São Jorge Castle: A Must-Visit for Lisbon Visitors (With Images)

Saint George's Castle (Portuguese: Castelo de São Jorge) is a historic castle in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon.^[1]

The hill on which Saint George's Castle stands has played an important part in the history of Lisbon, having served as the location of fortifications occupied successively by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and Moors, before its conquest by the Portuguese in the 1147 Siege of Lisbon. 

Since the 12th century, the castle has variously served as a royal palace, a military barracks, home of the Torre do Tombo National Archive, and now as a national monument and museum.

 

Photo Gallery

São Jorge Castle⭐⭐ is a must-see for any visitor to Lisbon. It is an extensive site, so expect to spend the whole morning exploring. In addition to the castle itself, with its eleven towers, there is also a small museum, a bar, and a restaurant.  From the top of the fortress, you'll have the best views of the east of Lisbon and the sunset.

The below photos were taken on 01/03/2023, a sunny day.

Nice view over Lisbon

View of Praça do Comércio (Town Square)

A poem from the poet Sophia de Mello Breyner

Entrance to the Castle towers

A peacock struts freely across the castle grounds

How to Access Toilet

To find the public toilet inside São Jorge Castle:

1. Enter the castle and look for the stairs on the right-hand side.
2. Climb the stairs to the top level.
3. Follow the building around the corner until you see the fountain.
4. The public toilet is next to the fountain.

References

1. Saint George's Castle (Wikipedia)