Architecture Archives

Discovering Lisbon’s Light is Magical

July 22, 2020 getLISBON

Lisbon’s light … How can we define a phenomenon that everyone recognises but that is so hard to put into words? Nothing better than poems to transmit what’s special and what’s difficult to explain. Lisbon’s light is frequently mentioned in poems and in fado lyrics. But painters, photographers and filmmakers, either Portuguese or foreigners, also seek to capture and register the intensity and glow that enchants them and that is an intangible icon of the city. It’s a fascinating natural phenomenon, well-known internationally and one of the true reasons to visit Lisbon. But why does this city of the seven…

Discovering The Triumphal Arch of Praça do Comércio

March 11, 2020 getLISBON

Situated in one of the most beautiful squares of the world, the Triumphal Arch of Praça do Comércio, most commonly known as Rua Augusta Arch, is the monumental gate that connects Lisbon to Tagus river.The construction process of this Triumphal Arch, the emblematic finishing element of the buildings that constitute the former Terreiro do Paço, was long and certainly not controversy-free.Supported by grandiose columns it is topped by a set of sculptures that carries a lot of meaning.Today it is one of the tourist attractions of the city and a must-visit place for the Portuguese as well as for foreigners,…

Discovering The Columns that the Earthquake Displaced

November 13, 2019 getLISBON

The columns that the earthquake displaced that we’re telling you about are curious cases of pieces of ruins and demolitions from the catastrophe that were recovered and thus have persisted until today.In the mid-eighteenth century Lisbon was a city of contrasts. A bustling multicultural trading hub marked by prosperity provided by the gold from Brazil. A city both old, with Muslim mediterranean and medieval Christian traces, and new, with monumental baroque signs.From one moment to the next the brutality of the earthquake of 1755, on November 1, and the following tsunami and fires razed the downtown area to the ground.But…

Discovering Tombo Tower, a Temple Guarded by Gargoyles

November 6, 2019 getLISBON

The Tombo Tower was projected to receive the National Archive. Today we’ll be talking about this impressive temple guarded by gargoyles that conjugates in an exemplar way functionality and symbolism.It’s also important to get to know the history and collection of this institution, whose mission is the preservation of part of the history of Portugal and the World. In case you haven’t, we suggest you read our article The National Archive of the Tombo Tower.Today we’ll be revealing to you important and peculiar aspects of the conception of this relevant building of the city of the Seven Hills that you…

History The National Archive of the Tombo Tower

October 30, 2019 getLISBON

The National Archive of the Tombo Tower has an important and valuable collection. Here are some of the most precious documents of Portugal and Humanity.In this archive are preserved documents from the 9th century all the way to the current day. It is this institution’s responsibility to protect, preserve, restore, value and promote them. Due to its character, this is an archive that doesn’t stop growing.It is thus important to know a bit about the story of this archive that, together with the Portuguese Court of Audits, is one of the oldest institutions of Portugal, being approximately 600 years old….