Lisbon: Praca do Comercio

21/10/2016

Rua Augusta Arch, Praca do Comercio, Lisbon, Portugal.

Lisbon's largest square is situated along the Tagus River in the elegant Pombaline Baixa district,

Panoramic view of Praca do Comercio with the Rua Augusta Arch and the statue of King José I, Lisbon, Portugal.

Panorama of Praça do Comércio.

Praça do Comércio, commonly known as Terreiro do Paço, was the location of the Royal Ribeira Palace until it was destroyed by the great 1755 Lisbon earthquake. Rebuilt to the site you see today, Praça do Comércio features traditionally painted buildings lining the three sides, a grandiose statue of King José I positioned in the centre and the triumphant Rua Augusta Arch (Arco Triunfal da Rua Augusta) situated at the entrance to the plaza and Rua Augusta, an arterial thoroughfare linking Praça do Comércio to Pedro IV (Rossio) Square.

Not only a destination lined with restaurants that attract tourists in droves, dining or ogling at the classic architecture, shopping at the weekend handicrafts market then wandering through the arcades and plaza, but the square is also a major transport hub, with tour buses and trams departing from a transport rank along Praça do Comércio's north side.

Portuguese pattern pavemnet on Rua Augusta in Lisbon's chic Pombaline Baixa (downtown) district, approaching the Rua Augusta Arch and Praça do Comércio, Portugal.

Walking down Rua Augusta in Lisbon's chic Pombaline Baixa (downtown) district, approaching the Rua Augusta Arch and Praça do Comércio.

Looking up at the clock on the Rua Augusta Arch.

The Rua Augusta Arch.

Traditionally painted buildings lining the plaza.

Traditional yellow painted portuguese architecture and the São Jorge Castle (Castelo de São Jorge/ Saint George Castle), Praca do Comercio, Lisbon, Portugal.

The square is overlooked by the grounds surrounding São Jorge Castle (Castelo de São Jorge/ Saint George Castle).

Traditional yellow painted portuguese architecture and the tower at the east end, Praca do Comercio, Lisbon, Portugal.

The tower at the end of the east side of the plaza, designed by architect Eugénio dos Santos in homage to the monumental tower of the destroyed Ribeira Palace.

The Rua Augusta Arch and the statue of King José I, Praca do Comercio, Lisbon, Portugal.

The Rua Augusta Arch with the statue of King José I n the foreground.

People walking under the Rua Augusta Arch, Praca do Comercio, Lisbon, Portugal.

People look the size of ants in comparison to the giant Rua Augusta Arch.

People shopping at the Praca do Comercio handicraft market, Praca do Comercio, Lisbon, Portugal.

The Praça do Comércio Handicraft Market is held every Sunday (and Saturday's in Summer) within the arcades to the left and right of the Rua Augusta Arch.

READ MORE: The Praça do Comércio Handicraft Market.

A pack of seagulls/ birds flying by the water of the Tagus River, Cais das Colunas, Praca do Comercio, Lisbon, Portugal.

Seagulls in a feeding frenzy by the Tagus River. I've had a nightmare reminiscent of this.

What would any square be without an abundance of flapping birds...? As Praça do Comércio is set along the Tagus River, this is one area where you will find more seagulls than pigeons, in fact, seagulls have overpowered the presence of pigeons completely, forcing them further inland.

A man feeds a seagull/ bird by the water of the Tagus River, Cais das Colunas, Praca do Comercio, Lisbon, Portugal.

A local man feeding the seagulls what appears to be fish and chips.

A seagull bird flying by the water of the Tagus River, Cais das Colunas, Praca do Comercio, Lisbon, Portugal.

Seagull with spirit wings.

A man feeds a pack of seagulls/ birds flying by the water of the Tagus River, Cais das Colunas, Praca do Comercio, Lisbon, Portugal.

Feeding seagulls by the Cais das Colunas with 25 de Abril Bridge & Lisbon's Christ the King statue in the background.

Seagull/ bird taking food from a man at Cais das Colunas, Praca do Comercio, Lisbon, Portugal.

A seagull taking food from the hand of a local man.

People watching the birds/ seagulls fly by the water of the Tagus River, Cais das Colunas, Praca do Comercio, Lisbon, Portugal.

Seagulls take flight by a column of the Cais das Colunas.

Also located by Praça do Comércio and serving as a historic symbol of the port of entry to Lisbon, is Cais das Colunas: a pair of pier columns and set of marble stairs in alignment with the Rua Augusta Arch and King José I statue, situated on the Tagus riverbank. The stairs are now engulfed by water, however, once upon a time directed down to the water's edge.