Only in Lisbon

The long gone Figueira's Market

Have you ever been to Figueira Square?

Have you ever been to Figueira Square? Did you know that, in the past, there was a lively market there, dating back to the times after the 1755 earthquake? It's true, it was after the calamity that devastated the city that a large showcase of commerce was established there.

Just imagine: fruits, vegetables, poultry. An open-air market on the packed earth, in this square where lighting posts were installed in the 19th century. This structure was demolished in 1883, only to be replaced by a grand iron market, inaugurated in a ceremony attended by the royal family, of course.

For years, the market teemed with life, a central hub of the city, right next to Rossio. However, in 1947, its demolition was approved after debates about its antiquity. The market would eventually be sold to a scrap dealer from Porto, putting an end to the life lived there. Today, Figueira Square is a place in transformation, preserving the memory of the market for those who still remember it.