The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 14, No. 400, November 21, 1829

A striking portrait of early‑nineteenth‑century Lisbon emerges from this detailed account of the Limoeiro prison, nestled within the walls of St. George’s Castle. Drawing on the experiences of an English expatriate who endured months of confinement under the regime of Don Miguel, the narrative blends personal recollection with observations from other travelers, offering a rare glimpse into a world most readers have never imagined.

The description walks listeners through the prison’s stark architecture: the modest “Saletta,” the visitor‑friendly “Salla Libre,” the locked “Salla Fechado,” and the grim “Enchovia” where thieves and vagabonds were crammed together. It also maps the series of eight dungeons, each varying in light, air and comfort, and explains how even the smallest bribes could buy a sliver of relief. Through vivid details of thick stone walls, iron bars, and the suffocating darkness that prisoners faced, the work paints an unsettling yet compelling picture of political repression and everyday hardship in a bygone era.