OLD, YET MODERN CHARM An earthquake and a subsequent tsunami and fires destroyed Lisbon in 1755, so there are few buildings remaining downtown from before that time. Instead, there are stone pathways with intricate patterns and terraced lanes of pastel-coloured buildings – some painted, some rendered in the iconic Portuguese tile - winding up hilly alleyways, stairs and streets. The city centre is in the valley between seven hills, and the geography naturally funnels pedestrians through grand promenades towards the river Tagus. The Avenida da Liberdade leads into the Restauradores Square (Portuguese: Praça dos Restauradores) and its towering monument, then through to the Rossio Square (Portuguese: Praça de D. Pedro IV), which opens in front of the National Theatre D. Maria II (Portuguese: Teatro Nacional D. Maria II) and contains the Column of Pedro IV, topped by a bronze statue of former King of Portugal and the first Emperor of Brazil, Peter IV. From here, you will continue down the pedestrian mall Rua Augusta past cafés and bakeries and trinket shops. Keep a look out for the Elevador de Santa Justa, a historic 13-metre high iron lift built in 1900 to transport people from the lower streets of the Baixa (downtown) to Carmo Square (Portuguese: Largo do Carmo). Staying on ground level, you will continue on the white cobblestone path of the mall and under the Rua Augusta Arch (Portuguese: Arco da Rua Augusta) – erected in triumph at overcoming the devastating earthquake. The mall then opens out onto the riverfront Praça do Comércio (English: Commerce Square), which is lined with symmetrical yellow-painted arched buildings with cafés on the ground level. The town centre was rebuilt in what is known as the Pombaline style, named after the Portuguese Prime Minister who lead the reconstruction following the earthquake: Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, the 1st Marquis of Pombal. Military engineers developed the style, and you can tell. The squares are grand and well organised – the spectacular riverside square could easily be a parade ground (which was probably the point). It is in the middle of the square, under the statue of King Jose I, that you can find a free, guided walking tour to Belém. MERCEDES-BENZ PARRAMATTA 14 DESTINATION