5 minutes to read the history of Portugal

Portugal's history is rich and ancient. With nearly eight centuries of history, Portugal stands out as one of the oldest countries in Europe.

Its territory is a crossroads of civilizations, shaped by the peoples, cultures and traditions that have succeeded one another. From prehistoric times to Roman invasions, Visigothic kingdoms and Muslim domination, Portugal went through many upheavals before emerging as an independent kingdom in the 12th century.

The Iberian Peninsula: a coveted land.

Before becoming two distinct nations, Portugal and Spain together formed the Iberian Peninsula, a territory coveted by the powers of Antiquity and the Middle Ages.

Over the centuries, the peninsula has been the scene of numerous struggles for control of its lands: Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, barbarian peoples, and finally Muslims, have all fought to establish their dominance.

Around the 2nd century BC, the Roman Empire began the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, dividing it into provinces, including Lusitania, which corresponds to present-day Portugal.

Evora - Ruins of the Roman Temple

This period marked the first steps towards the Christianization of the region, laying the cultural and religious foundations that would influence the future kingdom.

In the early 5th century, as the Roman Empire declined, Germanic tribes invaded the peninsula. The Suevi, a Germanic people, established their kingdom in the northwest, covering present-day northern Portugal and Galicia. This kingdom marked the emergence of the first Christian entity in the region. However, the Visigoths eventually took control of most of the peninsula, heralding the beginning of the Middle Ages.

In 711, Muslim armies from North Africa invaded the Iberian Peninsula, including the territory corresponding to present-day Portugal, which they incorporated into Al-Andalus.

Sintra - Castle of the Mouros

Under Muslim rule, the region saw advances in mathematics, medicine, agriculture and the arts, enriching Iberian culture.

The Reconquista, a series of campaigns led by the Christian kingdoms of the north, then began, aimed at recapturing Muslim lands.

The Birth of the Kingdom of Portugal.

The foundation of Portugal really began in the 11th century, when Henry of Burgundy, for his participation in military campaigns against the Muslims, received the county of Portugal (around Porto) in 1096 from his father-in-law Alfonso VI, King of León.

Guimarães - Alphonso 1 castle

In 1139, his son Dom Afonso Henriques declared his territory's independence from the kingdoms of León and Castile, and proclaimed himself king under the name Alfonso I.

In 1179, the Pope officially recognized Portugal as an independent kingdom, marking its birth as a nation-state, one of the first in Europe.

The Reconquest.

From then on, Alfonso I led campaigns to expand the kingdom southwards, settling in Coimbra and joining forces with the Knights Templar and Hospitallers to extend his influence between the Mondego and Tagus rivers.

His successors continued this crusade against al-Andalus, with the support of Spanish military orders such as those of Santiago and Calatrava.

Tomar - Fortress of the Templars

The reconquest of the south was completed in the Algarve in 1249 under Alfonso III, enabling Portugal to establish its borders, which are still in force today.

Stability and development of the Kingdom.

After the Reconquista, Portugal entered a period of stability and development.

Under kings such as Denis I (1261-1325), Alfonso IV (1291-1357), Peter I (1320-1367), and Ferdinand I (1345-1383), the kingdom experienced an economic, demographic and cultural boom.

Lisbon - Hyeronimites Monastery

The country invested in agriculture, infrastructure, the arts and navigation, laying the foundations for Portuguese expansion in the following centuries.

The Birth of a National Language.

In 1290, King Denis I, nicknamed the “troubadour king”, proclaimed Portuguese the official language of the kingdom, replacing Latin. This decision marked the birth of a national language of its own, reflecting the country's cultural identity. By making Galaico-Portuguese the official language, Denis I strengthened Portugal's unity and asserted its linguistic independence, paving the way for a rich literary and intellectual tradition.

Coat of arms of Alphonso 2, King of Portugal

From the Middle Ages onwards, Portugal developed into a sovereign nation, with its own identity, a culture enriched by its many heritages, and a pioneering spirit that would soon lead it to venture beyond its borders.

In a few words...

The history of Portugal traces the course of a nation forged by centuries of conflict, cultural confluence and conquest. From its very beginnings, Portugal has distinguished itself as a strategic land, attracting many peoples and influences - from Romans to Visigoths to Muslims - all of whom have helped shape its identity.

The creation of the independent kingdom in the 12th century, under the impetus of Alfonso I, marked a decisive turning point, consolidating a strong political entity and paving the way for territorial expansion to the south. The affirmation of a national language in the 13th century symbolized Portugal's desire to cultivate its own identity, linked to its Christian roots but enriched by diverse traditions.

To be continued...

In the second part of this series of articles, we take a closer look at Portugal's history and explore the era of the Great Portuguese Conquests, during which the country established itself on the world stage as a pioneering nation in maritime discovery and colonial expansion.