Praca do Comercio Lisbon
Introduction
Praca do Comercio in Lisbon is one of the most famous city squares. On it’s northern side, Rua Augusta Arch stands which is a triumphal arch like building was built to commemorate the city’s reconstruction after the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake. The arch was inaugurated in 1873, designed by Portuguese architect Santos de Carvalho, standing nearly 45m.
The Commercial Square was the place (in the past) where main commerce took place in the past. Goods travelled between Portugal and other parts of Europe and its colonies in Africa, Asia and the Americas. A statue of Joseph I of Portugal (Jose I, 6 June 1714 – 24 February 1777) sits in the middle of the square. The statue of Jose I was inaugurated in 1775, this bronze statue was designed by Joaquim Machado de Castro. King Jose I was the Portuguese ruler during the reconstruction of Lisbon and the statue was inaugurated on his birthday on the 6th June 1775.
Square Today
The Ribeira Palace had existed here before its destruction in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. The palace stood on one edge of the square for almost 250 years. Traditional painted buildings line the three sides of the square and one side (to the south) opens to the River Tagus.
Two large towers are situated on the each corner of the square. A sandy beach on the northern banks of the River Tagus (south of the square). The beachfront seems to be very popular not only with the tourists but also with the bird.
Cais das Colunas is a spot where Praca do Comercio meets the River Tagus. It is a perfect spot to enjoy the beauty of Lisbon. A staircase leads to the waterfront from Cais das Colunas. This is the place where people, birds, water, land and history meet together in full colours.
