As we mentioned in our last post, we recently changed our meeting point, we are now in a new location where all of our bike tours begin.
We are very pleased with this change, but we have come a long way to get here.
When we discovered this space, home to a small print shop that operated for many years, the building's degradation was notorious, despite all the potential. That’s why we were always aware that the rehabilitation would be an arduous and time-consuming task.
Making Lisbon known to tourists is our core activity, and as such, respecting the past, history and heritage of the city is an absolute priority.
This priority has become more evident because this new address is located in Santa Apolónia, an historic area of Lisbon, next to the oldest and most traditional district of Lisbon – Alfama.
So, as we started requalifying the shop, we were careful to maintain the old structure of the space.
1 – The Walls – Donkey Bricks and Stones.
We left all the walls as they were originally, with the donkey bricks and their huge stones in plain sight, we “just” did a thorough cleaning job.
2 – Space Division
We have not changed the division of space, we resisted the temptation to change it, so it remains exactly the same.
3 –Store Doors
The store doors, which are visible from the street, despite the difficult restoration work, also have the same iron doors, the respective protective grilles and the original color, dark green.
4 – Pipes and Electricity Cables
All the new water pipes and electricity cables were placed on the outside of the walls so that no more holes were opened.
5 – The Floor and Portuguese Tiles
On the floor, under all the rubbish, we found the traditional Portuguese tiles, in relatively good condition, which of course we also kept, cleaned and restored.
This has been part of our work over the last few months and we are very pleased with what we did, especially because we know that in addition to the bike tours you can do with us, you will now have another excuse to come visit us.
