Bica authentic quarter
Below Bairro Alto, on the hillside, is the urban district Bica (map), its streets descend to the banks of the Tagus river (Tejo).
The Bica funicular (Elevador da Bica) is widely known, it connects Rua de S. Paulo to Largo de Calhariz, the main streets of Bica and Bairro Alto. The funicular was built in 1892 under the leadership of engineer Raul Mesnier du Ponsard, who also built the Gloria funicular.
The area of Bika is rarely mentioned in guidebooks, there are no known attractions.
However, this is a real, authentic Lisbon.
Here, far from the bustle of the main streets live ordinary Portuguese, with their daily chores and worries.
Street-stairs go deep into the district - sorry, didn't have time to wander on them. Will definitely do it next time.
On the first floors of the houses there are many small workshops.
One of these I was kindly invited by its owner, seeing my interest.
The master is engaged in restoration of furniture and other interior items. Here I saw many interesting gizmos.
São Paulo street (Rua de S. Paulo) - the main highway of the district. Here I was approached by two extravagantly dressed girls of the Latin American species, many in four languages, "spend time, creative and an unforgettable". Immediately was named the cost of the attraction - 50 euros, which clearly went beyond reasonable limits. On the streets of the district Bica I have not met more than one person with a camera, and came to the conclusion that the mass tourists this area is unfamiliar. Maybe that's why the girls decided to "to the fool" put a crazy price (average in Europe is 20 euros per hour).
The shops of San Paulo street are somewhat different from the Central as assortment and prices. It does not sell products of famous brands, but you can buy quite good clothes and shoes at a very modest price. In addition, there are many shops with Commission goods of various subjects. Prices are quite affordable,"non-tourist". The area is not rich, the old things are not in a hurry to throw away.
In this boutique you can buy everything-from a metal file to a car radio.
The place of honor in the window is occupied by old phones. By the way, nearby is the Museum of communications (Museu das Comunicações, map).
The marine theme is also close to residents of Bica - very close to the banks of the river Tagus, where it has long been apologuise shipyards and commercial marinas.
The church Of Sao Paulo (Igreja de São Paulo, на карте) located on the square with the same name (Praça de São Paulo). It was built in 1768 on the ruins of a 15th century Church destroyed by an earthquake in 1755. The temple and the square are a classic example of the style typical of the era of the restoration of the destroyed city under the leadership of the Marquis de Pombal, later this style became known as "Pombaline". The author of the project architect, Ramiro Francisco de Abreu.
