Lisbon is a city that literally rose from the ashes. You likely recognize its yellow trams and tiled buildings, but its history is defined by a massive earthquake that changed everything. It is actually older than Rome and London. Furthermore, it was a playground for spies during World War II. The locals invented a sweet pastry just to use up leftover egg yolks. Let’s explore the capital of Portugal.
Lisbon
Lisbon holds the title of the second oldest capital city in Europe. Surprisingly, it predates London, Paris, and even Rome by several centuries. Only Athens, Greece, is older than this historic Portuguese settlement.
A massive earthquake nearly wiped the entire city off the map in 1755. The tremors, followed by a tsunami and fires, destroyed 85 percent of the structures. Consequently, the city was rebuilt with the first earthquake-resistant grid system in Europe.
The city is famous for its yellow Tram 28. While tourists love it, the route actually exists for a practical reason. These vintage trams are the only vehicles capable of navigating the sharp turns and steep gradients of the Alfama district.
Lisbon houses the oldest operating bookstore in the world. Livraria Bertrand opened its doors in 1732 and has remained in business ever since. You can actually buy a book there today and get a certificate stating you shopped at the record-breaking store.
The famous pastel de nata pastry was created by Catholic monks. They used massive amounts of egg whites to starch their clothes, so they had leftover yolks. To avoid waste, they invented the delicious custard tart that is now a national icon.
Locals created the intricate black and white pavement designs to guide pedestrians. This style, known as Calçada Portuguesa, uses hand-cut stones to create mosaics. However, these beautiful stones become incredibly slippery when it rains.
The 25 de Abril Bridge makes a distinctive singing sound. As cars drive over the metal grid deck, the friction creates a loud, humming hum. It looks very similar to the Golden Gate Bridge because the same American company built the foundations.
Lisbon served as a major nest for spies during World War II. Since Portugal remained neutral, agents from both the Allied and Axis powers operated openly in the city. Ian Fleming famously found the inspiration for James Bond while staying at the nearby Estoril Casino.
The raven acts as the official symbol of the city. Legend says that two ravens guarded the body of Saint Vincent as a ship carried him to Lisbon. Therefore, the city coat of arms depicts a ship with a bird perched on each end.
Residents nickname the city the “City of Seven Hills” just like Rome. However, as the city expanded over the centuries, it actually grew to cover eight distinct hills. The nickname remains because it sounds more romantic and historic.
The Alfama district is the only part of the city that survived the 1755 earthquake. Its dense bedrock foundation protected the medieval buildings from collapsing. Thus, it remains the only place where you can see the original, chaotic street layout.
You can find a street painted entirely pink in the Cais do Sodré neighborhood. Historically, this area was the seedy red-light district for sailors arriving at the port. In 2011, the city painted the asphalt pink to transform it into a trendy nightlife spot.
The Vasco da Gama Bridge is the second longest bridge in Europe. It stretches for over ten miles across the Tagus River. Engineers designed it to withstand an earthquake four times stronger than the one that destroyed the city in 1755.
Locals adore the ceramic swallows you see hanging on walls. These birds migrate but always return to the same nest and the same partner. Consequently, they symbolize family, loyalty, and the concept of home in Portuguese culture.
The Oceanário de Lisboa is one of the largest aquariums on the planet. Uniquely, it holds five million liters of seawater and mimics four different ocean habitats. A massive central tank allows you to see sharks, rays, and sunfish swimming together.
