Commerce Plaza

Welcome to the Commerce Plaza, one of the city’s most emblematic squares and a favorite among visitors. Located just a stone’s throw from the Tagus, this square has long been a hub for maritime trade. In 1755, Lisbon was hit by an earthquake that leveled nearly all its buildings. It claimed many lives and struck on All Saints’ Day, a highly symbolic date in what was, at the time, a devoutly Catholic country. Scientists were just coming to understand that earthquakes were due to subterranean movements, and locals thought this tragedy was divine punishment for their sins. Believe it or not, there used to be a royal palace here before the earthquake, and this square was known as the Palace Courtyard. But now it’s all been destroyed. All that remains of that era is the statue of Dom José I, King of Portugal between 1750 and 1777, the year Lisbon was ravaged by the earthquake. He rebuilt the whole city, with the help of many European leaders who were deeply moved by this disaster. He turned this place into a hub for the locals, and, above all, for seafarers and merchants who set sail from here. It was here that King Charles I and his son were assassinated in 1908, bringing an end to the Portuguese monarchy a few years later. So you see, the Commerce Plaza has seen its fair share of history, and is thus a must-see on any visit to Lisbon! Since the Pope’s visit in 2010, the buildings lining it have been painted a bright saffron yellow, adding a hint of colour to the city’s skyline.