Page 64 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

1 "'\-=
CASTELO DE

SÃO JORGE Torre de Ulisses

EXPERIENCE Alfama Cruz do Castelo) @ 737 v 28 # Mar–Oct: 9am–9pm daily;
 W2 ⌂ Porta de São Jorge (entrance on Rua de Santa
Nov–Feb: 9am–6pm daily (check website for further details)
∑ castelodesaojorge.pt
Towering above central Lisbon, this Moorish citadel is one of
the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Though much of the
present castle dates from a 1930s restoration, visitors still
flock to the top of the hill to seek out traces of the city’s
history and enjoy the spectacular views laid out below.

Following the recapture of Lisbon from the Moors in 1147, Dom Afonso
Henriques transformed their hilltop citadel into the residence of the
Portuguese kings. In 1511, Manuel I built a more lavish palace in what
is now the Praça do Comércio and the citadel castle was used variously
as a theatre, prison and arms depot. After the 1755 earthquake, the
ramparts remained in ruins until 1938, when António Salazar (p46)
began a complete renovation, rebuilding the “medieval” walls and
adding gardens and wildfowl. The castle may not be authentic, but the
gardens and the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz district within the
walls make a pleasant stroll, and views from the observation terrace are
some of the finest in Lisbon. Other attractions on-site include the city’s
only camera obscura and the Casa do Leão restaurant, built within part
of the former royal residence. Book a table for dinner; the restaurant is
also open at lunchtime to those with a ticket for the castle.

The Museu do Castelo,
which displays artifacts
from the archaeological
site and charts the
history of the city.

1

1 The citadel is set on a
hilltop location above
Lisbon's colourful rooftops.
2 Visitors can climb the
towers and walk along the
reconstructed ramparts of
the castle walls.
3 The castle’s Observation
Terrace is a large shaded
square offering spectacular
3 2 views over the city.
64

064-065_EW_Portugal.indd 64 20/09/2018 10:39

EW Must-see template v2 – 12th July 2018
Fonts: Aptifer Sans LT Pro, Posterama Text, Soho Gothic
Pro, Soho Pro, ITC Caslon 224