IF YOU LIKE FLEA MARKETS...

Lisbon's flea market is called locally the Feira da Ladra or "Thieve's Market" (in the original Portuguese, it is a woman thief!). A market of this type is thought to have been in place in Lisbon since the 12th Century and the name Feira da Ladra was first mentioned in the 17th Century.
Today, the traders there are perfectly legal, and they show their wares in a district close to the Moorish Alfama district.

From the main square, the National Pantheon can be seen standing proudly.
The market is held every Tuesday and Saturday, from dawn to dusk. A myriad of small stalls sell all sorts of second-hand and new products, and other traders simply display their store on a stretched-out blanket.
Hand-made artisan goods, CD's, books, clothes, stamps, coins, military objects, antiques and furniture are all on display there, so the occasional bargain is still possible although many of the stores now seem to cater exclusively to the tourists.

After a long absence of about 30 years, on tuesday I decided to go to the market. I didn't test my bargain skills but I enjoyed strolling through to snap some photos. I found the market rather different from what it was before: many foreigners buying, many immigrants selling.

I left the market area through the opposite 'gate', passing by one of the biggest churches in Lisbon. From there, I walked along narrow cobblestone streets and reached the Moorish quarter of Alfama. I wanted to see the preparations for Saint Anthony's eve and something else that's quite unique in Lisbon and not common at all in any European city. I will take you with me, soon. Meantime, enjoy my morning at the flea market....