With its proliferation of elegant eateries and trendy drinking dens, Lisbon is now firmly on the map as Europe’s new capital of cool. Aside from its legendary landmarks and Port-soaked Fado sessions, there’s plenty more to discover about this fascinating city. From quirky World Records to government-approved street art, we present 10 unique facts you never knew about Lisbon.
Or rather, it was never declared the capital in any official document. In 1255, Alfonso III got bored of the then-capital, Coimbra, and moved his court to Lisbon. It quickly became the most important city in Portugal, and thus, the de-facto capital city.
Since 2007, Lisbon is the proud holder of the Guinness World Record for hosting the longest Mexican wave ever, which was 8,453-man strong. It also holds a record for the longest construction time of any church, with the Church of Santa Engrácia taking a whopping three centuries to complete. Speaking of Guinness, it was also the first city in the world to import the drink from Ireland.
The destruction it left in its wake nearly wiped Lisbon off the map. Today, you can visit the ruins of the Carmo Convent, where a library of 5,000 books was destroyed. To this day, its arches remain roofless as a reminder of the disaster.
Well, so it claims. There are a few contenders claiming the title of Europe’s oldest city, with many in Greece included. However, archaeological finds show that ancient populations inhabited the city in 1200BC, making it older than Rome.
Lisbon has long been hailed the ‘City of Seven Hills’, but in actual fact there are more than just seven. It’s rumoured that the number seven was arbitrarily decided on to make it seem more like the Holy City of Rome.
The pastels de nata at Lisbon’s Pasteis de Belem are so revered that the centuries-old secret recipe has never been written down. A mere three bakers have been entrusted with the recipe for these flaky custard tarts, and they’re strictly forbidden from travelling in the same car or plane together. Superstitious, but sensible.
The quintessential English tradition of tea time was actually invented by Portuguese princess, Catherine de Braganza. She brought the tradition to Great Britain when she married Charles II and relocated to the UK, bringing loose leaf tea with her.
Unlike other cities, Lisbon’s city hall has a taste for street art and runs its own public art programme called Gallery of Urban Art. There’s no boutique gallery space however; instead, they hire artists to make murals over old, decaying buildings. Look out for pieces by Vhils, Portugal’s answer to Banksy.
Lisbon’s iconic yellow trams are part of any picture-postcard image of the city. The idea, however, came from the USA, which explains why locals affectionately call them Americanos.
Lisbon is home to the oldest bookstore in the world still in operation: Bertrand Books, which opened in 1732. You’ll also find one of the world’s smallest bookstores in Lisbon. There’s only enough space for one person and an impressive 3,000 books, meaning you’ll have to ask the eponymous owner, Simone to leave the store as you peruse.
Celebrate and toast to new beginnings with Corinthia Lisbon on New Year’s Eve. Enjoy an immersive experience as we transport our guests back to the French Bohemian era, capturing the spirit of the iconic Moulin Rouge musical. Expect an unforgettable evening filled with glamour, fine dining, and live entertainment.