São Jorge Castle history: timeline, key events, evolution

São Jorge Castle is a medieval castle dating back to the 9th century. Perched atop the highest hill overlooking the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, the historic castle houses a museum and the remains of a royal palace. The castle is a National Monument and is a treat for history and archaeology buffs.

São Jorge Castle timeline

• 10th century: Islamic ruler Hisham II ordered large-scale construction on the site.
• 1147: Dom Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal, captured Lisbon from the Moors.
• 1580: The castle was converted into a military base. Later, it was transformed into a prison and hospital.
• 1755: A severe earthquake hit the castle and the palace.
• 1910: São Jorge Castle was declared a National Monument by an official decree.

Construction of São Jorge Castle

The only piece of authoritative evidence suggesting construction atop the hill is an inscription dated to 985. It was during the reign of the Moors, in the Umayyad caliphate. The information describes Lisbon as Madina, meaning it was a walled city. It also mentions that the wall is damaged and needs repair. Despite it being widely accepted that a fortified citadel existed within the walls, historians are silent on whether it was Sao Jorge Castle. The primary reason for this is that Sao Jorge Castle is a Gothic castle with a distinctive quadrangular layout and towers. It was heavily modified after the Christian reconquest of Lisbon, and at least eight Christian rulers oversaw extensive modifications to the fort. A massive earthquake in 1755 also affected the castle and its buildings, altering some of its characteristics.