Audio GuidePraça Dom Pedro IV

Praça Dom Pedro IV, better known to locals as Rossio, lies at the very heart of Lisbon and offers a window into more than a thousand years of history. Centuries ago, this area was a marshy valley, carved by streams flowing towards the Tagus, and later became a hub for markets and lively gatherings. The square’s original name, Rossio, simply meant a communal open space, perfectly capturing its enduring role as a meeting place for people from all walks of life.

Avtar Chan

Through the ages, Rossio has evolved from a medieval fairground, surrounded by monasteries and stately homes, into the spacious plaza visitors know today. Its stones have witnessed royal celebrations, public festivities, and moments of drama—from fairs and bullfights to the sombre trials of the Inquisition. Pivotal events, such as the Carnation Revolution, which peacefully ended decades of dictatorship, have also taken place here, confirming the square’s role at the heart of Lisbon’s most memorable moments.

Anthony Of the Great Power

Rossio’s current appearance is largely the result of reconstruction after Lisbon’s devastating earthquake in the middle of the eighteenth century. Architect Carlos Mardel oversaw its redesign, shaping it into a rectangular plaza bordered by Pombaline buildings, whose elegant, symmetrical façades reflect Lisbon’s commitment to safer and more modern urban life. The middle of the nineteenth century brought the addition of the beautiful mosaic paving—calçada—with its distinctive black and white waves, echoing the roll and retreat of the nearby sea and providing an unmistakable Lisbon hallmark.

At either end of the square stand two ornate Baroque fountains, their decorative bronze and iron sculptures imported from France in the late nineteenth century, sending water tumbling day and night and constantly attracting passers-by. In the centre, a tall column rises, topped by a bronze statue of Dom Pedro IV. Celebrated both as King of Portugal and the first Emperor of Brazil, Dom Pedro stands upright, a constitutional charter in hand—a symbol of his legacy as a defender of liberty and rights. At the foot of the column, you will find four allegorical figures representing Justice, Prudence, Fortitude, and Moderation—qualities closely associated with his reign.

Rossio remains a familiar part of daily life in Lisbon. For generations, local writers, artists, and political thinkers have gathered in the square’s cafés. Among them is the renowned Café Nicola, in operation since the early nineteenth century, which continues to attract both Lisboetas and visitors eager to experience the true culture of the city.

To the north, the majestic National Theatre named after Maria II—Dom Pedro’s daughter—overlooks the square, while to the south, a historic archway opens the way further into the bustling city centre. Rossio’s vibrant atmosphere endures, filled with the energy of open-air markets, craftspeople, and the ceaseless movement of trams, cars, and laughter from the surrounding streets.

Take a moment in the dappled shade or on a busy terrace, and you are standing where ancient Roman games once took place, where uprisings have sparked, and where a simple gesture of offering flowers helped ignite a peaceful revolution. Today, Praça Dom Pedro IV is a vibrant blend of history and modern life—a living testament to Lisbon’s enduring spirit.