Fodor's Expert Review Castelo de São Jorge

Alfama Castle/Palace Fodor's Choice

Although St. George's Castle was constructed by the Moors, the site had previously been fortified by Romans and Visigoths. To your left as you pass through the main entrance is a statue of Dom Afonso Henriques, whose forces in 1147 besieged the castle and drove the Moors from Lisbon. The ramparts offer panoramic views of the city's layout as far as the towering 25 de Abril suspension bridge. A residence of the kings of Portugal until the 16th century, the palace remnants now house a small museum showcasing archaeological finds and a snack bar with a pleasant terrace. From the periscópio (periscope) in the Torre de Ulísses, in the castle's keep, you can spy on visitors going about their business below. Beyond the keep, traces of pre-Roman and Moorish houses are visible thanks to recent archaeological digs, as well as the remains of a palace founded in the 15th century. The castle's outer walls encompass a small neighborhood, Castelo, the medieval church of Santa Cruz, restaurants,... READ MORE

Although St. George's Castle was constructed by the Moors, the site had previously been fortified by Romans and Visigoths. To your left as you pass through the main entrance is a statue of Dom Afonso Henriques, whose forces in 1147 besieged the castle and drove the Moors from Lisbon. The ramparts offer panoramic views of the city's layout as far as the towering 25 de Abril suspension bridge. A residence of the kings of Portugal until the 16th century, the palace remnants now house a small museum showcasing archaeological finds and a snack bar with a pleasant terrace. From the periscópio (periscope) in the Torre de Ulísses, in the castle's keep, you can spy on visitors going about their business below. Beyond the keep, traces of pre-Roman and Moorish houses are visible thanks to recent archaeological digs, as well as the remains of a palace founded in the 15th century. The castle's outer walls encompass a small neighborhood, Castelo, the medieval church of Santa Cruz, restaurants, and shops.

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Castle/Palace Fodor's Choice Family

Quick Facts

Rua de Santa Cruz do Castelo
Lisbon, Lisbon  1100-129, Portugal

218 800 620

www.castelodesaojorge.pt

Sight Details:
Rate Includes: €10

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