Castelo de Sao Jorge (St. George's Castle)

The hilltop was first fortified by indigenous Iberians, then occupied by Romans, Visigoths, and finally the Moors who built the first substantial castle in the mid-11th century as part of Lisbon's Moorish defenses. In 1147, during the Second Crusade, King Afonso Henriques captured Lisbon from the Moors after a three-month siege, with crucial help from Northern European crusaders. The castle became the royal palace and seat of power for Portuguese kings. King Dinis I rebuilt parts of the castle in the early 14th century, and King Manuel I further expanded it in the 16th century before moving the royal residence to the new Ribeira Palace near the river. After the 1755 earthquake severely damaged the castle, it was converted into military barracks and later a prison. The castle fell into disrepair until major restoration began in the 1940s under Estado Novo regime. Extensive archaeological excavations from 1990s onward uncovered multiple layers of occupation spanning 2,500 years. Today it is managed by EGEAC and is Lisbon's most iconic landmark.

Castelo de Sao Jorge represents the historical and political heart of Lisbon, serving as the city's main defensive fortification for nearly a millennium. The 1147 Christian conquest of the castle marked a turning point in the Reconquista and the birth of Portugal as an independent kingdom. As the royal residence for three centuries, it witnessed crucial moments in Portuguese history, including royal ceremonies, political decisions, and the Age of Discoveries planning. The castle's survival through earthquakes, wars, and centuries of change symbolizes Lisbon's resilience. Its commanding position and iconic silhouette make it the most recognizable symbol of the city, appearing on countless postcards and photographs.