The 25th of April Bridge in Lisbon over the Tagus River, opens the list of the 15 most beautiful bridges in Europe, according to a list of Best European Destinations (EBD), a travel organization promoting culture and tourism in Europe. The Lisbon bridge, similar to Golden Gate San Francisco, USA, was inaugurated on 6 August 1966. In addition to this, the Luis I Bridge (or Don Luis, as it is known), in Porto, earned the fifth. The site advises crossing the lower deck to reach Gaia and its banks, as well as a boat trip on the Douro to admire the bridge. Already the Vasco da Gama Bridge, also in Lisbon, is the longest bridge in Europe (including viaducts) and occupies the 14th position in the list. It was inaugurated in 1998, the same year that the Expo 98 was made. The dictator, Salazar, had ordered it to be built and it was inaugurated in 1966, and the bridge was named Salazar Bridge in his honor.
The bloodless revolution in 1974 did away with the dictators as the soldiers put carnations in their rifles. It occurred on April 25th and they changed the name to The 25th of April Bridge. There is a celebration each year on that date as they consider it their day of independence.
What a beautiful photo. And I love the story about the soldiers putting carnations in their rifles. The world could do with some flower-rifles right now, I think.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I totally agree with you on that one, Lucy. That dictatorship lasted for many decades, and the leadership got richer and the citizens poorer. The poorest of them had meat only once a week, on Sunday when they had a chicken. The workers got the lion’s share and the children got the wings and such.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is dreadful. I will never understand man’s inhumanity towards man.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have a tender heart.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Now that is a bridge I would like to drive across…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is awesome!
LikeLike
I would film some videos there.
LikeLike
As long as you don’t get me in the camera’s range.
LikeLike
I don’t see why not!
LikeLike
It’s not pretty. That’s all I can say.
LikeLike
Well, neither is the professor. The guitar is, though.
LikeLike
Oh, I wouldn’t say the Professor isn’t pretty. He’s pretty slick is what. But the guitar is beautiful.
LikeLike
Huff-Hum and a roar! Yes… *sighs* Guitars are works of art!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Especially Martin Guitars.
LikeLike
Ah, do you like Martins?
LikeLike
I like Martians…
LikeLike
I see how your wicked mind works!
LikeLike
I have no idea what you are talking about.
LikeLike
The 25th of April being the Lovely Charlotte’s birthday,it is of course now in my head as: The Charlotte Bridge. Wonderful post!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! It is a wonderful bridge.
LikeLike
What a lovely photograph! Woof!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I rode across there many times when we lived there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That bridge would stress me out. I’d have to conquer it. Multiple times. Amazing what a society can survive.
LikeLike
You don’t like heights?
LikeLike
Well, it is more the bridge..maybe I don’t trust structural engineers.. 😉
LikeLike
Wellll, I told my sister that when your number’s up, your number’s up. 😀
LikeLike
Haha…indeed. I shall have no fear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought not.
LikeLike
3 bridges in the top 15? Not bad! I read a book set in the Salazar period a few years back and was surprised that I didn’t remember anything about it. I don’t think we got much ‘foreign’ news back then unless it directly affected us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He was not a well-loved dictator. He was an economist, actually. Which could explain a lot.
LikeLike
Haha! Indeed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful bridge, and photograph. Interesting bit of history as well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, what a neat story! 😀 That’s so cool that they changed the name like that. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is, isn’t it? So many reasons for me to love Portugal.
LikeLike