Rua Augusta Triumphal Arch

Located in the central axis of Terreiro do Paço, closing the square’s arcade and marking the beginning of Rua Augusta, this arch was designed to be a grandiose gateway into the city. In Eugénio dos Santos’ 1759 urban plan for the Pombaline downtown, the triumphal arch had already been outlined, even though its construction would be interrupted, leaving the top of the structure incomplete. From the competition carried-out in 1843, architect Veríssimo José da Costa’s project is chosen for the completion of the monument. In 1861, the structure is enriched with a set of sculptures by Antoine Calmels and Vítor Bastos. In 2013, it becomes accessible to visitors, thanks to a vertical passageway that grants access to the viewpoint located at the top. An occasion to enjoy a privileged view over Lisbon, framing iconic elements and landmarks such as the Tejo river, the Pombaline downtown and, further away, the Sé Cathedral and the Castle of São Jorge. Inside the Rua Augusta Arch, one can visit the clock room, where its story is told, from the start of its construction, after the 1755 earthquake, to its conclusion, in 1875. Within the ensemble of Praça do Comércio, the arch was classified as National Monument in 1910.