A Brief History of Lisbon
Early DaysThe History of Lisbon is a story with uncertain beginnings. Myths say Ulysses fell in love with Calypso here in the mists of antiquity and created the first Lisbon. Certainly Phoenicians came early, and the city was established by 1000BC. They called it Ubis Ubbo which means Gentle Bay. The Romans arrived 800 years later and brought vines, olives and a Latin language. The ruins of a Roman Theatre near the Cathedral illustrate their civilizing influence. In the fifth century Rhineland tribes invaded Portugal, first forming an alliance with the Romans, then taking charge themselves. The Moors took Lisbon in 714 and built the Castle and Alfama area originally called Al Hamma, meaning warm spring. They encouraged tolerance and artistic skills and developed agriculture in the surrounding regions. They controlled the city until the Catholic King Afonso Henriques of the Northern Kingdom of Portucale pushed South. Lisbon was too much for his forces at first. He asked for support from a ragbag of crusaders heading to the Holy land. They took the city without mercy in 1147, leaving a huge death toll. To celebrate the victory a new Cathedral was built below the castle,one of the least bloodthirsty of the crusaders Gilbert of Hastings became the first Bishop of Lisbon.
Center of the World
History of Lisbon The Tower of Belem, from here ships embarked in search of sea routes to all corners of the earth. The History of Portugal changed for ever when Lisbon became capital in 1250. Times were tough at first, with several earthquakes and the plague. The Portuguese, fearful of their Iberian neighbor Spain, allied with England in 1386. Portugal found its true calling in the 15c and began its voyages of discovery, seeking a sea route to India and its spices. Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco de Gama, Cabral and Magellan were the greatest of these explorers. The result was an opening up of trade, the discovery of new continents and a vast improvement in European cuisine! These were great days in the History of Lisbon. For a while in the 16th century under King Dom Manuel Lisboa was the center of the world and "Queen of the Seas".However, Dom Manuel was married to Queen Maria of Castille and she encouraged a policy of intolerance towards minorities as practiced in Spain. The Portuguese also copied the Spanish by establishing the Inquisition in the central Rossio Square. The victimization and expulsion of Moors and Jews was disastrous for business activity and cultural diversity. The subsequent collapse of the economy paved the way for the Spanish takeover in 1581. The policies of the Spanish weakened Portuguese naval strength and colonies were lost. In 1641 Portuguese impatient patriots took over the Royal Palace in Lisbon and the Duke of Braganca was placed on the throne. The Portuguese reverted to old alliances and the sister of the king Catherine was married to Charles the second of England, taking with her the Portuguese custom of tea drinking to Britain.
Earthquake of 1755A period of calm was suddenly broken in 1755. The earthquake struck on All Souls Day when the citizens were attending mass. The subsequent tidal wave and fire made sure that the devastation was terrible and the death toll was probably more than 40,000. The event profoundly changed European thinking, causing many people to doubt religious faith and causing others to question the Enlightenment idea of progress. Voltaire famously used the event in his romance Candide ridiculing the idea that we live in “the best of all possible worlds”. The city was in ruins, the population demoralised. Terrible days in the History of Lisbon. Enter the Marques de Pombal. His determination to keep Lisbon functioning in the face of apathy was crucial to the very survival of the city. Ruthless and determined, he created the basic shape of the Lisbon we see today. No wonder then that he is commemorated in many places in the city and gives his name to the gateway to the city.
Lisbon North
History of Lisbon Instability and DictatorshipAfter the period of progress under Pombal, uncertainty returned when Napoleon invaded and the royal family fled to Brazil. The British led by Wellington arrived and the French were defeated but the country was left impoverished and Civil war broke out between Absolutists and Liberals under the leadership of two opposing princes Dom Pedro and Dom Miguel.. The Liberals gained power but the country struggled to achieve stability. Many cafes and bars were established and became the home to the different factions.The Chiado area with its cafes and theatres became the base of liberal intelectuals. Eventually, the King was assassinated and a republic was established in 1910. But instability continued and the constitution was suspended in 1926 paving the way for the Salazar dictatorship which held Portugal in its grip from 1932 to 1974. This was a tough time in The History-of-Lisbon. Physical and mental poverty for the majority. Portugal was cut off from the mainstream of Europe. Salazar suppressed education and placed the Church at the heart of Portuguese cultural life, the shrine of Fatima, an hour from Lisbon, became the centrepiece of the Catholic revival. Portugal remained officially neutral during World War Two but as the most westerly mainland port in Europe it became the embarkation point for refugees, many of Jewish origin, fleeing Nazi persecution. It became a centre for spying activity and intrigue during the war and Salazar tried to gain advantages from both Allies and Axis powers. This period in the History of Lisbon has been used in many novels. The first great bridge across the Tajus was built under Salazar and once it bore his name , now it commemorates the day the Portuguese took back their freedom. The Portuguese colonies were all kept under strict control under the Salazar regime and independence movements repressed, eventually leading to fierce fighting between Portuguese and African forces.
History of Lisbon Expo in 1998 revitalised the east of the city Modern PortugalIn April 1974 the regime fell in a coup led by a group of idealistic young soldiers disillusioned with the colonial wars. The repressed people bravely took to the streets in anticipation of change and decorated the tanks with flowers. The non-violent “carnation revolution” brought democracy to Portugal and a new phase in the History of Lisbon, after 50 years of dictatorship. Overthrowing the regime was easier than governing the country. There were many factions seeking power and occasional failed coups. The colonies in Africa gained independence. Many people came to Lisbon from the former colonies. The country struggled to find its direction. Gradually, stability returned under leaders of the centre left, many of whom influence Portuguese politics to this day. Portugal joined the European Union in 1986 and the Euro zone in 2002. Lisbon was European City of Culture in 1994. EXPO came in 1998 revitalising the Eastern part of the city. The European Football Championships were held in Portugal in 2004 and two new modern stadiums were built. Gradually, Portugal found a new place at the heart of European politics giving its name to the Treaty of Lisbon, signed in 2007, and now awaiting ratification by just a few EU members.A proud day in the History-of-Lisbon.
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