Then into Lisbon. Lisbon's port is in the center of the city and most of the city's prominent sites can be seen from the water. Here is Belem Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage site, built in the 16th century.....
Followed by the monument to Henry the Navigator. In the background is the Jeronimos Monastery another UNESCO World Heritage site......
The bridge that spans the river was modeled after the Golden Gate Bridge and we barely squeaked under it.....
The Portuguese are known for their ceramics and even the bridge pilings are decorated......
This is a view of the old city with the basilica at it's heart......
On the other side of the river stands the HUGE monument with Christ at the top. It is similar to the one in Brazil..............
We hired a private driver for the day and off we went through the city. It has some unique architecture and art.....
As well as their train station.......
About 90 minutes from Lisbon is the famous shrine to Our Lady of Fatima. In the early 20th century the Virgin Mary appeared to three children and made several predictions. Although initially ridiculed, the children and site became famous after a series of miracles.
Here is the huge plaza that holds 650,000 people on feast days........
The original basilica sits at one end of the plaza and a newer, modern one at the other end....
The pillar in front of the older basilica marks the spot where a spring miraculously started spouting water on cue and was documented as one of the miracles. It is here that pilgrims get the Holy Water of Fatima.....
This tiny chapel was the one originally built shortly after the visions started.......
And this piece of the Berlin wall is on display because one of the predictions that was revealed was that Europe would be united again......
We arrived on a Sunday and a Mass was being said. The music and liturgy was achingly beautiful and made for a wonderful experience.
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