Castelo de São Jorge: a time travel in the heart of Lisbon

Undeniably, the Castelo de São Jorge is a place full of history and considered one of the main tourist attractions in Lisbon. The Castelo de São Jorge (or Paço de Alcáçova or Paço de São Jorge) is located in the neighborhood of Santa Maria Maior (Castle), Lisbon, Portugal. As it is placed on the highest hill in the city, it is possible to have a panoramic view of Lisbon as a whole.

The Castelo de São Jorge was named after the devotion to São Jorge, patron saint of the knights and crusaders. Built by the Moors in the Islamic era in the 11th century, this fortification served as protection for the village bourgeoisie. The function of the castle was not of residence but had a military role and of shelter for the elites of the citadel, in case of siege.

When the first King of Portugal, D. Afonso Henrique conquered the region, he ordered works to improve the palace. In the 16th century D. Manuel I built an even more luxurious palace to become the royal residence in the 13th century and the castle came to be used for military purposes. It ended up undergoing several changes in its structure during the time when Portugal was under Spanish rule, specifically in 1580. And even with the earthquake of 1755, it maintained its military functions until the year 1938.

Castelo de São Jorge is classified as a National Monument of Portugal. By visiting it, it is possible to observe and walk through its 11 towers, enjoying the beautiful views of the city from different angles.

Knowing the archaeological site, we see marks of the occupation of this region by different peoples from the Iron Age, like Phoenicians, Greeks, and Muslims. It is fabulous to see closely the remains of the houses and the details of the old Islamic quarter!

The exhibition on site maintains a collection of objects found in its explorations and excavations. Among the objects found are Islamic pieces dating from the 11th century.

Another amazing attraction is the Câmara Escura (darkroom), created by Leonardo da Vinci. This optical system of lenses and mirrors allows you to observe Lisbon in real time, traversing its monuments and regions in 360º, something innovative for the time.

Visiting the Castelo de São Jorge is like time travel! Undoubtedly, a must-see for anyone who wants to visit one of the oldest and richest capitals in Europe.

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