Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Portugal Lisbon History of Lisbon Mural
AO Edited

History of Lisbon Mural

Hidden beneath a beautiful overlook you’ll find the history of the city depicted in comic strip format next to a pay toilet.

Lisbon, Portugal

Added By
Zachary Stafford
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
View from the public toilet.   gozacgo / Atlas Obscura User
Detail of the mural.   gozacgo / Atlas Obscura User
Detail of the mural.   gozacgo / Atlas Obscura User
The tunnel.   gozacgo / Atlas Obscura User
Close up of the mural.   gozacgo / Atlas Obscura User
  Michael Busch / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Lisbon Mural view from further back   deniseishere / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

You might be tempted to walk on past the staircase that twists its way down the side of this beautiful overlook on the Lisbon coast, and you wouldn’t be alone; most people come here to take in the glorious view of red roofs and cathedrals stretching into the distance towards the Tagus River below and the mountains beyond.

But if you take a second to follow the signs for the public toilet, you'll descend only a short way down the stairs before seeing a tiny tunnel whose curved archway is covered on both sides in a cartoon comic strip depiction of the history of Lisbon by muralist Nuno Saraiva.

If you're lucky, you’ll even encounter a tour guide with a small group of visitors and can eavesdrop on what they're being told about this piece. But if you can’t catch a tour, know that the mural starts with the Phoenicians founding the city they called Ulissipo, continues through the Portuguese Inquisition, depicts the devastating Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755, and ends nicely with the Carnation Revolution in 1974.

Much has changed in Lisbon since the revolution, a coup on April 25, 1974, that overthrew a dictator to restore democracy in Portugal, and this may be why the artist has chosen to end the illustration with that event. That, and there isn’t much more room left in the tunnel.

Related Tags

Local History Murals Art History Tunnels Panoramas Subterranean Sites

Know Before You Go

The mural is free, but the toilet is not. And sadly you can't view the mural while using the toilets.  Unfortunately, one side has been covered and is difficult to read.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Portugal: A Culinary Adventure from Porto to Lisbon

Explore Portugal through food, from the cities to the seaside.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

gozacgo

Edited By

paisano0506, Collector of Experiences, Michael Busch, deniseishere...

  • paisano0506
  • Collector of Experiences
  • Michael Busch
  • deniseishere
  • eliasirving
  • terraontour
  • suzieeden
  • mbqccd46mp

Published

March 22, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
History of Lisbon Mural
25 Beco de Santa Helena
Lisbon
Portugal
38.712039, -9.130066
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Museu do Fado

Lisbon, Portugal

miles away

Seashell Gallery

Lisbon, Portugal

miles away

Casa dos Bicos

Lisbon, Portugal

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Lisbon

Lisbon

Portugal

Places 37
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Museu do Fado

Lisbon, Portugal

miles away

Seashell Gallery

Lisbon, Portugal

miles away

Casa dos Bicos

Lisbon, Portugal

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Lisbon

Lisbon

Portugal

Places 37
Stories 1

Related Places

  • William the Conqueror (and the architect to his left).

    Nottingham, England

    The Exchange Murals

    These 90-year-old murals of local kings, Vikings, and outlaws hide in plain sight in a beautifully baroque shopping arcade.

  • Silly Walks Tunnel.

    Eindhoven, Netherlands

    Silly Walks Tunnel

    Crouch down, stretch tall, and be sure to flail your legs to pay homage to the Monty Python classic.

  •  Oklahoma City Underground.

    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

    Oklahoma City Underground

    Travel through the hidden underbelly of the city in colorful tunnels filled with art and history exhibits.

  • The Rainbow Tunnel.

    Toronto, Ontario

    The Rainbow Tunnel

    This colorful creation wasn't always a welcome part of Toronto's Moccasin Trail Park.

  • Where did the giant cat go?

    Kamakura, Japan

    Nekonoike Tunnel

    This unassuming tunnel’s name recalls a storied "cat pond" that has now been lost.

  • Locomotive 11 was the first car to roll into town once the Florida Southern Rail system was extended to Punta Gorda.

    Punta Gorda, Florida

    End of the Line Mural

    This outdoor mural is one stop on a walking trail that weaves art and history together to tell a tale of local history.

  • The Congress’s wall and ceiling murals.

    Chetumal, Mexico

    Murales del Congreso (Congress Murals)

    A bright, colorful telling of the history of Mexico's youngest state.

  • Newhaven Fort

    Newhaven, England

    Newhaven Fort

    A Victorian Fort built into the chalky cliffs that overlook the English Channel.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.