The history of Portugal could be written speaking only of Terreiro do Paço. The land facing the Tagus River, where the royal palace stood for 200 years until the earthquake of 1755 destroyed both the residence and its library with more than 70,000 books. Now, in Terreiro do Paço stands the imposing Praça do Comércio. A well-chosen name, since the Portuguese knew how to trade and goods from China, Japan, India, Brazil, and Africa passed through this space in that era when the ships Portuguese women went further than anyone else.