Baixa, (Downtown) Lisbon

Baixa de Lisboa

The Baixa is the area of Lisbon rebuilt by the Marquis of Pombal after the earthquake of 1 November 1755. The Baixa de Lisboa is the heart of the city, also known as the Baixa Pombalina, characterised by the straight, wide streets laid out from Rua Augusta and named after the trades that existed here at the time — cobblers, gilders and saddlers. Rua Augusta, fully paved in Portuguese cobblestone, is one of the most animated streets in Lisbon. In the Baixa it is possible to watch a variety of street performers throughout the day, including human statues, violinists and guitarists and, on occasion, music groups such as Academic Tunas and African dance troupes. The Baixa is home to traditional commerce, restaurants serving typical Portuguese cuisine, offices across a range of business sectors (banking, finance, jewellers and others), luxury hotels and hostels, a viewpoint and several cultural spaces, including the MUDE (Museu do Design e da Moda). The Baixa is popular with architecture enthusiasts, businesspeople, investors, young visitors and tourists discovering the city. It is the ideal base for anyone wishing to stay in the centre of the Portuguese capital and get around without a car.

Structure of the Baixa Lisboeta

The Baixa de Lisboa is bounded to the north by Largo do Regedor, to the east by Rua da Madalena, to the south by Rua da Alfândega, and to the west by Largo de São Julião and Rua Nova do Almada. It connects Chiado, Avenida da Liberdade and Alfama.

The Baixa falls within the Junta de Freguesia de Santa Maria Maior.

Top 10 Attractions in Baixa de Lisboa

1. Convento do Carmo: The Convento do Carmo is one of the most important buildings in Lisbon dating from the period before the earthquake of 1 November 1755. It is located on Largo do Carmo — Chiado and has housed the Museu Arqueológico do Carmo since the 19th century; its main façade was recently restored. The convent is widely visited for the collection of important artefacts from Portuguese history displayed inside the museum and as an architectural witness to the earthquake. The Convento do Carmo houses the following main collections:

• Roman Epigraphy Collection;
• Pre-Columbian Ceramics and Mummies Collection;
• Egyptian Sarcophagus and Mummy;
• Tomb of Dom Fernando I (1345–1383);
• 18th-century Tomb of Queen Dona Maria of Austria;
• 10th-century Mozarabic stones.

2. Elevador de Santa Justa: The Elevador de Santa Justa is a vertical lift in the Baixa of Lisbon, built in a cast iron structure. Its main attractions are the panoramic view over Lisbon and the architecture of the structure. The Elevador de Santa Justa was designed by Raoul Mesnier de Ponsard and inaugurated on 10 July 1902.

3. Casa do Alentejo: The Casa do Alentejo has been the headquarters of the Associação Regionalista Alentejana since 1928. It occupies a 19th-century palace commissioned by the family of the Viscounts of Alverca. The palace has served various functions over the years, including as Lisbon's first casino, known as "O Majestic Club". The Casa do Alentejo features Neo-Moorish architecture designed by architect Silva Júnior and is widely visited for the beauty of the Salão dos Espelhos and the quality of the Alentejo regional cuisine served in the palace restaurants.

4. Igreja de São Domingos: The Igreja de São Domingos is one of the most important churches in the city, located on Largo de São Domingos near Praça Dom Pedro IV, known as the Rossio of Lisbon. The church was struck by two major disasters — the 1755 earthquake and a fire in 1959. The Igreja de São Domingos is notable for its spacious interior, particularly the ceiling built in a painted false barrel vault with manganese and ochre tones. The main highlights include a piece of cloth belonging to Sister Lúcia and the rosary of Jacinta, connected to the Fátima apparitions of 1917 — the Miracle of the Sun took place on 13 October 1917 — and the tomb of Dom João de Castro. The Igreja de São Domingos was the scene of several landmark events in Portuguese history, including:

• the Massacre of the Jews in 1506;
• the beginning of the Inquisition Autos-da-Fé;
• secret meetings of Dom João IV and his allies against Spain.

5. Miradouro do Arco da Rua Augusta: The Miradouro do Arco da Rua Augusta is a privileged viewpoint over Lisbon, the Tagus River and the Parque Natural da Arrábida. The viewpoint is integrated within the Arco da Rua Augusta, initially designed in 1759 by Eugénio dos Santos. The arch was inaugurated in 1875 to a design by architect Veríssimo José da Costa. It is located at the northern end of Praça do Comércio, connecting it to Rua Augusta and linking two flanking buildings. It is one of Lisbon's main attractions owing to its sculptural ensemble representing some of the most important figures in Portuguese history, including:

• statues of Viriato, Vasco da Gama, Dom Nuno Álvares Pereira and the Marquis of Pombal;
• allegorical representations of the Douro and Tagus rivers by Vítor Bastos.
  The statues at the top of the arch are allegorical representations of "Glory crowning Genius and Valour" by sculptor Anatole Calmels, a Latin inscription meaning "To the Virtues of our Forebears" and a clock on the interior of the arch.

6. Museu da Guarda Nacional Republicana: The Museu da Guarda Nacional Republicana is housed within the Quartel do Carmo. Located on Largo do Carmo, it was opened to the public in 2015 with the aim of preserving and promoting the history of the Guarda Nacional Republicana. The Quartel do Carmo was the scene of one of the most important events in Portuguese history — the Carnation Revolution of 25 April 1974. The museum collection includes more than two thousand pieces dating from the 14th to the 21st century, relating to the various security forces that have existed in Portugal, particularly the Guarda Municipal, the Guarda Real da Polícia de Lisboa and the Guarda Nacional Republicana.

7. Teatro Nacional Dona Maria II: The Teatro Nacional Dona Maria II is a historic building dedicated to promoting theatre at a national level, providing training for actors and technicians, and establishing national and international partnerships to promote Portuguese theatre. It was inaugurated on the birthday of Queen Dona Maria (1819–1853) — 4 April 1846. The theatre reflects the influence of writer Almeida Garrett, who was responsible for creating the Inspecção Geral dos Teatros e Espetáculos Nacionais and the Conservatório de Arte Dramática. The Teatro Nacional Dona Maria II was built on Praça Dom Pedro IV on the site of the former Palácio dos Estaus, the former headquarters of the Inquisition before the 1755 earthquake. The current building was designed by Italian architect Fortunato Lodi. The theatre was almost entirely destroyed by fire in 1964, leading to its reconstruction and reopening in 1978. The main highlights of the Teatro Nacional Dona Maria II are the Neoclassical main façade, the Sala Garrett, the Salão Nobre and the bookshop, the corridors, the grand main atrium and Café Garrett.

8. Museu do Dinheiro: The Museu do Dinheiro is a space where the historical evolution of money can be explored interactively, with the aim of sharing the history of money in Portugal and around the world. It is housed within the former Igreja de São Julião on Largo de São Julião in the Baixa Pombalina. The museum is organised into eight spaces:

• Touch / What is Money?;
• Exchange / This is Money;
• Convention / The Origin of the Coin;
• Representation / The Treasury Room;
• Narrative / Genealogy of Money and Banking;
• Production / Minting Coins and Printing Notes; Illustration / Banknotes of the World;
• Testimony / Man and Money;
• Revelation / Memory of the Site.

The Museu do Dinheiro features the following highlights:

• Igreja de São Julião;
• Muralha de Dom Dinis;
• 12.6 kg gold bar;
• Chinese banknote: the first note from the East, dating from the 9th century AD;
• Português of Dom Manuel I: a gold coin minted between 1499 and 1521;
• Morabitino of Dom Sancho II: the last morabitino minted in Portugal;
• Dobra of 24 escudos: Portugal's largest and heaviest coin, weighing 85 grams.

9. Lisboa Story Centre: The Lisboa Story Centre is a centre for exploring the history of Lisbon through virtual reality presentations, created as an interpretation centre for the history of Lisbon. Its main objective is to share Lisbon's history in a multidimensional format with the aid of an audio guide over approximately sixty minutes. It is located on Praça do Comércio and organised into six main spaces:

• Section 1: Myths and Realities;
• Section 2: Lisbon, Global City;
• Section 3: 1 November 1755;
• Section 4: Pombal's Vision;
• Section 5: The Square: Politics and Pleasure;
• Section 6: Virtual Lisbon.

10. Museu da Cerveja (Beer Museum): The Museu da Cerveja is a leisure and social space centred on the theme of beer, created to share the history of beer in Portugal and around the world. Located on Praça do Comércio, it was inaugurated in 2012 and offers various cultural and gastronomic spaces, including the Brewery Space. The museum is organised into four main sections:

• From the Origins to the Start of Industrial Production;
• The History of National Producers;
• Beer in Portuguese-Speaking Countries;
• The Monastic Cellar.

Further Places to Visit in Baixa de Lisboa

Sociedade de Geografia de Lisboa: The Sociedade de Geografia de Lisboa is a place where visitors can learn about the Portuguese Expansion and the Portuguese advance into the interior of Africa, particularly between Angola and Mozambique. Located on Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, between Praça dos Restauradores and Largo de São Domingos, the society was founded in January 1875. In 1898 it hosted the celebrations of the fourth centenary of the discovery of the Sea Route to India. The palace housing the society and museum was designed by José Luís Monteiro and features the following highlights:

• Atrium: a group of six statues representing figures of the Portuguese Discoveries, including Infante Dom Henrique, Fernão Lopes, Pedro Álvares Cabral, Azurara, João de Barros and Castanheda;
• Members' Lounge: a spacious and airy sitting room that receives the researchers and members who frequent the Sociedade de Geografia de Lisboa;
• Library and Map Collection;
• Board Meeting Room: where oil paintings portraying the various presidents of the society and King Dom Luís can be seen;
• Sala Portugal: the location of the museum, presenting collections from various regions including West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, India, China, Japan and Timor;
• Sala Algarve: notable for statues of Vasco da Gama, Infante Dom Henrique and Luís Vaz de Camões, and a globe specifically designed for the 1931 International Exhibition in Paris depicting the routes of Portuguese navigators between 1482 and 1660;
• Sala da Índia: notable for a varied collection of Indo-Portuguese furniture, oil portraits of King Dom Carlos and Queen Dona Amélia, and two terrestrial globes by Vicente Coronelli;
• Sala dos Padrões: featuring the stone pillars brought from Africa, including the Padrão de Diogo Cão of 1482;
• Library: the Library of the Sociedade de Geografia de Lisboa is recognised worldwide as an essential resource for the study of the History of the Discoveries and Portuguese Expansion, Geography, History and Ethnography of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries. Founded in 1880, it holds approximately 66,000 titles.

Café Martinho da Arcada: Café Martinho da Arcada is a historic Lisbon restaurant much frequented by locals and tourists for its location, the quality of its food and service, and its storied history. Located on Praça do Comércio opposite the Museu da Cerveja, it was inaugurated on 7 January 1782 as a drinks and ice shop. The café passed through several owners — from its founder, the Royal Household Purveyor Julião Pereira de Castro, to the Italian Domenico Mignani who renamed it from "Casa do Gelo" to "Casa de Café Italiana", followed by Martinho Bartolomeu Rodrigues who gave it its current name "Café Martinho da Arcada" in 1845, and António de Sousa. The café gained renown among Lisbon residents owing to the regular presence of writers and intellectuals, including Fernando Pessoa, Luís Machado, Eduardo Lourenço, Júlio Pomar, Siza Vieira, Amália Rodrigues and Mário Soares. The café is also known for the quality of its cuisine, particularly the pastéis de nata, the Bife à Martinho and the Bacalhau à Martinho.

Igreja da Madalena: The Igreja da Madalena is a church rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake and currently used for religious ceremonies including the Procissão de Santo António. Located on Largo da Madalena, midway between the Baixa and Alfama, the church was originally founded in 1164; the current version dates from a restoration completed in 1783. The main highlights are paintings by Pedro Alexandrino de Carvalho (1730–1810) and Machado de Castro (1731–1822) in the interior, and the Manueline-style entrance portal.

Museu de Lisboa: Torreão Poente do Terreiro do Paço: The West Tower of Praça do Comércio is one of the five museum spaces that make up the Museu de Lisboa, alongside the Palácio Pimenta, the Teatro Romano, the Museu de Santo António and the Casa dos Bicos. The West Tower was the site of the Paço da Ribeira before the 1755 earthquake. It is a space used for temporary exhibitions related to the history of Lisbon.

Galerias Romanas da Rua da Prata: The Galerias Romanas da Rua da Prata are a cryptoporticus extending beneath Rua da Prata, Rua da Conceição and Rua do Ouro. The cryptoporticus was a structural device widely used in Roman engineering to level the subsoil and provide greater stability for buildings constructed above ground on ruins. The galleries date from the 1st century AD and were discovered in 1771, following the 1755 earthquake. Over the centuries various myths arose around them, particularly in the 19th century when it was believed that the waters of the galleries had healing properties for the eyes and they became known as the Conservas de Água da Rua da Prata. The galleries can be visited on Monument and Sites Day in April and during the European Heritage Days in September. Eight galleries are accessible, spread across approximately forty metres. The galleries comprise several structures:

• Baths dedicated to Aesculapius, the Roman God of Medicine;
• Water distribution network for the city;
• Eastern Gallery.

Igreja de São Nicolau: The Igreja de São Nicolau was founded in 1280 by Bishop Dom Mateus, who consecrated it to Saint Nicholas — born in what is now Turkey around 270 AD and regarded as the patron saint of children, sailors and merchants. The current church was built between 1775 and 1850 under the direction of Reinaldo Manuel dos Santos, on Rua da Vitória in the Baixa Pombalina. The main highlights are:

• Ceiling paintings by António Manuel da Fonseca representing Joy, Faith, Charity and scenes from the daily life of Saint Nicholas;
• Four medallions representing the four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John;
• Stations of the Via Sacra from 1930 by Salvador Barata Feyo;
• Baptistery originating from the Convento de São Francisco, subsequently destroyed in the 1755 earthquake;
• Organ from the Convento do Beato, transferred in 1835.

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Vitória: The first church was built in 1556 as part of a hospice managed by the Hospital de Todos-os-Santos. The current Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Vitória was inaugurated in 1824. The main highlights are:

• Image of Christ Crucified;
• Stained glass windows from 1940;
• Chapel-Mor with images of Saint Peter and Saint Anthony;
• Image of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira by José de Almeida;
• Pipe organ of 1822 by Machado e Cerveira.

Restaurante Gambrinus: The Gambrinus is a benchmark of Lisbon gastronomy. It was inaugurated on 14 July 1936 at number 23 Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, where it remains today. Founded by a German, Hans Schwitalla, and a Galician, Claudino Sobral Portela, with the original aim of selling beer and German food. It was purchased in 1964 and redesigned under architect Maurício de Vasconcelos to its current appearance. The interiors are the main highlight, featuring singular décor of Portuguese wood and leather furniture, pieces of East India Company porcelain, exotic woods, tapestries and stained glass windows by Sá Nogueira, and a granite fireplace. Gambrinus is a luxury restaurant where visitors can enjoy Portuguese cuisine, including the Sopa Rica de Peixe, Empadão de Perdiz and Arroz de Peixe.

Restaurante Solar dos Presuntos: The Restaurante Solar dos Presuntos is a gastronomic landmark in Lisbon, inaugurated on 30 October 1974. Located on Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, near Avenida da Liberdade, the Rossio and Praça dos Restauradores. The owner is Evaristo Cardoso, former head chef of the Portuguese National Football team. The main gastronomic highlights include Polvo à Galega, Lampreia de Escabeche, Cabrito Assado no Forno, Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá and Cozido à Portuguesa.

Historic Shops in Baixa de Lisboa (Top 10)

Confeitaria Nacional: A traditional pastry shop awarded the highest international distinctions for national confectionery and original recipes, founded in 1829 by Balthazar Ruiz Castanheiro on Praça da Figueira in Lisbon, with the aim of creating a luxury pastry shop in the style of those found in Paris. The Confeitaria Nacional is renowned for the quality of its sweets and cakes, particularly the Pastéis de Nata and the Bolo Rei (the traditional Christmas cake). Its history includes several notable episodes:

• It was the first establishment in Lisbon to have a telephone, in 1881;
• It was supplier of cakes to the Portuguese Royal House in 1871;
• The first Bolo Rei recipe in Portugal was imported from Paris by Balthazar Ruiz Castanheiro in 1875;
• It received several international awards, including at the International Exhibitions in Vienna in 1873 and Philadelphia in 1876;
• It received the Diploma de Casa Centenária from the Associação Comercial de Lisboa in 1940, presented by the former President of the Republic Marshal Carmona;
• The Confeitaria Nacional is currently the official supplier to the Presidency of the Republic.

Manteigaria Silva: Manteigaria Silva is a reference shop in Lisbon with over 100 years of history and a reputation for product quality. The first shop was opened near Largo de São Domingos and Praça da Figueira. Manteigaria Silva currently operates from four locations: the Historic Shop in the Baixa de Lisboa, the Mercado da Ribeira shop, the Bairro do Avillez restaurant in Chiado and the Vela Latina café in Belém. Founded in 1890 as one of twenty-four butter shops in Lisbon, it was initially launched under the name Bacalhoaria Silva and renamed in 1922, as butter — then an expensive product imported from the Azores and sold by weight in small packets — was associated with the wealthier classes. Today Manteigaria Silva offers a wide range of products including cheeses, cured hams, salt cod, charcuterie, wines, spirits, tinned fish and dried fruits.

Chapelaria Azevedo: Chapelaria Azevedo is one of the historic shops that forms part of the cultural identity of Lisbon. It is Portugal's oldest hat shop, founded in 1886 by Aquino de Azevedo on Praça Dom Pedro IV — the Rossio of Lisbon. The shop sells hats of every kind, including the Panama hat, the Portuguese-style hat and the bowler hat.

A Ginginha: A Ginginha was the first shop in Lisbon to sell ginja liqueur. Located on Largo de São Domingos, it was founded in 1840 by the Galician Espinheira. From that year, Ginjinha Espinheira became one of Lisbon's most successful drinks shops. The ginja is produced in Arruda dos Vinhos, approximately forty kilometres from Lisbon, with annual production of around 150,000 litres. Ginja is a liqueur made from sugar, sour cherries, brandy and cinnamon stick. The sour cherry is believed to have arrived on the Iberian Peninsula from the Caspian or Black Sea region during the Roman occupation, and was used in Portugal for medicinal purposes during the 15th century. Ginja is produced in several regions of the country, including Fundão, Covilhã, Belmonte, Portalegre, Alenquer, Bombarral, Óbidos and Alcobaça.

Café Nicola: Café Nicola is one of the most celebrated gathering places for Portuguese intellectuals and writers since its founding in 1779. Located on Praça Dom Pedro IV, it was frequented by distinguished figures of Portuguese society, including the writer Bocage (1765–1805), and was the scene of historical episodes such as serving as a meeting point for British, American and German spies during the Second World War (1939–1945). Café Nicola also produces and exports coffee to several countries. The main highlights are the paintings by Fernando Santos depicting Bocage and the Art Déco architecture by Raúl Tojal.

Conserveira de Lisboa: Conserveira de Lisboa is a traditional tinned fish shop located on Rua dos Bacalhoeiros. It was founded in 1930 under the name Conserveira do Minho, adopting its current name in 1942. The shop has remained faithful to the canning industry — an important sector in Portugal during the 1960s and 1970s — maintaining three historic brands: Tricana, Prata do Mar and Minor. The range includes tuna mousse, smoked octopus, mackerel with garlic and parsley, and stuffed squid. The Conserveira de Lisboa also stocks Kasutera, a Japanese product available in honey and green tea versions.

Hospital das Bonecas: The Hospital das Bonecas is a doll repair workshop operating with meticulous attention to detail since 1830, when it was founded by Dona Carlota on Praça da Figueira. It is considered one of the last doll hospitals in the world and was for many years the only one in Europe. The space comprises a shop, a "hospital" and a museum. Inside the shop a collection of dolls awaiting restoration or available for sale can be found. The museum of the Hospital das Bonecas displays more than 3,500 different types of dolls.

Restaurante João do Grão: The Restaurante João do Grão is known for having the best bacalhau com grão in the country. Located on Rua dos Correeiros, near Praça da Figueira and Praça Dom Pedro IV, it was founded more than two hundred years ago by the Galician João do Grão and once operated around the clock. João do Grão is a must for fans of Portuguese cuisine, particularly for the salt cod dishes and cozido à portuguesa.

A Ginjinha Sem Rival: A Ginjinha Sem Rival is one of the oldest and most celebrated ginja shops in Lisbon. Located on Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, near Praça dos Restauradores, it was founded by João Lourenço Cima in 1890 — grandfather of the current owners — and registered as a patent in 1909. The shop occupies a small Art Déco premises that retains its original layout. Notable curiosities include:

• The founder is said to have worked initially at Ginja da Espinheira, before opening a rival shop directly opposite following a dispute with his former employer;
• One of the best-known brands of Ginja Sem Rival is Eduardino, named in honour of a regular customer who performed as a clown at the Coliseu;
• The building where the shop is located was the property of Portuguese actor Vasco Santana;
• The singer Amália Rodrigues was regularly seen selling lemons at the Ginjinha Sem Rival.

Tabacaria Mónaco: The Tabacaria Mónaco is a historic Lisbon establishment where newspapers, magazines, tobacco and cigars can be purchased. Located on Praça Dom Pedro IV, next to Café Nicola, it was a favourite haunt of personalities such as Eça de Queirós, Fialho de Almeida, António França Borges and Bernardino Machado. Founded in 1875 by João Cruz, it earned the nickname Capela de São João Batista dos Charutos. The name Tabacaria do Mónaco was chosen as a tribute to Prince Albert I of Monaco, who visited Lisbon in the 19th century. The shop merits a visit for its historical character, the interior decoration by Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro and the paintings by António Ramalho.

Further Historic Shops in Baixa de Lisboa

• Arqui Chique
• Joalharia Ferreira Marques
• Au Petit Peintre
• Casa Buttuller
• Casa Forra
• Casa Macário
• Casa Pereira da Conceição
• Drogaria de São Domingos
• Espingardaria Central A Montez
• Farmácia Normal
• Ferragens Guedes
• Franco Gravador
• Joalharia Ferreira Marques
• Ginjinha Rubi
• Leitaria A Camponesa
• Leão d'Ouro
• Londres Salão
• Manuel Tavares
• Ourivesaria Sarmento
• Primeira Casa das Bandeiras
• Pérola do Rossio
• Quiosque Tivoli
• Restaurante João do Grão
• Retrosaria Bijou
• Sapataria Lord
• Soares & Rebelo
• Tabacaria Mónaco
• Óptica Jomil

Main Streets and Squares of Baixa de Lisboa

Rua Augusta: Rua Augusta is the central street of the Baixa de Lisboa. Built after the 1755 earthquake, it connects Praça Dom Pedro IV to Praça do Comércio, where the equestrian statue of King Dom José I stands. Rua Augusta was formerly the street of silk merchants.

• Rua do Comércio: formerly Rua Nova d'El Rey
• Rua da Prata: formerly Rua Bella da Rainha
• Rua dos Fanqueiros: formerly Rua Nova da Princesa
• Rua dos Douradores
• Rua dos Correeiros
• Rua dos Sapateiros
• Rua de São Julião
• Rua da Conceição
• Rua de São Nicolau
• Rua da Vitória
• Rua da Assunção
• Rua de Santa Justa

Praça do Comércio: Praça do Comércio, known as Terreiro do Paço before the 1755 earthquake, is the largest and most important square in Lisbon. It was designed by Eugénio dos Santos and Carlos Mardel and features a rectangular layout spread across three wings arranged in a U-shape to the north, open to the Tagus River to the south, covering approximately 36,000 square metres. The main highlights of Praça do Comércio are the two square-plan towers, the Arco da Rua Augusta, the Cais das Colunas, the Equestrian Statue of Dom José I by sculptor Machado de Castro, and the various restaurants and museums surrounding the square.

Largo do Carmo: Largo do Carmo is one of Lisbon's most recognised squares, home to two notable buildings: the Convento do Carmo and the Museu da Guarda Republicana. Its name derives from the Convento do Carmo and the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Vencimento do Monte do Carmo, dating from the late 14th century. The Largo do Carmo was home to Lisbon's largest church prior to the 1755 earthquake. It merits a visit for the Convento do Carmo, its terrace cafés, restaurants and access to the Elevador de Santa Justa. The historic shop Ginjinha do Carmo is also found here.

Praça Dom Pedro IV: Praça Dom Pedro IV is known as the "Rossio of Lisbon" — a central, open space where residents gather and stroll. Rossios are common in towns and cities across Portugal, such as in Évora and Aveiro, and are generally the central space where local markets were held. The Rossio is first mentioned in 1419 as an open, peripheral area of Lisbon. It was the scene of several historical events, including the Inquisition Autos-da-Fé where the condemned were burned at the stake. The current name, Praça Dom Pedro IV, was established by decree on 31 October 1836. The square features two fountains, the Monument to King Dom Pedro IV, the Estação do Rossio, the Teatro Nacional Dona Maria II, shops, restaurants and Portuguese cobblestone pavement. The Rossio connects to several streets and squares, including:

• Praça dos Restauradores
• Rua da Betesga: considered the shortest street in the country
• Rua Augusta
• Largo de São Domingos
• Rua dos Sapateiros
• Rua Áurea or Rua do Ouro
• Calçada do Carmo
• Rua do Amparo
• Rua Primeiro de Dezembro
• Praça da Figueira

Praça da Figueira: Praça da Figueira is one of Lisbon's large squares, connecting Martim Moniz to Praça Dom Pedro IV. It takes its name from its former role as the city's main open-air market and has carried several names over the years, including Horta do Hospital, Praça das Ervas and Praça Nova. The square is notable for the Equestrian Statue of Dom João I by architect José Segurado, inaugurated on 30 December 1971; the regular gastronomic and craft fair; the Confeitaria Nacional; the Hospital das Bonecas; and the stop for the historic Tram 28. The square was the site of the Hospital Real de Todos-os-Santos, considered the largest hospital in the country until it was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. Praça da Figueira was one of the first places in the country to have public lighting, in 1834. Between 1885 and 1949 an open-air market operated here, managed by the Companhia do Mercado da Praça da Figueira. During the first half of the 20th century it was the main venue in the city for the Festa dos Santos Populares.

Praça do Município: Praça do Município is the location of the headquarters of Lisbon City Council. It connects Rua do Arsenal to Largo de São Julião and was formerly known as Largo do Pelourinho, after the pillory that stood at the centre of the square — a symbol of municipal authority and typically the location of the Senate and senators' residences. The square adopted its current name on 24 March 1886. The highlights of Praça do Município are the Museu do Dinheiro and the Lisbon City Council building, inaugurated in 1875 to a design by Domingos Parente da Silva.

Fairs, Festivals and Events in Baixa de Lisboa

• Craft Fair at Terreiro do Paço: held weekly at Terreiro do Paço
• Opening of the Underground Roman Galleries: open annually in September
• Moda Lisboa: held annually in March and October
• Lisbon Week: held annually in September

Tourist Accommodation in Baixa de Lisboa

• Browns Boutique Hotel
• Lisboa Carmo Hotel
• Pousada de Lisboa — Praça do Comércio, Small Luxury Hotel
• The Boutique Hotels Figueira
• The Seven Hotel

Transport and Access to Baixa de Lisboa

The Baixa is served by the following transport options:

• Lisbon Trams: Numbers 15, 28 and 25
• Lisbon Metro:
  • Baixa-Chiado
  • Terreiro do Paço
  • Rossio

Car Parks near Baixa de Lisboa

• Parque da Praça da Figueira
• Parque da Praça do Município
• Parque dos Restauradores

History of Baixa de Lisboa

The Baixa de Lisboa rose to prominence following the earthquake of 1 November 1755 — one of the most powerful in recorded history, with an estimated magnitude of 8.5 on the Richter Scale. It was responsible for the destruction of a large part of the Portuguese capital, destroying approximately one tenth of Lisbon's housing stock (some estimates cite 3,000 houses out of a total of 20,000) and causing the deaths of more than ten thousand people. The Baixa Pombalina was built with the aim of creating straight, wide streets organised around Rua Augusta. The principal driving force behind the city's transformation was the Marquis of Pombal, who appointed Eugénio dos Santos (the project author) and Carlos Mardel to design the new Baixa de Lisboa. The Baixa is one of the first urban projects in Europe to feature earthquake-resistant buildings and the country's first domestic sewage network. The centre of the Baixa was reclaimed from the rivers Vale Pereiro and Arroios. Following its construction, the Baixa Pombalina of Lisbon served as a model for other cities, notably the Algarve town of Vila Real de Santo António, also known as the Marquis's City.

Lisbon was a medieval city until the earthquake of 1 November 1755 — a labyrinth of winding, disorganised streets, alleys and buildings constructed almost entirely of wood, built without any urban plan to suit the needs of its residents. The Baixa de Lisboa was no exception. The city saw few urban improvements before 1755, among them the construction of Rua Nova dos Ferros during the reign of Dom Dinis (1279–1325), where the city's merchants established themselves and which became the most important street in the capital; the construction of the Cerca Fernandina in 1375, which enclosed the entire city within walls during the reign of Dom Fernando I (1345–1383); the construction of Terreiro do Paço (today Praça do Comércio), the Casa da Índia, the Ribeira das Naus, the market and the Casa da Alfândega during the 16th century; and the widening of Rua dos Ourives da Prata to accommodate increased coach traffic in 1680.

Video of Queen Elizabeth II visiting Lisbon in 1957

The Architectural Project that Created Baixa de Lisboa

The Marquis of Pombal assembled a team of experts comprising the Kingdom's chief engineer Manuel da Maia, Colonel Carlos Mardel and Captain Eugénio dos Santos to rebuild the Baixa de Lisboa. Five projects were proposed for the reconstruction: two advocated rebuilding the medieval, disorganised Lisbon; one proposed relocating the city entirely; another suggested a largely unchanged city with lower buildings and wider streets; and one proposed the total demolition of the earthquake-affected area and the construction of a new, organised city in Belém. King Dom José I and the Marquis of Pombal opted for project number five by Eugénio dos Santos, which entailed the complete reconstruction of the Baixa. This is how the highly organised, beautiful and grand Baixa Pombalina came into being — with an octagonal grid of parallel and perpendicular streets, the main arteries converging on Praça do Comércio, a broad square whose connection to the rest of the Baixa would be made at the river by the triumphal arch crowning Rua Augusta, a symbol of supreme and sacred power.

The Hierarchy of the Baixa — Names, Innovations and Rationale

The Baixa Pombalina was built according to a hierarchy of principal streets, secondary streets and lanes, with three types of building:

• Type A: the richest façades;
• Type B: façades less ornate than Type A but more so than Type C;
• Type C: the most modest façades.
  The Baixa was rebuilt with an urban grid of eight vertical streets running south to north and nine cross streets running east to west, the squares of the Rossio and Terreiro do Paço — renamed Praça do Comércio. The principal streets were named after the trades that operated there, including Rua do Ouro, Rua dos Sapateiros and Rua dos Fanqueiros; the secondary streets were given saints' names, including Rua de Santa Justa and Rua de São Nicolau; and the main street, Rua Augusta, was named in honour of the august figure of King Dom José I.

The Gaiola Pombalina was another innovation of the project and was the first anti-seismic structural system in Europe. It consisted of a flexible internal timber frame built within the walls of buildings, designed to flex and absorb seismic movement without fracturing in the event of a further earthquake. Other innovations included the adoption of Germanic-style brick attics at rooftop level, standardised construction methods that allowed many building components to be prefabricated outside Lisbon, the serial production of certain elements such as balustrades and azulejo panels, ground-floor arches to ensure structural integrity, timber piles to stabilise buildings on the most unstable ground, and the transformation of Praça do Comércio into a centre of government, commerce and administration. Lisbon thus became the first modern city in the Western world following the earthquake of 1 November 1755.