Lisbon African Diaspora History

The Chafariz d'El-Rei features a long, arched stone wall with six distinct spouts where water flows continuously. Built in the late thirteenth century, it was the first public fountain in Lisbon. King Dinis ordered its construction to…

Two massive stone columns rise directly out of the Tagus River, framing a wide set of marble stairs that disappear beneath the water. This is the Cais das Colunas. For centuries, kings, diplomats, and explorers arriving by sea stepped onto…

The yellow, U-shaped arcade of the Praça do Comércio faces the Tagus River with a massive bronze statue of King José the First in its center. Before the earthquake of seventeen fifty-five leveled the city, the royal palace occupied this…

The wavy black and white limestone pattern covering the ground of Rossio Square creates a dizzying optical illusion that makes the entire plaza feel as if it is undulating beneath your feet. Known locally as the Portuguese pavement, this…

The Church of Saint Dominic, or Igreja de São Domingos, features a stark, scorched interior that sets it apart from the gilded excesses of other Lisbon cathedrals. During the nineteen fifty-nine fire, flames gutted the nave, leaving behind…

Cantinho do Aziz features a bright yellow facade tucked into the narrow, sloping streets of Mouraria. This restaurant serves Mozambican cuisine, specifically the flavors of the Makhuwa people from the northern coast. When Aziz Mussá opened…

Largo da Severa centers on a small, quiet square in the Mouraria district where a simple stone plaque marks the site of a tavern once run by Maria Severa Onofriana. In the eighteen thirties, this young woman with a haunting voice gathered…

The Rua do Benformoso curves through the heart of Mouraria, defined by its tightly packed, pastel-colored buildings with wrought-iron balconies and traditional azulejo tiles. For centuries, this narrow street functioned as a vital artery…