Although it may seem strange… its true! Unlike the vast majority of world capitals, there is not a single official document stating that Lisbon is the capital of Portugal. And how did this happen? In 1255, King D. Afonso III decided to move his entire court from the former capital, Coimbra, to Lisbon, which in the meantime had become the largest and most important city in the country. Lisbon gained momentum for its growth mainly due to the good conditions of its estuary to accommodate goods ships, thus attracting more and more population and gaining a status and strategic importance superior to Coimbra.

Thus, Lisbon became only de facto Capital for the simple reason that it became the permanent dwelling of the King and his court. No document was ever issued that made Lisbon the capital of the country.

Coimbra was expressly born the remaining Kings of the First Dynasty (as had been born almost all the previous ones). And Coimbra has always been, to this day, the official capital of Portugal! A large part of the population of Coimbra and the country is unaware of this, and who knows it to fear, almost as a curiosity!

 

But my biggest surprise is that the political and cultural agents responsible for city life do not make this “tremendous” statute of importance and significance, which dignifies us all and surpasses us, a flag, an undeniable asset, a hymn to Scrolls of this noble city, that if it did not exist and had not played the role it played at the right time, there would be no Portugal or we Portuguese! 

•