We took Tram 28 up the hill, near to Castelo Sao Jorge. The occupation of the castle hill dates to the 8th century BC, with the first fortifications built date from the 1st century BC. The Castelo has served as a fort for the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and Moors, before the Portuguese conquest in 1147. We walked downhill from the Castelo, visiting the Se’ (Cathedral), built in 1147. It was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, with substantial rebuilding afterward.
We hopped on another tram and rode downhill to the center of the city, then walked a few blocks to Igreja Sao Domingos, dedicated in 1241, damaged by the 1531 Lisbon earthquake and almost completely destroyed by the 1755 earthquake. Rebuilding was completed in 1807. In 1959, the church was devastated by a fire that completely gutted the church, destroying many paintings and statues. The restoration left many signs of the fire in place and the church reopened in 1994.
After lunch, we took a bus up to the Embaixada Concept Store, located in a 19th century palace on one of the highest hills in the city. The store only carries items made in Portugal. We had been there before and came back to Ecolã store, where Papa bought a new woolen vest. We walked down the hill to a miradoura, with a beautiful view over the city. Our next stop was at one of our favorite churches in Lisboa, Igreja Sao Roque, built between 1506 and 1619, with a painted ceiling, and elaborate gold leaf covered chapels. It is stunning for the amount of gold in its interior.
