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A Joyous Moment-A Hidden Elevator in Lisbon

Ceiling of Lisbon's Hidden Elevator in Benetton Downtown Lisbon

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We run Letters and Lipstick. A lifestyle blog dedicated for the woman who wants to smell the roses, eat the slice(s) of cake, and learn a thing or two along the way. 

A hidden elevator in Lisbon might not sound interesting, but we found that this particular one was.

While an elevator within a building isn’t something you can buy, when you visit Lisbon it is still something worth seeing and appreciating. Present-day elevators are anything but beautiful and elaborate. It’s hard to imagine that so much work was put into a simple elevator in Lisbon many years ago.

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secret lisbon

So Secret That No One Else Was There

We expected there to be a slew of people lining up to see this hidden elevator, but other than the employees in the building, we were the only people there. It must be because most people don’t know about it.

Until recently, we didn’t either.

We must have wandered through the Benetton in Lisbon’s Chiado neighbourhood a few hundred times before this night, so this elevator is something that is easy to miss unless you know about it or stumble upon it when you go clothes shopping.

Acensor Benetton Chiado Lisbon Hidden
Ascensor in Megastore Benetton in Chiado, Lisbon.

A Pleasant Surprise

On a rainy, Lisbon night, we hid inside from the drizzle, which soon turned into a storm, and browsed their latest selection of clothes. We’d never gone to the fourth floor before, but decided to see what was there and so we took the main and modern elevator up.

Lisbon Hidden Elevator in Benetton Elaboarte Elevator
Stepping into the hidden elevator.

Located on the fourth floor of the building, which is located in front of The Café Brasileira, right in the heart of Chiado, you will find a sparse open space, turn right and you will see the hidden elevator, which looks quite elaborate and is said to be the building’s original lift.

Once you spot it, it’s an understated but lovely elevator. You can get lost by marvelling at the details and wondering who rode this elevator and what was life like when it was fully operational?

Ceiling of Lisbon's Hidden Elevator in Benetton Downtown Lisbon
Ceiling of Benetton’s hidden elevator, now beautifully restored.
View of Chiado Lisbon at night from Benetton
View of Chiado, Lisbon at night and in the rain.

Back to Reality

A view of Chiado is right around the corner.

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We share a love of Portugal, Chihuahuas, coffee, binge-worthy tv, pull-on-your-heartstrings rom coms, and our amazing mom.

We're different in a lot of ways too.

Isabel loves Historical Fiction, antiques, and life in the countryside while Marilyn prefers Creative Nonfiction, art, and city life.

And of course, we both love literature and appreciate a kick-ass lipstick.






We're Isabel and Marilyn, the two sisters behind Letters and Lipstick.









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