School Square

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Pena

Location

Situated in the heart of Lisbon, in the historic Pena district, Largo da Escola Municipal is an urban space where several city arteries converge, namely Rua de São Lázaro, Rua Nova do Desterro, and Rua do Saco. This square, integrated into Lisbon's dense urban fabric, reflects the evolution and dynamics of a central neighborhood, offering a perspective on the daily life of the Portuguese capital.

From Slaughterhouse to Center of Knowledge

Largo da Escola Municipal has a quite unique history of transformation. Its current name, made official by a municipal edict in August 1889, pays homage to Municipal School No. 1, a building constructed in 1875 that marked a new era for this location. Previously, this space was known as Largo do Matadouro (Slaughterhouse Square), due to the presence of the public slaughterhouse. This change symbolizes the transition from a more rudimentary function to one of an educational and cultural nature, evidencing the city's commitment to public instruction. It is important to note that this location should not be confused with another Largo do Matadouro, which later became Praça José Fontana.

A Hub of Knowledge

Municipal School No. 1, which gave its name to the square, was a pioneering institution in the promotion of primary education in Lisbon. Its establishment transformed the surrounding environment, creating a true hub of knowledge in the area. The cultural importance of the square was further enhanced by the opening of the São Lázaro Municipal Library in 1883, which was located near the school, consolidating the space's vocation as a center of learning and reading for the community. An interesting record from the time reveals the concern for the students' well-being, with a teacher requesting in 1877 the raising of a low wall next to the school, underscoring the care taken for the educational environment of this historic site.

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