
Public urinals, as fundamental pieces of street furniture at the end of the 19th century, have always been a presence in various arteries of the city, particularly in the most crowded ones. Today, although very rare, there are still three specimens that have stood the test of time.
Of these three rarities for relieving physiological needs, some are more “hidden” than others, but they all tell the story of the city itself. So it’s quite possible that you’ ve walked past them several times, or even do so on a daily basis, and haven’t always noticed their presence.
For these to have “survived” the modernity of the times, there were others that were progressively deactivated or demolished, sometimes because their maintenance was left to chance, sometimes because hygienic habits also changed, and the privatization of this type of place also increased.

History gone down the drain
The inspiration for Lisbon’s public urinals comes from France, having been installed in the city as part of the council’s efforts to improve sanitary conditions in the city at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century.
Other cities that also imported this idea of cast iron furniture were, in addition to Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and some American locations.
As well as serving more hygienic needs,the ornate pieces also “adorned” the cities with their artistic details, often consisting of a kind of sheet metal roof, often decorated with the domes that you can still admire today on the tops of some Lisbon kiosks.

Over time, however, these places fell into disuse, as new sanitary facilities – more modern, comfortable and hygienic – were chosen over public urinals.
For this reason, the three examples that still exist today are authentic historical relics, and their operation can sometimes be conditioned.
Although the construction of public urinals is not a priority, the truth is that there has always been a debate about the need for spaces of this type throughout the city, due to the increase in street urination, which affects quality of life and urban hygiene.
The discussion is mainly about the fact that most of these places are paid for, unhygienic and often out of service, making it difficult for all Lisbon residents and visitors to access them.

Lisbon’s last three urinals
We’ve finally reached the part where we tell you where you can still see and use Lisbon’s oldest and sturdiest urinals, in different areas of the Portuguese capital:
The most famous
As well as being famous, it’s also our favorite, perhaps because of its sheltered and “hidden” appearance, just outside the entrance to São Jorge Castle, on Rua do Chão da Feira.
Anyone who doesn’t know what’s there won’t even notice this urinal, which can only be identified by a small iron plaque with a figure of a boy urinating, reminiscent of the famous Manneken Pis in Brussels.

The most intact
We’ve been passing by David Leandro da Silva Square for over 30 years and the urinals of Marvila or Poço do Bispo still stand here, side by side, antiquity and modernity.
The smallest, green and made of sheet iron, has space for four male users, while the “kiosk” next door, made of sturdier construction material, already accepts “afflicted” people of both genders.

The lesser known
Before we set out to investigate Lisbon’s last urinals, we were completely unaware of this relic.
It ‘s in Praça Viscondessa dos Olivais, in a little “hidden” corner, just as these more private places should be.

These, like all the others that once existed, are merely infrastructures for public use, but they still have their own special charm and are part of the city’s history.