The green Neoclassical building in front of you was built in 1860 to honor one of Portugal’s most beloved kings, Pedro the 5th, who reigned from 1853 until his death in 1861. Known as ‘the Hopeful’, Pedro the 5th was a very popular king who tried to modernize the state and its infrastructure for the betterment of his countrymen. He was thought to be a very hard-working monarch who cared a great deal for the people. For example, during a cholera outbreak in the 1850s, he would spend a great deal of time visiting the sick in hospital. He also oversaw reform programs that improved upon infrastructure like transportation, telegraphs, and public healthcare facilities. Sadly, he died at the young age of 24 from typhoid, leaving behind no heirs.