Alfama

Alfama
Alfama
São Vicente
Foundation	1200 BCE

The Alfama (Portuguese pronunciation:

Arabic al-ḥamma (الحَمّة), meaning "hot fountains" or "baths," akin to "hammam" (حَمَّام).^[1] The district includes the freguesias (parishes) of São Miguel, Santo Estêvão, São Vicente de Fora and part of the two streets, "Freguesia da Sé: Rua do Barão" and "Rua São João da Praça". It contains many important historical attractions, as well as an abundance of Fado

bars and restaurants.

History

The Rua do Barão is one of the streets of the Freguesia da

Dom Afonso V and Dom João II, lived here.^[2]

During the times of

Baixa neighbourhood). Alfama became inhabited by the fishermen and the poor, and its condition as the neighbourhood of the poor continues to this day.^{[citation needed}

]

The 1755 Lisbon earthquake did not destroy the Alfama, which has remained a labyrinth of narrow streets and small squares. Lately the neighbourhood has been restored with the renovation of the old houses and new restaurants where Fado Portuguese typical is sometimes played.

Overlooking the Alfama is the medieval Castle of São Jorge, royal residence until the early 16th century with views of the city. In the slopes of Alfama there are other terraces (miradouros) from which to see the city, like the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, near the church of the same name and over remnants of the Moorish city walls, and the Miradouro das Portas do Sol (Gates of the Sun). Near Miradouro of Santa Luzia is located the Museum of Decorative Arts (Museu de Artes Decorativas), a 17th-century mansion.

From 2012, Alfama is part of the

Santa Maria Maior.^[3]

Landmarks

Among the churches of the Alfama are

mannerist Monastery of São Vicente de Fora (late 16th–18th century), where the Kings of the House of Braganza are buried, and the baroque Church of Santa Engrácia

(17th century), now converted into a National Pantheon for important Portuguese personalities.

References

^ "Mawrid Reader". ejtaal.net. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
^ Macedo, Luis Pastor «Lisboa de Lés-a-Lés», vol. II
^ Lei n.º 56/2012 (Reorganização administrativa de Lisboa). Diário da República, 1.ª Série, n.º 216. Acedido a 25/11/2012.

38°42′44″N 9°07′48″W / 38.71222°N 9.13000°W / 38.71222; -9.13000

[1] "Mawrid Reader". ejtaal.net. Retrieved 2021-02-26.

[2] Macedo, Luis Pastor «Lisboa de Lés-a-Lés», vol. II

[3] Lei n.º 56/2012 (Reorganização administrativa de Lisboa). Diário da República, 1.ª Série, n.º 216. Acedido a 25/11/2012.

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