PARQUE DAS NACOES:
Lisbon has two long, impressive bridges that spans over the Tagus River; Ponte de Vasco da Gama (North of central Lisbon, just North of Parque das Nacooes) is Europe’s 2nd longest bridge (after the Crimea bridge in Russia) and the longest bridge in Western Europe. It is(12.3km long, 155m high and was completed 1998, the same year as the world fair (the other bridge is the Ponte de 25 de Abril).
Parque das Nacões (Park of the Nations) is a very modern districtin the Northeast part of Lisbon, along the coast of Tagus River. This is where the 1998 World Fair (Expo ’98) took place, when most buildings were completed. Here you find cable-cars that ride along the Tagus river for a small amount, with virews over the whole area. Parque das Nacoes is the most modern part of Lisbon, and the closest you come to a modern highrise district, in a city with very few skyscrapers, the tallest buildings have just around 25 floors. A railway station, hotels, museums, sculptures, shopping malls, tall office buildings, apartment buildings, restaurant and pavilions from the world fair that have been constructed in sweeping futuristic styles.There are also several park, square, riverfront promenades and many palms.
More then 20 cableways (we took a ride for only 5 euro), Telecabine Lisboa, trafficates along the coast line of Parque das Nacoes, high above the Tagus River, with views of the area and the nearby Vasco da Gama Bridge. They were opened for the Expo ’98.
Torre Vasco da Gama, a futuristic skyscraper hotel with external glass elevators, a high atrium with chandeliers and a revolving rooftop restaurant, is situated in the park’s Northern end, facing the Vasco da Gama Bridge. It is Portugal’s tallest building at a height of 145m to the spire. Built in 1998 for the world fair the observation tower stood empty for years until the hotel was completed in 2012.
Gare do Oriente (Lisbon Oriente Station) is the futuristic railway station designed by Santiago Calatrava, inspired by gothic architecture. Opened in 1994, this huge station is white and grey and has sweeping lines. The outdoor platforms on the top floor has a famous white roof while the interior is more dark and grey. The station has glass elevators inside circular glass cylinders. Gare de Oriente, that is a hub for highspeed trains, also has a metro and a bus station. The atmosphere in the Oriente Station reminds of science ficton movies. Centro Vasco da Gama, is a modern shopping mall opposite the station, that connects it via skybridges and subterranean lattice. The futuristic, circular 24-storey twin towers, Torre São Rafael and Torre São Gabriel, built in 2000 and 2002, are situated on the sides of the mall, and are the 2nd tallest buildings in Portugal, 110m tall each.
The Portugese pavilion, Pavilion of Portugal, is left from the 1998 world fair, with its sweeping roof, hanging above the plaza. It was designed by the Portugese architect Alvaro Siza Vieira. It is currently used the University of Lisbon for exhibitions. Several highrise hotels have been built in the area, like Hotel Tivoli Orient and Tryp Oriente. Oceanário de Lisboa, one of Europe’s largest aquariums, is also situated in Parque das Nacoes, right next to the water. It was, as many of the other buildings in the area, opened for the Expo ’98 (World Fair). Designed by Peter Chermayeff and hosts over one million visitors a year, and 16 000 animals.
Three wide avenues goes though Parque das Nacoes; Avenida Dom João II, Alameda dos Oceanos and Rua do Bojador and the riverfront promenade Passeio das Tágides.
Altice Arena is a futuristic, curvy, mulit-purpose indoor arena, and a popular venue for world famous artists. It opened for the world fair in 1998 as Pavilion of Utopia, designed by Regino Cruz. It is Portugal's largest indoor arena and one of the largest in Europe, with a capacity of 20 000 people.
Feira Internacional de Lisboa (Lisbon International Fair) is a huge white modern building complex that houses the largest fairs and exhibitions in Portugal. The fair was moved here in 1999.
Casino Lisboa is a very large casino in a black glass box building that was the Pavilion of the Future during the world fair. The casino opened in 2006 and has the same owners as the Casino Lisboa in Macau. About 7000 people visit every day and it has around 700 slot machines, 22 gaming tables, 4 bars, 3 restaurants and a theater seating 600.
Vodafone's HQ is an interesting modern building, built in 2002, that plays with shapes to create water, glass cubes, roof gardens and skybridges. Microsoft and IBM also have headquarters here, in more conventional modern buildings.
Teatro Camoes is a blue modern building that is near the Southern entrance, called Jardins de Agua (Water Gardens) where you find waterfalls (one you can go inside), parks, ponds, palms and sculptures. Jardins das Ondas (Garden of the Waves) is another park, next to the water, it has a small hill with great views. The national agency for science and technology, Ciência Viva, and its Pavilhão do Conhecimentois with its globes and fountains is situated near the gardens.
Torre Galp is a former oil tower that is now a monument in the southern end of the district.
Parque das Nações 24 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Parque das Nações 25 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Parque das Nações 04 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Parque das Nações 05 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Parque das Nações 06 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Parque das Nações 09 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Parque das Nações 11 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Parque das Nações 13 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Parque das Nações 14 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Parque das Nações 16 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Parque das Nações 20 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Parque das Nações 29 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Parque das Nações 30 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Parque das Nações 31 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Parque das Nações 32 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Oriente Station.
Parque das Nações 36 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Parque das Nações 45 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Parque das Nações 38 by
Nightsky, on Flickr
Teatro Camoes by
Nightsky, on Flickr
http://worldtravelimages.net/Lisbon_Nacoes.html