Lisbon, Sintra, Portugal, Castle of São Jorge
Although the first fortification on this hilltop date to the 2nd century BC, archaeological excavations have identified a human presence in the Tagus valley as far back as the 6th century BC. The first fortification was, presumably, erected in 48 BC, when Lisbon was classified as a Roman municipality.[1] The hill was used by indigenous Celtic tribes, then by Phoenicians, Greeks, and Carthaginians, as a defensible outpost, that was later expropriated by Roman, Suebic, Visigothic, and Moorish peoples. During the 10th century, the fortifications were rebuilt by Muslim forces, that included the walls or Cerca Moura (Moorish Encirclment).[1] Kingdom[edit]In the context of the Christian Reconquista, the castle and the city of Lisbon was conquered from Moors by Afonso Henriques, assisted by northern European knights during the Second Crusade: the Siege of Lisbon, which took place in 1147, was the only notable success of that failed crusade.[1] According to an oft-repeated legend, the knight, Martim Moniz, noticed that one of the doors to the castle was open, and he prevented the Moors from closing the door again by throwing his own body into the breach: he sacrificed his life but, in doing so, allowed Christian soldiers to enter. The taking of the castle helped Christians forces maintain the defense of Lisbon until the end of the 12th century. When Lisbon became the center of the Kingdom, in 1255, the castle acted as the alcáçova: a fortified residence for Afonso III, in his role as governor.[1] It was extensively renovated around 1300 by King Denis I, transforming the Moorish alcáçova into the Royal Palace of the Alcáçova.[1] Between 1373 and 1375, King Ferdinand I constructed the Cerca Nova or Cerca Fernandina, the walled compound that enclosed the entirety of the castle.[1] During this construction, masters João Fernandes and Vasco Brás were responsible for the activities onsite.[1] This wall, which partially replaced the old Moorish walls, was designed to encircle p
Size: 3648px × 2736px
Location: LISBON, SINTRA PORTUGUAL
Photo credit: © Amilcar Abreu / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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