Page 78 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

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PRAÇA DO

COMÉRCIO

EXPERIENCE Baixa and Avenida The beautiful riverfront Praça do Comércio is a vast square with
 N7 @ 711, 714, 759, 794 & many other routes v 15, 18, 25
shady arcades on three sides and the wide expanse of the Tagus
lapping at its southern edge. It was the centrepiece of the Marquês
de Pombal’s post-earthquake redesign of the city, and today
remains a lively gathering place that hosts cultural events and
festivals throughout the year.
Known to locals as Terreiro do Paço (Palace
Square), this huge open space was the site of
the royal palace for 400 years. Manuel I trans-
ferred the royal residence from Castelo de
São Jorge to this more convenient spot by
the river in 1511. When the original palace was
destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, Pombal
housed the new palace in spacious arcaded
buildings around three sides of the square.
On the fourth side, grand marble steps stretch
down to the water’s edge.
Highlights of the square include a huge
bronze statue of King José I, the impressive
Arco da Rua Augusta on the north side and the
Lisbon Story Centre, an interactive museum
exploring events in the city’s history.

HISTORY IN
THE MAKING
The Praça do Comércio
has been the scene
of major events
throughout Lisbon’s
history. On 1 February
1908, King Carlos and
his son Luís Felipe were
assassinated as they
passed through the
square, an event that
eventually led to the
abolition of the monar­
chy and declar ation of
the Republic two years
later. Then in 1974, the
square saw the first
uprising of the Armed
Forces Movement,
whose soldiers –
sporting carnations in
their rifles – overthrew
the Caetano regime in a
bloodless revolution.

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