Pousada de Lisboa

Stepping into the Pousada de Lisboa, on the majestic Praça do Comércio, felt like crossing centuries of history in a single stride. I knew I was photographing a monument turned into a hotel — once a royal residence and the seat of government ministries — so I sought to give the images the solemnity the place deserves. I photographed the grand staircase, its crimson carpet rising between gilded marble columns, letting the rehabilitated Pombaline architecture tell, on its own, the grandeur of this house.

I then devoted myself to the salons with their ornate ceilings and crystal chandeliers, to the rooms and suites clad in noble wood, where the soft light of the Baixa pours through windows facing the square. I sought the balance between the weight of history and the contemporary comfort that defines this Pousada, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels, recording each space with the care of someone who knows that here every detail holds memory.

Finally, I brought my camera to the table. I photographed the fine cuisine in deep, dramatic tones, the wines and signature cocktails composed like small still lifes, celebrating the craft of the kitchen. I wanted these images to convey not only the luxury, but the emotion of a singular experience in the heart of Lisbon. That is how I photographed the Pousada de Lisboa: with the respect of someone photographing living history.