Audio GuidePraça do Comércio

Welcome to Praça do Comércio—Lisbon’s grand front porch to the world. When you step onto these stones, you’re standing at the heart of Portuguese history, a place where the city greets the river and, for centuries, welcomed the world.

Rui Miguel Quintas

This open square with its yellow arcades was once the Royal Palace site, the center of Portuguese power. On one terrible November morning in the seventeen hundreds, an earthquake, tsunami, and fire destroyed almost everything here: the palace, its library, maps, and art. All gone in an instant.

Maurilio Pautasso

But from those ashes came something bigger. Guided by the Marquis of Pombal, Lisbon rebuilt as a modern city. Praça do Comércio became the face of that new city, symbolizing resilience and ambition. Its “U” shape opens to the Tagus River. You can feel the salty breeze, reminding you that this was Portugal’s gateway for trade during the Age of Discovery.

Look at the symmetry around you—the theatrical design. The colonnades once housed government ministries. Today, you’ll find lively cafés like the legendary Martinho da Arcada, a favorite of poet Fernando Pessoa. At the southern edge are the marble steps of the Cais das Colunas, where royalty and modern celebrities have arrived.

At the heart of the square is the bronze statue of King José the First, ruler during the earthquake. His horse tramples snakes—symbols of overcoming chaos. The Marquis of Pombal, honored nearby, led the city’s rebirth. He introduced new laws and urban planning, and even the first earthquake-resistant buildings in Europe.

On the north end is the Triumphal Arch, celebrating Portugal’s heroes—that is, explorers like Vasco da Gama, defenders like Nuno Álvares Pereira, and the ancient Lusitanian leader Viriato. The arch is crowned by allegories of Glory, Valor, and Genius. Climb to the top for a spectacular view.

Today, the square is alive: concerts, markets, and fireworks on New Year’s Eve. It’s a favorite spot for locals and visitors to admire the heart of Lisbon—where city, country, and sea meet.

There’s nowhere else in Europe quite like it—open to sky and water, rich in stories, and unmistakably Portuguese.