RUA AUGUSTA ARCH

Description

Essentials about the Rua Augusta Arch in brief

The Arco da Rua Augusta (Rua Augusta Arch) is one of the sights that every visitor to Lisbon inevitably gets to see. This is due to the central location of the imposing triumphal arch. In fact, it forms a passageway from the huge Praça do Comércio in the heart of the city center to Rua Augusta, which leads to the Rossio, the second central square of the city center. Although the impressive Praça do Comércio is a great eye-catcher, you should also take some time to visit the Rua Augusta Arch. The Arc de Triomphe is a special expression of Portuguese national pride and offers a unique view of the Portuguese capital from its observation deck.

The history of the Rua Augusta Arch

The Rua Augusta Arch was built in the course of the new planning of the central district Baixa (Lower Town) after the massive destruction caused by the Great Earthquake of 1755. A first draft of the arch was built starting in 1775. Whether this was actually completed is not historically documented. Queen Mary I had it demolished after her accession to the throne in 1777. It was not until 1873 that the idea of a triumphal arch was taken up again under the architect Veríssimo José da Costa. The work was finally completed in 1875.

The sculptures and inscriptions of the Rua Augusta Arch

In the upper part of the arch are sculptures by the sculptor Célestin Anatole Calmels. They show the goddess Gloria at the coronation of Genius and Value. On a level below, sculptures by Vitor Bastos represent four historical figures of special importance in the history of Portugal. These are the explorer and Portuguese national hero Vasco da Gama, the army commander and later canonized Nuno Álvares Pereira, the Lusitanian army commander Viriato, and the city planner Marquês de Pombal, who led the reconstruction of Lisbon after the 1755 quake.

The inscription goes back to the time of the Portuguese discoveries: “VIRTVTIBVS MAIORVM VT SIT OMNIBVS DOCVMENTO” (“To the virtues of the ancestors, that it may serve as a testimony to all”). P(ecunia) P(ublica) D(edicatus) (“Dedicated at public expense”).

Visiting the Rua Augusta Arch

Since 2013, the Rua Augusta Arch can also be visited from inside and above. An elevator takes you almost all the way to the top (only the last 50 steps have to be climbed on foot). From the viewing platform on top of the Arc de Triomphe, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the center of Lisbon with the old town of Baixa, the Praça do Comércio, the São Jorge Castle and the Tagus River. From the top, you also really notice the beautiful, typically Portuguese paving of Rua Augusta. Inside the Rua Augusta Arch is a small exhibition on the history of the origin of the triumphal arch.