 • Santa Justa Elevator |
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VISITOR NUMBERS to Lisbon’s ruined Carmo Cathedral have increased by 35 per cent, following the re-opening of a passageway linking the monument to the Santa Justa elevator, according to figures released by Carmo’s Archaeological Museum.
The Santa Justa elevator has also been enjoying increasing numbers of passengers since the walkway’s re-opening. In December 2004, the lift carried 910 people a day, but now, that figure has risen to more than 1,100 people per day. This follows years of repairs in the area, which culminated in the complete closure of the passageway after the discovery of cracks in the structure. Now, the archaeological museum and Carris, which runs the elevator, plan to issue a ticket for both attractions in a bid to boost tourism.
“We are discussing various areas of co-operation with Carris,” said museum director, José Moreira Arnaut, who stressed the importance of the two monuments – one being the only surviving gothic church in Lisbon and the other being a neo-gothic structure, designed by a pupil of Gustav Eiffel. For those who have never visited the ruins of the Carmo Cathedral, it is a fitting monument to the earthquake which destroyed Lisbon in 1755.
What: Carmo Cathedral / Santa Justa Elevator
Where: Largo do Carmo / Rua Garrett
When: Daily from 9am to 9pm
Cost: 3.20 euros for both attractions
