As home to  fado  and colorful streets, Lisbon has a multitude of secrets and fun facts that are unknown to most people. If youre planning a trip to Portugals fashion capital and want to know whats under the surface, take a look at our list of unique information to really bring the city to life.

Lisbon was not always the capital of Portugal

UNESCO World Heritage Guimarães was the first capital of Portugal, designated in the twelfth century, and is nicknamed the "cradle of Portugal" (Guimarães is also where the first king of the country was born). Located a short distance from Porto, it is  a great city for a weekend getaway  full of old buildings such as the 10th century Guimarães Castle, medieval churches and Iron Age archaeological sites.

Coimbra  became the second capital of the country and remained so for a century before the title was transferred to Lisbon. Lisbon periodically lost its title in the 19th century, when the Napoleonic Wars caused Portuguese royalty to flee to Brazil and  Rio de Janeiro was temporarily the capital for 13 years  .

City garbage collectors have been nicknamed Almeidas

There was a time when city cleaners were nicknamed "Almeidas". One hypothesis states that the cleaning crews came from a fortified village called Almeida, located in the northern part of the country, near the Spanish border. Another possible theory states that the nickname came from the general support of city workers for Antonio José de Almeida, one of the countrys short-term presidents in the early twentieth century. Either way, the term is no longer common and sometimes considered impolite, so keep in mind  that it is not a good idea to use it  .

 

Belem Tower was once a prison

 

The beautiful Belém Tower is one of the citys landmarks and must-see architectural wonders. It was built during the  Age of Discovery  as a military fortification, but many people are unaware that it was used as a political prison during the 19th century Liberal Wars.

Lisbon residents have two nicknames: Lisboetas and Alfacinhas

Ok, most people know that the residents of Lisbon are called Lisboetas, but many do not know the second nickname: Alfacinhas. Lettuce  is the Portuguese word for lettuce and  alfacinha  means lettuce; The nickname is believed to come from a time when locals had little more to eat than vegetables and preferred lettuce. Ironically, when you order a salad in Portugal today, they are quite basic, consisting of a bed of lettuce, sliced onion, tomato (sometimes) and shredded carrot. Coincidence?

Lisbon is actually a city in eight hills, not seven

The idea of a city on seven hills, like Rome, is certainly romantic, and perhaps that is why this description of Lisbon has remained. The  original reference came from  a book called  The Book of Greatness of Lisbon  where the author listed seven beautiful hills, but forgot the highest of all - Graça Hill where the Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen Viewpoint offers one of the most dramatic panoramic views. the city, facing the river, castle and bridge.

You will find one of the smallest bookstores in the world here

Portugal has a well-deserved reputation as   a  book readers dream  and is home to many literary treasures, including the worlds oldest bookstore, one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, and one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. What people may not know is that it is also home to one of the smallest bookstores in the world. Located a few steps from St Christophers Stairs, on the border between Baixa and Alfama, this place is well worth a visit, but you may need to wait for space to clean, as the closet-sized store (  crammed with approximately 4,000 books  ) only serves a couple of people inside at a time.

Its home to one of the worlds most secret recipes.

 

Custard tarts  , adored by locals and tourists alike for their flaky crust and creamy, sweet egg filling, have put Lisbon on the dessert lovers maps. Even though they are made all over the country and found in almost every pastry shop,  only 3 people  around the world know the original recipe  : the same one sold in Belém in  Pasteis de Belém 

The  Lisbon Oceanarium  has the largest inner tank in Europe

Located in Parque das Nações, Lisbon Oceanarium offers a great way to spend a day in one of Lisbons most modern neighborhoods. Filled with five million liters of seawater, the central tank is the largest of any inland aquarium in Europe and contains  a wide variety of fish  from small tropical species to different sharks, deep-sea fish and a beautiful and unique Sunfish. bigger bone fish). The central tank is the main feature, but visitors are led on a circular tour that takes them through exhibits displaying invertebrates, mammals, plants and more.

Lisbon was one of the first (if not the first) international cities to compete in Guinness

That pretty much sums it up. Sláinte  !

 

Lisbon was known as a "city of spies" and international exiles were welcomed near Estoril

During World War II, Portugal maintained a reputation for being neutral, but behind the scenes, it is believed that both German spies and allies were pulling invisible ropes in the Portuguese capital, while Lisbons secret police watched closely. Portugals dictator, Antonio Salazar, was said to be "playing on both sides" to protect the country from wartime reaction. In addition to spies, war refugees and prominent international personalities exiled from their own countries, they mingled in Lisbon and near Estoril. The Lisbon espionage connection is believed to   have inspired writer Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond stories, during his time there while working as a British Naval Intelligence Officer.

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