The Figueira square is located next to Martim Moniz square.
In the 15th century a big hospital was built on this square (Hospital de Todos os Santos), but it was totally destroyed after the 1755 earthquake.
The square was all rebuilt after this big earthquake, during the government of Marquês de Pombal, minister of the Kingdom of D. José I, who was responsible for all the planning, reconstruction and restoration works in this area, which was much damaged, and that is why this part of Lisbon is called “Baixa Pombalina”.
In 1885, a covered market was built here (it was demolished in 1950), and Figueira square became the biggest market of Lisbon.
Figueira square maintains the original 4 floor buildings that house shops, restaurants and the most pleasant “esplanadas”, where you can have a cup of traditional coffee “bica”.
In the center of this square, there is a bronze statue of King João I, a work of Leopoldo de Almeida.