History

The settlement of present-day Lisbon dates back at least to the Neolithic period. The Phoenicians founded a trading post around 1200 BC, which they called Alis Ubbo (possibly the origin of the name Lisboa). Romans, Visigoths, and Suebi followed.

Moorish Rule (714–1147)

From 714, the Moors ruled the city, which they called al-Ushbuna. They built the fortress on the hill (today's Castelo de São Jorge), established irrigation systems, and made the city a thriving trade center. The Alfama, Lisbon's oldest district, still preserves the Moorish street labyrinth — narrow alleys, steep stairs, winding cul-de-sacs.

The Reconquista (1147)

On October 25, 1147, King Afonso Henriques, with the help of English, Flemish, and German crusaders, recaptured Lisbon from the Moors — after a 17-week siege. This day marks the beginning of Lisbon's Christian history. The English crusader Gilbert of Hastings was appointed the first bishop; the main mosque was converted into the cathedral (Sé de Lisboa). In 1255, Lisbon was elevated to the capital of Portugal.

The 15th and 16th centuries were Portugal's golden era — and Lisbon was the center of the world. From here, explorers set sail who redrew the world map:

• 1415: Conquest of Ceuta (Morocco) — the beginning of expansion.
• 1488: Bartolomeu Dias rounds the Cape of Good Hope.
• 1498: Vasco da Gama reaches India — the sea route to Asia is found. He set sail from Belém.
• 1500: Pedro Álvares Cabral discovers Brazil.
• 1519–1522: Fernão de Magalhães (Magellan, a Portuguese in Spanish service) circumnavigates the globe.

The spice route made Portugal immensely wealthy: pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg from India and Southeast Asia. King Manuel I used this wealth to build the Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém — in the unique Manueline style, which integrated maritime and exotic motifs into architecture. Lisbon became the richest and most cosmopolitan city in Europe.

The downside: Portugal began the transatlantic slave trade. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Lisbon was the largest slave market in Europe — a dark chapter that is increasingly being addressed.

The Earthquake of 1755

On November 1, 1755 (All Saints' Day), one of the worst natural disasters in European history struck Lisbon: An earthquake with a magnitude of 8.5–9.0, followed by a tsunami and days-long fires, destroyed 85% of the city. Between 30,000 and 60,000 people died. Churches, palaces, libraries, and the entire archive of discoveries — lost.

The Prime Minister Marquis of Pombal organized the reconstruction with an efficiency that amazed Europe: The Baixa was rebuilt as the first earthquake-resistant urban planning in the world in the Pombaline style — a strict grid pattern with wooden frame construction (gaiola pombalina) designed to withstand earthquakes. The earthquake changed Europe: It sparked a philosophical debate about God, nature, and optimism (Voltaire, Kant, Rousseau).

Republic & Dictatorship

In 1910, the monarchy was overthrown, and the First Republic was proclaimed. Political instability ended in 1933 with the Estado Novo dictatorship under António de Oliveira Salazar — an authoritarian, conservative dictatorship that lasted until 1974. Portugal remained neutral in World War II, but the dictatorship suppressed political opposition, clung to the colonies (bloody colonial wars in Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau), and isolated the country.

The Carnation Revolution (April 25, 1974)

On April 25, 1974, a military coup overthrew the dictatorship — largely bloodless. Soldiers placed red carnations in their rifle barrels, the population took to the streets, and the dictatorship ended after 48 years. April 25 is Portugal's National Day (Day of Freedom). The Ponte 25 de Abril (Lisbon's Golden Gate-like bridge) was renamed in honor of this day — previously it was called Ponte Salazar.

European Integration

In 1986, Portugal joined the EU, in 1998 the Expo 98 took place in Lisbon (the district Parque das Nações on the Tagus was created), and in 2002 the Euro was introduced. The financial crisis of 2008–2014 hit Portugal hard, but Lisbon has since reinvented itself as a start-up capital (Web Summit), tourism hotspot, and creative metropolis.