As the capital of Portugal, the history of Lisbon\u2019s local economy mirrors that of its mother country. It\u2019s a tale that takes in empire, trading, earthquakes, collapse, and rejuvenation.<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Photo Credit: Images Money<\/a>, Text Overlay: Devour Lisbon Food Tours<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A City by the Sea<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If one thing defines Lisbon\u2019s history, it\u2019s the sea<\/a>. From its beginnings as Olissipo<\/em>, a Roman colony, through the Moorish al-Us\u0332h\u0332b\u016bna<\/em>, Lisbon\u2019s location at the edge of Europe, at the mouth of the fertile Tagus valley, has always made it a major trading location. Facing the Atlantic but with strong connections to the Mediterranean and to Africa, the city became a hub for commerce. First, of garum, a fermented fish sauce which was one of the main condiments of the Roman Empire, and then of spices and medicinal herbs brought from as far away as the Middle East and Asia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

After the conquest of Lisbon by the Christian Alfonso I and its proclamation as capital by Alfonso III, the city began to look even further afield. Portugal\u2019s colonial expansion started with Cape Verde and outposts on the African coast, before moving to South America and Asia. Expansion brought unimaginable wealth to Lisbon, making it one of the most important ports in the world. The merchants rose as a major force in Portuguese society, deciding the fates of royal dynasties, and travelers came from across the world looking to make their fortunes. You can still see the remnants of this opulence around the city, especially in Bel\u00e9m. The Torre de Bel\u00e9m was the gateway to the city, the final sight seen by those leaving for the new world, while the Jer\u00f3nimos Monastery<\/a> was built using a tax levied on imperial trade.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n