magnificent castle Saint George is one of the symbols of Portugal. The castle is more than a thousand years old, and many historical events are associated with it. The castle is very ancient and has a long history. More than once he was a witness and participant in many historical events. The castle played the role of not only an important fortress, but also a port, due to its favorable location. It was St. George's Castle that took the brunt of the invasion in 1085. Over the centuries, the Spaniards have repeatedly tried to capture the castle, but they never succeeded. Today it has already become a tradition to hold wedding ceremonies in this wonderful castle, indeed, what could be more romantic than getting married among the centuries-old walls of a majestic fortress, where knights once fought and kings lived.

The most beautiful of all the castles in Portugal - the Castle of St. George (Castelo de Sao Jorge) is located in the capital of Lisbon. This is the main Sami castle of the city, it is located on the highest hill in the historical center of the capital, among the seven hills. Today, visitors flock to St. George's Castle for wonderful views of nature and the city's skyline. Fortifications were built on top of the hill from ancient times. Starting from the fifth century BC, the Visigoths settled here, then the Saracens in the eighth century. Most of the walls of the fortress were erected during this period. The invaders sought to conquer all of Portugal and plant their culture throughout the Iberian Peninsula. But in 1147, during the Second Crusade, the knights, led by Don Alfonso Henriques (Dom Afonso Henriques), expelled the Moors and founded a new kingdom on this place. The fortress was transformed into a castle, only after a considerable time the city of Lisbon was founded here (in 1255). Closely pressed against the fence of the moated castle, there is a site that has an almost medieval appearance. The Portuguese consider this place their "window to antiquity". It rises above Alfama, the mountains of Monsanto and Sintra and proudly looks at the roofs of the surrounding houses of the capital. In the park there is a statue of the first king, Afonso Henriques, holding a sword in one hand and a shield in the other. As the center of government, the Castle of Saint George became the most important of all the castles in Portugal. In one of the towers, the national Portuguese archive was arranged. Until 1371, the fortress was called the Lisbon Castle, then it was renamed the Castle of St. George. This happened after King John I of Portugal married an English princess. (St. George is the patron saint of England).

The castle lost some of its importance at the beginning of the 16th century when the royal couple chose another castle for their residence. There were also earthquakes, in 1755 the castle suffered significant damage, but was restored. In 1910 it was listed as a national monument. The most difficult period of recovery is the years of the Second World War. During this period, the castle was returned to its historical features. The preserved ramparts and main walls have been restored. The castle of St. George covers an area of ​​6,000 square meters, has several towers, observation posts, a dry moat and two parks, separated by an inner wall and a door connected to it. Today, on the territory of the castle decorated with green parks, sections of thick stone and medieval battlements have been preserved, and Catholic iconography is stored in the castle itself. Inside palace parks you can walk among olive, pine and oak trees.

The Castle of St. George in Lisbon is a wonderful historical building that for a long time served as a fortress wall protecting the Portuguese capital from foreign invaders. Its history has been going on for more than two thousand years and can easily tell about the most significant events in the history of the metropolis, including the devastating earthquake of 1755.

The old historical building was erected by the Visigoths in the 6th century, then it belonged to the Romans, and after the Moors, it was rebuilt many times by their tribes. The latter, by the way, inhabited this territory for several centuries and made it their haven. The liberation of the wall took place only in 1147 thanks to the brave Portuguese monarch Afonso Henriques. Since then, the fortress has been turned into a royal residence and has been actively used by the rulers. It was here that the most significant events in the history of Portugal during the period of the Great geographical discoveries(the expeditionary victories of Vasco da Gama and other famous sailors were celebrated).

After the construction of a more luxurious castle in Baixa and the transfer of the residence there, the palace of St. George was used as:
- theater
- prisons
- arsenal.
The earthquake of 1755, which turned it into ruins, was especially detrimental to the significance of the building. Breathing life into old buildings was possible only in 1938 under the rule of the tough dictator Salazar. By order of the latter, the fortress walls were significantly restored, and a beautiful city park with several monuments, fountains and numerous green spaces was organized not far from them.
During an excursion to the castle of St. George, you can walk along the fortress walls, enjoy the incomparable landscapes of the city that open from the roof of the palace, relax in a picturesque garden that delights visitors with clean lakes with ducks, geese and peacocks.
It is worth noting that with observation deck Sao Jorge you can see not only the general panorama of the city and the tiled roofs of houses, but also consider some, in particular: the statue of Christ, Rossio Square, Praça do Comercio, Santa Justa funicular and some others.
In addition, the building regularly hosts multimedia exhibitions that tell about history. Among the projections there are videos about the journey of Vasco da Gama during the opening sea ​​route to India, the events of the period of the earthquake of 1755, the story of the fall of the Church of Karmo and other significant events that took place in the Portuguese capital from the time of the Inquisition to the reign of Salazar.

Castle of Saint George in Lisbon: opening hours

You can enjoy the incomparable interiors and openwork bas-reliefs of the castle during the season (from March to October) from 9 am to 9 pm, and in the absence of an influx of tourists (in the remaining months) - from 9 am to 6 pm. Despite the fact that, as a rule, the building is ready to receive guests daily, it may be closed during national holidays.

Castle of Saint George in Lisbon: ticket price

The cost of visiting the beautiful medieval fortress will cost almost 9 euros for adults, for children you will have to pay about 5 euros. If you want to save money, in case of going to the castle with a large family, you can buy a comprehensive family subscription.

Castle of Saint George in Lisbon: how to get there?

Located in the historical part of the city, Alfama district, not far from the embankment of the Tagus River. You can get to it in several ways:
- by metro (a hundred meters from the attraction there is an underground transport stop Martim Moniz)
- by tram, following the route number 28 (necessary stop Miradouro de Santa Luzia)
- as a result of a scenic journey on the old lift "Gloria".
Fans of increased comfort can also use the services of taxi drivers who, for 10 euros, will take you to the castle of St. George from almost anywhere in the Portuguese capital.

Going on a trip or vacation, everyone wants to visit Amazing places and cities that have their own spirit and atmosphere. Arriving there, you can instantly immerse yourself in their mood and feel how the locals live. It is this kind of vacation that will leave behind indelible impressions that will warm the heart for a long time to come. Many, without even a doubt, go to Europe. And one beautiful European country, its capital and sights will be discussed in this article.

A sparkling pearl of the Atlantic

Portugal... This is truly a fantastic state! It extends to the southwest and includes two archipelagos North Atlantic. Many are not mistaken when they call this country the pearl of the Iberian Peninsula. It occupies approximately 100,000 square kilometers and is washed by the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

It is generally accepted that the first inhabitants who inhabited modern Portugal were the Celts. They were quite peaceful people, but if necessary, they knew how to defend their territory. They cultivated the favorable Iberian soil and were engaged in cattle breeding.

Be that as it may, it is safe to say that this area has a fairly rich historical past. The country of Portugal was under Spanish rule for a long time, but after about 60 years after the conquest, it regained its long-awaited independence.

Lisbon - the oldest city in which time has stopped forever

The main attention of tourists who come to the country is directed to the inimitable Lisbon. located in the westernmost part of the Iberian Peninsula in the very place where the famous Tagus River merges with the Atlantic Ocean.

Lisbon, by the way, is many times older than cities such as Rome, Paris and London, and for more than a decade has been among the most visited cities in the world and in particular Europe. And this is not surprising, because the city is quite interesting and offers many places to spend your free time there pleasantly and profitably.

Local attraction - St. George's Castle

Yes, the original nature, excellent cuisine and excellent wines, combined with the friendliness of the locals, make the country truly paradise for travelers. However, Lisbon would lose its charm if it were not for the beautiful and impregnable castle of St. George in its upland part.

This fortress is a testament to what proud and brave tribes inhabited Portugal in the past. Having carefully examined the building, one can come to the conclusion that strong stone bricks and high walls made it practically invulnerable at that time.

Reconstruction and symbolism of the fortress

Regular hostilities soon nevertheless affected the external condition of the castle. That is why already in the tenth century. Berber Moors (the tribes that inhabited the territory of modern Portugal at that time) set about repairing the mighty castle and soon put it in order, thanks to which tourists can still admire its powerful fortifications to this day.

The castle of St. George has its own unique symbolism. It is a white coat of arms in the form of a shield, which also depicts five small blue shields. All this indicates that the fortress was of great defensive importance.

The turbulent history of the fortress

Later, the royal residence became located in the fortress.

The saint has always been considered the patron saint of England, so after Portugal signed the Treaty of Windsor with her, the castle, which demonstrated its power for a long time, received its current official name - St. George's Castle.

A fortress over which time has no power

This building is the pinnacle of the city of Lisbon. The capital of Portugal rightfully considers it to be its most famous and famous attraction. The castle of St. George is spread over seven hills. Climbing its powerful walls, you can see almost the whole of Lisbon.

The building is located inside the old fortress, on the territory of which even the ruins of the ancient royal palace. This is truly an impressive sight.

Castle of St. George covers an area of ​​6,000 square meters. The builders of the sixth century worked hard to erect a building that will cause enthusiastic exclamations on the lips of its visitors for more than one millennium.

At the entrance to the fortress there are impressive cannons that remind the inhabitants of the purpose for which this structure was built. Castle of St. George has a dungeon, namely rooms or chambers. They are now located Archaeological Museum with exhibits that can tell a lot about the history and culture of past generations.

The fortress is equipped with several beautiful towers. One of them - the treasure tower - has an optical device consisting of lenses, thanks to which you can see all the sights of the capital of Portugal at a glance.

The Lawrence Tower was built for a different purpose. It was placed a little outside the fortress, which allowed it to perform its defensive function very successfully. The whole building is made in the Romantic-Gothic style. From it directly breathes the Middle Ages, it seems that a knight in armor is about to come out and lead you behind the gloomy walls of the fortress or along the narrow corridors that the castle of St. George (Lisbon) is famous for.

A garden adjoins the building, rich in vegetation, which, thanks to the warm climate, can be admired almost all year round. The beauty and charming atmosphere of this area is worth visiting at least once the castle of St. George (Portugal). These are impressions that even with time will not be erased from memory.

There are places on earth that fascinate and do not want to let go, and Portugal is one of them. Locals are happy and hospitable to tourists, making the city seem even warmer and more welcoming. Wine and traditional dishes will add bright colors to an already pleasant stay.

Castle of St. George is located in (Portugal) is considered the heart of the capital, from which the history of the city began. According to archaeologists, 2 walls to protect against attack, 18 observation towers and a church were built by the Arabs in the 8th century.
At the center of this masterpiece of ancient architecture is the citadel. You can get to it by a rising bridge over the moat. In 1147, the crusader army led by Afonso I conquered it as the Temple of the Lord. Now hundreds of pilgrims visit this place in the Holy Land. In 1255, Afonso III built the palace as the residence of the Portuguese monarchs. During its difficult history, the building survived attacks and fires, was repeatedly destroyed and restored. After the earthquake of 1531, only separate rooms remained from the palace, which now houses the archaeological museum. Among its exhibits are decorative elements of the ancient royal palace and household items found during excavations. In the pavilion on the site of the library, fragments of old books, military maps and government documents found by archaeologists are stored. The appearance and interior of the museum will immerse visitors in the atmosphere of medieval Portugal.
In the old wing of the palace, the menagerie housed the lions that King Afonso V brought back from Africa as hunting trophies. Now there is a restaurant "" ("House of the Lion"), the interior of which is stylized as the Middle Ages. The clothes of the waiters also correspond to the fashion of that time.
Luxurious gardens grow on the territory of the castle, laid out by royal gardeners in the 17th century. Peacocks with long beautiful tails are not at all afraid of guests and allow you to take pictures with them.
In the front park there are monuments to Afonso I and other rulers of the country, and cannons symbolize strength and power
On weekends and holidays artists arrange theatrical interactive performances. Thanks to the "live" scenery and acting, the audience can feel like the inhabitants of ancient Lisbon.
Climbing the high fortress wall, you can see the beauty of the capital.
How to get there?
From the center of Lisbon to the fortress can be reached on foot or by bus 737 and trams 12, 28.
Open daily from 9.00 to 21.00
Ticket price
For Adults - 8.50 €
For visitors over 65 years old - 5 €
Entrance for children under 10 years old is free.

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Everyone has it big city have your heart. Castle of St. George - the historical center of Lisbon, the Kremlin of the Portuguese capital. For centuries, it has been watching from behind its stone walls for thousands of years of European history. The ancient fortress was first in the possession of the Romans, Visigoths, Moors. In 1147, the castle passed to the first Portuguese king, Afonso Henriques. Since then, the Portuguese consider it one of the symbols of statehood. Today, the castle introduces tourists to medieval history, here are an impressive collection of cannons, an archaeological museum. The complex is remembered for its calm atmosphere and coolness. It fascinates with gorgeous panoramic views of the whole of Lisbon with red tiled roofs and the Tagus River.

The history of the castle of St. George begins at the turn of two eras. At various times it belonged to the Romans and the Visigoths. Then in 1147 he was liberated by the crusaders from the Moors. The commander of the crusader detachment, Afons Henriques, became the first ruler of the country. Until the 16th century, the residence of the ruling persons was located in the castle.

The castle is clearly visible from anywhere in Lisbon. The battlements of the fortress walls are clearly visible against the blue sky, and the foundation of the building seems to be a single whole with the hill on which it is located.

The architecture of the castle is truly impressive. It is distinguished by a special massiveness, restrained symmetry of the whole structure. The exterior is complemented by many architectural elements. The fortress is surrounded by a moat with a bridge in the form of an arch, two rows of walls. Along the perimeter there are 18 sentinels and corner towers and the outer fortification - the barbican.

The entrance to the fortress territory is closed by massive gates. After them, you find yourself in the courtyard with its own atmosphere. It is calm here, a lot of lush greenery, benches stand in the shade, birds walk around. Attention is immediately drawn to the statue of Afonso Henriques (the first Portuguese king who expelled the Moors from the fortress). A whole collection of medieval tools testifies to a glorious and formidable history. medieval castle. The original residence of the rulers has practically not been preserved; now there is a restaurant in this inner palace. If you go around the palace, you can see the entrance to the archaeological museum. Its halls contain exhibits from the territory of the fortress from the beginning of its history to the 18th century. An educational program has been prepared for visitors - the museum shows a multimedia historical show about Lisbon "Olissiponia". There is evidence that the legendary traveler Vasco da Gama met King Manuel in the museum hall.

Do not miss the opportunity to be on the ramparts and go around the castle around the perimeter, from a height you can enjoy an incredible view of Lisbon. With the camera obscura located in the Odysseus tower and projecting 360 degrees, you will see the city at a glance.