Alfama

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Alfama
MunicipalityLisbon
FreguesiaSanta Maria Maior
São Vicente
Foundation1200 BCE

The Alfama is the oldest neighbourhood in Lisbon, spreading on the slope between the São Jorge Castle and the Tagus river. 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 have many important historical locations, as well as Fado bars and restaurants.

History[change | change source]

Chafariz d'El-Rei in Alfama, c. 1570.

Its name comes from Arabic al-ḥamma (الحَمّة), meaning "hot fountains" or "baths".[1]

Lisbon tram at the Portas do Sol.

The Rua do Barão is one of the streets of the Freguesia da (Lisbon Cathedral), which begins at the Rua São João da Praça and ends at Rua Augusto Rosa. The toponym "Rua do Barão" is because of João Fernandes da Silveira, who was the first Baron of Alvito, minister of Portuguese kings Afonso V and João II, lived here.[2]

References[change | change source]

  1. "Mawrid Reader". ejtaal.net. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  2. Macedo, Luis Pastor «Lisboa de Lés-a-Lés», vol. II