Castle of São Jorge, Portugal

The Castle of São Jorge is a medieval castle located on a hill in the historical centre of Lisbon, Portugal. The original castle was built by the Moors and was during the Siege of Lisbon in 1147 conquered by King Alfonso Henriques. Until the end of the 12th century the castle had a defensive function but after Lisbon became the capital of the Kingdom of Portugal the Castle of São Jorge became the royal residence and went through extensive renovations under King Dinis I around 1300.



In the 14th century the castle's function again became defensive and its main task was to protect the city from Castillian attacks. Until 1371 was the castle simply known as the Lisbon Castle but then King John I dedicated it to Saint George and renamed it into the Castle of São Jorge. After King Manuel I built a new Royal Palace by the Tagus river (the Ribeira Palace) the Castle of São Jorge lost its former importance and eventually fell into decay. After an earthquake in 1531 and in 1755 was the castle's condition even worsened and by 1910 when it became a national monument was the Castle of São Jorge in disrepair. In the 1940's began extensive renovation works which returned its former beauty. Today is the Castle of São Jorge a major tourist attraction and is open to the public.