PRAÇA DO COMÉRCIO

Description

Essentials about Praça do Comércio in brief

Praça do Comércio (Trade Square) is probably the best known square and together with the Rossio and Praça da Figueira one of the three important squares in downtown Lisbon. Located directly on the banks of the Tagus River, the square is still known by its old name, “Terreiro do Paço” (meaning “Palace Grounds”). The reason for this is that before the devastating earthquake of 1755, the Paço da Ribeira, the royal riverside palace, was located here. After the quake, the square was rebuilt in a completely new form. Today, Praça do Comércio, lined with arcades and four-story buildings, is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe and, for many visitors to Lisbon, the starting point for a sightseeing tour of the Portuguese capital.

The history of Praça do Comércio

The former Paço da Ribeira served as the residence of the Portuguese kings from 1511 to 1755, surrounded by the shipping companies, shipyards and administrative buildings of the important port of Lisbon. On November 1, 1755, a massive earthquake shook the Portuguese capital. Much of Lisbon’s lower city, including the royal palace were destroyed by the quake and the tsunami that followed. The Marquis of Pombal, then prime minister, then decided on a major reconstruction program in which large parts of Lisbon were completely redesigned.

Praça do Comércio also received a completely new face in this course. The riverside palace that had previously stood on the site was not rebuilt. From then on, the square served as the entrance to the new Baixa, the newly laid-out city center between the Tagus, Praça da Figueira and the Rossio. The Portuguese architect Eugénio dos Santos designed the buildings around the 170-by-170-meter square in the shape of a rectangular U that opens onto the Tagus. The arcade-lined, four-story buildings have two wings ending in two large towers, an allusion by Santos to the former royal palace. The main component of the entire architectural ensemble of the square is the equestrian statue of José I, designed in 1775 by the artist Joaquim Machado de Castro.

The Arco da Rua Augusta

Rua Augusta, link between Praça do Comércio and the Rossio, Santos opened with an oversized triumphal arch, commonly referred to as Arco da Rua Augusta (Rua Augusta Arch). This archway, designed by Veríssimo da Costa, has a large clock and several allegories of the civic virtues of honor, sagacity and courage, as well as statues of the Celtiberian leader Viriathus, the national hero Nuno Álvares Pereira, the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama and the Marquis of Pombal.

The political-historical significance of Praça do Comércio

On February 1, 1908, Praça do Comércio was the scene of the murder of Carlos of Portugal, the country’s penultimate monarch. Carlos passed through the square in a carriage in which he and his heir to the throne, Luís Filipe, were traveling. After two men from what later became the Republican Party fired shots, the king died immediately as a result of the assassination attempt, and his son succumbed to his injuries a short time later. The king’s younger son, Emanuel II, was the last monarch to ascend the Portuguese throne. Two years later, however, the Republic of Portugal was proclaimed. Praça do Comércio also achieved political importance during the Carnation Revolution in 1974. Among other things, the Movimento das Forças Armadas used the square as an important meeting place and parade ground during the overthrow of Marcelo Caetano’s dictatorship.

Praça do Comércio today

Today, Praça do Comércio is no longer the scene of political assassinations and revolutionary marches, but a popular meeting place for locals and tourists. At almost any time of day, the square is full of people, not only because it is a very good starting point for a sightseeing or shopping tour, but also because here you can relax in one of the numerous cafes and restaurants and watch the colorful hustle and bustle in front of the beautiful backdrop. In addition, Praça do Comércio is often used for events due to its central location and large area.