Freemasonry in Portugal

This October 14th, we embarked on an unusual historical walking tour through Lisbon, exploring a world of mystery, symbolism, and secrecy!

Throughout the afternoon, we traced the influence of Freemasonry on Portuguese history, examining its connections to major events such as the reconstruction of Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake. Along the way, we explored intriguing questions:

• Was the Marquês de Pombal a Freemason?
• Is Praça do Comércio merely one of Europe’s largest squares, or does its design reveal Masonic inspiration?
• Did Fernando Pessoa write The Secret Associations: A Serene and Thorough Analysis of a Bill Presented to Parliament while sitting at the Martinho da Arcada café?
• Is Portuguese Freemasonry monarchical or republican in nature?
• And just how many Masonic symbols are hidden throughout the streets of Baixa Chiado?

Of course, not every mystery was fully resolved. After all, secrecy and Freemasonry have always gone hand in hand.

Yet by the end of the tour, we had shed light on many fascinating stories and historical connections that continue to shape the city today!