Lisbon Audio Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Welcome

  Welcome to Lisbon! Start your tour at Saint George Castle’s archway. Visit the castle now or later; the tour starts downhill.

• 3,000 Years & Counting

  Lisbon’s narrow, cobblestone streets highlight its 3,000-year history, older than London and Rome, once thriving under Roman and Visigoth rule.

• Punic Wars: Carthage vs Rome

  In 205 BCE, Romans offered Lisbon’s people freedom in exchange for help against Carthage, changing the city’s fate.

• Roman Rule

  Rome elevated Lisbon to a booming city with theaters, bathhouses, and temples under Julius Caesar.

• Did Phoenicians Name Lisbon?

  Settled over 3,000 years ago, Lisbon’s name might derive from the Phoenicians’ word for "delightful little port."

• Cross Street to Church

  Cross to the plaza near the Church of Santa Luzia. Admire the vibrant greenery and serene atmosphere.

• Miradouro de Santa Luzia

  Enjoy the romantic terrace, stunning ocean views, and the Alfama’s red rooftops. The Moors transformed Lisbon in 711, building a city of winding streets and steep stairs.

• Church of Santa Luzia

  Built for the patron saint of blindness, this church was reconstructed in a baroque style after the Great Earthquake.

• Tile Murals

  Admire the blue tile murals on the church’s side, depicting Lisbon’s history, including the fall of the Moors.

• City of Seven Hills

  Lisbon’s seven hills offer breathtaking views and natural defenses against invaders.

• Pause at Stairs

  Check out nearby viewpoints, Miradouro das Portas do Sol and another large plaza, for more stunning views before descending the stairs.

• History Mural (Stairs Tunnel)

  The tunnel’s comic strip by Nuno Saraiva details Lisbon’s history. Explore the panels before continuing down the stairs.

• Welcome to the Alfama

  Turn right at the bottom of the stairs into the Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood filled with street art and history.

• “Lisa” Mural (Descend Stairs on Left)

  Descend the stairs to see Tami Hopf’s “Lisa” mural. Continue down the next set of stairs.

• Crumbling Neighborhood or Golden Age?

  Pause in the open space, admire the love birds mural, and imagine Lisbon’s Golden Age under Moorish rule, marked by growth, knowledge, and new culinary delights.

• Crusaders Siege Lisbon

  The Church of Saint Michael, built in 1180, stands as a symbol of Lisbon’s tumultuous history, especially during the 1147 siege by Afonso Henriques and Crusaders, driving out the Moors.

• Igreja de Sao Miguel

  This church, initially built in the 1100s and renovated in the 1600s, features tall bell towers and gilded decor by Bento Coelho da Silveira.

• Sancho II & Alfonso III

  Alfonso III, despite being the younger brother, managed to oust his unpopular brother Sancho II with the Vatican's help and brought stability to Portugal by enacting middle-class-friendly policies and reclaiming the land from the Moors.

• Saint Vincent’s Crows

  Afonso’s victory over the Moors was believed to be aided by the spirit of Saint Vincent, whose remains he protected, and whose legend is symbolized by crows on Lisbon’s flag.

• Lisbon's Tile Treasures

  The beautiful blue tiles, Azulejos, became a staple of Portuguese architecture in the 1400s, reflecting both Islamic and European influences.

• A Traitor in the Cathedral

  Lisbon Cathedral, built by Afonso, was the site of a gruesome murder during the 3 Johns' battle and holds layers of historical remnants from different eras.

• Age of Exploration

  By the 1400s, Portugal leveraged advances in navigation and shipbuilding to explore unknown territories, spurred by the tales of immense wealth in Africa and India.

• Mansa Musa

  The king of Mali from 1312 to 1337, Mansa Musa, made Mali incredibly wealthy through gold and salt mining, spreading its riches during his famous hajj to Mecca.

• Sanhaja Berbers & Camel Caravans

  The Sanhaja Berbers were expert traders navigating the Sahara, crucial in transporting valuable spices across the desert.

• Five Glorious Spices — Or Just One?

  The most coveted spice was black pepper, dominating 90% of the trade and being integral to European cuisine and economy for centuries.

• Pepper and Power

  Black pepper's influence stretched from Egyptian pharaohs to Roman elites and beyond, driving European exploration and trade policies.

• Henry the Navigator

  Prince Henry’s exploration began with capturing Ceuta in 1415, leading to further expeditions along Africa’s west coast, where he initiated the slave trade.

• Azores and Madeira

  Portuguese explorers settled islands like the Azores and Madeira, establishing communities and agriculture

• Slavery Before Gonçalves’ Expedition

  Slavery existed long before Portugal's Age of Exploration, but the large-scale chattel slavery they introduced was new.

• The Pope’s Role in the Slave Trade

  Pope Nicholas V sanctioned the enslavement of Africans, allowing Portugal to expand the slave trade under the guise of spreading Christianity.

• Rivers of Gold

  Portugal’s persistent exploration led them to Ghana, where they discovered lucrative gold deposits, fueling further expeditions.

• Elmina Castle in Ghana

  Portugal built Elmina Castle to control the gold trade, which later became a base for the slave trade.

• Praça do Comercio

  This plaza, built in the early 1500s, symbolizes Portugal's peak during the spice trade boom.

• The Calicut King

  Vasco da Gama's arrival in India opened new trade routes, although not without conflict and cultural misunderstandings.

• Maritime Mafia

  Portugal’s powerful armadas dominated Indian Ocean trade routes, monopolizing the spice trade.

• Golden Goa

  Goa became the center of the Portuguese Empire in India, flourishing with new elite classes and lavish lifestyles.

• The Empire Falters

  Portugal's golden age waned due to conflicts with Spain and other European powers, leading to a decline in its global dominance.

• Equestrian Statue

  Renaissance, Ruin, and Rebirth: King Jose I’s reign saw the Portuguese Renaissance and the devastating 1755 earthquake, which marked the end of Portugal's imperial aspirations.

• Earthquake’s Influence on the Enlightenment

  The 1755 earthquake spurred philosophical and political shifts, influencing Enlightenment thinkers.

• King Jose and the Earthquake

  The earthquake reshaped Lisbon and King Jose I's reign, leading to innovative seismic architecture.

• Columns

  The columns by the steps symbolize wisdom and devotion, essential for Lisbon's rebuilding.

• Aqueduct

  The Aqueduct of the Free Waters, a Roman-inspired structure, survived the 1755 earthquake and showcases Lisbon's engineering prowess.

• Arco da Rua Augusta

  This grand arch, originally a simple belltower, took nearly a century to complete and features statues symbolizing Glory, Valor, and Genius.Rua Augusta: This vibrant street is full of shops and food. We'll explore iconic Lisbon eats here.

• Pastel de Nata

  Indulge in Lisbon’s iconic pastry, the Pastel de Nata, a creamy egg custard tart dusted with cinnamon.

• Fishy Business

  Lisbon’s cuisine is rich in seafood, with sardines and bacalhau (salted codfish) being local favorites.

• Cross to Rossio Square

  Head to the plaza ahead and stop by the nearest fountain.

• Praça do Rossio

  Known as the heart of the city, this historic plaza features beautiful mosaic pavements and has been a central gathering place since the 1200s.

• Statue of Pedro IV

  This statue, possibly of Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico, represents Dom Pedro IV, the first emperor of Brazil and an advocate for Brazilian independence.

• Teatro Nacional

  Use the crosswalk to reach the grand National Theatre.

• A Ginjinha

  This small shop serves Ginjinha, a cherry liquor infused with cinnamon, a popular Lisbon drink with a storied past.

• Star Jewish Memorial & Church of St. Dominic

  The star-shaped memorial honors the Jewish victims of the Portuguese Inquisition. Behind it is the Church of St. Dominic, a historic site for royal weddings.

• Britain Takes the Wheel

  After losing Brazil, Portugal’s influence waned, and by the late 1800s, they surrendered African territories to Britain.

• Praça da Figueira

  This square features a statue of King John I, who set the stage for Portugal’s Age of Exploration.