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Teatro Politeama, Lisbon

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Municipium Cives Romanorum Felicitas Julia Olisipo (in Latin : Olisippo or Ulyssippo  ; in Greek : Ὀλισσιπών , Olissipṓn , or Ὀλισσιπόνα , Olissipóna ) was the ancient name of modern-day Lisbon while it was part of the Roman Empire .

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82-596: The Teatro Politeama is a theatre in Lisbon , Portugal that opened in 1913. Teatro Politeama was conceived by Luís António Pereira . Buying land on what is now the Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, close to the Coliseu dos Recreios , a large multipurpose auditorium that was inaugurated in 1890, Pereira laid the first stone of the new theatre on 12 May 1912, having recruited the prestigious architect Miguel Ventura Terra to draw up

164-518: A cryptoporticus—a structural innovation of the Roman Empire times, used to stabilize and level the ground for significant constructions, particularly in uneven terrains. The Thermae Cassiorum ( Cassian Baths , named for Quintus Cassius Longinus and Lucius Cassius , were built in 44 AD. The building was renovated in 336 AD. Several temples were built in the city, dedicated to Jupiter , Concordia , Livia , Diana or Minerva (on

246-400: A deep impression on its collective psyche. Voltaire wrote a long poem, Poême sur le désastre de Lisbonne , shortly after the quake, and mentioned it in his 1759 novel Candide (indeed, many argue that this critique of optimism was inspired by that earthquake). Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. also mentions it in his 1857 poem, The Deacon's Masterpiece, or The Wonderful One-Hoss Shay . After

328-713: A global city, and it is also home to three companies in the Global 2000 ( EDP Group , Galp Energia and Jerónimo Martins ). Lisbon is one of the major economic centres in Europe , with a growing financial sector, with PSI-20 being part of Euronext , the largest center for debt and funds listings in the world. The Lisbon region has a higher GDP PPP per capita than any other region in Portugal. Its GDP PPP amounts to US$ 179 billion and thus $ 61,713 per capita. When it comes to working and employment conditions, Lisbon has some of

410-424: A high level of "youth emigration" mostly to other European cities of countries as France, UK, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Belgium. The city occupies the 40th place of highest gross earnings in the world and, with almost 21,000 millionaires, is the 11th European city by number of millionaires and the 14th by number of billionaires. Most of the headquarters of multinational corporations in Portugal are located in

492-486: A major gateway for refugees to the U.S. and a haven for spies. More than 100,000 refugees were able to flee Nazi Germany via Lisbon. During the Estado Novo regime (1926–1974), Lisbon, under the influence of Duarte Pacheco , the minister of works, was expanded at the cost of other districts within the country, resulting in nationalist and monumental projects. New residential and public developments were constructed;

574-435: A supposed ancient Phoenician term Alis-Ubbo , meaning "safe harbour" or "pleasant haven". Although modern archaeological excavations show Phoenician presence at this location since 1200   BC, this folk etymology completely lacks any evidence and "is never attested in ancient classical literature". Lisbon's name is commonly abbreviated as "LX" or "Lx", originating in an antiquated spelling of Lisbon as Lixbõa . While

656-544: A territory that extended 50 kilometres (31 miles). Exempt from taxes, its citizens (belonging to the Galeria tribe ) were given the privileges of Roman citizenship ( Civium Romanorum ), and the city was integrated within the Roman province of Lusitania (whose capital was Emerita Augusta ). Decimus Junius Brutus Callaicus also fortified the city, building city walls as a defence against Lusitanian raids and rebellions. Among

738-400: A triumphal arch (1873) and a monument to King Joseph I . In the first years of the 19th century, Portugal was invaded by the troops of Napoléon Bonaparte , forcing Queen Maria I and Prince-Regent John (future John VI) to flee temporarily to Brazil. By the time the new King returned to Lisbon, many of the buildings and properties were pillaged, sacked or destroyed by the invaders. During

820-651: A vast region, bordered by the Alcabrichel and Ota rivers in the north. The territory includes the following Roman archaeological finds, known settlements or place names: Lisbon suffered invasions from the Sarmatian Alans and the Germanic Vandals , who controlled the region from 409 to 429. The city was taken by the Visigoths under Wallia in 419. The Germanic Suebi , who established

902-534: Is located at 38°42′49.75″N 9°8′21.79″W  /  38.7138194°N 9.1393861°W  / 38.7138194; -9.1393861 , situated at the mouth of the Tagus River and is the westernmost capital of a mainland European country. The river delta is inverted . The westernmost part of Lisbon is occupied by the Monsanto Forest Park , a 10 km (4 sq mi) urban park, one of

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984-640: Is still visible in the Alfama district, an old quarter of Lisbon that survived the 1755 Lisbon earthquake : many place-names are derived from Arabic and the Alfama (the oldest existing district of Lisbon) was derived from the Arabic " al-hamma " . For a brief time, Lisbon was an independent Muslim kingdom known as the Taifa of Lisbon (1022–1094), before being conquered by the larger Taifa of Badajoz . In 1108 Lisbon

1066-530: Is unknown. During the time of Augustus (63 BC to 14 AD) the Romans built a large theatre (which was restored in 57 AD on the order of Caius Heius Primus ). The galleries underneath the current Rua da Prata date from 20–35 AD; they were rebuilt in 330 AD. Uncovered in 1771 following Lisbon's devastating earthquake, the true purpose of these underground Roman passages has been subject to varying interpretations. Contemporary consensus leans towards them being

1148-465: The 10 most populous urban areas in the European Union . It represents approximately 27.83% of the country's population. Lisbon is recognised as an alpha-level global city because of its importance in finance, commerce, fashion, media, entertainment, arts, international trade, education, and tourism. Lisbon is amongst the two Portuguese cities (the other being Porto ) to be recognised as

1230-629: The Avenida da Liberdade , as the city grew farther from the Tagus. Lisbon was the site of the regicide of Carlos I of Portugal in 1908, an event which culminated two years later in the establishment of the First Republic. The city refounded its university in 1911 after centuries of inactivity in Lisbon, incorporating reformed former colleges and other non-university higher education schools of

1312-609: The Cassiae . The Caecilli also held some power. Petitions are recorded addressed to the governor of the province in Emerita and to Emperor Tiberius , such as one requesting help dealing with " sea monsters " allegedly responsible for shipwrecks. Around 80 BC, the Roman Quintus Sertorius led a rebellion against the dictator Sulla . During this period, he organized the tribes of Lusitania (and Hispania ) and

1394-535: The English Armada led by Francis Drake , while Queen Elizabeth supported a Portuguese pretender in Antonio, Prior of Crato , but support for Crato was lacking and the expedition was a failure. The Portuguese Restoration War , which began with a coup d'état organised by the nobility and bourgeoisie in Lisbon and executed on 1 December 1640, restored Portuguese independence. The period from 1640 to 1668

1476-460: The Far East and later, Brazil , and acquired great riches by exploiting the trade in spices, slaves, sugar, textiles and other goods. This period saw the rise of the exuberant Manueline style in architecture, which left its mark in many 16th-century monuments (including Lisbon's Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery , which were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites ). A description of Lisbon in

1558-748: The Michelin Gala . On 11 July 2018, the Aga Khan officially chose the Henrique de Mendonça Palace, located on Rua Marquês de Fronteira, as the Divan , or seat, of the global Nizari Muslim Imamate . Lisbon hosted World Youth Day 2023 in August of that year, attracting Catholic youth from the around the world. Pope Francis led several events, with the final mass held in the city's Parque do Tejo having an estimated 1.5 million attendees. Lisbon

1640-645: The NATO summit (19–20 November 2010), a summit meeting that is regarded as a periodic opportunity for Heads of State and Heads of Government of NATO member states to evaluate and provide strategic direction for Alliance activities. The city hosts the Web Summit and is the head office for the Group of Seven Plus (G7+) . In 2018 it hosted the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time as well as

1722-544: The Suebic Kingdom of Galicia (modern Galicia and northern Portugal), with capital in Bracara Augusta (today's Braga ) from 409 to 585, also controlled the region of Lisbon for long periods of time. In 457, while Framta was still ruling, Maldras led a large raid on Lusitania . The raiders sacked Lisbon by pretending to come in peace and, once admitted by the citizens, plundering the city. In 468

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1804-710: The Teatro Politeama in 1991 and continues to promote performances at the theatre. Since 1995 the Politeama has not shown films and is now considered one of Lisbon's leading theatres. Portuguese theatre companies, directors and actors that have performed at the theatre include Laura Alves , Adelina Abranches and her daughter, Aura, Mariana Bandhold , Palmira Bastos , Anabela Braz Pires , Maria Matos , Amélia Rey Colaço , Amália Rodrigues , António Silva , Vasco Santana and João Villaret . The Gulbenkian Ballet performed at Teatro Politeama for several seasons and

1886-473: The Visigoths . Later it was captured by the Moors in the 8th century. In 1147, Afonso Henriques conquered the city and in 1255, it became Portugal's capital, replacing Coimbra . It has since been the political, economic, and cultural centre of the country. As the political centre of the country, Lisbon hosts the government , National Assembly , Supreme Court of Justice , Armed Forces and residence of

1968-560: The castle hill ), Cybele (near current Largo da Madalena ), Tethys (current São Nicolau church) and Idae Phrygiae (an uncommon cult from Asia Minor ), to the Imperial Cult and to Vestal Virgins (in Chelas ). A large necropolis from the 1st–4th centuries AD existed under Praça da Figueira and it is known that a large forum (probably in current Largo dos Lóis ) and an aqueduct were built. A circus and hippodrome

2050-503: The head of state . It is also the centre of Portuguese diplomacy, with ambassadors from 86 countries residing in the city, as well as representations from Taiwan and Palestine . About 2.96 million people live in the Lisbon metropolitan area , which extends beyond the city's administrative area, making it the third largest metropolitan area in the Iberian Peninsula (after Madrid and Barcelona ) as well as figuring amongst

2132-534: The urban heat island of the city centre, with Sintra and Setúbal having reached −4 °C (25 °F) and −5.1 °C (23 °F) respectively, both experiencing about 13 days of frost per year on average. The highest temperature ever recorded in Lisbon was 44.0 °C (111.2 °F) on 4 August 2018. Olisipo During the Punic wars , after the defeat of Hannibal the Romans decided to deprive Carthage of its most valuable possession, Hispania . After

2214-423: The 14th century, five in the 16th century (including the 1531 earthquake that destroyed 1,500 houses and the 1597 earthquake in which three streets vanished), and three in the 17th century. On 1 November 1755, the city was destroyed by another devastating earthquake , which killed an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 Lisbon residents of a population estimated at between 200,000 and 275,000, and destroyed 85 percent of

2296-479: The 16th century was written by Damião de Góis and published in 1554. The succession crisis of 1580, initiated a sixty-year period of dual monarchy in Portugal and Spain under the Spanish Habsburgs . This is referred to as the "Philippine Dominion" ( Domínio Filipino ), since all three Spanish kings during that period were called Philip ( Filipe ). In 1589, Lisbon was the target of an incursion by

2378-498: The 1755 earthquake, the city was rebuilt largely according to the plans of Prime Minister Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo , the 1st Marquis of Pombal ; the lower town began to be known as the Baixa Pombalina ( Pombaline central district ). Instead of rebuilding the medieval town, Pombal decided to demolish what remained after the earthquake and rebuild the city centre in accordance with principles of modern urban design. It

2460-461: The 1990s, many of the districts were renovated and projects in the historic quarters were established to modernise those areas, for instance, architectural and patrimonial buildings were renovated, the northern margin of the Tagus was re-purposed for leisure and residential use, the Vasco da Gama Bridge was constructed and the eastern part of the municipality was re-purposed for Expo '98 to commemorate

2542-622: The 19th century, the Liberal movement introduced new changes into the urban landscape. The principal areas were in the Baixa and along the Chiado district, where shops, tobacconists shops, cafés, bookstores, clubs and theatres proliferated. The development of industry and commerce determined the growth of the city, seeing the transformation of the Passeio Público , a Pombaline era park, into

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2624-564: The 1st millennium BC, mixing with the Pre-Indo-European population, thus giving rise to Celtic-speaking local tribes such as the Cempsi or Sefes . Although the first fortifications on Lisbon's Castelo hill are known to be no older than the 2nd century BC, recent archaeological finds have shown that Iron Age people occupied the site from the 8th to 6th centuries BC. This indigenous settlement maintained commercial relations with

2706-598: The 4th century the Olisipo diocesis was formed. There is also the legend of Saint Ginés ( São Gens ), presented as one of the first martyr bishops of Lisbon and remembered in the Nossa Senhora do Monte chapel. At the end of Roman rule, Olisipo was one of the first Christian cities. The city was a caput viarium of the Roman road to Bracara Augusta and the three roads to Emerita Augusta . Olisipo controlled

2788-431: The 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama 's sea voyage to India, a voyage that would bring immense riches to Lisbon and cause many of Lisbon's landmarks to be built. In 1988, a fire in the historical district of Chiado saw the destruction of many 18th-century Pombaline style buildings. A series of restoration works has brought the area back to its former self and made it a high-scale shopping district. The Lisbon Agenda

2870-472: The Emperor; a large necropolis under Praça da Figueira ; a large forum and other buildings such as insulae (multi-storied apartment buildings) in the area between Castle Hill and the historic city core. Many of these ruins were first unearthed during the mid-18th century (when the recent discovery of Pompeii made Roman archaeology fashionable among Europe's upper classes). The city prospered as piracy

2952-464: The Islamic world, primarily Muslim Spain and North Africa . All mosques were either destroyed or altered and converted into churches. As a result of the end of Muslim rule in the mid-12th century, spoken Arabic quickly lost its place in Lisbon, and disappeared altogether. With its central location, Lisbon became the capital city of the new Portuguese territory in 1255. The first Portuguese university

3034-606: The Lisbon area. Lisbon's name may derive from Proto-Celtic or Celtic Olisippo , Lissoppo , or a similar name which other visiting ancient peoples such as the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans adapted accordingly, such as the pre-Roman appellation for the Tagus River, Lisso or Lucio . Classical authors writing in Latin and Greek, including Strabo , Solinus , and Martianus Capella , referred to popular legends that

3116-462: The Phoenicians, which would account for the recent findings of Phoenician pottery and other material objects. Archaeological excavations made near the Castle of São Jorge ( Castelo de São Jorge ) and Lisbon Cathedral indicate a Phoneician presence at this location since 1200 BC, and it can be stated with confidence that a Phoenician trading post stood on a site now the centre of the present city, on

3198-539: The average sea temperature is around 20 °C (68 °F). Among European capitals, Lisbon ranks among those with the warmest winters and has the mildest winter nights out of any major European city, with a minimum mean of 8.2 °C (46.8 °F) in the coldest month. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Lisbon was −1.2 °C (30 °F) in February 1956; although other locations in its metropolitan area can record lower temperatures, not being as affected by

3280-489: The city (such as the Escola Politécnica – now Faculdade de Ciências ). Today there are two public universities in the city ( University of Lisbon and New University of Lisbon ), a public university institute ( ISCTE - Lisbon University Institute ) and a polytechnic institute (IPL – Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa ). During World War II , Lisbon was one of the very few neutral, open European Atlantic ports,

3362-521: The city of Lisbon was founded by the mythical hero Ulysses ( Odysseus ). Lisbon's name was written Ulyssippo in Latin by the geographer Pomponius Mela , a native of Hispania . It was later referred to as "Olisippo" by Pliny the Elder and by the Greeks as Olissipo (Ὀλισσιπών) or Olissipona (Ὀλισσιπόνα). Another claim repeated in historical literature is that the name of Lisbon could originate from

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3444-587: The city's structures. Among several important buildings of the city, the Ribeira Palace and the Hospital Real de Todos os Santos were lost. In coastal areas, such as Peniche , situated about 80 km (50 mi) north of Lisbon, many people were killed by the following tsunami . By 1755, Lisbon was one of the largest cities in Europe; the catastrophic event shocked the whole of Europe and left

3526-581: The defeat of the Carthaginians by Scipio Africanus in eastern Hispania, the pacification of western Hispania was led by Consul Decimus Junius Brutus Callaicus . He obtained the alliance of Olisipo (which sent men to fight alongside the Roman legions against the northwestern Celtic tribes) by integrating it into the Roman Republic in 138 BC. Between 31 BC and 27 BC the city became a municipium . Local authorities were granted self-rule over

3608-521: The diverse population of Muwallads , Arabs , Berbers , Mozarabs , Saqaliba , and Jews to maintain their socio-cultural lifestyles. Mozarabic was the native language spoken by most of the Christian population although Arabic was widely known as spoken by all religious communities. Islam was the official religion practised by the Arabs, Berbers, Saqaliba and Muwallad. The ancient Muslim influence

3690-524: The elites of the Empire and exported in amphorae to Rome and other cities. Wine, salt and the city's famously fast horses were also exported. The city came to be very prosperous through suppression of piracy and technological advances, which allowed a boom in the trade with the newly Roman Provinces of Britannia (particularly Cornwall ) and the Rhine , and through the introduction of Roman culture to

3772-505: The expropriation of their property. In 1506, an anti-semitic movement among the Old Christians of Lisbon culminated in a massacre lasting four days in which some 1,000 to 4,000 New Christian men, women and children, converted descendants of Sephardic Jews , are estimated to have been killed. The king was at Évora when these events occurred, but angered when he received the news, he ordered an investigation which resulted in two of

3854-470: The first Portuguese performance of Holiday on Ice was also held there. Lisbon Lisbon ( / ˈ l ɪ z b ən / LIZ -bən ; Portuguese : Lisboa [liʒˈβoɐ] ) is the capital and largest city of Portugal , with an estimated population of 567,131 as of 2023 within its administrative limits and 2,961,177 within the metropolis . Lisbon is mainland Europe 's westernmost capital city (second overall after Reykjavik ) and

3936-451: The highest temperature during the day typically ranges from 11 to 19 °C (52 to 66 °F), the lowest temperature at night ranges from 3 to 13 °C (37 to 55 °F) and the average sea temperature is 16 °C (61 °F). In the warmest month – August – the highest temperature during the day typically ranges from 25 to 32 °C (77 to 90 °F), the lowest temperature at night ranges from 14 to 20 °C (57 to 68 °F) and

4018-568: The highly unstable and corrupt Portuguese First Republic . The 6 June 1926 revolution ended the first republic and firmly established the Estado Novo , or the Portuguese Second Republic , as the ruling regime. The Carnation Revolution , which took place on 25 April 1974, ended the right-wing Estado Novo regime and reformed the country to become as it is today, the Portuguese Third Republic . In

4100-618: The hinterland. The city was connected by a broad road to Western Hispania's two other large cities, Bracara Augusta in the province of Tarraconensis (Portuguese Braga ), and Emerita Augusta , the capital of Lusitania . The city was ruled by an oligarchical council dominated by two families, the Julii and the Cassiae, although regional authority was administered by the Roman Governor of Emerita or directly by Emperor Tiberius . Among

4182-592: The instigating friars being excommunicated and burned alive. Most of the Portuguese expeditions of the Age of Discovery set out from Lisbon during the period from the end of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century, including Vasco da Gama 's expedition to India in 1498. The following years of the 16th century began Lisbon's golden era: the city was the European hub of commerce between Africa , India ,

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4264-433: The largest in Europe, and occupying 10% of the municipality. The city occupies an area of 100.05 km (39 sq mi), and its city boundaries, unlike those of most major cities, coincide with those of the municipality. The rest of the urbanised area of the Lisbon urban area, known generically as Greater Lisbon ( Portuguese : Grande Lisboa ) includes several administratively defined cities and municipalities, in

4346-637: The last centuries of the Middle Ages, Lisbon expanded substantially and became an important trading post with both Northern European and Mediterranean cities. When the Spaniards expelled the Jews from Spanish territory, many of them fled to Lisbon. Although acknowledging the central importance of the Jews to the city's prosperity, Manuel I decreed in 1497 that all Jews must convert to Christianity, only those who refused being forced to leave, but not before

4428-432: The lowest wages and purchasing power among European capitals. Energy (electricity, gas and fuel), along with supermarkets, housing, and various government taxes, rank among the most expensive, even compared to the richest EU countries. The gap between the highest and lowest wages is, again, the largest inside the "Euro Zone". The lowest wages can offer a value per hour as little as 6-7 euros. Due to these reasons Lisbon has had

4510-405: The majority of Latin speakers lived a large minority of Greek traders and slaves. Lisbon's name was written Ulyssippo in Latin by the geographer Pomponius Mela . The city population is estimated to have been around 30,000 at the time. Earthquakes were documented in 60 BC, several between 47 and 44 BC, several in 33 AD, and a strong quake in 382 AD, but the exact amount of damage to the city

4592-539: The majority of Latin speakers lived a large minority of Greek traders and slaves. Olissipo, like most great cities in the Western Empire, was a center for the dissemination of Christianity. Its first attested Bishop was Potamius (c. 356), and there were several martyrs during the period of persecution of the Christians: Verissimus, Maxima, and Julia are the most significant examples. By

4674-588: The most significant names. According to legend, the three were sons of a Roman senator, martyred in Lisbon in the 4th century, under the Roman governor Ageian or Tarquinius in the time of Emperor Diocletian . A temple was then built in the Campolide area, whose ruins still existed in the Middle Ages . The relics of the saints are kept in the Santos-o-Velho Church. In the middle of

4756-482: The north bank of the Tagus River. The larger Lisbon metropolitan area includes the Setúbal Peninsula to the south. Lisbon has a Mediterranean climate ( Köppen : Csa ) with mild, rainy winters and warm to hot, dry summers. The average annual temperature is 17.4 °C (63.3 °F), 21.3 °C (70.3 °F) during the day and 13.5 °C (56.3 °F) at night. In the coldest month – January –

4838-461: The old spelling has since been completely dropped from usage and goes against modern language standards, the abbreviation is still commonly used. During the Neolithic period, the region was inhabited by Pre-Celtic tribes, who built religious and funerary monuments, megaliths , dolmens and menhirs , which still survive in areas on the periphery of Lisbon. The Indo-European Celts invaded in

4920-407: The only one along the Atlantic coast, the others (Reykjavik and Dublin ) being on islands. The city lies in the western portion of the Iberian Peninsula , on the northern shore of the River Tagus . The western portion of its metro area, the Portuguese Riviera , hosts the westernmost point of Continental Europe , culminating at Cabo da Roca . Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world and

5002-443: The pacification of the west, led by Consul Decimus Junius Brutus Callaicus . Decimus obtained the alliance of Olissipo (which sent men to fight alongside the Roman Legions against the northwestern Celtic tribes) by integrating it into the empire, as the Municipium Cives Romanorum Felicitas Julia . Local authorities were granted self-rule over a territory that extended 50 km (31 mi); exempt from taxes, its citizens were given

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5084-434: The plans for the theatre, which had an Art Deco style. José Passos Mesquita was responsible for the construction, while interior decoration was done by the sculptor Jorge Pereira and the painters Benvindo Seia and Veloso Salgado . The theatre, with a capacity of 2264 spectators, was inaugurated on 6 December 1913 with a performance of the operetta Valsa de Amor , starring Cremilda de Oliveira and Sofia Santos. The first night

5166-507: The privileges of Roman citizenship, and it was then integrated with the Roman province of Lusitania (whose capital was Emerita Augusta ). Lusitanian raids and rebellions during Roman occupation required the construction of a wall around the settlement. During Augustus ' reign, the Romans also built a great theatre; the Cassian Baths (underneath Rua da Prata ); temples to Jupiter , Diana , Cybele , Tethys and Idea Phrygiae (an uncommon cult from Asia Minor ), in addition to temples to

5248-447: The region of Lisbon until 585. In 585, the Suebi Kingdom was integrated into the Germanic Visigothic Kingdom of Toledo, which comprised all of the Iberian Peninsula: Lisbon was then called Ulishbona . On 6 August 711, Lisbon was taken by the Muslim forces of the Umayyad Caliphate . These conquerors built many mosques and houses, rebuilt the city wall (known as the Cerca Moura ) and established administrative control, while permitting

5330-514: The sale of the Lusitanian horses renowned in antiquity. According to a persistent legend, the location was named for the Greek mythical king of Ithaca, Ulysses , who founded the city when he sailed westward to the ends of the known world. Following the defeat of Hannibal in 202 BC during the Punic wars , the Romans determined to deprive Carthage of its most valuable possession: Hispania (the Iberian Peninsula). The defeat of Carthaginian forces by Scipio Africanus in Eastern Hispania allowed

5412-421: The second-oldest European capital city (after Athens ), predating other modern European capitals by centuries. Settled by pre-Celtic tribes and later founded and civilized by the Phoenicians, Julius Caesar made it a municipium called Felicitas Julia , adding the term to the name Olissipo . After the fall of the Roman Empire , it was ruled by a series of Germanic tribes from the 5th century, most notably

5494-405: The southern slope of the Castle hill. The sheltered harbour in the Tagus River estuary was an ideal spot for an Iberian settlement and would have provided a secure harbour for unloading and provisioning trading ships. The Tagus settlement was an important centre of commercial trade with the inland tribes, providing an outlet for the valuable metals, salt and salted-fish they collected, and for

5576-430: The time of the Fall of Rome , Olissipo had become a notable Christian center. Following the disintegration of the Western Roman Empire, there were barbarian invasions; between 409 and 429 the city was occupied successively by Sarmatians , Alans and Vandals . The Germanic Suebi , who established a kingdom in Gallaecia (modern Galicia and northern Portugal), with its capital in Bracara Augusta , also controlled

5658-501: The time, was returned to Christian rule. The reconquest of Portugal and re-establishment of Christianity is one of the most significant events in Lisbon's history, described in the chronicle Expugnatione Lyxbonensi , which describes, among other incidents, how the local bishop was killed by the crusaders and the city's residents prayed to the Virgin Mary as it happened. Some of the Muslim residents converted to Roman Catholicism and most of those who did not convert fled to other parts of

5740-407: The tribes living by the river Tagus in the interior of Hispania . The city was connected by a broad road to Western Hispania's two other large cities, Bracara Augusta in the province of Tarraconensis (today's Portuguese Braga ), and Emerita Augusta , the capital of Lusitania (now Mérida in Spain). The city was ruled by an oligarchical council dominated by two families, the Julii and

5822-426: The zone of Belém was modified for the 1940 Portuguese Exhibition , while along the periphery new districts appeared to house the growing population. The inauguration of the bridge over the Tagus allowed a rapid connection between both sides of the river. Lisbon was the site of three revolutions in the 20th century. The first, the 5 October 1910 revolution , brought an end to the Portuguese monarchy and established

5904-517: Was a European Union agreement on measures to revitalise the EU economy, signed in Lisbon in March 2000. In October 2007 Lisbon hosted the 2007 EU Summit , where an agreement was reached regarding a new EU governance model. The resulting Treaty of Lisbon was signed on 13 December 2007 and came into force on 1 December 2009. Lisbon has been the site for many international events and programmes. In 1994, Lisbon

5986-564: Was attended by the first elected Portuguese President, Manuel de Arriaga . From 1914 the theatre was also showing films and it became solely a cinema in 1928, often showing the first screenings in Lisbon of famous films. In 1947 internal changes were made, involving increasing the number of seats by 50 and changing the position of the film projection booths. In 1955 it suffered a small fire, a fate to befall several other theatres in Lisbon. Further significant internal changes were made in 1973. The director and impresario, Filipe La Féria , remodelled

6068-479: Was built around the 3rd or 4th century AD. Buildings such as insulae (multi-storied apartment buildings) existed in the area between the modern castle hill and downtown. The city wall was strengthened in the 4th to 5th century AD, and around the city there were also bridges (in Sacavém and Alcântara ) and villae . Economically, Olisipo was known for its garum , a sort of fish sauce highly prized by

6150-408: Was eliminated and technological advances were introduced, consequently Felicitas Julia became a center of trade with the Roman provinces of Britannia (particularly Cornwall ) and the Rhine . Economically strong, Olissipo was known for its garum (a fish sauce highly prized by the elites of the empire and exported in amphorae to Rome), wine, salt, and horse-breeding, while Roman culture permeated

6232-566: Was founded in Lisbon in 1290 by King Denis I ; for many years the Studium Generale ( General Study ) was transferred intermittently to Coimbra , where it was installed permanently in the 16th century as the University of Coimbra . In 1384, the city was besieged by King Juan I of Castille , as a part of the ongoing 1383–1385 Crisis . The result of the siege was a victory for the Portuguese led by Nuno Álvares Pereira . During

6314-453: Was marked by periodic skirmishes between Portugal and Spain, as well as short episodes of more serious warfare until the Treaty of Lisbon was signed in 1668. In the early 18th century, gold from Brazil allowed King John V to sponsor the building of several Baroque churches and theatres in the city. Prior to the 18th century, Lisbon had experienced several significant earthquakes – eight in

6396-460: Was on the verge of forming an independent province in the Sertorian War when he died. The city was administered by two duumviri and two aediles . Between 140 and 150 Lucius Statius Quadratus , a governor, was in Olisipo. In 185 Sextus Tigidius Perennis , governor of Lusitania, visited the region. Between 200 and 209 Junius Celanius , a governor, also came to Olisipo. Lucidius

6478-687: Was raided and occupied by Norwegian crusaders led by Sigurd I on their way to the Holy Land as part of the Norwegian Crusade and occupied by crusader forces for three years. It was taken by the Moorish Almoravids in 1111. In 1147, as part of Portuguese efforts during the Reconquista , Afonso I of Portugal besieged and reconquered Lisbon with the aid of crusader knights. The city, with around 154,000 residents at

6560-516: Was reconstructed in an open rectangular plan with two great squares: the Praça do Rossio and the Praça do Comércio . The first, the central commercial district, is the traditional gathering place of the city and the location of the older cafés, theatres and restaurants; the second became the city's main access to the River Tagus and point of departure and arrival for seagoing vessels, adorned by

6642-731: Was the European Capital of Culture . On 3 November 2005, Lisbon hosted the MTV European Music Awards . On 7 July 2007, Lisbon held the ceremony of the "New 7 Wonders Of The World" election, in the Luz Stadium , with live transmission for millions of people all over the world. Every two years, Lisbon hosts the Rock in Rio Lisboa Music Festival, one of the largest in the world. Lisbon hosted

6724-539: Was the native Roman governor of the city in 468, having helped the Suebi under Remismund to take it. Olisipo, like most great cities in the Western Empire, was a centre for the dissemination of Christianity . Its first attested Bishop was St. Potamius (c. 356), and there were several martyrs killed during persecutions, such as the Diocletianic Persecution ; Verissimus, Maxima, and Julia are

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