By bombaycrypto on Skatehive
Hey everyone! Back again with a post featuring Lisbon- this time it is the main square of the Pombaline Baixa. This is an elegant district and takes its name from the 1st Marquis of Pombal, the prime minister to Joseph I of Portugal from 1750 to 1777. He was a key figure of the 'Enlightenment in Portugal', who ordered the rebuilding of Lisbon after an earthquake in 1755. The Marquis imposed strict designs for rebuilding the city, the grid pattern seen today is very different from the organic flowing design preceding it. The Pombaline Baixa is one of the first examples of earthquake-resistant construction. Architectural models were tested by having troops march around them to simulate an earthquake. Notable features of Pombaline structures include the 'Pombaline cage', a symmetrical wood-lattice framework aimed at distributing earthquake force. Inter-terrace walls were built higher than roof making efforts to minimise the risk of fire spreading to other buildings. The square seen today