Rebuilt to plans drawn up by Pombal after the 1755 earthquake, this lively shopping and commercial area is Lisbon's nerve centre. In the daytime, it is crowded with a wide cross-section of people, tourists, shoeshiners, bank employees and sailors, etc. In the evening, it is simply a thoroughfare for cars. Its geographic location makes it a good starting point for sightseeing in the city and a practical area to make your base.