Viewpoint of Recolhimento

In the beginning of 2015 the Viewpoint of Recolhimento opened to the public in an area covered by a row of story houses, rebuilt and transformed into a beautiful garden.

We go up to the Bairro Histórico do Castelo¹, entering the walls of the Castelo de São Jorge². We follow by the old sidewalk of Rua do Recolhimento³, immediately to the right, passing the awnings of some cafes and restaurants until we recognize the grey fence of the garden above us.

Despite the absence of information about the schedule, the gate was open and we entered the garden by a cement trail leading to the viewpoint. One can tell that the viewpoint is fairly recent, there's a lot of soil to plant and decorate. There are also some young trees that aren't yet providing the proper shadow but compose an environment of peace and tranquility.

We are at the Colina do Castelo⁴, at the edge of the parish of Santa Maria Maior, at the same height and in front of two of the most important monuments of Portugal, the Igreja de São Vicente de Fora and the Panteão Nacional, situated on the other side of the Colina de São Vicente de Fora⁵. Beneath us, are multiplied the little houses of the Bairro Histórico de Alfama⁶ going down the valley, towards the Rio Tejo⁷. Closer to us, it is sighted the Viewpoint of Portas do Sol and the Square with the same name. On the other side o the Tejo we may see the towns of Montijo and Barreiro.

This viewpoint is a captivating nook for those visiting the Castelo de São Jorge¹, essentially due to the detail of Alfama. However, its perspective is very reduced because it is facing exclusively the west direction.

Translation references

1. Historic Neighborhood of the Castle
2. São Jorge's Castle
3. Recolhimento Street
4. Hill of the Castle
5. Hill of São Vicente de Fora
6. Historic Neighborhood of Alfama
7. Tejo River