Iconic work in Belém. It dates back to the period of the Pombaline reconstruction, planned by Eugénio dos Santos and Carlos Mardel, and that gave continuity to the primitive Terreiro do Paço, which at the time of the Discoveries was classified as one of the essential places for the life of the Lisbon’s and also the main exit of the city to the sea.
The square is rectangular in plan, defined by 3 wings arranged over the landscape of the Tejo River estuary, supported by full-length arcades.
A project of the architect Manuel da Maia that, when rethinking the recovery of the old quay destroyed by the earthquake of 1755, decided to keep the maritime tradition visible in the square, thus was born Cais das Colunas, which offers an incredible panoramic view over the Tejo River.
In the centre of Praça do Comércio is the equestrian statue of King José I, executed by Joaquim Machado de Castro, the first equestrian statue erected in Portugal. French-influenced, this work is considered one of the most beautiful equestrian-type statues in all of Europe, besides being the oldest public statue in Lisbon and the country.
Praça do Comércio is currently classified as a National Monument.
The famous delicacy that puts Portuguese pastries on the lips of the world. This is Lisbon’s least well-kept secret recipe, the pastel de nata. Originally created before the 18th century by Catholic nuns enclosed in the Jerónimos Monastery, these delicious pastries can be commonly found in pastry shops and cafés throughout the country, but the original recipe remains a mystery.
Nowadays, Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém is the only place in the world where you can buy the real pastel de Belém, which after so many years still has a unique and irresistible flavour. Since 1837, both locals and tourists have been drawn to this factory to taste the famous pastries fresh out of the oven, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.
Nowadays the Factory is made up of a maze of rooms lined with old tiles where you can sit and taste the most infallible combination of all time – coffee and custard tarts (in this case, Pastel de Belém).
Founded by King Manuel I at the beginning of the 16th century, the Jerónimos Monastery is intimately linked to the most important moments in national memory. A monument whose construction began at the turn of the century, it was donated to the Jerónimos monks, who remained there until the mid-19th century.
The Jerónimos Monastery is a real “hymn” to the Manueline style, both for the presence of elements that evoke religion and for nautical and royal elements.
Besides the Manueline church, the monastery still preserves many of the magnificent elements and rooms that contributed to its international fame, such as the 16th century cloister, the former monks’ refectory and the Old Bookshop.
This garden was built at the time of the “Portuguese World Exhibition” (1940) by the architect Cottineli Telmo. In the centre of the garden, there is Fountain Luminosa whose construction also dates back to this period.
The garden is made up of a group of 30 coats of arms representing the coat of arms of the Capital Cities of the District of Portugal and the former Overseas Provinces, plus two more shields: the Shield of the Order of Avis and the Shield of the Order of Christ and also a Sundial. It should be noted that all these elements are made of mosaics.
At the southern top of the Garden, it is possible to see two imposing sculptural groups, represented by the mythical figures of two horses with tails of marine animals.
In the area surrounding the garden, you can find some places worth visiting. They are Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Cultural Centre, the Planetarium, the Marinha Museum and Padrão do Descobrimentos.
Torre de Belém, considered one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal, was also considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Among the many incredible historical monuments that the city is home to, Torre de Belém is, without a doubt, one of the monuments that best characterises the Portuguese capital.
Torre de Belém is a Manueline-style monument that stands out for its implicit nationalism, surrounded by decorative elements alluding to the time of the Discoveries, which also include the Coat of Arms of Portugal.
When observing this monument and analysing its architecture, it is remarkable the extravagance of the time, since at the time the Tower was built – early Modern Age – Portugal was considered a global power.
Monument that reproduces in its natural size the hydroplane “Lusitânia” used by Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral in the first Atlantic crossing to Brazil, in 1922. Inaugurated on 15th October 1991, in the garden of Torre de Belém, it consists of an elegant architectural plinth of concrete, lined with granite, on which sits a stainless steel hydroplane, the same size as the original, with the busts of the aviators modelled on the inside in bronze, executed in a very realistic manner and life-size.
Padrão dos Descobrimentos, erected for the first time in 1940, in an ephemeral manner and with a view to its integration into the Portuguese World Exhibition, was rebuilt in 1960, the year when the 500th anniversary of the death of Infante D. Henrique was celebrated. The Monument was reconstructed in concrete and rosal stone from Leiria, and the sculptures were reconstructed using limestone from Sintra.
Isolated and standing out from the Lisbon waterfront, Padrão dos Descobrimentos evokes the Portuguese Overseas Expansion, bringing together a glorious past that symbolises the greatness of the work of Infante D. Henrique, the driving force behind the discoveries.
There are several maritime elements present on the Monument, the main ones being:
– A stylised caravel setting off towards the sea, with Infante D. Henrique at the bow and some of the protagonists of the era of overseas expansion. Navigators, cartographers, warriors, colonisers, evangelisers, chroniclers and artists are also identified.
– A north-south orientated flagpole has two Portuguese shields on each side. The mast is joined, on each face, by three triangular and curved structures, which give the illusion of sails in the wind.
– The Monument is flanked by two metal armillary spheres, on two parallelepiped platforms.
As regards the decorative symbols that date back to the time of the Portuguese maritime expansion, we can highlight: the quadrant and the astrolabe, the flag, the caravel and the sword.
The Rosa dos-Ventos (Wind Rose) that adorns the terrace leading to Padrão dos Descobrimentos reveals a series of marine elements, which are also symbols of the period of the Discoveries. We can highlight: small compass roses, a mermaid, a fantasy fish and even Neptune with a trident and a trumpet mounted on a marine being. The surrounding background consists of waves “mar largo“, a characteristic symbol of the traditional Portuguese pavement.
Coches Museum gathers a unique collection in the world of gala and touring cars dating back to the period between the 16th century and the 19th century. Although the vast majority of the vehicles on display come from the Portuguese Royal House, there are also vehicles from Church property and private collections.
The Museum presents a very diversified set of vehicles that allows the visitor a better understanding of the technical and artistic evolution of traditional means of transport, where animal traction was used, until the appearance of the automobile.
Besides the collection of hippomobile vehicles, the Museum also presents a set of pieces used in gala parades, pieces linked to the art of horsemanship and equestrian games, and also a collection of portraits of the Portuguese Royal Family.
MAAT is the new cultural proposal for the city of Lisbon. A museum that crosses three areas in a space for debate, discovery, critical thinking and international dialogue.
MAAT translates the ambition to present national and international exhibitions with the contribution of contemporary artists, architects and thinkers, opening space for reflection on major themes and current trends.
With MAAT, the EDP Foundation offers a new cultural and landscape impulse to the city of Lisbon, since the diversity of programmes and spaces make this museum an essential point in the cultural itinerary of the city. A proposal designed for the general public.
Note: The meeting point for the Tour is in front of the Dona Maria II Theatre – D. Pedro IV Square Lisbon (38.714758622703926, -9.139723128341679). Our Walking Tours are conducted by specialised guides accredited by Turismo de Portugal.
To complete the Walking Tour you should bring appropriate footwear and a bottle of water. If you need transport within the Lisbon area to the Dona Maria II Theatre, please contact us.
Each Walking Tour has a minimum duration of 3 hours and a maximum duration of 4 hours.