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, it was later founded and civilised by the Phoenicians. Julius Caesar made it a municipium called Felicitas Julia, adding the term to the name Olisipo. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it was ruled by Germanic tribes, 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.

Reader's Guide

Lisbon is the political, economic, and cultural centre of Portugal, hosting the government, Assembly of the Republic, Supreme Court of Justice, Armed Forces, and the residence of the head of state. It is also the centre of Portuguese diplomacy. The Lisbon metropolitan area is the third largest in the Iberian Peninsula (after Madrid and Barcelona) and among the 10 most populous urban areas in the European Union, representing about 28% of the country's population.

Did You Know?

• The precise origin of the name Lisbon is unknown; it may derive from Proto-Celtic or Celtic Olisippo, Lissoppo, or a similar name.
• Classical authors referred to legends that Lisbon was founded by the mythical hero Ulysses (Odysseus).
• The abbreviation 'LX' or 'Lx' originates from an antiquated spelling of Lisbon as Lixbõa, though the old spelling has since been dropped.
• 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.