Nobles of Lisboa

I’m excited to share with you today an intriguing piece of history that sheds light on the fascinating world of Nobles in Lisboa, the capital city of Portugal. Prepare to be transported to a time when nobility reigned supreme and discover what set these elite individuals apart from the rest.

Lisboa, with its rich history and majestic architecture, was home to a vibrant community of aristocrats. Dressed in luxurious clothing and adorned with extravagant jewels, the Nobles of Lisboa showcased their wealth and status. But being a noble in Lisboa was not just about wealth and appearance – it came with great responsibility and expectations.

As a noble in Lisboa, I would have been a part of an elite circle that held considerable influence over the city’s affairs. Nobles played a vital role in the governance of Lisboa, assisting the king in making important decisions and ensuring the city thrived. Our opinions and expertise were highly regarded, and people looked up to us for guidance.

However, being a noble was not without its challenges. We were expected to maintain a certain level of morality and integrity, as our actions reflected not only on ourselves but also on our families and the entire noble community. It was a delicate balance between upholding our own interests and fulfilling our duties as nobles. But this challenge brought about growth and self-discovery, shaping us into compassionate and responsible individuals.

To become a noble in Lisboa, one needed to be born into a noble family or marry into one. Connections and social standing played a significant role, and an impeccable reputation was essential. Education and etiquette were highly valued, and nobles were expected to be well-versed in various subjects, including history, literature, and diplomacy.

But being a noble wasn’t just a matter of privilege and power. It was a responsibility that extended beyond the confines of Lisboa, as we represented our city and country in diplomatic endeavors. Our actions and demeanor were under constant scrutiny, and we had to navigate delicate political landscapes with grace and tact.

My experience as a noble in Lisboa was a truly enlightening and transformative one. It taught me the importance of humility, compassion, and the pursuit of knowledge. It allowed me to make a lasting impact on the world around me and left an indelible mark on my own character.

So next time you walk the streets of Lisboa and marvel at its splendid architecture, remember the rich history and vibrant community of nobles who once graced these same paths. Their legacy lives on, reminding us of the timeless values of honor, responsibility, and leadership.

In a time long ago, there lived a man named Manuel da Maia, who was like the king’s chief builder. It was his job to choose, approve, and oversee all the new buildings in the city. He even got to pick the architects and engineers to work on the projects. When Lisboa needed to be rebuilt, he wasted no time and hired two top architects to get the job done.

First, there was Eugenio dos Santos, the mastermind behind many of the city’s downtown projects. He was the one who designed the famous Praca do Comercio, which was a really important place in Lisboa.

Then there was Carlos Mardel, who was in charge of building the ships that sailed to Brazil. He was also responsible for projects like Ribeira das Naus and Rossio, among many others. He was a very busy man!

The Stores in Downtown

When I was asked to rebuild Lisboa, I had no idea how challenging but rewarding the task would be. Together with my team of architects, we approached the project with military-like precision, implementing modern techniques and processes.

The opening of stores in the newly constructed downtown buildings breathed new life into the city. It became the catalyst for change, reviving the fragile economy that had suffered so much loss. We understood that in order to begin rebuilding the economy, we needed to start with the construction of these stores.

Have you heard about the new city plans? They say that each street can only have certain types of businesses. It’s like each street has its own special theme! For example, Rua Aurea is only for goldsmiths and watchmakers. So, if you want to open a store on Rua Aurea, you have to be a goldsmith or a watchmaker. That’s pretty cool, right?

When they were rebuilding the city, they found some treasures in the wreckage. How exciting is that? Some of the treasures were given to the person who bought the land, and others were given back to their original owners as a reward. Can you imagine finding a treasure like that?

Marquis De Pombal (the Minister)

In the 18th century, there was a remarkable man named Sebastiao Jose de Carvalho e Melo. Born in 1699 and passing away in 1782, he became a significant figure in the history of Portugal. Initially serving as the minister of foreign affairs, he later went on to become the prime minister. Greatly admired, he held this esteemed position of power for over two decades, from 1755 to 1777.

De Carvalho e Melo was responsible for overseeing the transformation of Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal. Inspired by the revolutionary ideas of the Enlightenment, he led a campaign to rebuild the city in a way that embraced these new political ideals. His visionary approach left a lasting impact on the city’s architecture and urban planning.

Proficient in politics and economics, Sebastiao Jose de Carvalho e Melo drew inspiration from the innovative mercantilist ideas of England. He believed in the importance of free trade and regulated commercial activity as drivers of economic growth. Embracing these notions, he sought to implement policies that would enhance Portugal’s economy and elevate its status in the world.

Additionally, de Carvalho e Melo drew inspiration from his time spent as an ambassador in the Austro-Hungarian empire. There, he learned about military organizational ideas that he later applied in his own country. This cross-pollination of ideas from different nations and cultures allowed him to adopt a comprehensive approach to governance.

Sebastiao Jose de Carvalho e Melo was a remarkable statesman, capable of blending different ideas and ideologies from various sources. His influence on Lisbon and Portugal as a whole was profound, leaving a lasting legacy that can still be seen today. We owe much to this extraordinary man and his tireless efforts to shape the future of his nation.

When it comes to Marquis de Pombal, his Enlightenment ideals not only helped him consolidate personal power and profit, but also suppress criticism and crush opposition. He implemented remarkable economic and financial reform by establishing multiple companies and guilds, effectively regulating all commercial activities. Notably, he took the initiative to designate specific regions for port production, pioneering the control of wine quality and production in Europe.

After the devastating earthquake struck, someone inquired about what would happen next. In response, he simply stated, “Now, we must bury the dead and attend to the living.”

The Decrees

Marquis de Pombal, as a statesman, was truly the one who held power in the country. He was the primary authority who dictated the rules of the game.

King D. Jose I

(1714 – 1777) The King, a very religious man, was afraid that another earthquake would occur after the previous one. To avoid this, he decided to move the royal court to a wooden palace on top of a hill in Lisbon. This new palace was called the Real Barraca (Royal Tent), and it quickly became fashionable for people to live in wooden houses as well. Unfortunately, the Real Barraca was destroyed by a fire 40 years later.

Unable to cope with the tragedy and devastation, the King gave Minister Sebastiao Jose de Carvalho e Melo, who would later become the Marquis of Pombal, full authority to govern the city and the country. From then on, public appearances by the King and Queen were often associated with the opening of new buildings, trips to the opera, or hunting.

Public Buildings

After all the destruction, it’s a pleasant surprise when the King himself agrees to inaugurate a brand-new Public Building. This development promises to breathe new life into downtown and draw crowds to the rebuilt stores.

When you open a Public Building, you spark growth in the downtown area. As a result, the store owners benefit from increased foot traffic, giving them a chance to boost their sales. But it’s not just about more customers; it’s about the kind of customers you attract. The success or failure of each business in the neighborhood will depend on the type of Public Building you choose and where you place it.

In addition to bringing customers to the stores, opening a Public Building helps fulfill the architect’s vision and creates employment opportunities for state officials. By providing more jobs than your rivals, you earn valuable points at the end of the game.

What the Marquis and the King Do

I want to talk about how Enlightenment ideals helped to loosen the grip that the State had on economic activities during a certain historical period. It’s fascinating to think about how things used to be in the past.

Back then, the King had a lot of power and influence. He played a direct role in creating laws and regulations. It was like he was the one making all the decisions. Not only that, but he also had control over overseas economic and political affairs. That’s a lot of responsibility for one person to have!

But over time, things started to change. The royal authority in Portugal became stronger in the late 1700s. This led to even more State control. The King would assign certain tasks to different people, who would then be rewarded by the King.

But then came the Enlightenment. This was a time when people started to question the way things were. They began to think critically and challenge the established order. And this had a big impact on the State’s control over the economy.

The Enlightenment brought new ideas and values that emphasized individual freedom and rights. People started to realize that they had a voice and a say in how things should be. They believed in the power of reason and the importance of using it to make decisions.

These Enlightenment ideals helped to shift the balance of power away from the State and towards the people. They paved the way for a more open and free society, where individuals had the freedom to pursue their own economic activities without interference from the government.

So, the next time you’re thinking about how the State used to have so much control over the economy, remember that it was thanks to the Enlightenment that things started to change. It’s amazing how ideas can have such a big impact on the world!

But at that time, the King didn’t like making decisions, so he gave all these special rights to the Marquis of Pombal. The Marquis was really into the idea of improving the economy, taking care of natural resources, changing the education system, and making it easier to create new jobs. This meant that during his time in power, there were lots of new rules and laws about how things should be done.

Because of all these changes, the government had more control over making decisions, which meant there was less power for the Church. Before, the Church had a lot of influence over public and social stuff, but that changed. They also lost some of their special rights and could no longer do as they pleased.