Praça do Comércio
The Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) is located near the Tagus River and is commonly known as Terreiro do Paço (Palace Square), because it was the location of the Royal Ribeira Palace. In 1755 the great Lisbon Earthquake followed by tsunami and fire destroyed most of the city including the Palace. King José I's Prime Minister, the Marquês de Pombal, coordinated a massive rebuild that gave the square a regular rational arrangement in line with the new Pombaline Downtown (Baixa).
The Augusta Street Arch was only finished in the 19th century. In the top there are sculptures by Calmels representing Glory crowning Genius and Value. The lower, by Vitor Bastos, are Nuno Álvares Pereira, Viriato, Vasco da Gama and Marquês de Pombal.
The bronze statue of King José I was the first monumental statue dedicated to a King in Lisbon and was designed by Joaquim Machado de Castro, Portugal's most important sculptor of the time.
See it in Google Maps
posted by Carlos @ 6:57 PM
10 Comments:
Pretty as ever! Just like I remember it :-(( [*lágrimas*]
My memory fails me. Is this where the 25 April celebration took place in 1999? It was dark and there was a lot of dancing and music followed by an audio/visual light show and somber reflection.
Our first week in Portugal and Europe, and our most memorable.
What a beautiful series, Carlos! Great color, composition, subjects - a really good job.
Nice shots Carlos, I see that you stay in shape, and improving your skils post by post.
My Congratulations.
João Proença
Very impressive architecture Carlos!
Beautiful buildings....blue sky...lots of open space...like it!
Can't wait for my "red!"
=)))
I have a picture I took in front of this square! Your photos brings back great memories of when I went there to meet my friend who lives in Porto.
I think I took an electrico there!
I just discovered Madrugadas, a documentary filmed on the Praca do Comercio the night we were there. Now I have to see if I can locate a copy that will play in the US.
Carlos, I believe you when you say our flag is very familiar to you. When I visited Portugal I was very touched by the sweetness of the people. They were all so nice and always wanted to talk about something concerning brasilian culture. You're a lovely people!
Carlos so now you have blown my cover! he he they all think i'm famoso now! What a detective you are. Great photos, i love your country.
Nice to read about your city's history... We learn so much about Marques de Pombal in school, but always from a Brazilian's perspective...
Beautiful shots as well... Look forward to more pictures... and more history ! :)
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