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Castles and palaces, Lisbon

Castelo da Sao Jorge - Lisbon
Castelo da Sao Jorge
by diageva
Castles and palaces tips and photos posted by real travelers and Lisbon locals.
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Castles and palaces: Castelo S. Jorge
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  • rsilva
  • Updated By rsilva on May 27, 2005
  • Lisbon Page by rsilva
  • Castles and palaces - Lisbon
    by rsilva
    Castelo de S. Jorge is a 12th century castle built on top of the hill and very close to the city's center.

    It was expanded by the moors on the site of a 5th century visigothic fortification, that had later fallen into Saracen domination in the 8th century. In 1147 it was conquered by D. Afonso Henriques (Portugal's first king) and was used as a royal castle even before Lisbon became the capital of the country.

    It is an extraordinary site and the view from the top is amazing. It is definetly a place not to be missed

    Within its walls are you can find the most traditional portuguese trees (cork and olive) and you will have the chance to see the peacocks, swans, turkeys and other animals. I was told there also is a very rare white peacock on the grounds, but I have never seen it myself.

    Open daily from 9.00 to 21.00 (Apr-Sept) and 9.00 to 18.00 (Oct-Mar) and admission is free.
    It can be reached by bus (37) or tram (12 and 28).

    Additional information from www.castelos.org:
    "The Castelo de Sao Jorge (St. George's Castle), the name comes from the time of King Joao I ( late 14 century) Before it was known simply as Lisbon Castle.

    It consist of the former citadel of Alcazar, twelve gateways (seven of which lead to the parish of Santa Cruz do Castelo), the battlements and wall of Barbeca (Barbican) and eighteen towers (eleven of which belong to the fortress, and one, Torre de Sao Lourenco, is linked to the battlements by a long stairway. If we go though Portao Sul (the south gate) which leads to Rua de Santa Cruz do Costelo, we enter the old Praca de Armas.

    After a short period of splendor in the reign of King Sebastiao, who hat it restores and went to live there, the royal palace on the site of the castelo fell into complete neglect during the reign of the Spanish kings and was used as a barrack and later as a prison.

    The building was severely damages by the 1755 earthquake.

    In 1910 the building was declared a National Monument and restoration work began."

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  • Address: Rua da Costa do Castelo
  • Phone: +351 21 887 7244
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    Castles and palaces: St. George's Castle
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  • Bwana_Brown
  • Updated By Bwana_Brown on October 31, 2004
  • Lisbon Page by Bwana_Brown
  • The path around the Castle Walls - Lisbon
    The path around the
    Castle Walls
    by Bwana_Brown
    Although Castelo de Sao Jorge was made the official residence of Portugese Royalty in 1147, it lost that honour in 1511 when King Manuel I built something more fitting in today's busy tourist area of the Baixa. For many years, the old castle served variously as a military base, arms depot and theatre.

    However, the great earthquake of 1755 totally destroyed its walls and towers, along with much more of the city. It was not until 1938 that the present version of the castle was restored, during the long dictatorship of Antonio Salazar.

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  • Directions: Alfama district, on the eastern edge of the tourist area.
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    Castles and palaces: Towering Above Lisbon
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  • Bwana_Brown
  • Updated By Bwana_Brown on October 31, 2004
  • Lisbon Page by Bwana_Brown
  • St. George's Castle - Lisbon
    St. George's Castle
    by Bwana_Brown
    The Castelo de Sao Jorge, located in the ancient Alfama district, dominates Lisbon's eastern skyline. No wonder, this is where it all began when the Moors made this their prime defensive position over 1000-years ago and the beginnings of Lisbon sprang up around its walls. With the Portugese conquest of the city in 1147, King Afonso Henriques made alterations so it would be suitable as the residence of Portugese Kings for centuries to come.

    The Moorish influence still remains in the houses and narrow, twisting steets that cover the hillside. On our walk up here, we had no idea where we were really going in the maze and somehow ended up circling the walls of the Castle before we found its Porta de Sao Jorge gate! This is a great area in which to spend some time enjoying a very old part of Lisbon!

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    Castles and palaces: Castelo de Sao Jorge
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  • HORSCHECK
  • Updated By HORSCHECK on July 12, 2007
  • Lisbon Page by HORSCHECK
  • Castelo de Sao Jorge - Lisbon
    Castelo de Sao Jorge
    by HORSCHECK, 2 more photos
    Lisbon's Castelo de Sao Jorge (Saint George Castle) used to be the seat of the royals until the late 15th century.

    Due to its location on one of Lisbon's hills the ancient castle with its towers and nice gardens is a popular tourist excursion.

    Spectacular views of the city and the river Tejo can be enjoyed on a walk along the well-preserved ramparts.

    Directions:
    The Castelo de Sao Jorge is perched on the highest of Lisbon’s seven hills, so it can't be missed. Take tram #28 to Miradouro de Santa Luzia and then follow the signs uphill.

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    Castles and palaces: Tower of Belem
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  • Bwana_Brown
  • Updated By Bwana_Brown on October 31, 2004
  • Lisbon Page by Bwana_Brown
  • Torre de Belem - Lisbon
    Torre de Belem
    by Bwana_Brown
    Another great sunny day as we continued our walk along the Tejo in Belem. Not far from the Monument to the Discoveries, is the age-old landmark of Lisbon - the Tower of Belem.

    Originally set much further out in the Tejo, the reclaimation of land along the north bank of the river for roads and buildings has almost attached this former island fortress to land! This fortress was built by King Manuel I in 1515-21 to provide naval protection for the city. It also came to be known as the point of departure for many sailing expeditions that uncovered the far corners of the globe for the Portugese Empire.

    Linked to the mainland by a short elevated walkway, it is possible to tour this building to enjoy its great architecture and the views from topside. When you are finished, there is a nice grassy park beside it where you can relax under some shady trees like we did!

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  • Directions: North bank of the Tejo River in Belem
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    Castles and palaces: Castelo de Sao Jorge
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  • haiamisa
  • By haiamisa on October 13, 2004
  • Lisbon Page by haiamisa
  • The way in - Lisbon
    The way in
    by haiamisa
    This castelo shows the best views of Lisboa. It is in Alfama, you can walk up or take the tram #28. The tram takes you there in 10 minutes. The entrance to the castelo is free. It is a peaceful garden with trees, fountains, swans and peacocks. You can sit on the broad ramparts and there are restaurants, bars, cafes, ice cream within the area.

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  • Address: Alfama
  • Directions: Tram #28
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    Castles and palaces: Castelo de Sao Jorge
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  • alucas
  • By alucas on December 30, 2007
  • Lisbon Page by alucas
  • Castelo de Sao Jorge - Lisbon
    Castelo de Sao Jorge
    by alucas, 4 more photos
    Lisbon’s castle sits on the hill to the east of the city centre in the Alfama district, and dominates the skyline. There were fortifications on this site from as early as the 2nd century BC, but most of what you see dates from the 10th and 11th centuries. Badly damaged by the earthquakes of 1531 and 1755, the castle fell into neglect. Much restoration was carried out in the 1940’s, and what remains today is remarkably well-preserved as a result. You can walk right round the walls of the citadel and climb some of the towers for spectacular views over the city. There is however, little to see inside the castle itself, although there is a multimedia presentation and an exhibition in one of the buildings within the outer walls, as well as a cafeteria.

    There is a very comprehensive website (with an English version) that has all the information that you could possibly want to know about the castle, its history and visitor details.

    Entrance to the castle used to be free, but nowadays there is a charge of 5 euros (October 2007). Tickets are available from the ticket office close to the entrance. Opening hours are 9am – 9pm in summer (March to October) and 9am to 6pm in winter (November to February).

    To get to the castle, take the number 12 or 28 tram, and follow the signs up the hill. There is also a No 37 bus that runs from Praca da Figueira to the castle.

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    Castles and palaces: Castelo de São Jorge (St. George's Castle)
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  • bambino36
  • By bambino36 on October 11, 2004
  • Lisbon Page by bambino36
  • Castelo de S. Jorge, Lisbon - Lisbon
    Castelo de S. Jorge, Lisbon
    by bambino36, 2 more photos
    The Castle was buitl by the arabs over a visigothic fortress, itself founded over pre-roman vestiges, to shelter the main buildings and the population. From there, a wall (Cerca Moura, moorish wall) stretched all the way down to the river.
    Set high on a cliff overlooking the ocean, Castelo de Sao Jorge (originally called Lisbon Castle) played a significant role in the country's history.
    The Castle was conquered to the moors in 1147 by King Afonso Henriques, and then the Castle ceased to have a defensive role. King D. Dinis coverted it in a royal palace that was kept up to the times of King Manuel I.
    Nearly destroyed by the 1755 earthquake, it was abandoned, until the military occupied it for their garrisons. At the beginning of the 20th century, however, members of the Portuguese government rediscovered the castle, named it an historic landmark, and launched an gave it the present looks.

    From the Castle is possible to have great views over Lisbon, the River Tagus and the south bank of the river.

    The entrance will be paid from November, 1 2004 and it will cost 3€

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  • Address: Largo do Chão da Feira
  • Phone: (+351) 218 877 244
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    Castles and palaces: Castelo de São Jorge
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  • ncfg
  • Updated By ncfg on July 13, 2004
  • Lisbon Page by ncfg
  • Castles and palaces - Lisbon
    by ncfg
    It is funny, but what came up to my mind when I arrived to Lisbon were two things:

    First I want to see the new Stadium of Benfica, the stadium where it will be the final of the Euro 2004.
    The second thing was I want to visit the S. Jorge Castle.

    Don’t ask me why, but perhaps because of the great view we have from there and because I love castles.

    Well, going up the hill, passing through the narrow streets we reach the Saint George Castle.

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  • Address: Largo do Chäo da Feira
  • Phone: (21) 887 7244
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    Castles and palaces: Inside the walls
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  • ncfg
  • Updated By ncfg on December 7, 2003
  • Lisbon Page by ncfg
  • Castles and palaces - Lisbon
    by ncfg
    The Castelo de Sao Jorge (Saint George Castle) is a mark of the Portugal?s history, having been in the hands of Romans, Suevians, Visigoths and Muslims.
    It was rebuilt in the 1940s and has recently been renovated.

    Within the castle, you can view multimedia presentations or just walking around the walls, towers and gardens.
    In summer there are frequent festivals in the castle grounds. There is also a small restaurant open at summer only.

    > Transport: Tram 12 or 28; bus 37.

    > Opening hours: Daily 09:00-21:00 (Apr-Sep); daily 09:00-18:00 (Oct-Mar).

    > Admission: Free.

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  • Phone: (21) 887 7244
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