Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal and one of the oldest cities in Western Europe — by some historical accounts, older than Rome. It was settled by the Phoenicians and later the Romans before being ruled by Muslims for nearly four centuries. Legend credits its founding to the Greek hero Ulysses, though its name most likely has Phoenician roots.
The Launching Point of the Age of Discovery
In the 15th century, voyages of maritime exploration set sail from Lisbon's harbors under Portuguese navigators such as «Vasco da Gama», who opened a direct sea route to India in 1498, turning the city into the hub of a transcontinental trading empire. The «Belém Tower» and «Jerónimos Monastery» commemorate this golden age with their distinctive «Manueline» architectural style.
- Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery are a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The famous Tram 28 has wound through the city's narrow historic streets for decades
- The devastating 1755 earthquake completely redrew the city center's layout
- Melancholic «Fado» music is an authentic cultural heritage of the city
Lisbon spreads across seven hills overlooking the «Tagus» River, known for its mosaic-paved streets and colorful neighborhoods like the historic «Alfama» quarter, making it one of Europe's most enchanting and light-filled capitals.
