These ancient bronze cannons, pointing towards the city of Lisbon, reminds its past and the original purpose of these cannons.
Further ahead, there are remnants of three arched walls that go over the paved road. These are part of the ruins of the original Royal Palace of the Alcáçova, which was the main residence of the royal family of Portugal since the Middle Ages.
The Royal Palace occupied the areas that now harbor the Castle’s café and restaurant, as well as the Museum, which we will be visiting later on.
It was abandoned after a series of earthquakes, badly damaged the Castle’s buildings during the late 16th century.
This led to the definitive transfer of the Royal Palace to the Terreiro do Paço.
The Castle of São Jorge, was only restored in 1940, when the fascist regime led by Salazar initiated extensive renovations at the site, with the objective of enhancing the glorious past of Portugal, to serve the purpose of its nationalistic propaganda.
After you’ve walked through the three arched walls, go past the café and the restaurant with the three small stone lion statues standing in its front. Then turn right and take the narrow street and carry on until you find the Garden.