About Lisbon – a bit of history

Welcome to Lisbon!

Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, is a vibrant and historic destination known for its stunning architecture, rich cultural heritage, and warm Mediterranean climate. It’s a city where the past meets the present, offering a blend of old-world charm and modern-day vibrancy.

General Facts:

• Location: Lisbon is situated on the western coast of Portugal, along the Tagus River estuary, and is one of the oldest cities in Europe.
• Population: With a population of around 550,000 in the city center, and over 2.8 million in the metropolitan area, it is Portugal’s largest city.
• Climate: Lisbon enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm summers, making it a year-round destination.

A Brief History of Lisbon:

Lisbon’s history dates back thousands of years. It was originally settled by the Phoenicians, followed by the Romans, and later the Moors, each leaving a lasting impact on the city. In the 12th century, it became the capital of Portugal, and by the Age of Exploration (15th and 16th centuries), Lisbon was one of the most important maritime cities in the world.

1. Ancient Beginnings:
   
   • Lisbon is one of Europe’s oldest cities, with a history dating back over 2,000 years. It was first settled by the Phoenicians around 1200 BC and later became part of the Roman Empire.
   • The city’s strategic location made it an important trading post and port, crucial for maritime exploration.
2. Moorish Influence (711-1147):
   
   • In the 8th century, Lisbon was captured by the Moors, who introduced new agricultural, architectural, and cultural influences to the city.
   • The Alfama district, Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood, still retains elements of this Moorish heritage in its narrow streets and tiled buildings.
     
3. The Christian Empire (1147):
   
   • King Afonso I (Afonso Henriques) in 1147 expelled the Moorish Empire.
     
   • The Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa) was built during this era.

4. 15th and 16th century Portugal’s Legacy: Innovation and Exchange, Not Conquest or discovery

The Roots of Navigation Science

In the 15th and 16th centuries, Portuguese thinkers made groundbreaking contributions to maritime technology. They didn’t “discover” lands that were already inhabited; instead, they developed tools that enabled more precise long-distance travel. Among their key innovations were:

• The Caravel: A nimble ship design that combined Arab and European shipbuilding knowledge, allowing sailors to navigate wind patterns more efficiently.
• The Mariner’s Astrolabe: Adapted from Arab astronomy, this device helped measure the sun’s height, improving latitude calculations.
• Detailed Nautical Charts (Portolan Charts): These maps, often made by Jewish, Arab, and Portuguese cartographers, recorded coastlines with unprecedented accuracy.

These advancements were not just Portuguese achievements—they were the result of cross-cultural exchanges, drawing on knowledge from Africa, the Mediterranean, and beyond and from the Moorish Empire. 

Resisting the Colonial Narrative

Traditional histories frame Portugal’s past as a heroic “Age of Discovery,” but this ignores the violence of colonization and the agency of the peoples they encountered. A decolonized perspective acknowledges that:

• African kingdoms like Kongo and Benin had sophisticated diplomatic relations with Portugal before colonization eroded them.
• The Portuguese presence in Asia was one of many interactions in a region already shaped by Indian Ocean trade networks.
• Indigenous peoples in Brazil had complex societies long before European contact.

Rather than portraying Portuguese voyages as “bringing civilization,” we can recognize them as part of a larger, often unequal, exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies.

Portugal’s Place in Global History

Portugal’s true legacy lies in its role as a crossroads of knowledge. From the navigational schools of Sagres (which likely built on existing Mediterranean science) to the circulation of goods like sugar, spices, and ceramics, Portugal was one node in a vast web of global connections.

The Portuguese language itself—now spoken across continents—is a testament to these exchanges, but also to the forced assimilation of colonized peoples. Acknowledging this duality allows us to appreciate Portugal’s contributions without glorifying the empire.

Moving Forward

Today, Portugal’s history is being revisited by scholars who highlight resistance to colonialism, the contributions of marginalized communities (such as Sephardic Jews, Africans, and the Roma people), and the need for reparative justice.

• Lisbon became a bustling port city and a key player in the European colonial empire. Monumental structures such as the Belem Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery were built during this period.

4. The 1755 Earthquake:
   
   • One of the most significant events in Lisbon’s history was the 1755 earthquake, which devastated much of the city, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
   • In the aftermath, Marquis of Pombal led a major reconstruction effort that gave rise to the modern layout of downtown Lisbon, including the Baixa district’s grid streets.
5. Modern Lisbon:
   
   • Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Lisbon experienced periods of political and social change, including the Republican Revolution of 1910, which abolished the monarchy, and the Carnation Revolution of 1974, which overthrew the Estado Novo dictatorship.
   • Today, Lisbon is a thriving cosmopolitan city, known for its historical charm, lively culture, and growing economy, particularly in the tech and tourism sectors.

Architectural Diversity:

• Lisbon is known for its blend of architectural styles, from the grand Pombaline buildings of the 18th century to Manueline (Portuguese Gothic) structures like Jerónimos Monastery.
• Modern architecture also plays a significant role in the city’s design, particularly in neighborhoods like Parque das Nações.