Roman and Medieval Lisbon: A Tour with Context

Lisbon is full of stories, but it also hides a not-very-well-kept secret: many parts of the city were built on top of important Roman buildings. Discover the city of seven hills on this walking tour with Context Travel’s Veronica Iacomi, a PhD archaeologist and expert guide. Veronica will show you the city’s Roman and medieval ruins as she unravels its enigmatic past, woven into every cobblestone and corner. She‘ll also invite you to use your imagination to paint a picture of what life was like all those centuries ago.

The tour starts in front of Castelo de São Jorge, or St. George’s Castle, where you‘ll hear how the surrounding area was among the first to be settled by the Romans. You‘ll walk through Arco do Castelo, an old city gate, on your way to Lisbon Cathedral. Outside the cathedral, Veronica will share the exhilarating story of Olisipo, the Roman name for the area that became Lisbon. She’ll also tell you about the Visigoth invasions, the city’s Moorish influence, and the compelling events of the Middle Ages, all leading to the Christian conquest. You‘ll then make your way through the ancient, maze-like Alfama neighborhood. There, you‘ll have stunning views from the Miradouro de Santa Luzia viewpoint, and see the Parish Church of Saint Michael which is locally considered the beating heart of the neighborhood. As you make your way to Praça Dom Pedro IV, also known as Rossio Square, Veronica will point out hidden architectural elements like marble tiles and remnants of Roman structures buried long ago, including four parts of an old Roman fish tank in Casa dos Bicos cultural center.

On this 75-minute Lisbon tour, you‘ll have a chance to:

• Stumble upon beautifully preserved ruins like the Roman theater, hidden beneath the bustling streets of Lisbon and in buildings like the Museu de Lisboa Teatro Romano
• Learn about the ancient city of Olisipo and unearth the secrets of its hidden Roman treasures
• Piece together the puzzle of ancient Lisbon‘s urban layout
• Delve into the concept of “Saudade,“ meaning Portuguese longing, and its influence on the city‘s development
• Explore the aftermath of the 1755 earthquake, a pivotal moment that completely transformed the city’s urban layout
• Discover the history of the ancient Alfama district and its medieval Moorish influence with narrow streets, alleys, stairs and houses at different levels, forming a pleasant and curious labyrinth
• Follow the border of “Cerca Velha,“ Lisbon‘s old city wall built around the 11th century during the Moorish period, which mostly covers the ancient outline of the late Roman city
• Gaze upon the History of Lisbon mural by Nuno Saraiva

By the end of this 75-minute walk, you‘ll have a deeper appreciation for ancient and medieval Lisbon‘s history. This is your chance to get the inside scoop on this magnificent city‘s best-kept secrets and learn more about the layers of history that are woven into every cobblestone and corner.