Cerca Fernandina, Medieval defensive wall in Lisbon, Portugal.
Cerca Fernandina is a city wall that stretches several kilometers through central Lisbon, built from stone and featuring preserved sections of wall, gates, and towers. These structures are scattered across the landscape with some positioned above valleys that overlook the Tagus River.
A king commissioned this fortification in the 1370s to protect Lisbon from sea attacks. The construction reused older defensive elements that Romans and Moors had built in the area centuries before.
The wall separates different neighborhoods and shows how Lisbon once defined its boundaries in medieval times. Today, residents and visitors walk past the remains and experience the physical divide between the city center and outer areas.
The wall is visible in several locations throughout the city, especially near São Jorge Castle where explanatory panels are posted along the remains. It is best explored on foot to understand how different sections fit into the modern urban layout.
The wall uses stones and materials salvaged from older fortifications that stood on the same ground. While walking along it, you can notice different construction styles and patterns in the stonework that reveal how different eras built upon each other.
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