How would these 7 wonders of the world be if they were in Portugal?

It is undeniable, we are willing to pack our bags and travel again. However, we can’t do it yet in total safety and the truth is that the main cities and attractions are not as crowded as they were before the pandemic. If the mountain will not come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain, and that was what we did here at Imovirtual – we brought the 7 wonders of the world, not exactly the originals, but still somewhat impressive replicas to our wonderful Portugal.

Portugal has many remarkable masterpieces of architecture, such as Christ the Redeemer, also famous in Brasil and the 25th of April Bridge, which looks just like Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. But we have decided to bring 7 of the word’s most emblematic monuments  to Portugal and turn them a little bit Portuguese as well. Have you imagined visiting the Eiffel Tower in Terreiro do Paço? It may seem weird, but curious at the same time, and in times such as ours in which traveling is not advised, it would be exactly what we need!

Each and every one of these monuments was adapted to match a Portuguese city. All of them were built with materials that are characteristic of Portugal, including tiles and thee famous Portuguese pavement. Let’s get to know them:

Eiffel Tower: Lisbon

In the French capital rises a monument that will forever be in the history of the country. It’s a symbol for Parisians and all French people, and one the world’s most iconic buildings. 

In Portugal, we have the perfect place to set up this magnificent structure: in the centre of Lusitania’s most famous Square, and one of the biggest Europe, Praça do Comércio. It’s the door that links the Tagus to Lisbon’s downtown. Most Portuguese still know it by its former name: Terreiro do Paço. This place leaves no-one indifferent due to both its amplitude and  beauty, with its arches all around it.

If the Eiffel Tower actually decided to come to Portugal, it would be alone as the only monument designed by the French engineer. Eiffel is the author of more than 80 projects in the country, the most famous of each being the Bridge D. Maria Pia in Porto. However Lisbon’s Eiffel Tower wouldn’t be a typical construction of Eiffel, but rather one that any Portuguese could recognize as his. It would be all tiled, making it a representation of Portuguese culture. In Portugal tiles are used as an architectonic and decorative element, to describe a historical event of to merely cover a building’s façade. It is used from North to South, and across the country.

Anyone would desperately want an apartment in Rossio so they could be the first to arrive to the Tower, before any queuing. A 2-bedroom apartment in Bairro Alto would have an amazing view over the river with the Tower as part of the landscape. Or alternatively a one-bedroom flat in Cacilhas for a romantic couple who would cross the river everyday to get to the famous and wonderful Tower.

Statue of Liberty: Porto

“Antiga, Mui Nobre, Sempre Leal e Invicta”, (Old, the most noble, always loyal and invincible city), expression which many people used when referring to Porto. But what does the Portuguese word “invicta”? It means invincible. The city gained this epithet following the its siege during the Portuguese Civil War or Liberal Wars (1832 – 1834). For more than a year, the liberal troops were siege inside Porto. This act of resistance led the liberals to victory under the command of king Peter IV. As such, on the eyes of princess Mary, sucessor to the trone, Porto became the invincible city. 

Without a doubt, Porto deserved to have an emblematic statue erected to represent this great and immense victory, which changed the course of Portugal’s history. In Imovirtual’s opinion, no statue makes more sense than the Statue of Liberty, which would represent the victory of the liberals over the absolutists.

This Statue of Liberty would be made of wood, but not just any wood. Port Wine is an undeniable symbol not only of this city but also of the country. Therefore, the Portuguese Statue of Liberty would be made of the wood of the Port wine barrels, usually oak or chestnut, with the metal belts that stylise the beautiful figure of the lady. 

Imagine now renting a flat in Porto with an astonishing view over the city with the Statue of Liberty as part o the skyline. Or a 2-bedrooms apartment close to Miradouro de Santa Catarina, from where you could look down upon the river and see it merging with the Ocean, while the Statue adorns the scenario (amazing!)

Colosseum: Viana do Castelo

The Colosseum is the biggest and most famous symbol of the Roman Empire. It was created as a location for entertaining the people of Rome. The, romans could attend shows in which gladiators fought to death. 

Portuguese people are more peaceful and fighting was never a part of our culture. However, many remains of the Roman Empire exist across the country. In Viana do Castelo, we can find the Citadel of Saint Lucia, one of the most prominent castra for studying the romanisation of the Minho region.

Thus, we decided to bring the famous Colosseum to this city, exactly to Saint Lucia’s Hill, where the remains of the ancient Roman settlement were found.

Viana’s Colosseum would be decorated with one of the most beautiful works of art of Portugal: Filigree. This is an ancient art that had its origins during the Roman period. This Colosseum would be amazing at sunset, when the sun would be reflected in the fine gold threads an all city would be immersed in intense brightness. 

The entire avenue of Viana do Castelo would gain a new life and an apartment in the city centre with view over Saint Lucia’s Hill would have an intense and magical natural light.

Red Square: Braga

The Red Square is one of the world’s most beautiful monuments. A gigantic building, with a sui generis architecture, painted in vibrant colours. This would heritage monument is the heart and soul of Moscow and Russia.

Based on this, in Portugal, we could only think of the one city where a monument as majestical as the Red Square exists, and where a new Red Square would fit perfectly: Braga, in famous Bom Jesus.

Bom Jesus is Europe’s most symbolic holy hill and, exactly like the Red Square, is part of UNESCO’s Heritage. Obviously, after bringing the Red Square here, the amount of tourists would explode, given that Moscow was not gifted with the amazing views from olhe top of Bom Jesus.

It would be a Red Square of strong and vibrant colours, in ceramics in the colours of the famous Barcelos Cock (a city very close to Braga). The Barcelos Cock is the symbol of Portugal. You will find it in every souvenirs shop, in all shapes and sizes. It is unmistakable, and a monument so close to the Cock’s city could only have its colours.

Now, think how would it be to live in the centre of Braga from where the Hill is always visible, and, instead of Bom Jesus, which is already imposing in itself, you would see the Red Square in blue, yellow, back, red and white, amazing, right? The rent would skyrocket and a one-bedroom flat in Braga wouldn’t be easy to find. And a three-bedrooms with a terrace to spend summer nights with the Rend Square in the background would be just like a dream.

Taj Mahal: Coimbra

Behind such a majestic, emblematic and sublime monument there could only have been a love story. The Taj Mahal was commissioned by Emperor Shan Jahan to honour the memory of his third wife, the Emperor’s most beloved woman. They lived a love affair for 19 years until the death of the princess, who died giving birth to the couple’s 14th child. The death of his beloved shook Jahan so much that he had to honour her with the construction of the imposing Taj Mahal (great proof of love, no?).

It was also in Portugal that one of the most remarkable love stories in history took place: the fatal love between Pedro and Inês, known as the Lusitanian Romeo and Juliet. The two lived a forbidden love for 10 years in the old Paço de Santa Clara, in Coimbra. It was in Quinta das Lágrimas, a park in the city of students and poets, that Inês met her tragic end. King Afonso IV, Pedro’s father and the greatest opponent of this union, had Inês murdered.

Faced with two such beautiful and tragic love stories, Pedro could, like Jahan, order the construction of a Portuguese Taj Mahal. Since that was not the case, Imovirtual will do it. It would be a monument equal in opulence in sumptuousness, but instead of marble and precious stones, it would be built with the famous Portuguese clay. Clay reminds us of our childhood, all moments of joy around the table. Clay decorated with hearts, flowers and all romantic notes that characterise not only this nation, but the two love stories spoken of above. 

Have you ever imagined purchasing or renting a flat in Coimbra side by side with Taj Mahal? If you’re a romantic, start looking for your one-bedroom in the city of love.

The Giza Pyramids: Santarém

The Giza Pyramids are probably the most distinct and magnanimous of the world. It has always sparked people’s curiosity on how was it built so many thousands of years ago. 

It’s in the Giza plateau, 18 kilometers outside Cairo that we may find these week-known Pyramids. Santarém is precisely on top of a plateau and, like Egypt, is a very hot and extremely dry region, almost desertlike. So, there wouldn’t be a bette place in the country to fit the Pyramids of Giza.

Moreover, Santarém has fifteen monasteries and around forty small churches ermidas, which demonstrates an unique cultural and artistic opulence. And what if we replace all churches and monasteries with Pyramids? They are also places of worship and cult. In the old times, in Portugal, it was customary to bury kings, bishops and important men in monasteries and churches, just like in the ancient Egypt pharaohs were buried inside pyramids. 

A great monument such as this in Portugal could only be made of a great historical lusitana heritage: the Portuguese pavement. A manifestation of culture, in perfectly symmetric patterns, representing in black and white the greats doings of the Portuguese. Testimony to millions of walks, the Portuguese pavement decorates the country with its remarkable harmonious geometry. 

Living in Santarém could have a higher cost, but living in a house with a view over a pyramid would make it worthy. Purchasing a house or renting an apartment would be a great deal , maybe a one-bedroom or two-bedrooms flat in the centre, preferably with the pyramids where you could see them. Or make some profit with an airbnb, because people will start flooding to Santarém.

Sydney Opera House: Faro 

Sydney and Faro, what do they have in common? Two cities by the sea, of great commercial importance for each country and where the predominant language is English (just kidding). 

The construction of the Sydney Opera House changed the paradigms of architecture worldwide. It is one of the most extraordinary buildings in the world, on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Considered a World Heritage Site since 2007. 

In Portugal, it would fit in perfectly with the capital of the Algarve, Faro. This opera house would be located on Ilha da Culatra, better known as Lighthouse Island, which belongs to the municipality of Faro. A magical island, illuminated at night by the light of a lighthouse that guides fishermen in search of the coast. With the Opera House located on the edge of this island, it would be more easily spotted and would attract the attention of the world, who would not want to miss a visit to such a beautiful city and monument.

The Opera House in Portugal would have to have a Portuguese touch. It would be decorated with cork, the material that represents so much of the country. Not to mention that cork is an ideal element to make the acoustics of spaces perfect. Well, an opera house with excellent acoustics is essential to watch any show.

Rent or purchase a house in Faro would now become an even bigger dream, not only because of its amazing beaches, but also because you would be close to this masterpiece.  To rent a 3-bedrooms apartment for some holidays with friends would be an even better idea. 

These were our choices, now we want to know yours! Which monuments would you add to this list? And which materials would you use to build them? Maybe you think one of these would be better placed in another city? Let us know! 

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