Lisbon is a city layered with mystery, and few landmarks capture that spirit better than the pair of stone columns rising from the old pier at Praça do Comércio. They might look ordinary at first glance, but these quiet sentinels by the water hold a story that connects the city’s rebirth after disaster, ancient symbolism, and a powerful secret society. Let’s uncover the secret history of Lisbon’s Masonic Columns.

Rebuilding a City, Embedding a Secret

No one knows exactly when the columns were installed, but their origins trace back to the grand reconstruction that followed the catastrophic earthquake of 1755. The man leading that effort, the Marquis of Pombal, was a known Freemason — as were many of Lisbon’s most forward-thinking minds of the time. As the city rose from the ruins, Masonic ideals of order, reason, and symbolism were quietly woven into its design. These columns, placed prominently on the pier, were part of that vision.

A Connection Between Lisbon and Jerusalem

The inspiration for the columns came from the legendary pillars that once stood at the entrance of King Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem — sacred symbols in Masonic tradition representing Wisdom and Strength. To Freemasons, the link between Jerusalem and Lisbon went even deeper: both cities are said to be built upon seven hills, giving the Portuguese capital a symbolic kinship with the ancient Holy City. Standing at the pier, the columns thus became more than stone—they became a symbolic gateway, joining two cities rich in spiritual and historical meaning.

The Royal Pathway

For centuries, this pier has served as Lisbon’s ceremonial front door. In 1957, Queen Elizabeth II famously arrived here by sea, stepping ashore between the columns in a moment captured on film and broadcast around the world. Since then, they’ve been more than a Masonic emblem—they’ve represented Lisbon’s welcome to the world, a portal between the city and its visitors.

Walking Through History

Knowing these layers of meaning transforms a stroll along the waterfront into something extraordinary. The Masonic Columns are a reminder that every stone in Lisbon carries a story — of resilience, rebirth, and symbolism hidden in plain sight.

Curious to explore more of Lisbon’s secret past? Discover its royal heritage, hidden codes, and Masonic mysteries with a guided tour — and see the city as you’ve never seen it before.