Avenida da Liberdade

Avenida da Liberdade (Liberty Avenue) is an important avenue in central Lisbon. It is a 90 metre-wide boulevard with ten lanes divided by pedestrian pavements decorated with gardens. It links Restauradores Square with the Marquis of Pombal Square.

The Liberdade Avenue and the Restauradores Square have its origins in a public park (Passeio Público) inaugurated in the area in 1764. Initially surrounded by a high wall, the park 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 river and Douro river in the boulevard of the avenue date from this time.

After much discussion and polemics, the avenue was built between 1879 and 1886. Its creation was a landmark in the Northwards expansion of the city, and it quickly became a preferred address for the upper class.

Many of the original buildings of the avenue have been replaced in the last decades by tall office and hotel buildings. Nowadays it boasts several interesting buildings that reflect Portuguese architecture from the late 19th through the early 21st centuries. Its pedestrian sidewalks and roundabouts, paved with the traditional Portuguese pavement, are decorated with many monuments and statues.

Its scenic qualities, hotels, shops, theatres and architecture turn it into an important tourist attraction of the city.

There are also antique shops of tailors, followed by internationally renowned brands like Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein, Timberland, Todd's, Trussardi, Massimo Dutti, Armani, Burberry, Adolfo Dominguez, lojas que vendem Prada, Christian Dior, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace.

The Avenida da Liberdade is the 35th most expensive boulevard in the world.