Lisbon is a lively, vibrant city of about 500,000.  It is (Wikipedia tells us) "one of the oldest cities in the world, and the second-oldest European capital city (after Athens), predating other modern European capitals by centuries." 

Lisbon has a rich history of both conquering and being conquered. It had a great past, during the era of Portugal's great explorers, when vast riches poured in. It survived (but barely) a series of great earthquakes; the 1755 earthquake, estimated to have been between 8.5 and 9 in magnitude, killed 30,000-40,000 (about 20 percent of Lisbon's population). It made it through World War II unscathed (Portugal was neutral and Lisbon was a hotbed of spies) and through the Salazar dictatorship pretty much unscathed. And it has survived the recent financial troubles and austerity measures.   

It is now an immensely entertaining city of great beauty with diverse neighborhoods.  Its streets, sidewalks, benches, and plazas are good for walking, strolling, sitting, and observing.  It offers, as you would guess, a rich variety of photographic subjects. 

Belem Tower was the point of departure for early voyages of discovery, as celebrated by the monument.

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                                                                                           Travel is easier now.
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The Tagus River and waterfront still provide a fine harbor.
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A nearby statue commemorates the first aerial Atlantic crossing to South America. The flight was interrupted when the Fairey biplane landed off the South American coast and was lost, but successfully continued after Fairey provided a replacement.   IMG_9070

Overlooks, forts, layered levels, interesting shapes:
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