Castillo de San Jorge

Castillo de San Jorge | Wikicommons. Autor: Simon Burchell

If there is an iconic monument in Lisbon, it is none other than the Castle of Saint George. It is located on the highest hill in the historic center, offering impressive panoramic views of the city and the Tagus River. The fortress has witnessed a thousand stories belonging to Lisbon, from prehistory to the modern age, playing a crucial role in Portugal's own history. 

To know the origins of the Castle of San Jorge we have to go back to the 1st century BC. It is believed that the castle was built by the Celts, later being occupied by the Romans, followed by the Visigoths and somewhat later by the Moors. It was the latter who expanded and fortified it substantially. Of course, it was not until the middle of the 10th century when the Castle of San Jorge began to be built. to take shape as we know it today.

If we go back to the Reconquista, it was from this moment that the construction began. It went on to gain more than notable notoriety, precisely under the leadership of King Afonso Henriques who was in charge of the of its capture in the 12th century with the help of the Nordic crusaders. From 1147, the year of his capture, the Castle of Saint George passed away. It became a more than outstanding administrative center and residence of the kings of Portugal, a role that was maintained until the end of the Middle Ages. 

It is precisely referring to this period where we find one of the strongest and most outstanding points of the Castle of San Jorge, serving as a clear example of the medieval period with its imposing towers, walls or the emblematic original door . Although it has been renovated over time, many of these areas remain intact, with visitors being able to access areas such as the patios and even the torture chambers.

Saint George's Castle has become one of the main tourist attractions in Lisbon, and there are no shortage of reasons for this. It is a place of great historical interest, as well as a living cultural space where you can enjoy all kinds of events and shows, while enjoying the history of the place or the impressive views it offers of the city. 

Castle of San Jorge Schedules

Timetables to access areas such as the castle, the permanent exhibition, the archaeological site, the dark chamber or the viewpoint.

• From March to October: 09:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• November to February: 09:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.