Arco da Rua Augusta: A Triumphal Arch
Praça do Comércio, Lisbon's massive riverfront square, is impressive from the ground, but its true scale is revealed only when viewed from the Arco da Rua Augusta. The iconic 19th-century arch is located on the concourse's northern edge, near the southern tip of Rua Augusta, the city's main pedestrianized thoroughfare. The monument was built to commemorate the reconstruction of the capital following the 1755 earthquake and was designed by Portuguese architect Santos de Carvalho. It was inaugurated in 1873.
The public has only recently been allowed to visit the top of the arch, where a terrace is topped by an allegorical statue of Glory, which itself crowns figures representing Bravery and Genius and is decorated with wreaths. An entablature supports additional statues of national heroes, including Vasco da Gama and the Marquês de Pombal, beneath this.
An elevator takes visitors to the top, where they must negotiate a steep spiral staircase to reach the terrace. The view to the south is magnificent, stretching across the square and over the river. Turning north, the view encompasses Rua Augusta and the entire Baixa (downtown) district of Lisbon. A 1941 mechanical clock on the platform strikes an hour and a half hour. The mechanism of the clock, which is housed within the arch, can be admired in all its intricate detail, as can an illustrated panel outlining the arch's own historical timeline.
Address: R. Augusta 2, 1100-053 Lisboa, Portugal
Timings: Open 24 hours
Google rating: 4.7/5
Website: https://www.visitlisboa.com/pt-pt/locais/arco-da-rua-augusta
