Alfama

Posted by António Pires (Lisbon, Portugal) on 26 January 2009 in Cityscape & Urban.

Alfama is the oldest district of Lisbon, spreading on the slope between the Castle of Lisbon and the Tejo river. Its name comes from the Arabic Al-hamma, meaning fountains or baths.
During the times of Moorish domination (from the 8th to the 12th century), Alfama constituted the whole of the city, which later spread to the West (Baixa neighbourhood).
The great 1755 Lisbon Earthquake did not destroy Alfama or, at least, new buildings were built in the very same places of those that became ruined, hence Alfama remained a picturesque labyrinth of narrow streets and small squares, an urban tissue dating back to medieval times and with Muslim strong influences.

Olhar e ver means to look and see.