Castle of Saint George, Castle in Santa Maria Maior, Lisbon, Portugal
The Castle of Saint George is a fortified compound on the highest hill of Lisbon with eleven watchtowers along the walls. The defensive structure includes several courtyards, a central plaza, and remains of earlier settlement layers revealed through excavations.
The site was settled in the eighth century before Christ and later fortified by the Moors, who ruled here until the Christian conquest in the twelfth century. The compound then served as a royal palace and lost its military role only after the great earthquake of 1755.
The castle is dedicated to Saint George, the warrior-saint popular in both Portugal and England, by order of King John I, who had married the English princess Philippa of Lancaster. The date of the Christian conquest, 25 October, is now celebrated as Army Day, since Saint George is the patron saint of the Portuguese Army.
The entrance is located in the Santa Maria Maior neighborhood and can be reached via steep streets or tram line 28. The paths inside the compound are partly uneven, and the viewpoints require climbing stairs, so visitors should wear sturdy shoes.
The walls house a population of wild peacocks that roam freely between the towers and often surprise visitors with their calls. These birds were originally introduced as decorative elements and have since become a permanent resident group.
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