King Sebastian of Portugal: The Birth of Sebastianism

King Sebastian I of Portugal remains one of the most intriguing figures in Portuguese history. Crowned as a child and driven by dreams of military glory, he led a fateful expedition to Morocco in 1578 that ended in disaster at the Battle of Alcácer Quibir. His disappearance without a confirmed body sparked the legend of Sebastianism - the belief that the young king would one day return to save Portugal in its hour of need. This enduring myth transformed Sebastian from a historical monarch into a national symbol whose story continues to fascinate historians and visitors alike.