Only in Lisbon

The Legend of Martim Moniz

Today, Martim Moniz is a multicultural place, driven by the scents and flavors of other continents.

Today, Martim Moniz is a multicultural place, driven by the scents and flavors of other continents. A square that has sparked lengthy discussions, with its population sharing one desire: to see a garden bloom there.

But the history of Martim Moniz dates back to a distant past that you might not be familiar with. It is immortalized in the square through towers and helmets, easily identifiable. They represent the conquest of Lisbon from the Moors in 1147.

Associated with this conquest is a legend that gives the square its name. During the siege of the city of Lisbon, Martim Moniz is said to have been the man who allowed himself to be "caught" in one of the gates of Lisbon's castle, thereby enabling the entry of King D. Afonso Henriques' crusaders. He died there, making a sacrifice for his people.

A legend that has been disputed by historians but persists in popular tradition, adding another layer of mystique to this square, where people from all over the world come together to celebrate the beauty of Lisbon.