History of Portugal

Lisbon becomes the capital
View of Lisbon Castle in an illuminated manuscript ©António de Holanda
1255 Jan 1

Lisbon becomes the capital

Lisbon, Portugal

The Algarve, the southernmost region of Portugal, was finally conquered from the Moors in 1249, and in 1255 the capital shifted to Lisbon. Neighboring Spain would not complete its Reconquista until 1492, almost 250 years later. Portugal's land boundaries have been notably stable for the rest of the country's history. The border with Spain has remained almost unchanged since the 13th century.