Streets in Baxia, Lisbon, Portugal

The Pombaline Lower Town (Portuguese: Baixa Pombalina, pron. or simply Baixa) area covers about 235,620 square metres of central Lisbon, Portugal. It comprises the grid of streets north of the do roughly between the Cais do and the Alfama district beneath the Lisbon Castle, and extends northwards towards the Rossio and Figueira squares and the Avenida da Liberdade, a tree-lined boulevard noted for its tailoring shops and cafes.

The Pombaline Baixa is one of the first examples of earthquake-resistant construction. Architectural models were tested by having troops march around them to simulate an earthquake. Notable features of Pombaline structures include the 'Pombaline cage', a symmetrical wood-lattice framework aimed at distibuting earthquake force, and inter-terrace walls that are built higher than roof timbers to reduce fire contagion.

 
[ click here to learn more ]