Marquis of Pombal Square

Marquis of Pombal Square (20)

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Even today the Marquis of Pombal is still one of the most charismatic political figures in Portuguese history. He was prime minister under King José I and governed from 1750 to 1777. He was also a key representative of erudite despotism and lived through the great 1755 Lisbon earthquake.

“Bury the dead and feed the living,” was his motto. And the efficiency with which he dealt with the terrible disaster and the way he built the city up from ruin brought him great renown.

One of his main accomplishments was to bring to the ruined city a new and rational style of urban design and this is noted in the square created in his honour. The statue of the statesman stands on top of a column and looks over some of his great work, the well-shaped square format of the area known as the “Baixa Pombalina”.

From the column, the Marquis of Pombal looks out at other examples of his creativity and is surrounded by their symbolism. This statue, erected in 1934, shows Pombal standing on a pedestal listing all his achievements while, as a sign of power, his hand rests on a lion.

Crossing the immense square, with the traffic moving all around you, and passing through the underground passageway you will be able to see in detail the allegoric figures displayed on the monument’s pedestal.

Some of these tell of the educational, agricultural and political reforms made by the statesman. Others show the Coimbra University, where Pombal founded a science faculty. The monument also depicts the 1755 earthquake which left as much of a mark on Lisbon as it did on the man. This is conveyed through images of boulders and waves which appear to bury the city.

As with many of the city’s streets, the ground around the square is paved with a mosaic depicting Lisbon’s coat of arms.

ALL POINTS OF INTEREST

INFORMATION

Fado (1J)

Elevator Trams (1B)

History (1)

Lisbon Tiles (1A)

Play&Tour (0)

Trams (1L)

Cod (1K)

Viewing Points in Lisbon (1F)

ESSENTIAL

Bairro Alto District (27)

Estrela Basilica (14)

Monument to the Discoveries (9)

Restauradores Square (22)

Santa Justa Elevator Tram (31)

Sé Cathedral (36)

Belém Tower (5)

Freedom Avenue (21)

Nations Park (44)

Rossio Square (30A)

Santa María Church (4B)

The Cloister (4D)

Chiado (25)

History (4A)

Nossa Senhora da Conceição Velha (34)

Rossio Train Station (30)

São Jorge Castle (38)

The Manuelin Portico (4C)

Comerço Square (33)

Jerónimos Monastery (4)

Oceanário Aquarium (45)

Rúa Augusta Street and Triumfo Arch (32)

São Vicente da Fora (40)

The Royal Palace of Necessities (11)

INTERESTING

25th of April Bridge (10)

Bicos House (35)

Church do Carmo (24)

Glória Elevator Tram (1D)

Manuelin Style (5A)

Nossa Senhora do Monte viewing point (1I)

Santo António à Sé Church (50)

The Ajuda National Palace (2)

Águas Livres Aqueduct (12)

Cais do Sodré Area (28)

Eduardo VII Park (19)

Lavra Elevator Tram (1E)

Maria II Theatre (30B)

Praça da Figueira Square (48)

São Carlos National Theatre (26)

The House of Alentejo (17)

Belém Cake (8)

Campo de Santa Clara Esplanade and Feira da Ladra Market (41)

Estrela Garden (15)

Madre de Deus Convent-Church (42)

Marquês da Fronteira Palace (47)

Praça do Príncipe Real Square (49)

São Pedro de Alcântara viewing point (1G)

The National Pantheon - Santa Engrácia Church (39)

Bica Elevator Tram (1C)

Cemetery dos Prazares (29)

Flower Park of Monsanto (18)

Mãe d’Água das Amoreiras (12A)

Marquis of Pombal Square (20)

Santa Luzia viewing point (1H)

São Roque Church (23)

MUSEUM

Archaeological Museum (24A)

National Car Museum (3)

The Roman Excavations (46)

Belém Cultural Centre (7)

National Museum of Historic Art (13)

Maritime Museum (6)

National Tile Museum (43)

Museum of Decorative Arts (37)

The Calouste Gulbenkian Fundation (16)