Santuario de Cristo Rei, Portugal

A regular walk in a park can safely be replaced by a walk through Prazeres Cemetery, which is a “city within the city” with its streets and attractions in the form of beautifully decorated tombstones and crypts. Those who still prefer walking in parks will certainly find some beautiful scenic spots in Lisbon - a garden of the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, Parque Eduardo VII, as well as Jardim Botânico d'Ajuda. The latter is located on the territory of the Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, a magnificent building rising on the site of a royal palace destroyed by the 1755 earthquake. The ruined building was erected in the Baroque style, and the present one was completed in 1802 in the Neoclassic style. The building became the permanent residence of the Portuguese monarchs again only in 1861 when the interior was completely restored.

A vivid Portuguese Baroque masterpiece is the Panteão Nacional built in 1682. Many prominent figures of the country such as presidents and writers are buried here today. Formerly, until 1966, the building was a church. The Palácio Chiado dating back to 1781 was once a magnificent palace. Today, it houses a fine restaurant, the dream of any history buff. Sitting here, one can get an idea of how noble parties were organized and things were done here in the old days. One of the most prestigious theaters in Portugal is the Teatro Nacional Dona Maria II. Foreign ambassadors had lived here in the 15th century and inquisitors in the 16th century, until the 1836 fire have almost completely destroyed the building. Later, it was decided to build a theater on its site.
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