Why are garbage men "Almeidas"?

 

We call the men who collect the garbage "Almeidas" because the first to do this work came from Almeida, in Guarda, the border town of Pinhel County. If they were native of Lixa, a city in the municipality of Felgueiras, this story was more funny.

 

Why is there an arch in the middle of Spain Square?

 

The arch in the middle of the square was part of the Águas Livres Aqueduct and was on Rua de São Bento. It was dismantled during refurbishment in 1938, and was scattered around the Plaza de España roundabout until 1998, the year a giant in love with Legos restored it to its original form.

 

Is it really forbidden to feed the pigeons? Because?

Giving pigeons maize is prohibited according to Article 60 (1) of the Solid Waste Regulation. Diet is mandatory to prevent this pest from reproducing. That is, if the pigeons eat their leftover bread and cakes they will not eat the contraceptive corn that is distributed throughout the city in order to control this lovely bird population that insists on redecorating our cars with their droppings.

 

How much is the street of Bethesga? Is it that small?

Rua da Betesga is approximately 10 meters long and is considered the smallest street in Lisbon. The phrase “get Rossio on Rua da Betesga” is used whenever a Lisboner moves home and has to pull the couch out the front door.

 

How long did the works of Santa Engrácia take?

284 years. From 1682 to 1966. It took, but there was a beautiful work, it was. The phrase “like the works of Holy Engratia”, common in the current language, is used to refer to something that will not happen, or that will take a long time to happen.

 

Is there a lighthouse keeper at Bugio?

 

The lighthouse at São Vicente do Bugio Fort was no longer a fortification in 1945 and became automatic in 1981. The following year the lighthouse keeper was sent home and since then it is empty. This means that if you want you can occupy the fort, declare your independence and start issuing currency. Dont tell anyone that we came up with the idea.

 

We are all familiar with the Second Circular, but where is the First Circular?

 

The First Circular existed and "circled" the city in the nineteenth century: it began at Largo de Alcântara, passed by D. Carlos Street, Marquês da Fronteira Street, Duque de Ávila, Chile Square and then down to Morais Soares. Saint Apollonia. At the time, it represented the limits of the city, which in the meantime overflowed and a Second Circular was made.

 

Why is the crow the symbol of Lisbon?

Legend has it that, at the time of the Muslim occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, the Christians of Valencia wanted to bring the body of Saint Vincent, martyred by the Moors, to Asturias, at the time the only safe Christian stronghold of the Peninsula. However, they failed to pass beyond the Algarve, having buried the martyr there and created the village of São Vicente. Years later, D. Afonso Henriques conquers the Algarve, but in the clashes the village is destroyed. It was not known where St. Vincent was buried. A flock of crows is then spotted insistently flying over a place and the saints remains are found there. In 1176, D. Afonso Henriques orders to go to Lisbon, and during the trip the boat is always accompanied and protected by two crows. That is why even today the crow is considered the guardian of the city.

What is the right leg of D. Josés horse?

It is on the left. Dont you know the pun? It is as old a provocation as the equestrian statue in Terreiro do Paço. The right leg - or "straight" - is the horses left leg. The paw on your right side is slightly bent, so you can play with the various meanings of the word "right". Its laugh to laugh good. And what color is D. Josés white horse? Ok, ok, lets stop this.

 

Is it true that the statue in Rossio is from a Mexican emperor?

 

No and its a pity. It gave a beautiful story. The urban myth that the statue in Rossio Square is not from D. Pedro IV, but from the Emperor Maximilian of Mexico, is just that: a myth. Legend has it that the sculptor had made a beautiful statue of the emperor, meanwhile shot, and not to give up the work for lost recycled it as a tribute to the Portuguese monarch.

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