Lisbon Residents Fight to Preserve Iconic CTT Mailboxes - A Slice of Portuguese History

A Lisbon residents' association is on a mission to save the iconic CTT mailboxes, those small red towers that have dotted the streets and squares of Portuguese cities, including Lisbon, for over a century. These mailboxes, introduced since 1880, are not just functional items but pieces of history, inspired by the classic models of the British Royal Mail.

Photos by © Unknown Author + © Paulo Juntas

The Vizinhos em Lisboa – Associação de Moradores aims to keep these historic mailboxes active, arguing they are part of the collective memory and cultural heritage of Lisbon. Many of these mailboxes, crafted in Portuguese workshops like Fundição do Bolhão and Fundição de Massarelos, are now at risk of being forgotten or replaced by modern versions, losing their historical value.

From Neglect to Restoration

The association highlights the advanced state of degradation of many mailboxes and has proposed several actions to the Lisbon City Council and CTT:

• Inventory and map all remaining historic mailboxes in the city.
• Restore and preserve each piece, maintaining its aesthetic and cultural value.
• Prevent removals without public consultation, as happened recently in Olaias.
• Include the mailboxes in cultural, educational, and tourist routes.

"These objects are not just mailboxes; they are material fragments of Lisbon's and the country's history. Preserving them is respecting our collective identity," says the association.

@cttportugal

With over 140 years of history, these mailboxes are a living heritage, adding charm and authenticity to the streets. Losing them would be like erasing a page from the city's memory. The Vizinhos em Lisboa association is dedicated to representing and defending residents' interests, especially in urban planning and heritage valorization.