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Rua de Chagas, Lisbon, Portugal, 2017 [open in full screen]  

 
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This square doesn't have a name. I am calling it by the name of the street it is in. It is actually a dead end of that street. It is still a square or largo by Lisbon standards. Even the church located here is not having name, it is called church at Rua Chagas, and very unusual but it looks like it is not in use.

Nice quiet place with one bench, with a view, of course occupied on the lovely sunny day. View is over, so common in Lisbon, street up and down the steep hill. This is one of three parallel very similar street along Rua Chagas. Value of spaces like this is often overlooked but in my opinion they are very significant for the health of urban life.

  From the square in any direction it is only downhill. Even the entrance to the building seen at the end of the street is actually to the top floor of that building. Obviously some very wealthy people are living here, swimming pool is visible at the side behind the entrance to the garage. The other sign is heavy protection with barbed wire fence towards that side.

When we were visiting square EDP down by the river we noticed top of the church located here [see photo below left]. It was clear then how far up on the hill this space is. Very noticeable anywhere in Lisbon is how every centimeter of available space is cleverly organized, visible trace of smart urban planning, going back to 16th century.

 

  Another curiosity nearby is Mirador de Santa Catarina, [last photo bellow]. When in 1807 demoralized people stood on this place watching in desperation how King of Portugal leave country in the ships on their way to Brazil, alto de Santa Catheriina become curious hideout. Ever since, to this day, some are still gathering there hoping to witness arrival of the future King that will arrive one misty morning from the "Island of Utopia".

On this mirador also stands strange monument to Adamastor, mystical figure used traditionally on the Portuguese ships in order to avert other ships of following them on their exploratory travels.

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types of squares
sociability
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ceremonial
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uses & activities
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social
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comfort
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residential
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image
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court yard
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tourist value
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with park
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Last time updated on December 16, 2020 16:29