On our first night in Lisbon we headed for Commerce Square to dine at one of the restaurants there. It was beautiful at night, all lit up and sparkling but I wanted to return in the daytime and explore a little more. After breakfast at our hotel that is just what we did.
The square is really easy to find and was a short stroll from our hotel in the Baixa area. Lovely by night, it is grand and impressive by day. This is the main square in Lisbon and stands right on the banks of the river. Check out that broad and imposing riverfront view.
You can imagine how in days of old traders would have sold their foreign wares in this square and financiers would have funded expeditions to the far reaches of the known world. The wealth of Portugal was once channeled through this area. Before the earthquake in 1755 it was also home to the royal palace. It still has an air of grandness.
The elegant arcaded streets surrounding the broad and wide square are simply stunning. This whole area was rebuilt after the earthquake in 1755 when more than 100,000 people died and Baixa was destroyed.
The enormous statue right in the middle is King Jose, they pay homage to him here for rebuilding the city after the earthquake.
We strolled past the statue and right to the southern end of the square and the Cais das Colunas. This is a set of marble stairs leading straight to the water. They were built so royal dignitaries once could make a grand entrance when arriving in the city. Prior to 1755 the steps led straight to the royal palace. No dignitaries now but we loved it here, the views across the river to the suspension bridge and the Christ statue are wonderful.
The colonnades around the square house a whole series of cafes, bars and restaurants. We had a delicious meal in Cheffe Cordeiro on our first evening, today we enjoyed sitting in a cafe sipping coffee and watching the world go by. There were a few buskers and street performers plus no end of great people watching. Even Son who doesn’t like to sit still for too long enjoyed it here.
The Triumph Arch marks the entrance to the buzzing Rua de Augusta, a pedestrian street in Baixa which is well worth browsing along. The arch is impressive and full of detail, we decided to take in the views from the top.
The entrance was easy to find, the fee to go up was reasonable so we soon found ourselves swishing upwards in a modern lift. At the second floor we had to get out and climb some narrow steps to get right to the top. There weren’t too many though and the traffic light system they had in place worked very well. No queues at all here and not too many people up there.
The tower and bell still work and we had a quick read about the history of the arch before taking the steps to the top.
Wow moment followed – the views over the square are fantastic, the panoramas of the city are wonderful and Son was super pleased to get to check out the statues on top at close quarters. That toe – from below it was insignificant but huge close up.
We stayed for quite some time just watching the busy streets below with people looking like little ants, glad we had come up here.
It was definitely worth coming back to this wonderful square and exploring again – we saw it by day, by night and from on high – beautiful at all times and from all angles.
Joy, what a beautiful square with its wonderful views! Seeing by day must have been a treat! I hope to visit Lisbon!
It is such a grand and gorgeous place Pam, the views across the river are just wonderful too. Hope you have a lovely weekend!
Hadn’t realized you could go up the arch! Congratulations on finding that put and on the great photos.
It wasn’t at all busy so I think perhaps it’s not widely known you can go up there. The views are wonderful from the top so we were very happy we went up!
Some splendid views from the top of the square Joy. We visited in January so it was pretty quiet there then and on one of the days quite misty out to sea. Have a good weekend!
We had mixed weather during our stay, rain in Sintra, chilly a couple of other days in Lisbon but this day was perfect – warm and sunny with great visibility, we were so lucky!! Loving this weather here at the moment, hope your weekend is going well too Marion!
It’s great Joy, enjoying sitting on my patio and going to prepare a barbecue later. M.
The views are amazing but I can almost feel claustrophobic looking at that staircase. Reminds me of climbing to the top of the Vatican. I had to walk up sideways..:)
This wasn’t too bad as we had the staircase to ourselves George!! We’ve gone up these places before and been crushed against the side to let other people come and go. There weren’t too many steps either – that suited me just fine!!
What beautiful views! I didn’t realise you could go up the arch when we were there, seems worth the effort though!
It definitely was and I think most people probably don’t realise you can go up, it was almost empty when we visited. The views are stunning and we lucked out with the weather that day too.
It’s nice to focus on one spot and reveal it from different angles and viewpoints.
I can be a bit obsessive about doing that!! Here it was great though and the square was so different at various times of the day and evening.
oh , you went up the arch? great views!
It was a great place to take photos!!
Thanks for those lovely photos. I’ve hardly given Lisbon a thought before. How marvellous to live in England and be able to just zip across to Europe whenever you like.
We are lucky Coral, we managed to get some really cheap flights to Lisbon and I was blown away by just how much I loved this city.
What amazing views Joy and such lovely photos!! Have seen this square on a few travel shows and also my cousin’s holiday pics and would definitely love to visit sometime. I think this might be where the Portuguese royal family was assassinated many years ago just before they became a republic? Seem to remember a story about how they stepped off the boat into their carriage and were set upon (back in the late 1890s or early 1900s I think). Anyway it is certainly a place which has a rich history by the sound of it and you can imagine people setting sail for far off lands from that quay! Hope you’re enjoying the weather – gather it’s quite hot! 🙂
I think this was the location of the assassination Rosemary and like you say, it has a fascinating history. It is beautiful too and great to explore in depth! We are loving the weather here, as you know it is a bit of a rare treat to have such hot sunshine several days in a row in the UK!! I’m not one for sunbathing and keep in the shade but I love the blue skies and warmth.
Lisbon has been on my wishlist for a while Joy! Enjoy the sunshine – I’m like you sunbathing is not for me but love the blue skies and light! 🙂
Looks like your son is catching up to you… mine is already taller than me, by quite a bit! Lovely photos of a lovely place!
It’s strange when they start to overtake you isn’t it Hilary – the years seem to fly by and all of a sudden your baby is looking down on you!!
These photos are just lovely, and the place looks gorgeous !
Abby – https://seafoaming.com
Thanks Abby – Lisbon is definitely one of the most picturesque cities I’ve visited!
I loved the magnificent arches, they also provided great shade!
Me too and I have to admit to taking shelter there from the sun as well!!
It does not seem too packed with tourists, I’m quite surprised!
It was never that busy and we were there several times – it is a huge square though – different to other places in Lisbon which are pretty packed!