Somewhat alarmingly and potentially ominously, the Bristol Airport Corporation chose to play this song as we were called to the boarding area for the flight to Lisbon; the skies were grey and overcast with very low cloud (not far from being a fog, really), and the temperature around 3 degrees Celsius. Was there something that we didn't know perhaps?
Fortunately, after an easy flight with easyJet, we landed in Lisbon (or Lisboa in Portuguese) to somewhat better weather - partly overcast with significant patches of blue, around 12 degrees Celsius, but feeling much warmer in the sunshine and lack of biting wind.
After settling in it was time for a leg-stretch in the beautiful sunshine. The imposing neo-classical Portuguese parliament building is quite literally at the end of the street, so can be seen from the front door.
The Palácio de São Bento, "Saint Benedict's Palace", is the home of the Portuguese parliament: the Assembly of the Republic. The Palace has its origin in the first Benedictine monastery of Lisbon, established in 1598. The building was damaged in the earthquake of 1755 (which destroyed much of Lisbon); after the Liberal Revolution (1820) and the suppression of religious orders in Portugal (1834), the monks were expelled from the monastery
and the Portuguese Parliament was installed in the building, then called Palácio das Cortes or Parlamento. From then on, the old monastery was systematically adapted to its new functions and after numerous modifications we see the building as it currently stands - imposing and impressive.
The monumental stairway in front of the portico of the Parliament was completed in the 1940s. Since Portugal became a democracy after the 1974 Carnation Revolution (for an interesting insight into the times, you must see the movie "Last Train To Lisbon [it's in English]) the area in front of the palace has been the most
popular location for demonstrations held in Lisbon.
On entering the basilica there are signs to information, where you are informed that for the princely sum of 4 euros, you can climb to the rooftop, with its panoramic views over and of Lisbon, as well as enter the dome; this was an opportunity not to be missed, so climb to the roof I did, and was handsomely rewarded for taking the 102 steps. The views were wonderful, and it certainly gave a different view of the basilica to be looking down into it from the dome.
After wandering around the rooftop for a spell, I headed back down and into the basilica itself, which is really quite a stunning building.
"So, what is a basilica?" I hear you ask. A basilica is simply an important church building designated by the pope because they carry special spiritual, historical, and/or architectural significance. Once named a basilica the church can’t lose its status as a basilica. A basilica may or may not also be the cathedral of the diocese (the Estrela Basilica is not the cathedral). Basilica is the highest permanent designation for a church building.
The Estrela Basilica (Portuguese: Basílica da Estrela), or Royal Basilica and Convent of the Most Sacred
Heart of Jesus, is a basilica and ancient Carmelite convent, built by order of Queen Maria I of Portugal, as a fulfilled promise for giving birth to a son (José, Prince of Brazil). The official name of the church is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Estrela Basilica was the first church in the world dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Construction started in 1779 and the basilica was finished in 1790, after the death of José caused by smallpox in 1788.