Lisbon’s main plaza holds a silent observer. It is the equestrian statue of King José I. Have you truly seen it? This statue isn’t just metal and stone. It is a story cast in bronze. The Potros Statue overlooks the Tagus River. It dominates the Praça do Comércio. This was once a car park. Now, it is a pleasant setting for the statue.
Let’s journey back to a Lisbon in ruins. The year is 1755. A colossal earthquake nearly leveled the city. Imagine the devastation. Around 100,000 lives were lost. King José I was deeply affected. He developed severe claustrophobia. He couldn’t live within walled buildings comfortably again. The royal court moved to tents in the hills of Ajuda.
Enter Sebastião José da Carvalho e Mello. He was later known as the Marquês de Pombal. He was the king’s right-hand man. Pombal spearheaded Lisbon’s reconstruction. He was a man of the Enlightenment. He rebuilt the lower town. The royal square remained in its original position. Its name changed from Terreiro do Paço to Praça do Comércio.
Pombal’s contribution to the debate was unique. People thought the earthquake was divine judgement. He wondered why God spared the red-light district.
The Praça do Comércio is framed by arcaded buildings on three sides. The fourth side opens towards the Tejo. The Potros Statue of King José I stands proudly in the middle. It rests on a lofty plinth. Machado de Castro designed it.
The Potros Statue holds significance. It was the first equestrian statue cast in bronze in Portugal. The casting occurred on October 15, 1774. It was a single successful operation at the Arsenal do Exército. The statue began its journey to the Praça do Comércio on May 22 the following year. It was a solemn procession. The monument was unveiled on June 6, 1775. The ceremony was part of splendid celebrations.
The Potros Statue stands 14 meters high. King José I wears a cape and plumed helmet. His gaze is majestically grave. He looks downriver over the Tejo. He sees where the city opens to the sea. Allegorical groups flank the oval plinth. A medallion bearing Pombal’s portrait sits under the royal emblem.
Machado de Castro was a foremost sculptor. He wrote about his works. He detailed the theory behind them. His writings included a full-length discussion of the statue. It was entitled Descripção analytica da execução da estatua equestre. It was published in Lisbon in 1810.
So, as you stand before the Potros Statue, remember its story. It is one of destruction, rebuilding, and enlightenment. It is a bronze testament to Lisbon’s resilience. The Potros Statue forever watches over the city’s main plaza.