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Castelo de Sao Jorge (Castle of St. George)

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Amanda
Amanda
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4 out of 5
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Editor Pick

Castle of St. George

  • August 31, 2007
  • Rated 4 of 5 by LenR from Townsville, Australia
Castle of St. George

Saint George's Castle can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. Its oldest parts date from the 6th century, when it was fortified by the Romans, Visigoths, and eventually the Moors. It served as a Moorish royal residence until Portugal's first king Afonso Henriques captured it in 1147.

Today, Saint George Castle is an interesting place, a charming hilltop citadel with geese and ducks roaming around the castle gardens. Once used as a fortress, today it is a popular visitor place that certainly deserves an hour of your time.

Visitors can climb the towers and walk along the reconstructed ramparts of the castle walls and wonder at the spectacular views over Lisbon and the Tagus River. While visitors are taking in the sights, local men play backgammon and cards under the trees.

As Lisbon became the capital of the Kingdom, in 1255, the castle became the seat of the Royal Palace. It was dedicated to Saint George in the late 14th century by King John 1, who had married the English Princess Philippa of Lamcaster. The warrior-saint, represented fighting the dragon, was popular in both countries.

In the early 16th century, as Manuel I built the new Royal Ribeira Palace by the Tagus River, the old medieval Lisbon Castle started losing importance. An earthquake in 1531 damaged the castle and only contributed to its further decay.

The great 1755 Lisbon earthquake severely damaged the castle and contributed greatly to its degradation. The castle's period of neglect ended in the 1940s, when an extensive renovation was undertaken. Most of the incongruous structures added to the castle compound in the preceding centuries were demolished.

The castle area is square-shaped and was originally completely encircled by a wall, forming a citadel. It consists of the castle proper, some buildings (including the ruins of the Royal Palace), gardens and a large square with terraces to observe Lisbon. The main entrance to the citadel is through a 19th-century gate with the coat-of-arms of Portugal, the name of Queen Maria 11 and the date, 1846. This gate gives access to the main square which is decorated with old cannons and a bronze statue of the conqueror of the castle, King Afonso Henriques.

The remnants of the Royal Palace are located near the main square, but all that is left are some walls and rebuilt rooms

On the northwest side of the citadel area, on its highest point, is located the medieval castle. It is rectangular in shape and has a total of ten towers. A series of stairways allow you to reach the wall walk and towers, from which magnificent views of Lisbon can be enjoyed.

The best way to reach the castle is by taxi from downtown. Alternatively, you can take tram 28 and walk the final steep few hundred meters. After looking around here, you must walk down hill through the Alfama quarter for one of the best experiences in Lisbon.

From journal Lisbon's Marvelous Alfama Quarter

Editor Pick

Castelo de Sao Jorge

  • January 10, 2007
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Roozie from Los Angeles, California
The Castelo de Sao Jorge sits on one of Lisbon's higher hills and can be seen from . We caught glimpses of it between streets as we rolled through Lisbon on the bus. we decided it was a place we definitely wanted to see, and so we went first thing in the morning. It was hot! I thought it would be a little cooler up so high, but it wasn't. Pair hot sun with climbing battlements and you've got a good recipe for sweat! There wasn't much shade except in the observation terrace when you first walk in the gate. There are old cannons and a statue of a knight, and some of the best views of Lisbon. You can see the river, the Carmelite monastery, the Monument to the Discoveries, the Tower of Belem, the Se... you name it, and it can be seen from some place in the Castelo. We saw the Santa Engracia from there and decided to try and go there next. (We did go, and it was closed, and we were very disappointed because it is supposed to be where the famous fadista Amalia Rodrigues is entombed. We like the fado music.)

There is a pricey restaurant at the Castelo which has a lovely terrace overlooking the city, and the only other alternative is another one that's pretty small. It doesn't offer much except a tiny buffet, fresh fruit, sandwiches, drinks, and a small seating area. Have a snack before going and take plenty of water if you are there in a warmer season and don't plan to spend much on food. Prices can be a little ridiculous on the drinks.

Wear comfortable shoes, as the neighborhood around the castle (while quaint) is pretty steep, and in the castle itself there is a lot of climbing stairs or rough uneven paths or areas. Sometimes the stairs can be very narrow and high, and without anything to keep you from falling off of them. I don't know if I would recommend the place to anyone with small children unless you're happy with just the view from the observation terrace.

There is a 3 euro per person entrance fee to the Castelo, which we didn't think was too much, and it was worth it because of the views.

From journal Portugal, Paradise on a Budget!

Castelo de São Jorge

  • August 16, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Sabina315 from Athens, Ohio
Castelo de São Jorge

The rainy weather when we visited the Castelo made it seem even more like we had stepped back in time. Lisbon was covered in a grey mist but the views of the city from the castle were still beautiful. It wasn't what I imagined in a castle, no interior with fancy rooms and exhibits of lavishness. But this castle feels important when you stand at the top of it next to the waving Portuguese flag and look out over Lisbon's hills and river. As we walked around the castle I noticed that there were not really any closed off areas- we were free to explore however we wanted, and several people in my group decided to start a game of tag. The Castelo de Sao Jorge is a good place to relax and enjoy the view or run around climbing the castle.

From journal A Rainy Weekend in Portugal

Castelo de Sao Jorge

  • July 17, 2006
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Mandan Lynn from Smithwick, South Dakota
Castelo de Sao Jorge

Castelo de Sao Jorge
9:00-9:00 pm (summer)
9:00-6:00 pm (winter)
Admission: 3,00 euros, 1,50 euros for students

This was...okay. It was fun to walk through, but there just wasn't that much to see. It does, however, offer fantastic views of Lisbon, so it's worth it just for that. It's also fun to hear comments like, "This is the lowest railing I've ever seen!" Indeed, the railing was low. Might be easy to topple over the edge. Exercise caution.

The castle dates from the 11th century, so if you're into old things, this is worth a stop.

From journal Lisbon: More Than Just a Cow Parade

Editor Pick

Castelo de São Jorge

  • April 21, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by pabrams52 from Los Angeles, California
Castelo de São Jorge

Some historic attractions are not quite up to their guide book descriptions, but that is NOT the case with the Castelo de São Jorge. It is larger than life and really feels like the fortress that it once was. Climbing its battlements take a little bit of nerve (at least for me), but the experience is worth it. If nothing else, seeing the city of Lisbon from atop the castle hill is a view not to be missed. It is especially beautiful on a clear sunny day. Don’t try to count all the bright red-tiled rooftops which are in abundance in Lisbon. They seem to glow from that vantage point. One can also take in the magnificent bridge, Ponte 25 de Abril, which looks a tad like the Golden Gate Bridge. There is a lovely restaurant in the castle called Casa do Leão which offers upscale dining. It requires a reservation. It is frequently booked for groups and parties, so call ahead to make sure they are available.

From journal A Quick Peek at Lisbon

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