Capital of Portugal and site of the 1998 European Expo, Lisbon sits on the banks of the Tagus River and is a lively and colourful city possessing distinctive character and charm. The Torre de Belem is one of Lisbon’s most famous sights and consists of a white stone tower, built in the early 16th century to defend the river. The legendary Tram 28 is a tourist attraction in itself, and vintage trams still ply the well-worn route from the city centre on sea level, right up through the jumble of streets towards the heights of the Castelo de Sao Jorge (Castle of St George). The castle was once the Portuguese royal residence and is perched on the highest of Lisbon’s seven hills, high above the Baixa and the Mouraria (the Moorish Quarter). The 16th century Mosteiro dos Jeronimos (Jeronimos Monastery) in the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the resting place of Vasco de Gama. The Centro Cultural de Belem houses a museum of 20th century design, divided into ‘Luxury’, ‘Pop’ and ‘Cool’ themes, supplemented by temporary exhibitions.