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Lisbon Portugal

Lisbon’s history dates back to 300,000 years ago. However, it emerged as a nation state in the early 12th century and ranks as one of the world's longest founded cities. As the legend tells, it is a city founded and named by Ulysses as Ulissipo or Olissopo, which has its origins in the Phoenician words "Allis Ubbo", meaning "enchanting port". It is from there, according to legend, that Lisbon got its name.

I was taken back by the beauty, the architecture and the people who not only were hospitable but they carried the burden of a hard life with a smile. Though the city does have that unclean feeling, the beauty remains and you can feel the damage that occurred after the horrendous earthquake in 1755. The people enjoy their life and having some financial difficulties in 2010 where the EU donated money to help with the economy, locals continue with their everyday chores and retain the proudness of their heritage even though some have to struggle to make a living.

It was once the launching pad for many discoverers (Vasco da Gama's epic journey to India), Lisbon was the first true world city, the capital of an empire spreading over all continents, from South America (Brazil) to Asia (Macao, China; Goa, India). It is forever known as the city of the explorers: Prince Henry the Navigator or Ferdinand Magellan. The city now rests quietly, leaving traces of history here and there but for sure the greatest discoverers will never be forgotten and having been under great stress with its financial difficulties, the city still has the reputed respect of it once being the forefront of adventurers.

The city was already existing when Julius Caesar was in power. Lisbon was a part of the Roman Empire, and was known under the name “Felicitas Julia”. Also the Islam had its time in Lisbon, and ruled the city until the first half of the 12th century. The rise of Lisbon started in 1147, when the city was conquered by the Christian crusader Afonso Henriques. Since then on, the political, economic, and cultural importance of Lisbon was increasing rapidly.




On November 01, 1755 an earthquake hit at at 9.30 am. The centre of the quake was situated in the Atlantic ocean and lasted approximately 10 minutes, sent 3 heavy shocks towards the city of Lisbon. The earthquake was felt as far as South Africa and tremors were felt in Spain, France, Switzerland and Italy. The earthquake caused a massive fire which, with the help of the quake destroyed just about the whole of Lisbon and a strong tsunami caused sever damage on the coast of Portugal, south-west Spain and western Morocco.






Lisbon being one of the most beautiful cities in Europe in 1755, was sadly destroyed, a re-enactment of  Pompeii's destruction, only this time mother nature used other means instead of poisonous gasses and lava from Mount Vesuvius.

256 years later and it is now 2011 the city may not be one of the nicest in Europe but Lisbon still holds in charm, though many will say that it looks unkept, it is still beautiful and in some way magical. It left me with awe and amazement studying its history, talking with the locals and seeing how the city was rebuilt, I felt the strength of the people that such a disaster was not going to keep them from continuing living their life. 






A piece of me is still in Lisbon and piece of Lisbon has embedded into my mind and heart. It is a city I adore and a place I will be visiting again and again.