About

Cited already in 1389 as being of medieval origin, this square is thought to be one of the oldest in the city. A busy commercial centre, with tents serving as shops and a fish market, it came to the attention of João de Almada e Melo who set out to completely remodel the square in the 18th Century. The works carried out at this time by the Public Works Board, under the influence of John Whitehead, were financed by revenue from wine. Of his original plans, only the sides to the north, with its monumental Praça da Ribeira fountain, and the west were ever completed. The wall to the south was knocked down in 1821 and the medieval buildings along the east side survive to this day. Archaeological work in the 1980s led to the discovery of a 17th Century fountain. Reconstructed in its original location, it was crowned with a sculpture by José Rodrigues known popularly as the “Cube of the Ribeira”.
On the 24th of June 2000, a statute of St. John the Baptist by João Cutileiro was unveiled in a niche in the Praça da Ribeira fountain.
A must see, with lots of exciting nightlife on offer as well.
Included in the Urban Wine Route.

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