, called "
o galheteiro" ("the cruet-stand") by Lisboners, in a c. 1860 photograph.
King João VI had a monument to the Constitution built in 1821 on the spot the column stands today, which was raised two years later by the same king, after
Infante Miguel of Portugal (supported by
Queen Carlota Joaquina) successfully led a counter-revolution to reinstate the
absolute monarchy. A first monument to King Pedro IV was erected in 1852, with
Queen Maria II (King Pedro's daughter) laying the
cornerstone. The monument consisted simply of a pedestal, which the Lisboners referred to as "
o galheteiro" ("the cruet-stand") due to its ungraceful form. This primitive monument was demolished in 1864, after serving as the base for a temporary statue of
Hymenaeus during the wedding ceremonies of
King Pedro V in 1858 and
King Luís I in 1862. The current marble statue was erected on top of a 75-foot (~ 23 metres) column in 1870. The statue is of Pedro IV,
King of Portugal, who was also the first
Emperor of Brazil, as Pedro I. His bronze statue stands atop of a tall
Corinthian order column, depicting him in a general's uniform and royal cloak, his head
crowned in laurels, and holding the
Constitutional Charter of 1826 in his right hand. At the base of the column, there are the four female allegorical figures of Justice, Wisdom, Strength, and Moderation, qualities attributed to the King. There is an urban legend that the statue atop the Column of King Pedro IV had actually been originally designed for the Emperor
Maximilian I of Mexico. As the Mexican emperor was shot in 1867, shortly before the completion of the statue, it is said that the statue was then bought for the beautification of Rossio Square. Several historians, such as José Augusto, have proved this urban legend to be incorrect, pointing out the details of the statue that clearly symbolize the Portuguese king, such as the Portuguese coat of arms on the buttons, the collar of the
Order of the Tower and Sword, and the
Constitutional Charter of 1826, penned by Pedro himself. == See also ==