The district of Mouraria is one of the most traditional districts of Lisbon. It was in this area that the Moors lived after the conquest of Lisbon by D. Afonso Henriques in 1147 until they were expelled in the 15th century. From that time there are few vestiges, nevertheless the Mouraria is still today the most multicultural district of the city. In all, 56 nationalities coexist in this neighborhood, most of them in Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan and Mozambique.
Despite its multiculturality, and offering many international products and stores, Mouraria continues to be a typically Lisbon neighborhood. This cozy neighborhood is located between Martim Moniz and São Jorge Castle. Once a more troubled and dilapidated neighborhood, Mouraria has undergone renovation work in 2009, making it one of the most interesting tourist and cultural sites in Lisbon.
This neighborhood is also known as the birthplace of Fado. Severa lived there, the first fado singer known in Portugal in the 19th century. It is said that Severa fell in love with an earl and that was when the fado came to the aristocratic halls. In the twentieth century, Fernando Maurício lived in this clay, being considered the "king of fado da Mouraria". Rua do Capelão is part of the iconography of fado. It was also in Mouraria that Mariza grew, the most international Portuguese fadista of the present time.
This neighborhood attracts tourists for its multiculturalism and simultaneously for its traditional character. There are restaurants and shops of various countries, as well as several fado houses and typical taverns. It is worth going through Largo do Intendente, which has one of the most beautiful tile facades in the city, and the Orphans Boys' College in Rua da Mouraria, with its tiled staircase.
If you visit Mouraria, do not forget to stop by the medieval house of Largo da Achada. This is located behind the Church of São Cristóvão and is one of the oldest houses in Lisbon, with ogival doors and windows.