Praça do Comércio, Rua Augusta- Terreiro do Paço, Arco Triunfal da Rua Augusta, Rua do Prata, Baixa Pombalina
Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square), also known as Terreiro do Paço (Palace Yard, after the palace that was destroyed in the great 1755 Lisbon earthquake), is the heart of Lisbon. The square is facing the Tagus River, in Baixa Pombalina (Lower Town). In the middle of the square is an equestrian statue of King José I. Around the square you find imposing yellow buildings with important museums, such as Lisboa Story and the National Museum. The most significant monument stands at the center of the square's North side; a statue and an arch, Arco Triunfal da Rua Augusta, that marks the entrance to the commercial pedestrian street Rua Augusta, that is filled with typical luxury designer chain stores. The arch was built 1803 to commemorate the rebuilding of Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake. Many of Lisbon's famous yellow historical trams depart from Praca de Comercio, and runs along Rua do Prata, that is parallel to Rua Augusta. There is an observation deck on the roof of the arch of triumph. The historical elevator tower Elevador de Santa Justa, is just next to Rua Augusta, where it ends at Praca Dom Pedro IV and Praca do Figueira. Castelo Sao Jorge, that overlooks the old town, and can be seen from Praca do Comércio. Attention! Unfortunately Praca do Comércio, even as the heart of Lisbon, suffers the same problem as other squares in the city; drug dealers approch as many tourists they can find, offering them to buy drugs even in broad daylight, and the police and government seem to care little about that! It can even be hard taking pictures withoug being disturbed by them. This is nothing we have seen in such a large scale in any country before! |