The name comes from "Olissipo", which has its origins in the Phoenician words "Allis Ubbo", meaning "enchanting port". But Lisboa has, of course, strong Arabic influences; it was, after all, occupied by the Moors for 450 years. In the 12th century the Christians reconquered the city but it was not until the mid-13th century that Lisboa became the country's capital.
During the 15th century, with the beginning of the Portuguese Age of Discoveries, Lisboa developed into a spice and jewellery trade centre. The breakthrough for Portuguese expansion came in 1498 when Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India. This was indeed the beginning of a golden age, characterised by the Manueline architectural style, named after King Manuel I, with its typical decorative use of maritime motifs.
Over the centuries Lisboa naturally grew and changed. When the city centre was almost completely destroyed by the great earthquake of 1755, it was rebuilt by the Marquês de Pombal, who thus created the Baixa Pombalina, a commercial area that still retains much of its original character. But development did not stop there. The city has grown progressively to the north, and areas such as the Avenidas Novas and the site where Expo '98 took place are typical of this development. The Expo site is now known as the Parque das Nações.
Obrigada pelo belo poema! Adoro a maneira como apresenta as sus fotos. Os portugueses deram mundos ao mundo, e hoje os fotografos portugueses como o Mario mostram o nosso belo pais ao Mundo Sem caravelas, simplesmente com seu olhar... Obrigada por trazer mais uma recordacão, a Expo Um abraco Anabela
Mário, gosto demais desta água toda e daquela senhora de guarda-chuvas. Excelente moemnto, muito bem visto. Explicação perfeita da história que sempre me encanta tanto. Um abraço, Marília
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