Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Avenida da República)
This red-brick, neo-Moorish building hosts big concerts and other
events, including bullfighting. Below the stadium is a shopping centre, cinema and food
court - and it's a popular destination all year long.
In the Portuguese version of bullfighting the animal is not killed publicly, though
throughout the event theatrically dressed horsemen plant spears in the bull's neck. During
the final phase (or
pega
) eight
forcados,
dressed in breeches and short jackets, face the
weakened bull barehanded. The leader swaggers towards the bull, provoking it to charge.
Bearing the brunt of the attack, he throws himself onto the animal's head and grabs the
horns while his mates rush in to grab the beast, often being tossed in all directions. Their
success wraps up the contest and the cows are sent in to the arena to lure the bull out.
Though Portuguese bullfighting rules prohibit a public kill, the animals are killed after
the show by a professional butcher - you just don't witness the final blow.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Belém
As well as Unesco World Heritage-listed Manueline stunners such as Mosteiro dos Jerón-
imos and the whimsical Torre de Belém, this district 6km west of the centre offers a tran-
quil botanical garden, fairy-tale golden coaches, Lisbon's tastiest
pastéis de nata
(custard
tarts) and a whole booty of other treasures.
The best way to reach Belém is on the zippy tram 15 from Praça da Figueira or Praça
do Comércio.
