Alcantara, Lisbon is a civil community of Lisbon, Portugal. The name Alcantara is derived from the Arabic term meaning "the bridge", and it refers to the Roman bridge that was once built there in the era of Dom João V. Although today Alcantara is a central location of the city, it was once a suburban region of Lisbon featuring mostly farms and palaces. During the 16th century, the place was used as a dock, where the nobles anchored their boats along a brook. In the late 19th century, Alcântara evolved as a popular industrial district. Many small factories and warehouses were constructed at the place. Across the centuries, Alcantara has lost its traditional charm and heritage buildings. However, today the place is a profit making area of Lisbon.
Alcantara has another feature to be disclosed. It is a famous dockyard, where people flock to see the wonderful water vessels anchored. Alcantara Docks in Lisbon handles container ships and passenger liners. Eventually, large cruise ships were also docked here. There are
two main ferry-station buildings. The one nearer to Lisbon is the Gare Marítima de Rocha Conde de Óbidos, built in 1940 and the distant one is the Gare
|
Marítima de Alcântara, built in 1943. The architect of these buildings is Pardal Monteiro and their interiors are decorated with mind-blowing murals made by the 20th-century artist Almada Negreiros. The two terminals are now a hub of leisure activities and houses several restaurants, exhibition spaces and market plazas.
Doca de Santos and Cais do Sodré, Doca de Santa Apolónia and Doca do Terreiro de Trigo are some of the attractions at Alcantara featuring merchant ships and container ships berths. Over 221 vessels, some up to a length of 25 meters can be seen at the Alcantara dockyard or Doca de Alcântara. The visitors often take a leisure stroll along the riverside walkway - the Passeio Ribeirinho.
Ever since 1990s, Alcântara, Lisbon had become a highly esteemed place for the youngsters by virtue of its pubs and discotheques. The area is mainly a commercial block of Lisbon. Alcantara is slowly being overtaken by architects and promoters to built new apartments, overlooking river views and the central lively locality.
|
