Compass Rose in the access yard to the Monument to the Discoveries, Portuguese sidewalk
In 2021, Calçada Portuguesa was inscribed in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. But, whether for reasons of safety, cost or the simple fact of professional extinction, this type of flooring, as a standard solution and replicated in countless streets, has its days numbered.
On July 22nd we will celebrate in Portugal, for the first time, the National Cobbler and Portuguese Sidewalk Day. A celebration that will give substance to the resolution unanimously approved, on January 9th, by the Assembly of the Republic: the “Valorization of Calceteiros e da Calçada Portuguesa”.
In addition to the decision on this celebration, symbolic in itself, the Committee on Culture, Communication, Youth and Sports, which wrote the final text, also recommends that the Government adopt a series of measures “with the aim of protecting, dignifying and ensuring the continuity of this unique intangible cultural heritage no world”.
A commendable decision, which reflects the recognition by the Central State of the art of “know-how” of the Portuguese sidewalk.
This decision, despite being late, it does not appear isolated. It follows the path that began in 2021, when Calçada Portuguesa was inscribed in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Last March 2025, an application was also submitted to UNESCO for inclusion on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, of “Art and Know-How of Portuguese Pavement“.
A long path, therefore, paved by the Associação da Calçada Portuguesa, which counted on the support from 50 pavers and 8 municipalities: Braga, Estremoz, Faro, Funchal, Lisbon, Ponta Delgada, Porto de Mós and Setúbal.
In good time, the Portuguese Government joined the initiative, creating a working group that will aim to protect and sustain the profession and safeguard this important and esteemed national heritage.
O aging of professionals, the hardness of the work and low pay are factors that put the profession and art at risk of disappearing.
But in addition to these, other questions have been raised. Troubled days, in which – not infrequently – public mobilization moved towards eradicate this type of solution for our cities.
In Lisbon, Polished limestone has been prone to fallsbeing considered by many a public danger and an attack on security. A series of measures that provided for the withdrawal and replacement of the Portuguese sidewalk in many of the capital’s arteries.
Porto and Olhão also took similar measureswhich culminated in the removal of some of its sidewalks. So much so that in 2015, it was even declared that, for reasons of safety and maintenance costsor, we would be entering “at the beginning of the end” of the Portuguese sidewalk.
And we will agree that, with an average price that can be around €100 / m2, it is very convenient for municipalities other paving solutions to overlap.
It therefore seems clear to me that, be it for security reasons, cost or for the simple fact that almost professional extinctionthis type of pavement, as a standard solution and replicated in countless streets, the days are numbered. I have no doubt.
However, the work that has been developing it will allow keep this craft alive and guarantee the conservation of the main and emblematic works on Portuguese pavement.
According to records, the first sidewalk in black and white was carried out in Lisbon, in 1842. The work was carried out by inmateshaving been so well received that it was quickly replicated in other parts of the city and in other Portuguese cities.
One of the most emblematic squares, the Rossio Squarebegan to be paved in August 1848, having been completed only at the end of 1849. There are more than 8,700 m² of Portuguese sidewalk.
Also the Empire Squarewith a total area of 3,300 m² and famous for its sidewalk, , for the consensus generated around the decision to replace the famous floral coats of arms of the district capitals, islands and former Portuguese colonies, with coats of arms made in Portuguese pavement.
An ideological question – for many – that was overcome with a technical solution, with a strong identity bias of national expression.
In fact, the art of doing well generates news. An artistic production technique, almost 200 years old, which since its first creation, has led critics and chroniclers to write about the subject. It was like that, in the daily newspapers of 1842, and it is like that today, here at ZAP!
