Panorâmico de Monsanto: Street Art in Lisbon, Portugal

Panorâmico de Monsanto: Lisbon’s Forgotten Landmark

Perched atop the hills of Lisbon, Portugal, lies a relic of a bygone era, Panorâmico de Monsanto. Offering a panoramic view that stretches from the Tagus River to the heart of Lisbon’s historic quarters. Once a beacon of glamour, Panorâmico de Monsanto was a fine dining restaurant with 360 views of Lisbon, live music and diners dressed to the nines. You can almost close your eyes and hear the grand piano that must’ve echoed through its oversized stairwells, a Lisbon relic from another era. Those glory days have since departed its walls, and this large structure has been abandoned since 2004. In that time a new era of culture inhabits the stone walls of Panorâmico de Monsanto. What was once a fine dining room in the hills above Lisbon is now a colossal concrete shell covered in street art.

A time capsule in concrete built in the 1960s, this colossal concrete structure was conceived as a restaurant and viewing platform. Its Brutalist architecture, characterized by raw, exposed surfaces, reflects an era of architectural daring. Despite its abandonment, the Panorâmico stands as a silent witness to the city’s history and evolution.

Today, the Panorâmico de Monsanto has become a gathering place for urban explorers and artists. Its cavernous interiors, covered with graffiti and murals, and memories of decades past.

Red painted columns tagged with graffiti on an open floor, with the words close your eyes and see what is inside on the far wall A visitor standing against a large ceramic tile mural in blue, orange and rust coloured panels A visitor silhouetted in a grated doorway of the abandoned viewpoint, backlit by low sun The empty curved floor of the old restaurant, its concrete walls covered in layers of graffiti Interior walls of the ruin covered in spray paint, pasted posters and stencilled portraits A visitor on the spiral staircase in front of a large mural portrait of Frida Kahlo A visitor standing in a graffiti framed doorway on the patterned stone floor of the ruin A visitor standing in front of a large pink and teal butterfly painted across the concrete wall Low sun flaring across the open concrete floor, with a small white chapel tower visible through the opening A sculpted concrete screen wall with organic shaped openings, painted red and looking out over the treetops Looking through the openings of the concrete screen wall, a visitor's face framed in one gap and Lisbon beyond A weathered painted face on the concrete wall of the viewpoint, with the Lisbon skyline through the railings

One of my favorite pieces inside was artist Vhils “scratching the surface project” mural in tribute to Marielle Franco in the last photograph..

A Vista Unparalleled

Standing on the weather-worn floors, one is greeted by an unparalleled view of Lisbon’s diverse landscapes. The sweeping panorama encompasses the Vasco da Gama Bridge, the 25 de Abril Bridge, and the labyrinthine streets of Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods. At sunset, the city is bathed in a golden hue, casting an enchanting spell on all who witness it.

A Place for Artistic Expression

The Panorâmico’s abandoned state has birthed a unique canvas for artistic expression. Street artists from around the world have transformed its walls into a living gallery, where colors and poignant messages meld with the concrete backdrop. This metamorphosis brings new life to the structure.

Preserving a Forgotten Legacy

Efforts to preserve the Panorâmico de Monsanto have been undertaken by passionate individuals and organizations. Proposals to repurpose the space for cultural events and exhibitions have garnered attention, highlighting the potential for this urban relic to once again serve as a beacon for creativity and community.

A Journey Beyond the Tourist Trail

The Panorâmico de Monsanto invites intrepid travelers to venture beyond the well-trodden paths of Lisbon. It offers a glimpse into the city’s hidden corners, where time seems to stand still. As the cityscape of Lisbon evolves, the Panorâmico de Monsanto remains a reminder of the city’s history.

The exterior of the Panorâmico de Monsanto covered in bright graffiti murals beneath its cantilevered concrete stairs

The Panorâmico de Monsanto, with its unparalleled views and evocative ambiance, shows how a building can outlive its purpose and become something else. It has become a canvas for the city’s artists. In its forgotten corners, one finds a silent plea to remember, to preserve, and to cherish. Welcome to the Panorâmico de Monsanto, a jewel in Lisbon’s crown, waiting to be rediscovered.