The district

Martim Moniz is one of the oldest districts of Lisbon. The huge square in the center of the district is the crucial place between the districts situated on the top of the hills (Graça and Mouraria) and the plain areas of the center (Rossio, Restauradores Baixa). The square is the symbol of the neighborhood itself, its strengths and weaknesses. The name of the district comes from an important historical event, in fact, during the taking of Lisbon by the Christian troops (during the Christian reconquest of the Iberian lands), the knight Martim Moniz sacrificed his life to prevent that the More troops closed the castle's gate. Martim Moniz decided to sacrifice his life, keeping the door open with his body, so the Christian knights were able to get into the walls and then win the battle.

Today the old city walls, called walls Moura, no longer exists (or almost) in its place there is a rich Mundial hotel, with its magnificent disco / bar located on the rooftop overlooking the poor neighborhoods. Across the square the shopping center “Mouraria” and "Avenida Almirante Reis" inaugurate the green metro line (the one that goes to the poorest neighborhoods of the center). So, here we are, in Martim Moniz square, a place of transition between the center and the old poor neighborhoods, history, music, colors and multiculturalism, but also of degradation. However, these districts are in the recovery phase, the municipality of Lisbon is renovating them one by one with a large and ambitious reconstruction project. Martim Moniz square, and its surrounding buildings, was the first step of this phase of "reconstruction", but unfinished... In fact, the modern buildings haven’t yet been completed and the work has been slow due to lack of funds.

In conclusion Martim Moniz is a historic district, ancient and modern, degraded and renovated, alive, charming and with many, many things to see and stories to hear.

The Martim Moniz Tour is recommended especially for young people, but also to families, of course accompanied by a guide, because this district is a labyrinth waiting to be discovered! Let us show the adventure and the mysteries of Martim Moniz.