SĂŁo Jorge Castle is a historic castle that stands on a hill that has played an important part in the history of Lisbon. Since the 12th century, the castle has variously served as a royal palace, a military barracks, home of the Torre do Tombo National Archive, and now as a national monument and museum.
Alfama, the oldest district of Lisbon, spreads down the southern slope from the Castle of SĂŁo Jorge to the River Tagus. Its name, derived from the Arabic Al-hamma, means fountains or baths. While the 1755 Lisbon earthquake caused considerable damage throughout the capital, Alfama survived with little damage.
The Mouraria, or Moorish quarter, is one of the most traditional neighborhoods of Lisbon, although most of its old buildings were demolished by the Estado Novo between the 1930s and the 1970s. It takes its name from the fact that after the reconquest of Lisbon, the Muslims who remained were confined to this part of the city.