Rua Augusta, Pedestrian street in central Lisbon, Portugal
Rua Augusta is a pedestrian street in central Lisbon, running from Praça do Rossio in the north down to Praça do Comércio on the riverfront. It is wide and open, lined on both sides with shops and cafés, and closed to the south by a large triumphal arch that frames the view toward the river.
Rua Augusta was laid out after the 1755 earthquake destroyed central Lisbon, as part of the grid plan drawn up by the Marquis of Pombal to rebuild the Baixa district. The triumphal arch at its southern end was initially built in wood as a temporary structure for a royal procession and was only finished in stone during the 19th century.
Rua Augusta sits at the heart of the Baixa district and is used daily by locals going about their routines as much as by visitors passing through. The traditional black and white mosaic stone pavement runs the full length of the street and is one of the most recognizable features of central Lisbon.
The street is open at all times and easy to reach on foot from Rossio station or several nearby metro stops. Coming early in the morning makes for a more relaxed walk, as the street gets very busy through the day.
Beneath a bank building on Rua Augusta, the remains of Roman baths dating to the 1st century AD were uncovered during renovations, including mosaic floors and stone walls. These ruins can be visited for free on guided tours that are offered from time to time.
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