SÃO JORGE CASTLE

Description

Essentials about São Jorge Castle in brief

This sight of Lisbon is really impossible to miss. The Castelo de São Jorge (São Jorge Castle) sits majestically on a 110-meter-high hill above the center of the Portuguese capital. Although the castle has been in ruins since the Great Earthquake of 1755, it has lost none of its fascination and charm. A walk through the historic district of Alfama up to the castle to enjoy the phenomenal view over large parts of the city is an absolute must on a trip to Lisbon.

The history of São Jorge Castle

São Jorge Castle was built by the Moors on the ruins of a 5th century fortress, when Portugal was still ruled by the Visigoths. In 1147, the Moors lost the castle to Alfonso the Conqueror, the first king of Portugal. However, the royal castle was dedicated to King João in the 14th century. For centuries, the complex was used as a royal castle. In the Great Earthquake of 1755, São Jorge Castle was largely destroyed.

The grounds of São Jorge Castle

The castle grounds cover about 6,000 square meters. The site includes several towers, guard posts, a moat, excavations from Phoenician, Roman and Moorish times, and two large squares that invite you to linger, but also to play boules or dominoes. In the inner square are the remains of the old castle, where you can also find the rebuilt Casa Ogival. In this room visitors can see a multimedia exhibition about the history of Lisbon.

Another interesting structure is the Torre de Ulisses. Here visitors get a unique chance to see a mirror image of today’s Lisbon via a camera obscura. Interesting information about Lisbon and the importance of the São Jorge Castle complement the spectacle. Also worth seeing is the Pointed Arch House with its five pointed arches.

The view from São Jorge Castle

Most visitors to the São Jorge Castle, however, accept the steep climb to the castle to enjoy the magnificent panoramic view over Lisbon and the Tagus River. From the former watchtowers and battlements, you can enjoy truly unique views of Portugal’s beautiful capital. Anyone visiting the São Jorge Castle should take the time to stroll around the castle a bit and discover the charm of the ruin with all its facets.