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Santa Justa Lift Lisbon

Introduction

Santa Justa Lift in Lisbon is a historical lift which sits at the end of the Rua de Santa Justa. The city of Lisbon sits on several hills and it was practical to use this lift to connect one of the two busy areas of the city. In other words, aim was to connect the the lower streets of the Baixa with the higher Largo do Carmo (Igreja do Carmo). 
At the upper floor, a safety door stays closed when the cabin is not there. Inside the lift, a ticket is issued to each visitor and a staff member closes the door of the lift manually. This lift can bring up to 29 passengers in each of its two cabins at a height of 45m to Largo do Carmo. Santa Just Lift is known for offering amazing views over the city of Lisbon.

A long queue at the Rua Aurea while waiting to get the tickets for the Santa Justa Lift of Lisbon
A long queue at the Rua Aurea while waiting to get the tickets for the Santa Justa Lift of Lisbon
A guy was playing didgeridoo beside the waiting tourists but after few minutes of entertainment he decided to leave
A guy was playing didgeridoo beside the waiting tourists but after few minutes of entertainment he decided to leave
Few Portuguese visitors were standing in front of me, one of them was particularly very chatty
Steps leading to the Santa Justa Lift from the Rua Aurea Lisbon
This amazing structure brings people to height of 45m
This amazing structure brings people to height of 45m
It was due to two areas of the city were sitting at different levels
Interior of the Santa Justa Lift Lisbon
Interior of the Santa Justa Lift Lisbon
First deck of the lift
First deck of the lift
A safety door of the lift at the first deck - Santa Justa Lift Lisbon
A safety door of the lift at the first deck - Santa Justa Lift Lisbon
People waiting for the lift to go down
People waiting for the lift to go down

History

Designed by Raul Mesnier de Ponsard and work started in 1900 to build this structure and it finished two years later in 1902. On 31 August 1901, King Carlos inaugurated the bridge which connects the upper level with the Largo do Carmo. The bridge has one end connected to the platform of the lift and other to Largo do Carmo area. The original elevator was powered by a giant steam engine but in 1907, it was changed to a electric motor.

Exterior of the Santa Justa Lift Lisbon
Exterior of the Santa Justa Lift Lisbon
Neo-gothic arches adorn the lift
Neo-gothic arches adorn the lift
This project was initially started in 1874
Connecting bridge of the Santa Justa Lift Lisbon
Connecting bridge of the Santa Justa Lift Lisbon
This is the view of the tunnel (bridge) while standing in front of the lift
This is the view of the tunnel (bridge) while standing in front of the lift
Ceiling of the bridge which has one end connected to the platform of the lift and other to Largo do Carmo area
Ceiling of the bridge which has one end connected to the platform of the lift and other to Largo do Carmo area
Castelo de S. Jorge (São Jorge Castle) sitting above a hill, seen from the lift
Castelo de S. Jorge (São Jorge Castle) sitting above a hill, seen from the lift
Rooftop view of Lisbon
Rooftop view of Lisbon
Looking out to the Praca do Comercio and the Rio Tejo (River Tagus)
Looking out to the Praca do Comercio and the Rio Tejo (River Tagus)
A busy street scene, seen from the bridge of the Santa Justa Lift Lisbon
A busy street scene, seen from the bridge of the Santa Justa Lift Lisbon

Upper Deck

When I visited the Santa Justa Lift, the upper view deck was closed due to the wet weather conditions. I was told that I could come back and use the same ticket to reach the upper deck (viewing terrace). The following day, I came back for the second time to go to upper viewing platform of the lift. It was an early morning and lift was almost empty.  Winding stairs bring visitors to the viewing deck and I could imagine when these stairs are wet they can be dangerous.

Rossio Square can be seen in the background of this photo
Rossio Square can be seen in the background of this photo
A panoramic view of Lisbon
A panoramic view of Lisbon
A side view of the connecting bridge
A side view of the connecting bridge
This is one of the arches of the Carmo Convent, this convent is situated next to the bridge
This is one of the arches of the Carmo Convent, this convent is situated next to the bridge
A full view of the lift from the ground level
A full view of the lift from the ground level
An empty cabin of the lift on the following morning
An empty cabin of the lift on the following morning
These stairs bring visitors to the upper deck
It was a hazy morning and a view to the Praca do Comercio wasn't that clear
It was a hazy morning and a view to the Praca do Comercio wasn't that clear
A very pleasing view of the Rossio Square in the morning - Santa Justa Lift Lisbon
A very pleasing view of the Rossio Square in the morning - Santa Justa Lift Lisbon
A missing roof of the Carmo Convent (Convento do Carmo), seen from the upper deck of the lift
A missing roof of the Carmo Convent (Convento do Carmo), seen from the upper deck of the lift