Glorieta to Luísa Todi

Category: Civil Architecture > Memorial

District: Setúbal > Setúbal > Setúbal > Centro Histórico

Location

The Luísa Todi Gloriette is located in the heart of Setúbal, integrated into the city's Historic Centre. It is situated on the wide Luísa Todi Avenue, in a small landscaped square with cobblestone access, notable for its traditional Portuguese stone pattern. This central location offers a point for pause and observation, harmoniously integrated into the city's urban environment.

A Tribute to Music

This monument was erected to perpetuate the memory of Luísa Todi, one of the most notable Portuguese opera singers, born in Setúbal in 1753. Its inauguration, on October 1, 1933, marked the centenary of the death of this artist who achieved great international recognition in the 18th century.

Originally, the gloriette was installed in another area of the city. However, in 1938, it was transferred to its current location, on the avenue that also pays homage to the singer, strengthening the connection between her figure and the urban fabric of Setúbal.

Design and Artistic Elements

The Luísa Todi Gloriette is a work of 20th-century commemorative architecture, conceived by the architect Abel Pascoal, with construction carried out by Abílio Salreu. The ensemble includes a bust of the singer, authored by the sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida.

The structure features an irregular and semi-elliptical plan, with well-defined volumes and built from limestone. Architectural details, such as the pilasters and columns ornamented with stylized vegetal motifs, contribute to its unique aesthetic. On the monument, two staves with musical notes inscribed, forming measures, can be observed, a direct tribute to the art of music. The inscriptions at the base, "LVIZA / DE / AGVIAR / TODI", along with the dates "1753" and "1833", evoke the life journey and era of the honored person, inviting visitors to reflect on her cultural legacy.

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