Portas de Benfica
On the Lisbon–Amadora boundary, the eight Revivalist turrets where the fiscal guard once collected the "barrier tax".
Portas de Benfica – Lisbon's former tax-barrier gates
On the boundary between the municipalities of Lisbon and Amadora, where the Estrada de Benfica gives way to Venda Nova, the Portas de Benfica stand on the old Lisbon Fiscal Ring Road and, through their position and appearance, have become something of an emblem of the entrance to the capital. They are Revivalist buildings dating from the early twentieth century, forming a group of eight turrets linked four by four by walls with doors and windows; between the two groups of turrets lies the "gate" through which traffic still passes between the two cities. This was one of Lisbon's 26 official entrances and was manned by the fiscal guard: it was part of the system for controlling goods entering the city and collecting the Real de Água tax and the consumption duties on foodstuffs sold in the capital, run by the Municipal Customs House created in 1852, and the so-called "barrier tax" was levied on vehicles, goods and people. The fiscal boundary was abolished by Law no. 1368 of 21 September 1922. The complex was restored in 1996 and is enjoyed from the outside, in a public space; the buildings are not open inside.
Located at: Câmara Municipal da Amadora
Address: Estrada de Benfica, 732, 1500-112 Lisboa (limite com a Amadora)
Opening hours: exterior in a public space, free access; interiors not open to visitors
Coordinates: 38.7531002, -9.2088882
Buses: 711, 746, 758, 765, 767, 749, 72B, 71B
Metro: Alfornelos (Blue)
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