| As diversions go, Lisbon can offer one giant distraction | | | | colorful processions, fireworks and traditional dancing. |
| for those looking for a few days of pure enjoyment. | | | | There are opportunities to hear pavement |
| Due to a phenomenal rebirth over the last two | | | | performances of Lisbon´s dramatic and |
| decades, Lisbon has seen much of its ancient splendor | | | | heart-breaking Fado music and feast on sardines, on |
| reinstated, coupled with an added subtle twist of | | | | offer all along some of the winding Lisbon streets. The |
| modern styling. EU funding and a more stable | | | | sardines are thought to symbolize a moment in history |
| government have served to give this enchanting port, | | | | when St Anthony was believed to have drawn all the |
| as it name once meant, back its' dignity and is why in | | | | fish to him during a sermon by the sea as a way to |
| 1994 it was named the European City of Culture. Vast | | | | reach out to non believers. |
| development of Lisbon's transportation and hospitality | | | | Among the many people and animals St Anthony is |
| facilities to make it ready for the expo in 1998 have | | | | patron of, he is credited with being the matchmaker |
| served it well and with its' impressive palaces, | | | | saint and for bringing luck to single women looking for |
| museums, Art Nouveau architecture and tree-lined | | | | love. In recognition of this, many women choose to get |
| promenades it is undoubtedly a must see place to visit. | | | | married on this day and are known as the "brides of |
| There is never a better opportunity to really get in | | | | St Anthony". Its' popularity is such that the city hall |
| touch with the roots of a city though then when it is | | | | hosts weddings for free on the 13th and the brides in |
| celebrating and June is festival time for Portugal with | | | | all their elaborate refineries are paraded down the |
| the three saints' days of Anthony, John and Peter to | | | | Avenue Liberdade in old-fashioned convertible cars for |
| commemorate. As the capital, Lisbon is the perfect | | | | everyone to join in their collective happiness. |
| place to experience these festivities and with the | | | | Another of the big festival customs is "St Anthony's |
| Lisbon weather the mildest, most temperate in Europe, | | | | Bread" and dates back to AD 1263. It relates to an |
| they are certain to unfold in the most conducive of | | | | occasion when he was believed to have brought a |
| atmospheres. The most important date of the Festos | | | | child back to life who had drowned after the mother |
| dos Santos Populares, as it is known, is June 13 on the | | | | had sought him out and promised to give wheat to the |
| birth date of St Anthony, although the partying starts | | | | poor equal to the weight of her child if it were saved. |
| on the 12th and goes through to the 14th. | | | | Today this has evolved into a convention whereby |
| During this time the city quite literally goes bananas as | | | | those attending Mass at St Anthony's Basilica give |
| the day is declared a holiday for all. Decked out in flags | | | | alms in the form of little balls of dough in return for |
| and balloons, Lisbon streets burst to the seams with | | | | prayers. |
| people partying late into the night entertained with | | | | |