Santa Justa Lift

Elevador de Santa Justa is an iron vertical lift which connects Baixa district with the Bairro Alto district. The lift was created to solve the transportation challenges across steep slopes of hilly Lisbon. The architectural genius of Raoul de Mesnier du Ponsard (an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel, which explains the similarity between the iron constructions) proposed an idea of a lift instead of funiculars which were common around that time. Built in 1901, the Santa Justa Lift connects the lowest point of Lisbon to the highest point of the city. The 45 m tall iron structure of the lift dominates the cityscape of Lisbon. Though there are other ways to access the Bairro Alto, Santa Justa Lift is a preferred tourist attraction and is known to get crowded during the season time. The metro ticket or card can be used to take the elevator. Take a tour of this historical elevator and marvel the technological advances of 19th century. Climbing up the narrow spiral stairs brings you to the top of the Neo-Gothic tower which offers spectacular view of Lisbon including Rossio Square, the castle and the river.