BAIXA.....It's the heart of Lisbon. It has a huge central plaza area called Rossio and at the other end, along the river, is the Praça do Comércio. The entire area was flattened by an earthquake in 1755. It left the city planners with a decision to make. Should they rebuild the area exactly as it was or opt for something totally different? They opted for a chessboard plan with uniform buildings lining streets that crossed in right angles. It is so completely different from the layout of the rest of the city.

And, if you stroll in Baxia, you are sure to find the Santa Jusat lift. Built in 1902, this Neo Gothic structure is one of the best ways to get a bird's eye view of the city.

MARTIN