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. Projected by Pombaline architect Reinaldo Manuel, the park was initially surrounded by a high wall. It was revamped in the 1830s and 1840s by architect Malaquias Ferreira Leal, who introduced a new arrangement of the flora as well as fountains, a waterfall and statues. The allegoric statues representing the Tagus and Douro rivers still exist in the boulevard of the Avenue date from this time.
The Avenue was built between 1879 and 1886, modeled after the boulevards of Paris. The Avenue was planned to expand further north, through what is the present central lawn lane of the Eduardo VII Park. However, these plans were abandoned in the 1960s.
Many of the original buildings of the Avenue have been demolished in the last decades and replaced by modern office and hotel buildings. Nowadays, it is decorated with many monuments and statues that pay homage to important personalities like Almeida Garrett, Alexandre Herculano and others. The large monument to the fallen in World War I, inaugurated in 1931, is the work of Rebelo de Andrade and Maximiano Alves.
Luxury destination
Avenida da Liberdade's central location and proximity to the prestigious locations and institutions, like the Chiado district, Marquis of Pombal Square, Queen Maria II National Theatre, the Avenidas Novas, Eduardo VII Park, the Lisbon Baixa, and numerous others, the avenue has long been considered the heart of Lisbon and its most prestigious address. It has become an international luxury destination for its shopping, hotels, and fine dining.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Avenida_da_Liberdade, and is written by contributors.
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