How did D. Afonso Henriques end up at the corner of Rua da Betesga?
Where a clock once stood, now stands "The Conqueror". Observant passersby might have noticed the appearance of a medieval knight at the corner of Rossio and Rua da Betesga. This figure, adorned with what appears to be a crown, holds a banner in his right hand and a shield in his left. Below this high-relief, the five shields and ten castles are depicted, symbolizing the conquests of D. Afonso Henriques, Portugal's first king.
The History Behind the Figure
Until 2018, a Rolex clock marked this spot, a reminder of the Ourivesaria Portugal jewelry store that once occupied the space. Before that, an Omega clock advertised the brands sold by the store. The current figure is a restoration of an original 1923 design that was never realized until now. The project, led by the Contacto Atlântico architecture studio, aimed to preserve and restore the corner's historical ornaments, including this symbolic representation of D. Afonso Henriques.
A Symbol of Portuguese Heritage
The figure is believed to represent D. Afonso Henriques, symbolizing the conquest of Lisbon. The Ourivesaria Portugal, which opened in 1942, inherited the name from a previous shoe factory, A Portugal, that used the knight as its logo. This restoration brings to life a piece of Lisbon's history, connecting the present with the past through architectural heritage.
Comments
Join Our Community
Sign up to share your thoughts, engage with others, and become part of our growing community.
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts and start the conversation!