Few are the places in Lisbon that are off the tourists’ and even locals’ eye.
It was the end of autumn, the sun was up on the sky, people were jogging, walking their dogs, a few quiet fishermen were sitting on the dock, it was a mix of all the little details to bolster up a perfect first impression.
We are next to Vasco da Vama bridge. No, we’re not really talking about the often crowded area of Parque das Nações. Take a few steps farther and you’ll reach under the bridge. It even rhymes! 🙂 You can drive or walk. We’ll take the latter. The name of the area is called Jardim do Passeio dos Heróis do Mar.
You are seeing Vasco da Gama bridge for the first time?
Let us offer you a short introduction. Vasco da Gama cable-stayed bridge is the longest bridge in Europe and the 9th longest in the world, spreading over more than 17 km. Its construction lasted three years (1995-1998), being inaugurated on the same day as Expo98 (World Fair) that celebrated the 500th anniversary of the sea route discovery from Europe to India by Vasco da Gama in 1498. This tremendous bridge was built as such as to resist a potential earthquake, four times stronger than the one in 1755 that destroyed two thirds of the city.
Funny curiosity: Before its inauguration, the bridge set a Guinness record for gathering 15 000 Portuguese to feast on the largest bean stew (feijoada in Portuguese), counting with more than nine tons, served at a 5 km-long dining table.
You can spot the Vasco da Gama Bridge from the distance while on the 25th of April Bridge, but hard to realize its grandness and length until you drive on it – an endless road that leaves you speechless. Not to mention the wideness of Tagus river…
Eventually, when you’re under the bridge, it will remind you how feeble we are, a bee that could only contribute to such a construction with the help of thousands of bees. That is what happened in fact: 3300 workers came together to build this stupendous feat of engineering.
To have a taste of its grandness, we invite you to walk/jog to Jardim do Passeio dos Heróis do Mar and enjoy a day in this peaceful remote area of the city.
How to get to Parque das Nações from Lisbon city centre?
Catch the subway red line, in direction to the Airport and get off at Oriente station. From there walk towards the river and then towards the bridge to get to Jardim do Passeio dos Heróis do Mar. (As a rule to not get lost in Lisbon: always keep sight of Tagus river thus you’ll always be on the right track.)
Enjoyed your observations. Can you ride a bike on the bridge?