Relief – Lisboa

Here is another release from Portugal for a series that I thought was long discontinued. The Starbucks Relief Lisboa mug features Castelo de São Jorge, one of Lisbon’s most distinctive monuments. The oldest known fortification at this spot dates from the 2nd century BC, with archaeological evidence revealing traces of Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, and Muslims, confirming human occupation of the area since very ancient times. In 1147, King Afonso Henriques captured the castle from the Moors during the Siege of Lisbon, marking a turning point in Portuguese history. By the 13th century, it had become a royal residence, housing Portugal’s rulers until the 16th century. Declared a National Monument in 1910 and restored in the 20th century, the castle today is considered one of the best vantage points in the city, offering sweeping views over Lisbon’s rooftops and the River Tagus. Within its walls, visitors can explore eleven towers, peaceful gardens roamed by peacocks, a museum of archaeological finds, and a camera obscura in the Tower of Ulysses that provides a real-time 360-degree panorama of the city

I would also like to mention a little yellow tram on the front of the mug. It’s a depiction of Tram 28, one of Lisbon’s most beloved icons. This vintage yellow tram rattles and screeches through the narrow streets and steep hills of the city’s historic districts, including Alfama, Baixa, Estrela, and Graça. First inaugurated in 1914, the route was born out of Lisbon’s efforts to modernize its public transportation, replacing the horse-drawn carriages that once dominated the city’s streets. The charming Remodelado trams that run the line retain many of their original 1930s features – polished wood interiors, brass dials, and cheerful yellow paintwork – and remain in use today because the route’s tight turns and steep gradients make it impossible for any modern tram to replace them.