Avenida da Liberdade

Avenida da Liberdade

View of Avenida da Liberdade from Marquis of Pombal Square to the Tagus River.
Length	1,100 m (3,600 ft)
Width	90 m (300 ft)
Construction
Completion	1886
Demolition/Conversion of the Passeio Público	1879

Avenida da Liberdade (Portuguese for "Avenue of Liberty") is a boulevard in central Lisbon, Portugal, and is considered among the most expensive streets in Europe. Originating in the Passeio Público, an 18th-century park built for the Portuguese nobility, the avenue was built in 1879, when the former park was turned into a major boulevard, marking the northward expansion of the city during the 19th century. The Avenida is also home to numerous embassies and diplomatic missions.

The Avenida links Marquis of Pombal Square in the north to Restauradores Square, the entrance to the Lisbon Baixa. It is commonly referred to by the inhabitants of Lisbon simply as the "Avenida" (the Avenue).

History

The Monument to World War I, in front of the Spanish embassy (right) and a luxury apartment building (left).

The Avenida is lined with numerous monuments to writers and musical composers, from Portugal and abroad.

The Avenida da Liberdade, as well as the Restauradores Square, have their origins in the Passeio Público, a public park inaugurated in the area in 1764. Projected by Pombaline architect Reinaldo Manuel, the park was initially surrounded by a high wall. It was revamped in the 1830s and 1840s by architect Malaquias Ferreira Leal, who introduced a new arrangement of the flora as well as fountains, a waterfall and statues. The allegoric statues representing the Tagus and Douro rivers that still exist in the boulevard of the Avenida date from this time.

The Avenida was built between 1879 and 1886, modeled after the boulevards of Paris. It was planned to expand further north, through what is the present central lawn lane of the Eduardo VII Park. However, these plans were abandoned in the 1960s.

Many of the original buildings of the Avenida have been demolished in the last decades and replaced by modern office and hotel buildings. Nowadays, it is decorated with many monuments and statues that pay homage to important personalities like Almeida Garrett, Alexandre Herculano and others. The large monument to the fallen in World War I, inaugurated in 1931, is the work of Rebelo de Andrade and Maximiano Alves.

Luxury destination

Prada's boutique on the Avenida.

The Cartier flagship store on the Avenida.

Due to Avenida da Liberdade's central location and proximity to the prestigious locations and institutions, like the Chiado district, Marquis of Pombal Square, Queen Maria II National Theatre, the Avenidas Novas, Eduardo VII Park, the Lisbon Baixa, and numerous others, the avenue has long been considered the heart of Lisbon and its most prestigious address. It has become an international luxury destination for its shopping, hotels, and fine dining.

The Avenida is home to one of the largest concentrations of international luxury brands in Europe, including brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Christian Dior, Chanel, Versace, Balmain, Gucci, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney, Christian Louboutin, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Tod's, Ermenegildo Zegna, and Burberry.

The Avenida is home to numerous luxury hotels, including those from the following groups: Sofitel, Tivoli Hotels & Resorts, Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection, and Fontecruz Hotels, among numerous others.

Transportation

The Avenida is a major artery road in central Lisbon, connecting the Avenidas Novas to the Lisbon Baixa, Chiado, Bairro Alto, and more.

There are three Lisbon Metro stations along the Avenida:

• Restauradores at the southeast end, under Restauradores Square, served by the blue line.
• Avenida at about the midpoint of the avenue, served by the blue line.
• Marquês de Pombal at the northwest end, under Marquês de Pombal Square, served by the blue and yellow lines.

Gallery

• 
  Hotel Heritage
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  Monument to António Feliciano de Castilho
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  Luxury hotel
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  Monument to World War I
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  Monument to Alexandre Herculano

References

• Avenida da Liberdade in the Portuguese Institute for Architectonic Heritage. (in Portuguese)

External links

• Avenida da Liberdade Designer Shops and Their Addresses