São Jorge Castle is located in the characteristic Alfama district. It is probably thanks to the protection of the medieval castle that this area of Lisbon survived the terrible earthquake of 1755 in its entirety.
It dominates the highest of the capital’s seven hills and on the way to it you’ll pass by the ancient stone walls from which bougainvillea sprouts, cross the small cafés and bars decorated with geometrically patterned tiles, admire the entire valley, the Tagus River and cross the famous Bairro Alto. When you reach the castle the view is breathtaking.
Built by the Visigoths in the fifth century, during the ninth century the Castle of St. George was fortified by the Moors with a wall of about 2 km and 10 towers. The Crusaders conquered it in 1147 and it remained a royal residence until the late 15th century.
The Castle of São Jorge is largely in ruins, but it is still possible to walk along some of the walls and see the remains of part of the courtyard and gardens. Moorish and Christian influences are visible in the monument’s architecture.
