Viewing platform at the top of the Santa Justa Lift (Elevador de Santa Justa), Lisbon, Portugal. Photo: Quintin Lake

The Santa Justa Lift (Elevador de Santa Justa or Carmo Lift) is a gloriously eccentric structure in the centre of Lisbon designed by Raul Mesnier de Ponsard, an engineer born in Porto to French parents. Raul Ponsard was an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel and returned to Lisbon with grand design ideas. He petitioned the royal house who provided all of the funding. Construction began in 1900 and was finished in 1902, originally powered by steam. The iron lift is 45 metres tall and is decorated in neogothic style, with a different pattern on each storey.

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