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The Praça do Comércio, known as Terreiro do Paço (Palace Esplanade), was rebuilt after the earthquake on the rubble of the former royal palace built for Dom José ^I. The latter's equestrian statue sits in the center of the square. The equestrian statue of Dom José sits in the center of the square, while the triumphal arch opening onto the rua Augusta represents the allegories of Portugal's three great rivers: the Tagus, Douro and Mondego. You can climb to the very top of the triumphal arch (Arco da rua Augusta) for an exceptional view of the city and the Tagus! You'll probably want to take a selfie at the statue (it's no coincidence that there are vendors selling selfie poles nearby). The Place du Commerce was built according to the Book of Thoth, which is why it has seventy-eight arches. Further down the river, marked by the Columns of Hercules, spices, gold and slaves were once unloaded from distant colonies. It's easy to imagine the scene, a real trip back in time... Musicians often play and invite you to sit back and watch the river. The elegant buildings of the Place du Commerce have long housed the Stock Exchange, ministries and a number of government offices, most of which have been converted into museums, cafés or restaurants. For a long time, however, this famous square wasn't really a square at all: it was a huge parking lot, and only relatively recently has it become one of Lisbon's most emblematic squares. Since then, it has become one of the city's best-known and most symbolic squares, where the Portuguese can gather to demonstrate, whether to express their joy or their discontent. City Hall is just a few blocks to the west, at Praça do Município, and Lisbon's main tourist office is right next door. Praça do Comércio is also a great place to enjoy a drink on the terrace. In fact, it's certainly one of the first places visited by tourists discovering Lisbon for the first time. In the evenings, concerts are often held in the square, and street artists regularly perform here, attracting crowds of locals and tourists in a friendly atmosphere. It's also where people gather on December 31 to watch the fireworks at the stroke of midnight. There are also festivals in summer. In short, Praça do Comércio is a must-see in Lisbon, day or night.