Rossio – Praça Dom Pedro IV
This square is officially called Praça Dom Pedro IV, but ever since it was created, in the middle ages, it’s gone by its more popular name, Rossio.
The Rossio is the popular name of the King Pedro IV Square (Portuguese: Praça de D. Pedro IV) in the city of Lisbon, Portugal.
Rossio is the beating heart of Lisbon. It is located in the Pombaline Downtown of Lisbon and has been one of its main squares since the Middle Ages. It has been the setting of popular revolts and celebrations, bullfights and executions, military parades, political rallies, and even faith-like at the time of the Inquisition. and is now a preferred meeting place for Lisbon natives and tourists.
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| Rossio Square |
Right in the center of the Square, placed in 1870, stands on a column 28m high, the statue of D. Pedro IV, the first emperor of independent Brazil. At its base, there are four female figures, allegories to Justice, Wisdom, Strength, and Moderation, the qualities which are attributed to D. Pedro.
On both sides of the square are baroque fountains. The fountains are identical to each other and the statues on the fountains are mythical figures. The fountains were made by the French sculptors Mathurin Moreau and Michel Lienard and manufactured in a French Foundry in Val d'Or.
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| Mar Lago |
You will enjoy the beautiful patterns of the black and white tiles on the floor. The streets of Lisbon are often beautifully covered with calçada (small square stones) that are laid in a mosaic.
The pavement of Rossio is called Mar Largo (wide sea).
The pavement of Rossio is called Mar Largo (wide sea).
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| Teatro Nacional D. Maria II |
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| Inside of Teatro Nacional D.Maria II |
On the north side of the square is the Teatro Nacional D. Maria II, which was named after D. Pedro's daughter, D. Maria II.
The theatre was built on the site of the 15th-century Estaus palace.
Around the square are many shops, restaurants, and bars, such as A Ginjinha, Café Nicola, and Pastelaria Suíça. This makes Rossio an important meeting place. Chances are that you will pass Rossio several times during your stay in Lisbon.
Despite the many changes in lifestyle over the six centuries of existence of this Square, many traditions still remain, and a stop at Café Nicola (western side) or the Swiss Pastry (eastern side) remains the typical day-to-day of good Lisbon.
Rossio is a living book, with open pages for those who want to visit it.
