Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The statue is of King José I, the man who gave control of the government to Pombal,
who rebuilt the city after the earthquake. Built 20 years after the quake, it shows the king
on his horse, with Pombal (on the medallion), looking at their port. The horse (symbolic
of triumph) stomps on snakes (symbolic of evil—perhaps Protestants...or trouble-making
noble families), while the elephant represents the Portuguese empire's colonies in India
and Africa.
The big arch marking the inland side of the square is Lisbon's Arch of Triumph (with
Vasco da Gama on the left and Pombal on the right). Disregarding his usual austerity,
Pombal restored some of the city's Parisian-style grandeur at this central approach into
downtown.
• With your back to the harbor (facing the Arch of Triumph), the tour bus departure point
is ahead on the right; the TI, Vini Portugal wine-tasting center, and meeting point for
walking tours are on your left; and the Terriero do Paço Metro stop is behind you (in the
southeast corner of the square).
Wine-TastingCenter:
At
ViniPortugal
(mid-arcade), Portugal's vintners sponsor
a non-profit wine-appreciation venue. Three regions are always represented, and there are
