Why Cais das Colunas is an Important Historical Landmark in Lisbon

A trip to Lisbon will never be complete without visiting Praça do Comércio, one of the city's must-visit tourist destinations. The plaza, whose name translated to Commerce Plaza in English, is one of the biggest plazas in the whole of Portugal.

While many travelers head to the plaza to look for a place to eat or take photos with the statue of Dom Joseph I (otherwise known as King José I the Reformer), it's also one of the best places to go to to admire the Tagus river. Specifically, there is a little pier with marble steps that lead to the plaza where locals and travelers alike head to for a view of the Tagus.

This pier is known as Cais das Colunas.

Cais das Colunas and Its Two Columns

Cais das Colunas, Lisbon, Portugal — Bella Javier Liamzon / Travelers Today

In English, Cais das Colunas translates to Column Pier. It gets its name from the two columns or pillars that are partly submerged in the water. Designed by architect Eugénio dos Santos, these columns are said to resemble the columns of King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. One column is believed to represent wisdom, and the other pier is meant to represent devotion.

Cais das Colunas was part of the reconstruction plan after 1755 Lisbon earthquake and tsunami that ruined the city. Completed in the late 1700s, the columns were removed and brought back a few times throughout the decades. The last time they were taken down was in 1997, and they were eventually returned in 2008.

A Welcome Point for Royalty, Heads of State

While Cais das Colunas serves as one of the best places to enjoy the sunset in Lisbon, back in the day, it served a very important, regal purpose. The pier served as the welcome point for royalty, heads of state, and other important figures who visited Lisbon via the Tagus.

A very famous example is the late Queen Elizabeth II, who visited Lisbon in 1957. You can watch her go through the columns of Cais das Colunas below.