Avenida Da Liberdade

Avenida da Liberdade ( Portuguese for ''"Avenue of Liberty"'') is a boulevard in central Lisbon, Portugal. It ranks among the most expensive streets in Europe, with property costing over €9,000 per sqm.

Originating in the '' Passeio Público'', an 18th-century park built for the Portuguese nobility, the avenue was constructed between 1879 and 1886. Marking the city's northward expansion during the 19th century, the former park was turned into a major boulevard. The Avenida da Liberdade is also home to numerous embassies and diplomatic missions.

The Avenida connects Marquis of Pombal Square in the north to Restauradores Square, marking the entrance to the Lisbon Baixa neighborhood.

History

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 – a project led by Pombaline architect Reinaldo Manuel. The park was initially surrounded by a high wall, but it was revamped in the 1830s and 1840s by architect Malaquias Ferreira Leal. Ferreira introduced a new arrangement of the flora, fountains, a waterfall, and statues. The allegoric statues, representing the Tagus and Douro rivers, still exist in the boulevard of the Avenida date from this time. Over time, monuments and statues that pay homage to important personalities – Almeida Garrett, Alexandre Herculano and others—have been added. The prominent memorial to the fallen in World War I, inaugurated in 1931, is the work of Rebelo de Andrade and Maximiano Alves.

The Avenida was built between 1879 and 1886, modelled after the boulevards of Paris. Plans were made to expand further north, through what is the present central lawn lane of 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 few decades and replaced by modern offices and hotel buildings.

Luxury destination

Avenida da Liberdade's central location and proximity to places such as the Chiado district, Marquis of Pombal Square, Queen Maria II National Theatre, the Avenidas Novas, Eduardo VII Park, the Lisbon Baixa, and others, have contributed to its development.

The Avenida hosts a significant number of international luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Prada, Christian Dior, Chanel, Versace, Balmain, Gucci, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney, Christian Louboutin, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Tod's, Ermenegildo Zegna, Molteni&C, and Burberry.

In addition to retail, Avenida da Liberdade includes hotels operated by groups such as Sofitel, Tivoli Hotels & Resorts, Dom Pedro Hotels & Golf Collection, and Eurostars Hotels.

Transportation

The Avenida serves as a major transport route in central Lisbon, with connections to the Avenidas Novas, Lisbon Baixa, Chiado, Bairro Alto, and beyond.

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

File:Hotel Heritage Av.Liberdade, Lisbon (4163621131).jpg, Hotel Heritage
File:AntonioFelicianoCastilho.JPG, Monument to António Feliciano de Castilho
File:Дома на Проспекте Свободы (11609812153).jpg, Luxury hotel
File:Avenida da Liberdade em Dezembro de 2013 (11570918506).jpg
File:Дома на Проспекте Свободы (11609936464) (cropped).jpg
File:Monumento aos Combatentes da Grande Guerra em Lisboa (2014).jpg, Monument to World War I
File:Lisboa June 2013-8.jpg, Monument to Alexandre Herculano

References

Avenida da Liberdade in the Portuguese Institute for Architectonic Heritage.

External links

Avenida da Liberdade Designer Shops and Their Addresses

{{DEFAULTSORT:Liberty Avenue, Lisbon
Streets in Lisbon
Shopping districts and streets