Category: Civil Architecture > Ensemble
District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Baixa Pombalina
Rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, the Pombaline Lower Town (Baixa Pombalina) was designed by the Marquis of Pombal to replace the destroyed former area. It covers approximately 255 hectares and is located between Terreiro do Paço (Palace Square), Rossio Square, and Figueira Square.
The Baixa is known for its straight and perpendicular streets, with Rua Augusta (Augusta Street) being the central axis. The buildings have a uniform architecture, with shops on the ground floor and apartments above. The projects included innovations such as the "gaiola pombalina" (Pombaline cage), a wooden structure that helps to support seismic tremors.
The Pombaline Lower Town was one of the first areas to adopt earthquake-resistant construction techniques. The foundations are supported by piles, and the upper floors use a wooden structure to distribute seismic forces.
The area was designed with fire safety measures, such as water wells in each block and high walls between buildings to prevent the spread of fire.
It was one of the first areas of Lisbon to have a domestic sewage system, with underground collectors.
The Pombaline Lower Town was considered a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status in 2004 due to its historical and architectural importance. In 2023, Lisbon formalized a new application to recognize the "exceptionality" of this historic area.
The area is situated on a former estuary of the Tagus River, which was filled with waste from the post-earthquake reconstruction. The Archaeological Center of Rua dos Correeiros (Correeiros Street) offers information about the Roman occupation of the region, which included port activities and the production of garum (fish sauce).
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baixa_de_Lisboa
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.71099978391526,-9.137817938761314
Coordinates DMS: 38°42'39.6"N 09°08'16.1"W
