Lisbon Rebuilt: An Art Historian’s Tour
Explore Lisbon before and after the devastating 1755 earthquake, discovering what stood here before the disaster and how the city was transformed in its aftermath. We’ll examine the architecture and urban planning behind the reconstruction, including the remarkably innovative plan that created a new, orderly Downtown Lisbon. We’ll explore how this groundbreaking project combined new ideas in architecture, engineering, and urban planning under the political leadership of the Marquis of Pombal.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Cais das Colunas
- Begin at Cais das Colunas, a perfect place to explore Lisbon’s enduring relationship with the Tagus River and how the river shaped the city’s history. From here, we’ll look back at what Lisbon was like before 1755, then explore the story of the earthquake and tsunami through historical sources, contemporary accounts, and personal memoirs that bring the disaster to life.
Arco da Rua Augusta
At the Arco da Rua Augusta, we’ll look across Praça do Comércio and explore how the old Terreiro do Paço—the “Square of the Palace”—was transformed into this grand new civic space. We’ll discuss how this symbolic shift from the power of the monarchy to the power of commerce reflects the ideas behind the rebuilding of Lisbon and helps us understand the city’s new identity after the earthquake.
If the queue is not too long and the group would like to, we can also climb to the top of the Arco for a spectacular view over the square, the Downtown, and the Tagus.
Praça do Município
At Praça do Município, we’ll discover a later layer of Lisbon’s history, including the 19th-century City Hall and the artistic patterns of the traditional Portuguese calçada. This is also where the Portuguese Republic was proclaimed in 1910, giving us an opportunity to explore the end of the monarchy and the birth of the Republic.
We’ll also visit the Museu do Dinheiro, specifically to see the archaeological remains of a 14th-century city wall and uncover the curious story of how a former church became part of the Bank of Portugal’s museum.
Baixa
As we explore the streets of Baixa, we’ll take a closer look at the ideas behind the rebuilding of Lisbon. We’ll examine the remarkable urban design, the standardization of architecture, and the innovative construction techniques developed to make the new buildings more resistant to earthquakes. From the regular street grid to the hidden structural systems inside the buildings, we’ll uncover the many innovations that made this reconstruction plan so groundbreaking.
Praça da Figueira and Rossio
At Praça da Figueira, we’ll discover how this lively square was once home to one of Lisbon’s main markets, and how, before the earthquake, an innovative medieval hospital stood here. From there, we’ll continue to Rossio, one of Lisbon’s great meeting points since the medieval period and a central stage for the city’s public life.
We’ll admire the traditional Portuguese calçada and the 19th-century design of the square, including its distinctive fountains with their French influence. We’ll also step inside São Domingos Church to uncover the fascinating story behind its uniquely atmospheric interior.
Ending Point
Restauradores square
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
* Guide Fee
* Optional entrance at Arco Rua Augusta (5 euros person)
Tour Important Information
* The route is mostly flat, although some areas have traditional Portuguese calçada, which can be uneven. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
* Museu do Dinheiro is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Ines P.
Hi! My name is Ines and I would be thrilled to be your guide in the Lisbon area. I studied history of art, holding both a degree and a masters, and have 10 years of experience as a tour guide. I am passionate about art, architecture, history and culture. Whereas you want to enjoy the architecture highlights and hidden gems of the Lisbon area; explore the art scene being or contemporary art or Portugal’s unique crafts; or even combine history, art and indulging in gastronomy and wine tasting I am more than welcome to cater to your preferences.
I am also a mother of two young children, plus I have worked for more than 12 years as a museum and heritage educator so, I am very happy to create tours or adapt them to families travelling with children of all ages.
Reviews
Ricardo M.
“An Exceptional Guide — Inês Made Lisbon and Sintra Unforgettable”
If you are visiting Lisbon or Sintra, book Ines. She is extraordinary. We had the absolute pleasure of spending two days with Ines — one exploring Lisbon and another in Sintra — and she truly became one of the highlights of our trip to Portugal. Ines is incredibly knowledgeable, but what makes her exceptional is the passion behind that knowledge. She genuinely loves history, Portugal, and what she does, and her enthusiasm is contagious. She does not simply recite dates and facts; she tells stories, provides context, connects different periods of Portuguese history, and brings everything you are seeing to life. We learned an incredible amount without ever feeling like we were being given a history lesson. Some of us had visited Lisbon before while others were experiencing it for the first time, and Ines made the experience equally fascinating for everyone. Even those who already knew the city felt as though we were discovering it all over again. Our day in Sintra was equally memorable. Having Ines there transformed beautiful places into meaningful experiences because we actually understood the people, history, and stories behind them. Beyond her knowledge, Ines is simply wonderful to be around — warm, intelligent, funny, thoughtful, patient, and incredibly engaging. After two days together, she honestly felt less like our guide and more like a friend showing us the country and history she loves. We have traveled extensively and worked with many private guides over the years, and Ines is genuinely among the very best we have ever had. If you are considering a guide in Lisbon or Sintra, do not hesitate. Book Ines. She will completely elevate your experience. Thank you, Ines, for two unforgettable days. We feel very lucky to have met you!
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Ines P.
Dear Ricardo, I am truly lost for words reading your review. Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. I am deeply touched, and so happy that I was able to add to your experience and help make your time here so special. Your kindness, wonderful spirit, and fantastic company are exactly what make me love my job so much. Having the opportunity to share my dear Lisboa and Sintra with people who genuinely want to discover them, and to create memories that will stay with them, is always my goal. Thank you again for such a lovely review. It was an absolute pleasure having you here.
$300/ per group
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