Description of the attraction
Column of Pedro IV is in the Rossio square, right in the middle. The monument was erected in 1874 and the square became known as Piazza Pedro IV. But this name did not take root, the squares returned to its old name. Rossio Square has been and remains one of the main squares of Lisbon since the Middle Ages. The modern name "Rossio" is a tribute to the King of Portugal Pedro IV, who was also the first emperor of Brazil (Pedro I). The square is surrounded by fountains, flower beds and is very picturesque.
The bronze statue of the king is mounted on a high Corinthian column. At the base of the column are four allegorical female figures: Justice, Wisdom, Strength and Restraint. These are the qualities that King Pedro IV was endowed with. There is a legend that it was originally planned to install a statue of the Mexican Emperor Maximilian on the top of the column. But the emperor of Mexico was killed in 1867. The news that the emperor was dead was received when the statue was almost finished and was to be installed on a column in the square. But historians, like the restorers who carried out restoration work in 2001, refute this legend, paying attention to the elements of the statue that clearly indicate the authenticity of the Portuguese king, namely: the Portuguese coat of arms and chain of the Military Order of the Tower and Sword, valor, loyalty and merit., knightly order of Portugal. The order was awarded for military and civilian merits. During his reign, King Pedro IV reformed the order, and the order became known as the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Tower and the Sword, Valor, Loyalty and Merit.
