Alfama
About the place
- Country : Portugal , Lisbon
- Address : Alfama, Lisboa, Portugal
- Category : Urban Facilities
Alfama
Overview:
The "Alfama" neighborhood is the Arab part of the city of Lisbon, its oldest district, and the historical heart of Portugal. The Phoenicians were the first to build the city of Alfama - as historians suggest - but the Arabs were the ones who planned the city located on top of a hill overlooking the Tagus River to be safe from attacks and easy to defend. The Arabs built a castle in it that still exists today: St. George's Castle, and it was the seat of Islamic rule in the region.
Until now, the city's layout has not changed from what the Muslims built, narrow streets paved with cobblestones, pottery vases bearing flowers hanging from the walls of narrow alleys, stone stairs, and white houses resembling the ancient cities of Andalusia and Moroccan cities, with their wooden windows and balconies from which plants and flowers hang. A beauty that is not devoid of the scent of poverty felt by visitors to the forgotten city for years, adding to it more mystery and excitement.
Resources:
ar-traveler website
tripadvisor website
news.travelerpedia website
