Castelo de Sao Jorge - Lisbon

Built by the Moors, Castelo de Sao Jorge or St George Castle, in English, is one of the most visited castles in the country. It offers amazing views of the cities below and it is, itself, a major attraction. It is a very historic site where much can be learned about the history of the Lisbon area.

A Fortified Hilltop

Way before the Castelo de Sao Jorge was built, there used to be a Visigoth fortress on the hilltop. In the 8th century the fortress was conquered by the Moors. The castle was mainly built in 1147. It was taken over during the second wave of the Christian crusade and the Moors were driven out. The castle became a main point of defense for the Christians who used it to keep watch over their conquered areas and keep the Moors out. Later the Castelo de Sao Jorge was again used for defensive purposes as the Portugal monarchy used it for protection against attacks from neighboring areas. There is still a statue of the first king of Portugal, Henriques, at the main entrance.

Since it was used as a royal capital, Castelo de Sao Jorge became the most important castle in the country. It went through a period where it lost some importance and became less of an important castle in Portugal. It was somewhat forgotten until the reign of King Denis I. King Denis I built a palace on the grounds and the guard towers served as home to the national archive.

Before 1371, the castle was called by the simple name of Lisbon castle. It wasn’t renamed Castelo de Sao Jorge until the reign of King John I. King John I married an English princess and it was in honor of her, St. George is the patron saint of England, that the castle got its current name.

In 1755, the great Lisbon earthquake caused extreme damage to the castle. Not much occurred with the castle for over a century. It sat in ruins until the 1900s. It was named a national monument in 1910, but still remained untouched. Nothing was really done with the castle ruins until it began undergoing restoration in the 1940s. During restoration most of the castle was rebuilt to its former state. Many major walls and ramparts were able to be preserved.

A Tour of the Castle

Castelo de Sao Jorge covers about 6000 square meters. It has towers, look outs and a moat that is now dry. There is a lot to see inside the castle. At the entrance you will see the statue of King Henriques and historic cannons. Inside there is a restaurant and a multimedia exhibit, Olissiponia, which takes place in underground chambers where images are projected onto the walls and narrated to take you on a tour of Lisbon. The show also features a simulation of the great earthquake and shows the devastation that occurred. You will be taken through a complete history of the area without missing any detail when you take in this exhibit.

The Ogival House used to be part of the jail and offers some interesting insight into the original design of the castle. It is amazing architecture with five ogival arches. There are 18 towers and many of the original walls still stand. A walk along the ramparts provide breath taking views of the countryside below. You can also go to the Tower of Ulysses that houses the Camara Escura. The Camara Escura is a periscope that shows sights from all around Lisbon. Do not forget to stroll around the gardens of the castle. There are wild ducks and geese that roam around freely throughout not only the gardens, but the other areas of the castle.

The Castelo de San Jorge is a must see attraction in Lisbon. It is really a way to get in touch with the past of this great city. You will experience a lot at this one stop, from a historic tour to architectural splendor to amazing scenic views. The castle is open to visitors all year round. There is a small admission price, but with all the things to do and see inside, it is well worth the cost.