In brief: We found a bit of old Lisbon under the aqueduct in the Campolide freguesia.
At the edge of forested Monsanto park, on a plateau looking out over the Campolide valley, we took a walk into a community of older Lisboetas and newer immigrants called Serafina. It was all new to us after recently moving nearby. But it seemed to be one of the communities established for the former farmers of Monsanto when they were displaced during the Salazar dictatorship.
On its streets – in the shadow of the old aqueduct – we found a mix of aging one story buildings and others newly built up with added levels. Residents seemed quite close, greeting each other by name in passing. We saw few shops to serve them, but the extensive parochial church of Sao Vicente de Paolo seems to offer support and charitable help to many.
View over the aqueduct that crosses the Campolide valley and toward Amoreiras hilltop.
To us, these streets felt more like a village in the midst of the big city.
Somewhat interstellar mural at the gateway to the neighborhood
Quirky wood sculptures nearby in Monsanto park
(To enlarge any picture above, click on it. Also, for more pictures from Portugal as of 2025, CLICK HERE to view the slideshow at the end of the itinerary page. To see a slideshow of photos between 2017 and 2024, CLICK HERE)
