Praça do Município Lisbon

Praça do Município, Lisbon

Praça do Município (City Square or Municipal Square) is a large square in central Lisbon. Not as visited as nearby Praça do Comércio with its Arco da Rua Augusta, the square should be seen to admire the beauty of its buildings and to experience the history that occurred here.

Praca do Municipio, Lisbon. — Praça do Município with contemporary art in the square, Lisbon

Architecture

The main building at the square's eastern end is the City Hall, (Paços do Concelho de Lisboa) the seat of the Lisbon municipal government. It was from a balcony here that the Portuguese republic was proclaimed and the monarchy came to an end. Celebrations to commemorate the 5 October 1910 revolution are still held in the square.

The neoclassical structure has a lovely central staircase by the architect José Luís Monteiro. Also within are paintings by artists Pereira Cão, Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, José Rodrigues and José Malhoa. See them on a free guided tour on a Sunday morning.

The previous City Hall was built following the destruction of the 1755 earthquake and the redesign of the capital by Marquis of Pombal.

This building was badly damaged in its turn by a fire in 1863. A new building replaced it designed by architect Domingos Parente da Silva. Further fire damage in 1996 led to more refurbishment.

The central piazza holds the Pelourinho de Lisboa, classified as a National Monument since 1910. The pillory was built following the 1755 Earthquake by Eugénio dos Santos de Carvalho (1711-1760), using iron, marble and stone.

The platform is octagonal in shape. The column consists of 3 elements that form a spiral. At the top of the column is a metal piece, which forms an armillary sphere, by Pêro Pinheiro. The pillory is set on a granite base with five steps. It is approximately 10 meters high.

The pillory (Pelourinho de Lisboa) in the square, Lisbon. — Pelourinho de Lisboa and calçada pavement, Praça do Município, Lisbon

Also in the square are the buildings of the Appeals Court and Naval Arsenal as well as a branch of CTT - Portugal's post office. The whole square is covered with a beautiful calçada pavement.

Several hotels are either in or near to the square. These include the five star AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado housed in an historic 18th century building right in the square.

The three star Hotel MeraPrime Gold Lisboa is a short walk away.

The square is also home to Banana Cafe with outdoor seats, recommended Sangria and a Happy Hour. There is also a large underground Saba 24/7 car park here.

City Hall, Praca do Municipio, Lisbon. — City Hall, Praça do Município, Lisbon

Museu do Dinheiro (Money Museum), Lisbon. — Museu do Dinheiro (Money Museum), Lisbon

Nearby Attractions

Just off the square in the north east corner is the Museu do Dinheiro (Money Museum) which presents the history and evolution of money in Portugal and the world. The museum occupies the former Igreja of São Julião, the crypt of the church retains "King Dinis' Wall" - an original remnant of the city's Medieval wall.

Also nearby is The National Museum of Contemporary Art (Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea - Museu do Chiado).

The nearest Lisbon metro stations to Praça do Município are Terreiro do Paço Station, Baixa-Chiado, Rossio or Cais do Sodre, just 10 minutes walk to the west.

Alternatively take tram #28 or a Lisbon bus any of numbers: 728, 737, 735, 759, 794.