The formal dinner of the 2008 EHDN Annual Plenary Meeting will take place on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008 at 7.30 pm at the Convento do Beato.
The dinner will be free of charge for EHDN members and HDA representatives. If accompanying persons and guests would like to attend the formal dinner they will be kindly requested to contribute to the costs of the dinner. Further information is provided on the registration information. Please make sure to register by filling out the registration form, since seating is limited and tickets will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

Please note that unfortunately the formal dinner on Saturday September 6th is fully booked.

The history of "Convento do Beato" goes back to the 15^th century when Queen Isabel (1451 – 1504) gave the authorisation for a hospice to be built. After her death she left 8000 gold crowns to construct the hospice in her name.

In the 16^th century Frei António set the construction of the monastery in motion. After the successful construction of the monastery, its reputation as a miraculous building increased due to the anecdote that Frei António was able to construct it using only seven "tostoes" (small coins like farthings). As a result of this miracle, Frei António was recognised as a saint. After his sanctification Frei António received the name Beato António (António the Beatified) and the monastery was called Convento do Beato.

At the end of the 18^th century, one of the wings of the monastery began to be used as the Royal Military Hospital and in 1834 the merchant Joaô de Brito bought another part of the building that had previously been partly destroyed by a serious fire.

This was the first keystone of the industrial use of the Conveto do Beato. In 1984 the Convento do Beato was classified by the Portuguese Institute for Architectural Heritage as a Heritage Site of Public interest.

In 1999 the Convento was acquired by the CEREALIS Group and as awareness increased of the importance of the building for the city of Lisbon and the heritage of Portugal it then started to be managed as a venue for special events.

In 2007, Dresden was introduced to you by guides in historic costumes. This year you can discover Lisbon using a historical relict - the tram ('Colinas Tour'). Alternatively, you can ride a open top bus ('Olisipo Tour'). The tours will be at the same time, so please choose only one of the city tours.

Both city tours will take place on Sunday, September 7th, 2008 at 11 am.

TOUR CANCELLATION:

• before August 15th, 2008 - no charges
• after August 15th, 2008 - full price will be charged

Colinas Tour
The 'Colinas Tour' will drive you through the rolling hills of the traditional quarters of Lisbon.  'People chatting on doorsteps and washing hanging out in the sunshine portray the small village atmosphere of Alfama and Mouraria and reveal a sharp contrast to the elegant, noble buildings of Chiado and Lapa. Please step in and have a wonderful ride.'

The tour will last 1hour and 20 minutes and will be provided in Portuguese, Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Dutch and Japanese. You can choose your preferred language on your seat in the tram.

The tour will cost 17 € for adults, 12.50 € for Lisboa Card holders and 8.50 € for kids (4 to 10 years).

Olisipo Tour
The 'Olisipo Tour' is operated by bus and will start at the Parque das Nações. During this tour you will discover the city of museums, the avant-garde eastern part of Lisbon and as well the Parque das Nações. When the weather is fine you can enjoy the ride at the open top deck of the bus.

The tour is operated in a hop-on, hop-off fashion and will last about 2 hours.  Comments on points of interest will be provided in Portuguese, Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Dutch and Japanese. You can choose your preferred language on your seat at the bus.

The tour costs about 14 € for adults and 10.50 € for Lisboa Card holders and 7 € for kids (4 to 10 years).