Lisbon

Lore & Background

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world and the second-oldest European capital city (after Athens). Settled by pre-Celtic tribes and later founded and civilised by the Phoenicians, Julius Caesar made it a municipium called Felicitas Julia. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it was ruled by Germanic tribes, most notably the Visigoths, then captured by the Moors in the 8th century. In 1147, Afonso Henriques conquered the city, and in 1255 it became Portugal's capital, replacing Coimbra.

In Their Own Story

The yellow tram rattled up the steep incline of the Alfama district, its brakes squealing in harmony with the distant sound of a Fado singer's voice drifting from an open window. Below, the Tagus River shimmered under the late afternoon sun, reflecting the golden light that seemed to cling to every cobblestone and terracotta roof. An old fisherman mended his nets on the quay, watching the great ships of the modern era pass where caravels once set sail centuries ago, a silent testament to a city that has always looked toward the horizon.

Reader's Guide

As the political centre of the country, Lisbon hosts the government, Assembly of the Republic, Supreme Court of Justice, Armed Forces and residence of the head of state. It is also the centre of Portuguese diplomacy, with ambassadors from 86 countries residing in the city, as well as representations from Taiwan and Palestine. About 3.35 million people live in the Lisbon metropolitan area, making it the third largest metropolitan area in the Iberian Peninsula (after Madrid and Barcelona). Lisbon is recognised as an alpha− level global city and is home to three companies in the Global 2000 (EDP Group, Galp Energia and Jerónimo Martins).

Did You Know?

• The precise origin of the name Lisbon is unknown; it may derive from Proto-Celtic or Celtic Olisippo, or from a supposed Phoenician term Alis-Ubbo meaning 'safe harbour', but this folk etymology lacks evidence.
• Lisbon's name is commonly abbreviated as 'LX' or 'Lx', originating in an antiquated spelling of Lisbon as Lixbõa.
• During the Neolithic period, the region was inhabited by Pre-Celtic tribes, who built megaliths, dolmens and menhirs still surviving on the periphery of Lisbon.
• The Tagus settlement was an important centre of commercial trade with inland tribes, providing an outlet for metals, salt, salted-fish, and Lusitanian horses.