Among those chosen are four renowned restaurants – A Severa, O Faia, CasaNostra and Tavares Rico – and two century-old stores with strong links to Lisbon's heritage: Caza das Vellas Loreto and Leitão & Irmão.

In the field of catering, the recognition of the restaurants A Severa and O Faia highlights the importance of fado as a cultural expression. Tavares Rico, founded in 1784, reinforces the impact of traditional Portuguese cuisine. CasaNostra, a pioneer of Italian cuisine in Lisbon since 1986, presents a wide range of options available in this historic neighbourhood.

The distinctions also extend to Caza das Vellas Loreto, founded in 1789 and recognised as one of the oldest candle houses in Europe, and to Leitão & Irmão, a historic goldsmith's house that supplied the Royal Household and keeps alive a centuries-old art.

“The distinction of six more establishments in Bairro Alto represents the recognition of its history and excellence”, highlights Hilário Castro, president of the Executive Committee of the Commercial and Business Association of Bairro Alto, to emphasize that “it is an incentive to preserve a commercial fabric that gives character and appeals to the soul of Lisbon”. More than just businesses, the – now – Lojas com História “are spaces of collective memory, sociability and are typically Lisbon”, he recalls.

With over 500 years of history, Bairro Alto continues to reinvent itself as one of the most authentic neighbourhoods in Lisbon, with restaurants and terraces on every corner, fado houses, iconic shops and contemporary projects.

The “Lojas com História” project was created by CML in February 2015, driven by a sense of urgency to preserve and revitalise this heritage, knowing that it contains a relevant part of the city's identity and character and that it is, at the same time, an important social and economic mechanism for its development.

After intense documentary research and fieldwork, in February 2016, CML approved the criteria for awarding the “Lojas com História” distinction, and the competencies of the working group and advisory board. In July 2016 and February 2017, following a proposal from the Working Group and after consulting the Advisory Board, the Authority approved the awarding of the “Stores with History” distinction to a group of 63 and 19 commercial establishments, respectively.

To support the maintenance and promotion of the genuine characteristics of this important sector of commerce - “Stores with History”, the Lisbon City Council created the municipal Fund “Stores with History”. In addition to financial support, the Lisbon local authority promoted the creation of the program's visual identity, within which various promotional supports were developed, such as the creation of a website and the creation of a municipal team dedicated to shopkeepers.