Ephemeral Museum

The Pampero Ephemeral Museum (Museu Efemero in Portuguese) was the first ephemeral art museum in the world. It started in the Bairro Alto District but quickly spread to some new spots in São Bento and Amoreiras.

The idea jump-started when Leo Burnett set up a marketing plan for Pampero’s rum, creating a place where everyday street artists could be acknowledged. For this vision to become reality, careful analysis of street art manifestations had to take place (graffiti, stencils, stickers) in order to separate true art from vandalism.

To begin your own Ephemeral Museum experience, you can visit Museu Efemero oficial website at www.museuefemero.com, a space where you may investigate the artists’ work, download audio-guides onto your mp3 (available in Portuguese and English) and even print out a map with various routes you can take to see the works.

Districts: Bairro Alto, São Bento, Amoreiras
Nearest Subway Station: Baixa Chiado / Rato
Open: Everyday

Elevador da Bica

The "Elevador da Bica" (also known as Ascensor da Bica) or Bica funicular connects the Calçada do Combro (Bairro Alto) to the Rua do Loreto and the Rua de São Paulo (Cais do Sodré) crossing one of Lisbon's most tradicional districts Bica.

It was designed by Raoul Mesnier de Ponsard and started the operation in 1982. Nowadays it's operated by Carris, Lisbon's public surface transportation company.

The lower station of this funicular railroad is almost hidden behind a facade on the Rua de S. Paulo with the inscription "Ascensor da Bica".

Address: Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo, 42 A, Lisboa (map)
District: Bica/Bairro Alto
Nearest Subway Station: Baixa/Chiado or Cais do Sodré
Open: Everyday

Elevador da Glória

The "Elevador da Glória" or Glória Funicular is one of Lisbon's four old lifts/funiculars along with Elevador da Bica, Elevador da Lavra and Elevador de Santa Justa, and the second oldest after Elevador da Lavra. It connects Lisbon's downtown district, called Baixa, running from Restauradores Square to Bairro Alto, a traditional and fashionable district.
The Glória Funicular was opened to the public on October 24, 1885. At first it was designed as a water-powered system, then in 1886 it was replaced by a steam-power, and finally in 1915 it was electrified. In 2002 it was designated a National Monument.

Elevador de Santa Justa

The "Elevador de Santa Justa" or the Santa Justa Lift is located at the western end of the Rua de Santa Justa. It's one of Lisbon's most striking and novel means of public transport and it links the lower town with Chiado in the upper town.

The lift is a typical iron construction from the turn of the century and its design is often wrongly attributed to Alexandre Gustav Eiffel. In fact Raoul Mesnier de Ponsard was commissioned to design a lift which would overcome the approximately 32m/105ft height difference at this point. A few years earlier the same inventor had constructed another lift (no longer in existence) further south on the Largo do Municipio.

The Carmo Lift was built between 1898 and 1901 and was officially opened on August 31, 1901. Two cabins travel up and down the tower with room for 25 people in each.

The elaborate exterior is in a Neo Gothic style with touches of filigree. From the upper exit there is a marvelous view of the Rossio and the grid like street layout of the Baixa, as well as the Castelo de Sao Jorge opposite. There is also an interesting view from the bridge which crosses the Rua do Carmo at a great height and links the lift with the Largo do Carmo. The streets below, which were destroyed in August 1988 by a great fire are, now gradually being rebuilt. The fire was only put out a short way from the lift.

Adress: Rua de Santa Justa 17, 1100 Lisboa
District: Baixa
Nearest Subway Station: Baixa/Chiado

Miradouro das Portas do Sol