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Medieval Walls & Gates of Lisbon

The medieval walls and gates of Lisbon were part of the Muslim defensive system, built between the 10th century and 12th. During the Muslim period only the castle and Alfama neighbourhood existed. Later, in the late 13th and 14th centuries, D. Dinis and D. Fernando ordered the walls to be repaired and enlarged, to address both the expansion of the city and the growing tension with Castille.

Arco da Portas do Mar

Today, there are still few remains of the these medieval structures scattered around the old district. Over the centuries, many new arches or doors were opened to provide access to Alfama district. One of them is Arch of Sea Ports (Arco da Portas do Mar), which is situated at Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, facing the River Tagus. This 3.7m wide and 9m long door serves as a link between the street of Bacalhoeiros and Afonso Street Albuquerque. This arc was once a Muslim watchtower in the medieval walls of Lisbon. Close to Chafariz Del Rey on R. Cais de Santarém lies another door. There is a strong possibility that this door (arch) was built between two towers of the wall.

Arco da Portas do Mar sits at Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, facing the River Tagus
Arco da Portas do Mar sits at Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, facing the River Tagus
In English, this gate is known as Arch of Sea Ports
Inner side of the Arco da Portas do Mar - Medieval Walls and Gates of Lisbon
Inner side of the Arco da Portas do Mar - Medieval Walls and Gates of Lisbon
This small arch lies on Chafariz Del Rey on R. Cais de Santarém - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
This small arch lies on Chafariz Del Rey on R. Cais de Santarém - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
Looking at the inner side of the arch - Medieval gates and walls of Lisbon
Looking at the inner side of the arch - Medieval gates and walls of Lisbon
Very close to this door, there is a19th-century mansion with a Muslim facade, named Palacete Chafariz D'El Rei
Very close to this door, there is a19th-century mansion with a Muslim facade, named Palacete Chafariz D'El Rei

Arco de Jesus & Postigo do Marques do Lavradio

Stairs lead from Rua de Sao Joao da Praca through Arco de Jesus to Rua Cais de Santarem. Acro de Jesus is an arch like structure was once part of Lisbon’s defensive system. This door one of the oldest doors in Lisbon, during the Muslim period it was called Bab al-Madiq. Bab al-Madiq provided an access between the beach and the inner city. 
Situated at Rua da Alfandega (close to Arco de Jesus) is the Wicket of the Marquis of Lavradio (Postigo do Marques do Lavradio). The reasons to open this small gate was opened to serve the Palace of Marquis of Lavradio in the 17th century. It also served the general public.

Arco de Jesus sits at the end of these stairs - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
Arco de Jesus sits at the end of these stairs - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
It sits between Rua de Sao Joao da Praca through Arco de Jesus to Rua Cais de Santarem
It sits between Rua de Sao Joao da Praca through Arco de Jesus to Rua Cais de Santarem
During the Muslim period, the name of this gate was Bab al-Madiq
During the Muslim period, the name of this gate was Bab al-Madiq
Side wall of the Arco de Jesus - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
Side wall of the Arco de Jesus - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
Wicket of the Marquis of Lavradio (Postigo do Marques do Lavradio) sits at Rua da Alfandega
Outer side of the Wicket of the Marquis of Lavradio (Postigo do Marques do Lavradio)
Outer side of the Wicket of the Marquis of Lavradio (Postigo do Marques do Lavradio)

Arco da Preguica

Preguica Arch (Arco da Preguica) is known to have existed from the 15th century (atleast). By opening this gate was to allow access to the Fonte Nova (the new Fountain), just outside the city walls. In the 16th century, this water supply source was known as Fonte Nova de Porta do Mar (the New Sea Gate Fountain) or Fonte de Preguica, hence the name suggests. 
At Rua da Saudade, close to Museu do Teatro Romano, there is a large chunk of a wall like structure. It gives a hint that it might had been part of the city wall extending all the way to the Castle of San Jorge.

Arco da Preguica comes from the 15th century (atleast) - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
Arco da Preguica comes from the 15th century (atleast) - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
The reasons behind the opening of this gate was to provide access to Fonte Nova (the new Fountain)
The reasons behind the opening of this gate was to provide access to Fonte Nova (the new Fountain)
Steps of the Preguica Arch (Arco da Preguica) - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
Steps of the Preguica Arch (Arco da Preguica) - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
In 1755, this arch was known as Arco da Conceicao (Arch of the Conception)
Close to Museu do Teatro Romano, there is a large chunk of an old wall
Close to Museu do Teatro Romano, there is a large chunk of an old wall
The wall stretches all the way to the Castle of San Jorge
The wall stretches all the way to the Castle of San Jorge

Porta do Sol

One of the most famous doors of Lisbon was Porta do Sol (Bab al-Maqbara in Arabic). Nowadays, Igreja de Santa Luzia (Church of Santa Luzia) sits at the top of the remains of the door. During the Muslim period, a cemetery had existed here, hence the name (Bab al-Maqbara), later the name change to Almocavar. This part of the medieval door has a terrace (at upper and lower levels) which is a magnet for the tourists to have the wonderful views of the River Tagus.
Sections of Lisbon’s medieval wall can be seen at Rua Judiaria. This is the area in old district where Jews of Lisbon lived during the Muslim period. This appears to be the remains of a watchtower and at the top of it there is a house with a small garden.

Wall of the Porta do Sol - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
Wall of the Porta do Sol - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
Porta de Sol is an east facing door in the city walls
Porta de Sol is an east facing door in the city walls
Church of Santa Luzia sits at the top of the remains of the door
Church of Santa Luzia sits at the top of the remains of the door
A cemetery had existed here during the Muslim period
Sections of Lisbon's medieval wall can be seen at Rua Judiaria in Alfama district
Sections of Lisbon's medieval wall can be seen at Rua Judiaria in Alfama district
Remains of a watchtower in the medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
Remains of a watchtower in the medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
A closer look at the section of the wall at Rua Judiaria
A small fountain at the Rua Judiaria - Medival walls and gates of Lisbon
A small fountain at the Rua Judiaria - Medival walls and gates of Lisbon
Moorish influence in the old district of Lisbon
Moorish influence in the old district of Lisbon
This small street leads to Largo do Terreiro do Trigo, facing the River Tagus
This small street leads to Largo do Terreiro do Trigo, facing the River Tagus

Couraca

Couraca ( a double wall) was built here which connected the tower of Saint Peter to the walls’ perimeter. It is believed that this wall was built around 14th century as part of the Fernandine wall (1373-1375). It has a small gate (wicket) for pedestrians, its walling up was done in 1650 due to the threat of a Castilian invasion.

Poet’s Fountain (Fonte do Poeta) at Rua da Judiaria. A sign beside the fountains says ‘ this fountain is just fixed, please don’t damage it’.

An old stone seemed to get caught in between the newer wall
An old stone seemed to get caught in between the newer wall
Graffiti around the old section of the wall - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
Graffiti around the old section of the wall - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
There are signs beside the old doors and arches of Lisbon but finding them all is not an easy task
There are signs beside the old doors and arches of Lisbon but finding them all is not an easy task
A double wall or Couraca was built here which connected the tower of Saint Peter to the walls' perimeter
A double wall or Couraca was built here which connected the tower of Saint Peter to the walls' perimeter
This section of the wall comes from 14th century as part of the Fernandine wall (1373-1375)
It has a small gate (wicket) for pedestrians but it was walled up in 1650
It has a small gate (wicket) for pedestrians but it was walled up in 1650
Fonte do Poeta or Poet's Fountain at Rua da Judiaria - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
Fonte do Poeta or Poet's Fountain at Rua da Judiaria - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon

Patios of D. Fradique

Two patios of D. Fradique of Up and Down, this is the beginning of the longest wall (86m). This section of the wall stretches from the Belmonte Palace to the Azurara Palace. The towers were integrated into the Belmont Palace in the 16th century. Accounts from the 1147 conquest of Lisbon suggest that in this area, part of the wall was destroyed by the crusaders.

The largest section of the medieval wall can be found here
The largest section of the medieval wall can be found here
A sign sits in the middle with the area around it where two towers had existed - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
A sign sits in the middle with the area around it where two towers had existed - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
Here, the wall is stretched from the Belmonte Palace to the Azurara Palace
Here, the wall is stretched from the Belmonte Palace to the Azurara Palace
In the 16th century, watchtowers became part of the palace
Belmont Palace section of the medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
Belmont Palace section of the medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
Old Islamic tower had existed here, between the towers, there was an arched passageway
Probably, it was opened during the medieval times to allow access to the eastern suburbs
Probably, it was opened during the medieval times to allow access to the eastern suburbs

Watchtower

A cafe or bar is built in the old watchtower, a sign with the name can be seen to the right. I was informed by the receptionist that this tower now houses craftsmen which can be visited for a steep fee. A section of the medieval wall is also found in the Casa dos Bicos. Old Muslim walls of Lisbon had existed here in the past but they were demolished to make way for this house.

An open area in the Largo Porta del Sol on the street with the same name
A cafe/bar is built in the old watchtower, a sign with the name can be seen to the right
A cafe/bar is built in the old watchtower, a sign with the name can be seen to the right
Just at the back of this tower lies the Museum of Decorative Arts
Just at the back of this tower lies the Museum of Decorative Arts
City walls under the Casa dos Bicos - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
City walls under the Casa dos Bicos - Medieval walls and gates of Lisbon
Old Muslim walls of Lisbon had existed here in the past
Old Muslim walls of Lisbon had existed here in the past
These two structure are one of the best examples of the city's defensive system found inside the Casa dos Bicos
These two structure are one of the best examples of the city's defensive system found inside the Casa dos Bicos