Today I want to share with you a walk I took yesterday afternoon when I went to Lisbon. Starting in Martim Moniz square, and heading up Rua de São Lázaro towards Campo Mártires da Pátria, I came across some very diverse architecture... from houses that have been completely restored but retain their original design, to others that still retain their original design, with little or no improvement to their façade, and a small number of them walled up, waiting for better destinations....
One thing is certain, the façades are unique, many decorated with tiles, iron shutters and high ceilings. In the midst of the taller buildings, you can still see low-rise buildings with old features... So nice! I love to see that Lisbon, despite being such a tourist hotspot, still manages to retain some details of its history and recent life.
I turned right onto Rua Nova do Desterro, which led to Rua do Saco - a peculiar name for a street, don't you think?
I didn't know this area of Arroios that well, which is why I love getting to know a bit of Lisbon whenever I get the chance. And now, with the good weather, I like getting lost in the city more and more, and discovering its nooks and crannies....
I passed by Lisbon's Basic School No. 1! Have you ever thought... it must have taken this name, because it must have been one of the first, in fact the first to be registered as an educational institution, during the time of the Estado Novo - I'll have to confirm this information, because history isn't my forte at all.
The municipal library of Arroios is also on the left-hand side of the street. Shortly afterwards, we passed the Lardo do Mastro Fountain, and after less than 200 meters, we arrived at Campo Mártires da Pátria. The Braancamp Ferreira Garden is on our left. We are greeted by a very large green space with a lake that is inhabited by several ducks, classified trees and exotic birds (which I didn't spot). At the other end of the garden, there is the famous statue of Dr. Sousa Martins. A doctor and pharmacist who dedicated his life as a doctor to relieving the pain of those who couldn't afford to pay for medical care. Today, he is considered a lay saint (not recognized by the church), but many sick and infirm people see in his image an inspiration and a mediumship... Ex-votos are often deposited in front of his statue, which is located at one end of the Faculty of Medicine at the New University of Lisbon.
At the end of my walk, and just before I exchanged a few words with a flower seller who has one of the stalls selling many of the flowers that are then laid by the people paying homage to Dr. Sousa Martins... I even spotted a rooster! It's true... And if you think it was the only one, don't! In this garden, there is a flock of roosters and hens, which make this place a little more special!
I hope you enjoyed discovering another corner of Lisbon with me!
Bem Hajam🍀
Photographic edition with PhotoScape X
