Derelict restaurant building, which location, on top of a high point of Monsanto Forest Park, concrete structure and remaining artworks (creamics, murals, vitrals, etc), offers an outstanding experience, even if run down.
The original project was designed by architect Chaves Costa, and opened to the public in 1967 as a restaurant-café to enjoy the views over Lisboa. Through time, the building was used for other purposes (nightclub club, offices, wearhouse, etc.) and was eventually abandoned. With the renovation of Monsanto in the early 2000s many mayors proposed solutions to bring back the abandoned structure but none found enough consensus.
Facing the increased interest that the former restaurant was attracting by curious visitors, the city took the initiative a few years ago to fence off dangerous areas, clean up rubbish and invite some street artists to make art interventions. The result is still one of a modernist ruin, where one can still enjoy the wonderful views and the old architecture, along with the new art and remaining (rebuilt?) vitral, but in a discretely more aseptic experience.
Access by car only. Car park right next to the building. Not wheelchair...
Read moreViewpoint of Panorâmico de Monsanto. An idea for the weekend, check this one out. It worth it! In the past it was a beautiful Panoramic Restaurant of Monsanto, overlooking the city of Lisbon and beyond. Now, it is new project, it serves as a viewpoint for a group of interested goers.
This location could be reached by Estrada da Bela Vista (one-way traffic), intersecting with Estr Serafina, Lisboa, Portugal.
Or by bus: 711 and 724 stop point at Av. Tenente Martins/ Estrada da Bela Vista (exiting point). Once there, a short walk toward the TV station and then, at the pointer, to the left around the military base walls toward the top around 5 -10 minutes. Opened every day from 09:00 to 19:00. The...
Read moreWandered up here on a weekday after taking the bus to a nearby at Campolide. Easy to traverse with sneakers, though there are many trails that you could take instead and those might be nicer with hiking boots.
Its VERY uphill. If you don't follow the road, the "dark blue" trail was the one that took me the closest. Do not be afraid if the place looks closed, its not - there's just one main gate open. Once inside, you need to take the interior spiral staircase to get to the magic stainglass window. I only ran into one other couple there so I was free to take lots of photos uninterrupted. Pro tip - its an easy 15 min to walk over to...
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