Mythical story

According to legend, Lisbon was founded by Ulysses from whom the city's ancient name, Olisipo, was allegedly derived.

Real history

The Phoenicians, who fortified St. George's hill, the Romans, the Alani, the Suevi, the Visigoths and the Moors occupied successively the city, which was finally recovered by Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal . From its hilltop, St. George's Castle, which once saw the royal family move to a new palace at Praça do Comércio, the Portuguese caravels set sail from Belém, the devastating effects of the earthquake of 1755 and the reconstruction of the Baixa (downtown) by Marquis of Pombal, will soon see Lisbon gladly host the EURO 2004™.