Arco do Triunfo da Rua Augusta

Category: Civil Architecture > Monument

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Santa Maria Maior

Location

The Rua Augusta Arch stands in the heart of Lisbon, marking the grand transition between the monumental Praça do Comércio and the vibrant Rua Augusta, which extends through the Pombaline Downtown. Its strategic position offers a privileged perspective over the Tagus river estuary, visible to the south, and the urban fabric of the Baixa to the north, functioning as a symbolic gateway between these two worlds of the city.

Origin and Symbolism

After the catastrophic earthquake of 1755, which transformed Lisbon, the vision for a new triumphal arch emerged in 1759 as a pillar of the ambitious Pombaline reconstruction. Initially designed by Eugénio dos Santos, the monument was conceived to celebrate Lisbon's resilience and the city's capacity for overcoming adversity. Its realization was, however, a long and complex process, extending for over a century and involving different architects, until its inauguration in 1875. The arch is, therefore, a testament to the persistence and renewal of the Portuguese capital.

Art and Message

The Rua Augusta Arch is richly adorned with a sculptural ensemble that narrates a significant part of Portugal's history and values. At the top, the allegorical figures by Célestin Anatole Calmels stand out, representing Glory, crowning Genius and Valour. On a lower level, the sculptures by Vítor Bastos honor historical figures of great national prominence: Nuno Álvares Pereira, Viriato, Vasco da Gama, and the Marquis of Pombal. On the sides, representations of the Tagus and Douro rivers symbolize the country's identity and geography. The Latin inscription engraved on the arch, "VIRTVTIBVS MAIORVM VT SIT OMNIBUS DOCVMENTO. P.P.D.", conveys the monument's central message: "To the Virtues of the Greatest, that it may serve as a lesson to all. Dedicated at public expense," perpetuating the memory of great deeds and the capacity of the Portuguese people.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt