Jules Verne's 1878 visit to Lisbon

On June 5, 1878, the French author Jules Verne arrived in Lisbon via the Tagus River aboard the yacht Saint-Michel III. Accompanied by his brother Paul Verne, Jules Hetzel Jr., and Raoul Duval, the writer spent approximately 48 hours exploring the Portuguese capital.

During his visit, Verne engaged with several prominent cultural and financial figures. Accompanied by banker Jorge O’Neill, he visited the French Consulate and the Church of São Roque. He also met with David Corazzi, his Portuguese publisher. A notable highlight of his first evening was dining at the Grand Hotel Central in Praça Duque da Terceira, near Cais do Sodré.

While his companions traveled to Sintra the following morning, Verne remained in Lisbon to focus on the city. His itinerary included visiting the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery. He also hosted Captain João de Carvalho Ribeiro Viana on his yacht, where they discussed literature and maritime technology, specifically the Portuguese cruiser Vasco da Gama. During his stay, Verne met influential figures such as Manuel Pinheiro Chagas, Ramalho Ortigão, and Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, with Pinheiro Chagas later describing the author as an affable man with an intelligent gaze.