Lisbon - Fig Tree Square

(Local Name: Praça da Figueira) The Praça da Figueira, located immediately next to the Rossio, is part of the urban development concept of Pombal's lower city. It is directly linked to the Praça do Comércio by the lively Rua da Prata. Although the square has many shops, in comparison to the neighboring Rossio, it appears considerably quieter, a result essentially of the fewer cars using it. This may also be one of the reasons why the typical uniformity of building in the Baixa is more noticeable here than in the Rossio.

In 1755 a large market was set up here and in 1885 covered markets were built which gave the square a completely different character. Lively business was the order of the day here, especially in the mornings, and the square with the all day market became a popular tourist attraction. In the middle of the 20th century the covered markets were pulled down.

In their place, in the middle of the Praça da Figueira, there now stands a bronze statue which commemorates the first king of the House of Avis, Joao I, depicted astride a horse. The statue is the work of the sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida.