Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Lisbon
The Miradouro de Santa Luzia is one of the best-loved viewpoints in Lisbon. It looks out over Alfama and the River Tagus, next to the church of Santa Luzia.
A terrace above Alfama
The viewpoint is a small garden on the side of the castle hill. From here you can see the houses of Alfama tumbling down to the river.
Alfama is the oldest district in the city. Its name comes from Arabic and may recall some hot springs.
What to look at
On the church wall facing the viewpoint there are two panels of azulejos by António Quaresma. One shows the great square on the river before 1755, the other the conquest of Lisbon in 1147.
In the view, looking from left to right, you can spot domes and steeples. They are useful landmarks, so you don't get lost in the lanes.
The tiles of Lisbon
Azulejos are painted and glazed ceramic tiles. In Lisbon they cover façades, churches, fountains and stations.
The panels on this viewpoint were made at the historic Viúva Lamego factory. They carry on an art that has lasted in Lisbon for more than five hundred years.
A rebuilt church
The church of Santa Luzia has medieval roots. The 1755 earthquake damaged it, and it was rebuilt with a plain façade.
