The history of Lisbon in detail
Lisbon was founded by the Phoenicians under the name Olissipo and was conquered soon after by the Greeks and Carthaginians. Eventually, Lisbon became the capital of Roman Lusitania. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the city was part of the Sueva Kingdom of Galicia until 585.
Muslim period and reconquest of Lisbon
In 711, Lisbon's history took an unexpected turn when it fell into Muslim hands and named it al-Usbuma. Despite some incursions by Christians, it remained so until the beginning of the 12th century. A castle (future St Georges Castle) was built on the hill overlooking the city and the Alfama district was born.
Alfonso II the Chaste recovered it for ten years from 798 to 808. The final reconquest took place in 1147 with Alfonso I Henriques helped by the fleet of the second crusade. During the reign of Alfonso III, the foundations for Portugal's maritime expansion were laid in Lisbon.
The maritime laws dictated by King Ferdinand I greatly contributed to its development. At the end of the 14th century, the merchant oligarchy enthroned the Aviz dynasty. This period was then the prelude to the great discoveries of the following century.
Lisbonne à la Renaissance
From the 15th century, the port of Lisbon became one of the most important in the world. It was then that the House of Guinea and Mina (Casa da Guiné) - the Portuguese royal warehouses - was built, which will allow trade to be developed with the Cape Verde coasts.
Wealth attracted the Genoese, Jews, Flemings and Majorcans whose maritime knowledge must have influenced the court of Henry the Navigator. In the 16th century, the House of the Indies (Casa de Indias) further enriched the city through trade with Asia, Africa and Brazil. It then became the most important slave trade center in Europe.
In 1580, the Duke of Alba conquered Portugal and the Spanish King Philip II was recognized as King of Portugal. The reestablishment of independence in 1640 and the great wealth that came from Brazil gave rise to an era of great splendor in Lisbon.
The great earthquake of November 1, 1755 destroyed Lisbon, which allowed the Marquis de Pombal, thanks to the wealth that came from Minas Gerais, to rebuild the city of Baisa according to regular plans with large avenues in classical style.
The city fell into the hands of Napoleon in 1807 but was reconquered by the English with General Wellington at the head. In 1833, the constitutional monarchy was restored and continued until the proclamation of the republic in 1910.
Lisbon in the 20th century
In 1932, the Dictatorship of Salazar was established and will remain in place until April 25, 1974, when a coup d'état led by General Spinola ended the dictatorship. This event is more widely known as the "Carnation Revolution".
During these years, Lisbon experienced a great demographic and expansive change. During World War II, Lisbon was the refuge of many exiles from the countries occupied by the axis of the United States and Great Britain.
In 1986, Portugal entered the European Union and twelve years later, in 1998, Lisbon was the site of the World's Fair, which greatly changed the appearance of this beautiful city. That same year, a big fire hit Chiado.