The Commerce square - wide quadrangle, surrounded by arcades, with stairs leading down to the river. The area is often called the Palace, because here stood the Royal Palace, built by Manuel I and destroyed by a terrible earthquake in 1755. On the site of the Palace built buildings with graceful arcades

In the center of the square on a high base stands the equestrian statue of king-reformer josé I, the Minister of which was the Marquis de Pombal.

On the South side of the square is dominated by two square towers. The road past them leads to the river Tagus. Opposite is the magnificent arc de Triomphe.