Lisbon

Lisbon, or Lisboa in Portuguese, boasts an antiquity that spans millennia. It was founded by the Phoenicians around 1200 BC and later settled by the Romans, who called it Olissipo. It endured the ravages of Visigoths and Moors before being reclaimed by Christian forces in the 12th century.

During the Age of Exploration, Lisbon stood at the forefront of maritime adventures. It was from these shores that Vasco da Gama set sail, charting the sea route to India, and where Ferdinand Magellan embarked on his circumnavigation of the globe.

The city prospered as Portugal built a vast overseas empire, amassing riches and exotic goods from Africa, Asia, and the Americas. This period of wealth and culture gave birth to Lisbon's iconic Manueline architecture.

In 1755, a devastating earthquake followed by a tsunami and fire nearly destroyed the city. Yet, Lisbon emerged from the rubble, rebuilt with grand squares, elegant boulevards, and the iconic Rua Augusta Arch.

Lisbon's history is a testament to resilience and reinvention. It was the center of a vast maritime empire, embracing cultures from four continents. Today, its historic neighborhoods, such as Alfama and Bairro Alto, still resonate with the melancholic strains of Fado music.

Source ChatGPT