THE SIEGES OF LISBON

The sieges of both 1147 and 1348 were of great importance in the history of the Castelo de S. Jorge. In these presentations, in addition to looking at 12th and 14th century equipment and forms of fighting, we aim to demonstrate how a siege is formed with the help of maps and models which will allow the visitor to “see” the creation of the Cerca Velha (Old Wall) and the Cerca Fernandina (Fernandina Wall).

This programme will also make it possible to gauge public receptivity to the use of interactive technologies in historical recreations, in particular the use of augmented reality in the recreation of the castle and both of the city walls.

Visitors will also learn the location of the various forces’ encampments, as well as the tactics used by the besiegers and the besieged, how they were equipped and how they fought etc.

At the end of the presentation, visitors will be able to see the two walls on Lisbon as it is laid out today.

FAMILY SUNDAYS | ARTS OF WARFARE
THE SIEGES OF LISBON
8 SEPT | 13 OCT | 10 NOV | 8 DEC
11:00 | Over 5s | Castelo S. Jorge ticket
OFÍCIO BÉLICO

Amongst the Castle walls

Built from scratch or from pre-existing structures and materials, medieval castles were the most important element in the defence of the kingdom. Highly composite monuments, these fortifications and their urban walls reveal very specific architectural principles and diverse tactical purposes.

Climbing the Castelo de S. Jorge’s curtain walls, continuing along the allure (or wall walkway), making our way up the towers and peeking through their battlements, we’ll be looking at the morphological features of Iberian castles, their characteristics and peculiarities, as well as the impact left on them by the many, different and complex ways in which they were reused.

With Inês Meira (historian)

WINTER TERTULIAS
10 NOV, 8 DEC, 12 JAN (2020) & 9 FEB (2020) | 2nd SUNDAY OF THE MONTH| 4PM

Free via advance booking | info@castelodesaojorge.pt | +351 218 800 620
Meet by the statue of King Afonso Henriques

DANCES AND MUSIC IN THE PALACE – 17th CENTURY

17th CENTURY
15 SEPT | 20 OCT | 17 NOV | 15 DEC
The empire is declining, independence is at risk, but not the Portuguese language. No, she remains free, away from threats and dangers. Sixteenth-century Portuguese is improving, becoming eloquent and embellishing itself alongside the baroque canons of the day. Present around the world, established in Africa, the East and the Americas, the language is rejuvenated and revives and grows in the words of Vieira, in Rodrigues Lobo’s rhetoric and Francisco Manoel de Melo’s plays.

As for dance, it gains new forms and movements. The art of dancing always moved forward, unstoppable, this time reflecting the nations and courts with which Portugal associates, as is the case of England. The England to which Catherine of Braganza moves and which, like Portugal, is beginning its post-restoration period. Detached from crises and conflicts, poetry and dance always carry on. Both free and connected.

Here, then, is the word and dance of the 17th century, accompanied by recorder, harpsichord/virginal and percussion.

FAMILY SUNDAYS | DANCES AND MUSIC IN THE PALACE
POETRY AND DANCE – 15th to the 17th Centuries
Voice and body. Sound and movement.
11:00 | Over 5s | Castelo S. Jorge ticket
DANCES WITH HISTORY ASSOCIATION & DOLCIMELLO

In the beginning was the word. Then came the body. And the gesture. And that’s how dancing was invented. That which nature has joined cannot be separated. The Dances with History Association and the Early Music group IL DOLCIMELO are bringing a set of historical dances to the Castelo de São Jorge based on the best of Portuguese literature from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries…

THE CASTLE, THE ALCÁÇOVA (CITADEL) AND THE CONQUEST OF THE CITY

An exploration of the medieval castle and citadel and its relationship with the city itself. Focusing on the defensive structures of the medieval city of the 11th to 12th centuries, as well as the social, religious and economic situation of the time. This was the scene encountered by the Christian military contingent led by Afonso Henriques who, after a long siege of approximately four months, entered the city on 25 October 1147, hoisting the Christian standard aloft.

FAMILY SUNDAYS | FAMILY VISITS
THE CASTLE, THE ALCÁÇOVA (CITADEL) AND THE CONQUEST OF THE CITY
27 JAN | 24 FEB | 24 MAR | 28 APR | 26 MAY | 23 JUN | 28 JUL | 25 AUG | 22 SEPT | 27 OCT | 24 NOV | 22 DEC
11:00 | Over 6s | €3,50
ADVANCE BOOKING | info@castelodesaojorge.pt | +351 218 800 620
CASTELO DE S. JORGE EDUCATIONAL SERVICE

CHIVALRY GAMES

How was a medieval army formed and organised? What military equipment did the knights of the Middle Ages use? How was a siege of a fortified city set up? How was a medieval fortification attacked and invaded? These are just a few of the questions which will be covered at these Chivalry Games.

With the 1384 Castilian siege of Lisbon (a consequence of the succession crisis following the death of King Ferdinand) acting as something of a background, these games aim to follow closely the different steps of medieval warriors during the assault on a fort. Participants will take on the role of both the Castilian attackers trying to conquer the castle as well as that of the soldiers defending from within Lisbon’s city walls.

Using a variety of medieval games with military principles, a wide range of information will be shared with school-age visitors. It will cover various aspects of military events as well as the practice of war during the Middle Ages, such as siege dynamics (deployment of troops; setting up military encampments ; the placement of siege weapons; siege tactics) and medieval military conflicts (arms, military organisation, recruitment, chains of command, use of heraldry).

During the games, participants will experience the life and customs of a medieval knight, wearing their garments, brandishing their swords and firing their weapons. All activities will be held within the castle walls, Lisbon’s last line of defence, taking advantage of the setting provided by the fortification.

FAMILY SUNDAYS | CHIVALRY GAMES
11:00 | Over 5s | €3.50
31 MAR | 30 JUNE | 29 SEPT | 29 DEC
ADVANCE BOOKING | info@castelodesaojorge.pt | +351 218 800 620
CASTELO DE S. JORGE EDUCATIONAL SERVICE

(Português) LEITURAS DE INVERNO – “HISTÓRIA DO CERCO DE LISBOA” DE JOSÉ SARAMAGO

(Português) “Enquanto não alcançares a verdade, não poderás corrigi-la. Porém, se não a corrigires, não a alcançarás. Entretanto não te resignes”. Esta é a epígrafe da “História do Cerco de Lisboa” de José Saramago que será apresentado no programa “Leituras de Inverno”. Uma leitura encenada deste romance que explora a “verdade histórica” em torno de um “não” que a coloca em causa. Dois tempos: os cruzados do século XII, o revisor Raimundo Silva e sua diretora editorial Maria Sara no século XX. Dois tempos num romance que questiona se, como dizia Eça de Queiroz, a história não é “provavelmente uma grande fantasia”*. Refere ainda José Saramago a propósito deste livro que “o que ambiciona, no fundo, é escrever o único livro impossível: A História do Passado, esse tempo que é todo o Tempo [...]“*.

*”A estátua e a pedra”, de José Saramago, Fundação José Saramago, 2013

Ficha Artística
obra HISTÓRIA DO CERCO DE LISBOA
autor JOSÉ SARAMAGO
direção TONAN QUITO
adaptação do texto ANA MATOS e TONAN QUITO
interpretação PAULO PINTO, SÍLVIA FILIPE e TONAN QUITO
produção HOMEMBALA

Uma parceria entre Castelo de S. Jorge / Egeac
e Fundação José Saramago

LEITURAS DE INVERNO | “HISTÓRIA DO CERCO DE LISBOA” DE JOSÉ SARAMAGO
3 NOV, 1 DEZ, 5 JAN (2020) e 2 FEV (2020) | 1º DOMINGO DO MÊS | 16.00
GRATUITO mediante inscrição | info@castelodesaojorge.pt | +351 218 800 620
Encontro junto da estátua de D. Afonso Henriques

Medieval Lisbon seen from the Alcaçova (citadel)

Perched on top of one of Lisbon’s hills, the Alcáçova dates back to the period of the Islamic occupation. It lies within a demarcated area which, in addition to representing the last stronghold in the defence of the city, also served as the residence for the elites – roles which it continued to fulfil after the Christian conquest in 1147. Several centuries later, it is still possible to make out some of the features of the old medieval city in the Lisbon of today, and that’s the subject of this tertulia.

With André Leitão (historian)

WINTER TERTULIAS
10 NOV, 8 DEC, 12 JAN (2020) & 9 FEB (2020) | 2nd SUNDAY OF THE MONTH| 4PM

Free via advance booking | info@castelodesaojorge.pt | +351 218 800 620
Meet by the statue of King Afonso Henriques