Lisbon association wants to keep CTT’s iconic post boxes alive

Vizinhos em Lisboa – Associação de Moradores (Neighbors in Lisbon) wants to keep CTT’s historic post boxes active, represented in some areas of the capital by red cylinders that have always been a trademark in many of our country’s cities and towns.

Here and there in Lisbon, you can still find these CTT postboxes, real pieces of cast iron history painted bright red with the word “CORREIO” inscribed next to the small opening for leaving mail.

Introduced in many Portuguese towns since 1880, “our” post boxes are inspired by the classic models of the British Royal Mail, serving not only as simple post boxes, but also as symbols of the modernization of the postal service, which nowadays relies on a kind of kiosk where you can not only leave letters but also pick up small parcels in their lockers.

From oblivion to degradation

Many of these old post boxes were manufactured (forged) in Portuguese workshops, such as Fundição do Bolhão and Fundição de Massarelos, becoming part of the collective memory of Lisbon’s streets.

The aim of this Lisbon association is to ensure that these landmarks don’t fall into oblivion, and to make it known that many of these pieces have been removed from their places or replaced by more modern ones with no historical value whatsoever. They also point out that many of them are in an advanced state of disrepair.

For this reason, they have submitted a request to Lisbon City Council and the CTT to prevent these symbols from disappearing, putting forward a number of proposals:

• Inventory and map all the landmarks that still exist in the city;
• Restore and preserve each one, ensuring that its aesthetic and cultural value is maintained;
• Preventing removals without public consultation, as recently happened in Olaias;
• Integrate the landmarks into cultural, educational and tourist routes.

According to the residents’ association,

These objects are not just letterboxes, they are material fragments of the history of Lisbon and the country. Preserving them means respecting our collective identity.”

With more than 140 years of history, post boxes are a living heritage, part of the charm and authenticity of the streets, and losing these symbols would be like erasing a page from the city’s memory.

The mission of Vizinhos em Lisboa – Associação de Moradores is to represent and defend the interests of residents living in the areas, parishes and neighborhoods of the municipality of Lisbon, particularly with regard to planning, urbanism and the enhancement of the city’s heritage.

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