O Cauteleiro, Statue and memorial in Misericórdia, Lisbon, Portugal
O Cauteleiro is a bronze statue in Largo Trindade Coelho, in the Misericórdia neighborhood of Lisbon, made by sculptor Fernanda de Assis. It depicts a street lottery ticket seller, a type of vendor who was once a common presence throughout the city.
The statue was put in place in November 1987, during celebrations for the 204th anniversary of the National Lottery, on the initiative of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa. To create it, Fernanda de Assis studied historical photographs and spoke with real lottery sellers to make the figure as true to life as possible.
O Cauteleiro stands directly on the sidewalk, without a pedestal or base, which puts it at eye level with passersby. The figure wears a flat-topped cap, holds a ticket in one hand and a small bag in the other, looking exactly like the street sellers who were once a familiar sight in Lisbon.
The statue stands on Largo Trindade Coelho, a small square that is easy to reach on foot from the main streets of the neighborhood. Since it sits directly on the sidewalk, it is visible and accessible without any particular preparation.
O Cauteleiro is part of a series of bronze sculptures placed across different Lisbon neighborhoods to honor the trades and everyday figures of the city. Unlike many other memorials, this one was intentionally set at street level with no elevation, putting the figure on the same footing as anyone walking by.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
