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Deposits from only £25 per booking
Two big sights in Lisbon, pushing towards the historic Alfama District, are Lisbon Cathedral and Lisbon Castle. Both buildings are post the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, but you'll discover that excavations at the Lisbon Se is revealing both Roman and Moorish remains - hints at the fact that others were here first before the Christians. Amazingly the Manueline 16th century portico of the Igreja da Conceicao Velha near the Se (the Misericordia church as it was then) survived the earthquake. The eastern slove of castle hill into the Alfama district largely escaped immense damage from the 1755 earthquake and resultant fire.
Likewise, at Lisbon's castle, some of the old 6th century walls dating back to the Visigothic period, do remain. Most visitors have Lisbon's castle and cathedral on their Lisbon tour itinerary. The panoramic views of Lisbon from the castle are not to be missed.
Just a short distance from Praca do Comercio, heading towards the Alfama district of Lisbon centre, sits the Se - Lisbon's cathedral. You'll wander past it if you're heading upto Castelo De Sao Jorge - Lisbon's castle. Lisbon's current cathedral, its rococo original dating from 1150 having been again in the 1755 earthquake, is a simple design in a Romanesque style.
The Moors and Romans were here prior to that, and excavations are uncovering relics from those older originals - a 6th century Roman house, plus Moorish buildings are being uncovered. An old 13th century clister from the pre-earthquake building remains, and some Gothic tombs. After the Lisbon earthquake, Le Bas depicted an engraving of the Igreja da Se as completely destroyed, but this depiction is not thought to have been correct. There is no doubt that the cathedral was burnt out by the fire, but the damage the actual quake did to the building is unknown.
Lisboa Se, Largo da Se, Lisbon. Tel: 218 866 752, Open 9am to 7pm.
Around Lisboa cathedral are a number of other historic sights and museums. The Igreja de Santo Antonio and Museu Antoniano just to the left of the cathedral on Rua De Sao Antonio are thought to be on the site where one of Lisbon's popular saints was born - Fernando Bulhoes. The church dates from the 18th century, and the museum chronicles the Saint's life. (open from Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 1pm). It's the land of cathedrals and churches around this area of the Alfama District of Lisbon. Also near the cathedral on Rua da Alfandega sits the Conceicao Velha, of interest particularly for its 15th century Manueline doorway which survived the earthquake.
A trudge upto Castelo De Sao Jorge (Saint George's Castle), Lisbon Castle, or a bus 37 journey up from Rossio, is not to be missed. Up here are some of the best panoramic views of Lisbon, down onto Praca Do Comercio and beyond. As well as the castle, there's an introductory if filtered! exhibition on Lisbon History at adjacent Olisponia (open 10am to 1pm, 2pm to 5.30pm). Some pretty old parts of the castle remain, dating from the 6th century. Climb the towers, and walk along the castle ramparts for the best views of Lisbon.
Lisbon has had a castle up here through many generations, as far back as the Visgothic period of the 5th century to the Moors in the 9th, and from the 12th century the Christians. Just to the northwest of Lisbon's castle sits the old Moorish quarter - otherwise known as the Mouraria Quarter.
It's all rather pretty up here today, wandering around the castle gardens and admiring the views. It costs around 5 euros to get in, and well worth it. Tel: 218 877 244, open 9am to 9pm from March to October and upto 6pm from November to February.
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