The Sao Jorge Castle
The entrance to Sao Jorge Castle
On our third day in Lisbon, Marc and I met our friend Marco who led us to several hills with gorgeous vista points. Along the way, he took us to the Sao Jorge Castle which I had visited decades earlier. Said to be the highest point in Lisbon, the castle dates back to the 11th century when the Moors built it to house their army and provide a safe haven for their elites in times of danger. It also became the site of the country's royalty who took the castle and made it their home for several centuries.
The views from up there were amazing. I was excited to see the religious statue encased in glass. I knew it was in the vicinity and I sure glad to see it once again. I have posted that picture which my former Brazilian room mate, Ronaldo Pereira, took.
I was right! Here was the religious statue encased in glass. See my vintage picture taken decades earlier.
Taken last April 1990
This was taken from atop the castle.
What a view!
Another view of Lisbon with its bridge in the far background.
Taken on the grounds of the Sao Jorge Castle with the monument dedicated to Alfonso I of Portugal
A close up view of Alfonso I's statue
The statue of Don Manuel "El Venturoso"
This was the museum on the grounds of the castle which housed archaeological finds from the 7th century B.C. to the 18th century, with emphasis on the Moorish period in the 11th and 12th centuries.
Lisbon certainly had lots of buildings and walls covered in tiles. I heard someone say that many homes and buildings were covered in tiles as a protection from fires. Whatever the purpose may be, such décor has made Lisbon such a pretty city.