Rua Augusta Arch

Rua Augusta Arch
Portuguese: Arco da Rua Augusta

The arch seen from Praça do Comércio
General information
Type Triumphal arch
Location Lisbon
Country Portugal
Coordinates 38°42′30″N 9°08′12″W / 38.7084°N 9.1368°WCoordinates: 38°42′30″N 9°08′12″W / 38.7084°N 9.1368°W
Construction started 1755
Completed 1873

The Rua Augusta Arch is a stone, triumphal arch-like, historical building and visitor attraction in Lisbon, Portugal, on Commerce Square, built to commemorate the city's reconstruction after the 1755 earthquake. It has six columns (some 11 m high) and is adorned with statues of various historical figures. Significant height from the arch crown to the cornice imparts an appearance of heaviness to the structure. The associated space is filled with the coat of arms of Portugal. The allegorical group at the top, made by French sculptor Célestin Anatole Calmels, represents Glory rewarding Valor and Genius.

Originally designed as a bell tower, the building ultimately transformed into elaborate arch within more than century-long delays.[1]

Close-up of the statues by Célestin Anatole Calmels: Glory rewarding Valor and Genius.

Features

Because of the top cornice's great height (over 100 feet (30 m)), the figures above it had to be made colossal. The female allegory of Glory, which is dressed in peplos and measures 23 feet (7.0 m), stands on a three-step throne and holds two crowns. The Valor is personified by an amazon, partially covered with chlamys and wearing a high-crested helmet with dragon patterns, which were the symbols of the House of Braganza.[1] The Valor's left hand holds the parazonium, with a trophy of flags behind. The Genius encompasses a statue of Jupiter behind his left arm. At his left side are the attributes of writing and arts.

The four statues over the columns, made by Victor Bastos, represent Nuno Alvares Pereira and Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, Marquis of Pombal on the right, and Vasco da Gama and Viriatus on the left. The two recumbent figures represent the rivers Tagus and Douro.

Notes

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 De Macedo, Joaquim (2010). A Guide to Lisbon and Its Environs Including Cintra and Mafra with a Large Plan of Lisbon. Read Books. pp. passim. ISBN 1-4455-5194-2.