Do you hear that faint squeak echoing through the streets? That is how Chiado got its name.
Welcome to Chiado a neighborhood in Lisbon full of history. It is known for culture, luxury shopping and landmarks. This is where cosmopolitanism meets Portuguese tradition.
The name Chiado dates back to 1567. Some say it comes from António Ribeiro. He was a 16th-century poet from Évora. His nickname was “Chiado” meaning squeak. Others say Chiado was a tavern keeper. His tavern was where the Armazéns do Chiado stands today. The poet got his nickname later. He roamed an area already called Chiado. Today a statue of the poet stands in Chiado Square.
Chiado has been inhabited since Roman times. It was an agricultural area with villas. Northern European crusaders settled here during the Siege of Lisbon in 1147. After Lisbon was reconquered convents were built. St Francis Convent is now a museum. Espirito Santo da Pedreira is now Armazéns do Chiado. Trindade Convent is now a restaurant called Cervejaria Trindade. Carmo Convent is now a museum.
The 1755 earthquake caused much destruction. This made way for shops and cultural spots. One shop is Bertrand Bookstore. It opened in 1732 and is the oldest in the world. Cultural spots opened mostly in the 19th century. These include Lisbon’s Opera House called S. Carlos Theater. Others include Trindade Theater and S. Luiz Theater.
Chiado tried to reproduce the luxury of Paris. It was like Montmartre and the Champs Elysées. Chiado became Lisbon’s center for luxury and art. It had libraries, theaters, cafes and bookstores.
A fire severely affected Chiado on August 25 1988. Eighteen buildings were destroyed. Reconstruction was slow and Chiado declined. Renovation took over 10 years. The area fully recovered by the early 2000s.
Important streets include Rua Garrett Largo do Chiado and Largo do Carmo. In Chiado you can see statues of writers like Fernando Pessoa. He sits at A Brasileira cafe on Rua Garrett.
Chiado offers architectural styles from the 18th and 19th centuries. You can visit Carmo Convent. You can also visit the Church of Our Lady of Incarnation. Another is the Church of Saint Roque. Also here is the Garden of Sao Pedro de Alcântara. The National Museum of Contemporary Art is also located here. Finally there is the Santa Justa Lift.
Café A Brasileira opened in 1905. It was a meeting point for intellectuals. The Portuguese expression “BICA” started here. It means “Drink This With Sugar”. Inside are paintings by Almada Negreiros and others. Also there is a bronze statue of Fernando Pessoa.
Armazéns do Chiado is a shopping center with many stores and restaurants. It was inspired by Paris shopping centers. The building has been a convent a hotel and more.
Chiado is a place where new meets old. It is a soul of Lisbon where you can live and have fun. It is a meeting point for different cultures. So take a stroll browse the shops and soak in the atmosphere. Chiado is waiting to be explored.