Experience the “movida” of the Court in Saint George’s Castle

Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, conquered Lisbon on the 25th  of October of 1147. In 2017 we celebrate 870 years of a day that changed the life on the Castle. Since that day until the 16th century this national monument became the Court’s place of choice.

The Castle is located in the noble area of the ancient medieval citadel (“alcáçova”), in which you will find the castle, traces of the ancient royal palace and part of a living space for the elites. The old constructions, dating from the Islamic period, were adapted and expanded to welcome the King, the Court, the Bishop and distinguished individuals, both national and foreign, as well as to host parties and praise kings throughout the  14th, 15th and 16th centuries.

Best Experience Lisbon was recently at the Castle, where we could experience the recreation of the Court’s “movida”. The S. George’s Castle has, nowadays, among several activities, the “Danças com História” (Dances with History), for children and families to dance “Pavanes”, “Galliards”, “Spanholetas” and “Cascardas”. This activity is also meant to pay homage to women.

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Despite all the attempts to remove women from the spotlight, they marked those times, by means of culture and sophistication. So many names, so many women and talent to write, act, paint, compose and dance. Who wouldn’t want to dance as and with D.Maria – gifted with extraordinary intelligence? Or Luísa Sigea – foreground figure of the Portuguese Court, who sent an epistle to the Pope written in five ancient languages along with the renowned poem “Sintra”? Or Paula Vicente, daughter of the famous Portuguese writer Gil Vicente, who published her father’s work apart from being herself a writer and music lover?

Saint George’s Castle has many different areas to explore, for example the Military area. When Portugal became a part of the Spanish Crown in 1580, the Castle took on a military nature, and it would remain that way until the beginning of the 20th century. Spaces were rebuilt, new ones were built. Nowadays there are still 11 towers, from which stand out the Menagem Tower, the Haver or Tombo Tower, the Paço Tower, the Cisterna Tower and the São Lourenço Tower, located half way up the hill. The military crafts (“artes bélicas”) are another family activity to do at S. George’s Castle, whether by the recreation of medieval battles or with family games by “Os Arautos da Brincadeira, D. Berengário e D. Segismundo” (“The Heralds of Fun, D. Berengário and D. Segismundo”), who won’t rest until everybody is involved in the activities and games from other times: “quebra-bilhas”, “vara-cega”, the treasure tower, among other games and surprises.

There are many activities for you to discover S. George’s Castle.

Come and experience the “movida” in the Lisbon Castle with Best Experience Team.