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!

Praça do Comércio 01 Praça do Comércio 02 Praça do Comércio 03 Praça do Comércio 04 Statue of King José I, Praça do Comércio Praça do Comércio 06 Arco Triunfal da Rua Augusta Arco Triunfal da Rua Augusta Praça do Comércio 09 Praça do Comércio 10 Praça do Comércio 11 Praça do Comércio 12 Praça do Comércio 13 Praça do Comércio 14 Castelo de Sao Jorge above the square Praça do Comércio 16 Praça do Comércio 17 Praça do Comércio 18 Praça do Comércio 19 Praça do Comércio 20 Praça do Comércio 21 Praça do Comércio 22 Praça do Comércio 23 Praça do Comércio 24 Praça do Comércio 25 Rua Augusta 01 Rua Augusta 02 Rua Augusta 03 Rua Augusta 04 Rua Augusta 05 Rua Augusta 06 Rua Augusta 07 Rua Augusta 08 Rua Augusta 09 Rua Augusta 10 Rua Augusta 11 Internacional Hotel, Rua Augusta Rua de Prata 01 Rua de Prata 02 Comercio area 01 Comercio area 02 Comercio area 03 Comercio area 04Av. de 24 Julho 02 Av. de 24 Julho 03