From time immemorial that the Tagus River and the city of Lisbon maintain an economic and affective relationship. On the one hand, the river is responsible for the settlement of peoples and for development of the city; on the other hand, it is the city and its inhabitants that give it fame and importance, by considering it an object of contemplation and amazement.
Have you noticed that from the entire riverside area of Lisbon and also from the highest viewpoints you can sight the South bank?
Curiously, it’s from that bank that you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Lisbon. It is thus, equally indispensable to discover the city of Almada, a place where once settled peoples attracted by the gold and from which its name derives, from the Arabic al-ma’adan, “the mine”.
It is based on the experience of the river and its special relationship with its banks that we bring Tagus River to you.
Tagus (in Portuguese Tejo) is the longest river of the Iberian Peninsula. It is born in Spain where it is called Tajo, divides Portugal and bathes Lisbon until it flows to the Atlantic Ocean.
But before the river connects to the ocean, we find its estuary, Mar da Palha (Sea of Straw), which constitutes a large basin, a natural and safe bay between Lisbon and Alhandra. Being a great shelter to boats, it was a sought and privileged location for the ancient people, originating several settlements on its banks. In addition, it was also a relevant source of food and economic resources for the abundance of fish and the salt trade from about 1200 B.C.
The Tagus also established itself as an axis of communication between Lisbon and the most inland areas of the country – from which the bread came – and the Atlantic, which brought the World.
Beautiful and diverse landscapes that alternate between places destined for leisure time, industrial parks and almost wild nature that can be observed in both margins.
The river has been mentioned throughout all ages in writings of erudite poets or in the sung expression of the simplest people. Protagonist of greatness and disgrace, the Tagus is thus, itself, the expression of the alfacinha (term to denote a person from Lisbon) simultaneously adventurous and fatalistic, open-minded and traditional.