football fan block here - but for football songs, you'll have to look for another place. Here you can experience everything: grand opera performances, classical concerts, modern art exhibitions, and even dance and theater. And for the eternally curious, there are seminars, workshops, and exciting educational programs that delight guests of all ages. Since 2007, the center has also housed the famous Berardo Collection - a must-see for lovers of modern and contemporary art. Need a little break from the cultural marathon? In one of the cafés with a view of the square or the 'inner streets,' the coffee tastes especially good - and perhaps you're sitting next to a secret artist seeking fresh inspiration. So, if you're wondering what this gigantic, bright complex with its many courtyards right at the end of Avenida da Índia actually is - now you know! CCB: A place full of creativity, history, and surprises - and certainly more than just a room with chairs for state guests. Stay curious, because the next highlight is already waiting for you!

Before you rises a magnificent, elongated hall with a carved ceiling full of paintings, large arched windows on the ground floor, balcony galleries, and - most strikingly - several gold-adorned, majestic carriages standing on the stone floor as if frozen in a time machine; just look through the windows or into the bright, tall building directly on Avenida da Índia, and you'll immediately see the National Coach Museum. Imagine you're standing before a portal to a bygone world, where creaking wooden wheels and the unmistakable clatter of hooves still dictated the daily lives of kings! The National Coach Museum, which you are now admiring, was founded in 1905 at the request of Queen Amélia. Perhaps she thought: 'How about we don't just hide the coolest vehicles in history in the stable?' - and so, with royal determination, she collected everything that could be found on four wheels and under golden carvings. The first pieces came from the stables of the Palaces of Belém, Ajuda, and Necessidades - there, it surely smelled of horse, hay, and... well, royal elegance! The museum grew rapidly, because after the 1910 revolution, carriages from the nobility and dissolved churches were added. No sooner was space created than it became too cramped again, so more and more halls were added. Between the gleaming coaches and landaus, stories full of pomp and tragedy are hidden: Here stands, for example, the triumphal carriage that the Marquis of Fontes sent to Rome in 1716 to impress the Pope - Baroque flourishes, so lavishly gilded that even the Sun King would probably have been envious. And next to it, a carriage of Philip II, still carrying the scent of European intrigues from that era. In the 18th century, everything escalated into magnificence: golden stars sparkle in the decorations, colorful paintings tell of gods, heroes, and weddings. The Baroque era was simply a time of exaggeration - even when it came to carriages! But not only royal weddings and magnificent state visits are tangible here. In the museum, you'll also find Lisbon's first rental cars: the 'Sedge dos Óculos,' as elegant yet practical as a modern taxi, just a bit more striking - tell the next tuk-tuk driver in Lisbon that he can certainly learn a thing or two! There were children's carriages pulled by ponies or even sheep - so no royal child had to walk in the park, oh dear! And of course, church vehicles must not be missing: impressively richly decorated with bishop's coats of arms, their carriages were almost as heavy on the streets as their messages. With the carriages also came uniforms - steel helmets, magnificent coats, trumpets, and Mamelukes with flash and splendor - and of course, there were always surprises: an Indian bridle, Moroccan saddles, silver hunting harnesses from Mexico - all gifts for the Portuguese royal family. Almost as if they had invented international mail order! Over time, the museum moved several times: Originally in the magnificent Royal Riding School of 1787, where art galleries and grandstands make you feel like a court noble when horse parades took place. But even that, of course, eventually wasn't enough - because the royal 'collecting fever' knew no bounds. In 2015, a large part of the collection moved into an impressively modern new building by star architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha. Amidst columns, this structure literally floats above the ground - as if the carriages within are being prepared for the future. Despite all modernity, the soul of the museum remained: the scent of old leather, the clinking of metal wheel axles in your imagination, the echo of past gala rides. Sometimes, when it's completely silent, you could almost imagine a carriage secretly setting off - on its way to the next parade, the next adventure. By the way - perhaps you've already noticed that you're entering a real record-breaking visitor spot. With almost 400,000 visitors per year, the National Coach Museum is Portugal's most popular museum. And no wonder, right? After all, in just a few steps, you can travel through centuries here, from royal weddings to papal pilgrimages to children's rides with sheep-powered locomotion. Whether you admire the Neo-Baroque splendor, fall in love with an oversized twin-belt landau, or are amused by the strict fashion of the royal stable boys - these halls are a feast for the imagination and show how glamorous, loud, and sometimes curious the world on wheels was before the engine took the wheel. So, step closer, sniff the history, and maybe you'll find your personal favorite carriage. Oh, and if you're tempted to get in: Don't worry, the coachmen are off today!

Before you, you'll see a tall, ornate white column with an imposing bronze statue at the very top - just look to the center of the square, you can hardly miss it! Now imagine you're standing in the heart of Belém - the wind from the Tejo blows across your face, and in the middle of this elegant square proudly stands the statue of a true Portuguese adventurer: Afonso de Albuquerque. He gazes fixedly towards the horizon, as if about to set sail again. But don't worry, he'll stay perfectly still up there today! In the center of Praça Afonso de Albuquerque, the Neo-Manueline column rises, topped by our bronze hero, a full 4 meters high - roughly the size of four particularly brave penguins stacked on top of each other! The statue was erected in 1902, and if you look closely, you'll discover four intricately carved reliefs at its base. These depict the exciting highlights of Albuquerque's career: the handover of the keys of Goa, the defeat of the Moors in Malacca, an exotic greeting from the Indian ambassador - and my favorite moment, when Albuquerque simply dryly responded to a generous offer: 'That is the currency with which the King of Portugal pays his debts!' Even a pirate would have been amazed. Just behind you, by the way, is the Palácio de Belém, today the chic residence of the President, but in earlier times, everything here was a bit more royal - originally, the square had a completely different name. Only after the revolution did it get its current name, fitting for this astonishing seafarer who never feared adventure. If you stand in the garden, you might even hear the echo of past naval battles… or is that just a particularly diligent gardener?

Directly before you, you'll see a large pink building with white embellishments and round windows, extending over several wings - look out for the elegant balustrade, the statues, and the well-kept gardens to ensure you're standing in front of the Belém-Palast. Can you feel it already? The air here vibrates a little royally, doesn't it? You're now standing in front of the Palácio de Belém, the residence of the President of Portugal - a kind of Portuguese 'Schloss Bellevue,' but with more sun and fewer sausages! Imagine what it was like here hundreds of years ago: Instead of cars, you'd hear the clatter of horse hooves and the laughter of the royal family, perhaps with a hint of perfume in the warm breeze from the Tejo. In the beginning, in the mid-16th century, this estate actually belonged to a poet and diplomat - D. Manuel of Portugal. Back then, there was a small country estate here, called Quinta de Belém. But royal villas apparently like to become independent! Over time, the property changed hands almost as quickly as people change their Instagram profiles. A convent moved in, then the nobility, and eventually King João V snatched up the entire property in 1726 with a fat check - paid in 'Cruzados' back then. If he had preferred Bitcoins, he would probably be the richest ghost in Europe today. The first expansions were made under him; fragrant gardens were laid out and festivities were held. The summers here back then were the VIP parties of the 18th century. While all of Lisbon was still swallowing dust after the great earthquake of 1755, the Belém-Palast merely elegantly shook out its pink dress - no serious damage, but a few tiles certainly wobbled, and it naturally had to be repaired immediately. Around the turn of the century, there were always royal renovations - a little more here, a little splendor there, new gardens, green greenhouses, even more Azulejos: the typical Portuguese decorated tiles. And because even kings can't do everything alone, they commissioned artists, architects, and gardeners to turn this place into a real fairy-tale castle. In the palace, during its royalist heyday, people swarmed: there was dancing, celebrating, births, and - believe it or not - also deaths. So not everything was always just a party. Tragedies befell the family: several family members died within a very short time. The atmosphere must have fluctuated somewhere between Shakespeare and Portuguese Fado. And yet - or perhaps because of it - the palace always acted like a magnet. In the 19th century, the future king was born here, nobles from all over the world came to visit, and after every major political crisis, it was renovated, redesigned, and modernized again. Electricity! New lamps! Every king wanted his Instagram feed to look better than his predecessor's. Eventually, the monarchical splendor ended: The Royal Family moved to Brazil, presumably because they didn't want to miss the next Carnival. No, seriously, Portugal became a republic, and the presidents arrived! But where were they to live? The constitution actually forbade them from sleeping in state palaces. But, as every resourceful politician knows: a small loophole can always be found. So they simply rented a small villa - next to the palace, of course - and worked from there. After the Second World War, Belém finally became the presidential seat and the hub of Portuguese politics. At times, there were also exhibitions here - one president simply displayed all the gifts he had received in the dining hall. The palace became a bit like the Portuguese land of milk and honey - but with style, please! Even after the Carnation Revolution in 1974, history was made here. The palace survived crises and upheavals, was renovated, modernized, and adapted to its new life as a presidential palace. Some presidents truly live here, others only 'officially.' But if you listen closely, you might still hear the echoes of all the people who walked through these marble corridors: monarchs, dictators, democrats - who knows? Look at the facade: The building's shape is like a large 'L' - and at the front, the palace presents itself in all its Baroque and Mannerist splendor, with a charming mix of Zeus and Hercules fans on the Azulejo tiles. There's even an entire mythological circuit on the veranda - here you'll encounter gods, heroes, and mythical creatures. In the magnificent gardens, a statue of Hercules stands by a waterfall; you can almost hear the water splashing there as the sunlight falls golden on the tiles. And don't forget: What looks like a dream house for a Portuguese Barbie from the outside is actually the center of power - presidents are elected here, goosebump-inducing speeches are given, foreign heads of state are received, and perhaps even a piece of Pastel de Nata is secretly nibbled in the tea kitchen. So: Stroll further around the hedge, breathe in the royal air deeply, and imagine you're invited to the presidential ball tonight. Maybe it'll happen - at least in your imagination.

Before you, you'll see a wide avenue flanked by majestic, towering palm trees, spreading their tousled green leaves like fans against the blue sky - just look out for this row of palms, it impressively marks the entrance to the Tropical Botanical Garden of Lisbon! Imagine we're taking a little trip back in time, directly to 1906: King Carlos rules the country, and there are no smartphones yet - almost unimaginable, I know! In this era, as Portugal nurtured its colonial empire, someone had the green idea to establish this garden as a 'Colonial Garden.' The tropical and subtropical plants you find here weren't just for decoration - no, they were also meant to be diligently studied. Farmers from Portugal and the then-colonies learned everything nature had in store for them here: from sweet avocados to the stubborn macadamia nuts. To this day, everything that thrives in Angola, Mozambique, East Timor, or São Tomé and Príncipe grows here. But now for a little spoiler: This adventure didn't even start here, but in the greenhouses of the Count of Farrôbo! The garden was, so to speak, a true nomad and only moved to this spot in 1912. In 1914, the large greenhouse was then built, made of iron and glass, entirely to the taste of the time - and some plants that could tell stories for over a hundred years still live within it. Imagine what it looks like here in winter, when everything outside is cold, but inside the mango and ficus leaves clap as if a tropical storm were approaching! Let's jump a few decades forward: In 1940, the great World Exhibition raged in Portugal - and the Tropical Garden was right in the middle of it. They even created an Oriental garden, inspired by Macau, complete with an entrance arch that was an exact replica of a famous arch in Macau! Here, they didn't skimp, they went all out: a colonial restaurant was built, and in the middle of the garden - no joke - real lions roamed the landscape! Yes, really. And as if that weren't strange enough, an entire tribal group from the Bissagos Islands moved into one of the lakes for a few weeks. Today, one would ask: 'Is this still an exhibition or already a zoo?' But back then, it somehow belonged to the zeitgeist, as crazy as it sounds. But back to the plants: Over 600 species grow here today, and they fascinate more than just botanists. If you want to travel far, you only need to close your eyes and sniff the fragrant leaves of the cinnamon tree or touch the mighty palm barks. There are trees that seem to have survived from dinosaur times - like the huge Araucarias from Australia or the Ginkgo biloba, which still recalls ancient times when there were no humans in Europe, but only giant animals with - admittedly - very bad manicures. The history of the garden reads almost like a crime novel. After its grand era as a colonial garden, the Agricultural and Tropical Research Institute, funded by the government, was added. It was cared for, cataloged, collected - and after the Carnation Revolution in 1974, when Portugal lost its colonies, one had to consider: What do we need all these tropical plants for now? The answer: For science and as a living museum of a turbulent history. In the north of the garden, by the way, a genuine palace awaits you: the Palast der Grafen von Calheta. It looks as if generations of researchers, dreamers, and perhaps even a few forgotten botanist ghosts have settled there. Currently, it houses research laboratories and the Tropical Museum, which, however, is still waiting to reopen to visitors. In 2007, the garden was declared a National Monument, which is absolutely deserved given this wild mix of history, natural wonders, and a bit of exoticism. After it was closed in 2019 for a loving renovation, today you can once again stroll among the palms, admire exotic fruits, and imagine how researchers with telescopes, magnifying glasses, and notebooks daringly moved through the tropical thicket here - perhaps a bit like Indiana Jones, but with more plants and fewer snakes. And if you feel like it, you can chirp in competition with the birds or count the leaves that sail from the palm trees in summer. Have fun exploring, dreaming, and discovering - and be careful not to get a coconut on your head!

Before you rises a large, sun-yellow painted building with white window frames and a small red pennant next to a magnificent gate - look out to the right of the square, directly on Largo dos Jerónimos. Imagine you're standing in front of this brightly yellow building, the Lisbon sun shining on your face, and a warm breeze carrying the scent of old trees. But this is no ordinary house. No, here beats the heart of Timor-Leste in Portugal! The Embassy of Timor-Leste is like a small island, right in the middle of Lisbon - and that in the truest sense of the word. From the outside, everything seems calm, almost like a friendly neighbor inviting everyone for tea. But behind these walls, stories are exchanged, passports are stamped, small worries are resolved, and grand plans are forged. The current lady of the house is none other than Laura Soares Abrantes - she certainly knows many diplomatic secrets, but would she really reveal them to you over a cup of coffee? Hmmm... Who knows! Here, bridges are built - not of stone, but of words: between the people of Portugal and Timor-Leste. And sometimes, it's rumored, there's even a little celebration when home calls! So, look up at the yellow plaster, listen to the rustle of history, and imagine how exciting life must be when you overcome borders with a smile. Who would have thought that so much of the world is hidden on Largo dos Jerónimos?