Light, water and magic
Lisbon must undoubtedly be one of the cities that most abounds in impressive spots that are often missing from the main tourist guides.
One of them is the Fonte Luminosa. I have been to the gorgeous luminous fountain in Barcelona, and the beautiful and crowded Fontana di Trevi in Rome. Well, Lisbon's luminous fountain is a merge of the two, with the difference that it's often far from being crowded and surely you will be able to claim this fountain all to yourself for quite some time.
There are normally just locals, children playing along the grass, people walking their dogs, couples dating, since it's a very romantic spot, and all that just adds to the atmosphere. All different point of views and wonderful spots to enjoy the play of lights and water, and also a view of the city from above. I haven't mentioned it yet, but this also a great viewpoint. There is the possibility of visiting the interior, on Saturdays, from 15:00 to 17:00.
The fountain's construction started in 1938, during World War II, as Lisbon was a safe haven, so life could go on as normal like building a water luminous fountain. It was finished in 1948, just after the war.
Abandoned and completely dried up by the beginning of this century, it was restored to its glory days in 2012. Maybe this gap explains why it remains unknown, but it deserves the same spotlight the other famous fountains have. Or not, just to ensure it stays my private luminous fountain.
Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques
€
free
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