The Lisbon Metro (Template:Lang-pt) is the metro (subway) system that provides Lisbon, Portugal with mass transit services. It was the first subway in Portugal.

As of 2007, the four Lisbon subway lines total about 39 kilometres (24 mi) in length and comprise 46 stations.

Since 1888 the thought of building a system of underground railways was present in the city of Lisbon. The idea was proposed by Henrique de Lima e Cunha, a military engineer who had published a proposal in the journal Public Works and Mines a network with several lines that could serve the Portuguese capital. Concrete plans took longer to form: Lanoel Aussenac d'Abel and Abel Coelho presented theirs in 1923, and José Manteca Roger / Juan Luque Argenti theirs one year later, in 1924. None of these plans were carried out.

After World War II, in which Portugal remained neutral, the take-off of the national economy and financial possibilities provided by the Marshall Plan gave a strong boost to the the construction of the metro. A society was formed January 26, 1948, which aimed to study the technical and economic feasibility of an underground public transportation system in Lisbon.

Construction began on August 7, 1955, and four years later, on December 29, 1959, the Lisbon Metro was inaugurated. The network was formed by a line linking the Y Restauradores the Rotunda (now Marquês de Pombal), then, the line separates into two branches, one for Entre Campos and another to Sete Rios (now Jardim Zoológico).

The new system was well accepted by the public, and the first year the Metro carried more than 15.3 million passengers. The metro has proved an important factor in urban development of the city, outlining new areas of housing and services. In 1963 it opened the section from Restauradores to Rossio. This first phase of construction was completed with the section Rossio - Anjos in 1966, and finally, in 1972, the section between the Anjos and Alvalade.

After this first extension, no furthere subway stations opened until 1988. In 1974, the revolution of April 25 has modified the management of Metropolitano de Lisboa. In 1975 the company was nationalized and in 1978 it was renamed Metropolitano de Lisboa, EP. The new management began a project enlarging the platforms, enabling them to receive four carriages rather than the two they had originally been designed for.

The 1980s were marked by several extension programmes. First at the Alvalade Calvani, in 1980, then to Sete Rios (now Jardím Zoologico) at the Military College / Light in 1982, Calvana to Campo Grande in 1983, and in 1984 the extension of Entre Campos to the Campo Grande station (then called Northern Cross). A plan to build a station at Calvani, near the Júlio de Matos hospital, had been abandoned by that time.

Thus, by the end of the decade (or more precisely on 14 October 1988) the inauguration of the extension that would link Sete Rios (now Zoo) at the Military College / Light took place, with three lines: Orange, with artistic interventions de Sa Nogueira, of Upper Mills, signed by Júlio Pomar, and Colegio Militar / Luz, which acted Manuel Cargaleiro. Also that day opened for the season of University City, with artistic interventions written by Maria Helena Vieira da Silva, and inserted in the extension that would link Entre Campos to Campo Grande. These new 4 seasons were the first to be built from scratch with a quay of 105 meters in length, which enabled the reception of the train carriages 6, according to a philosophy that also led interventions plastic to the loading bay of the station.

Em the Network Expansion Plan (PER), providing the extensions Rossio - Cais do Sodre and Restorers - Baixa-Chiado, the disconnection of the Y extension of the Rotunda and the Mouse, and yet extending to the suburbs and building on that site III of the PMO.

In 1991, was presented the first prototype of ML90 series, consisting of two triple units (motor-trailer-motor) of six carriages, with the first one was numbered M-201, R-202 and M-203.

The April 3, 1993 behold, Campo Grande station opens to the public, along with sections Alvalade - Campo Grande and City University - Campo Grande, with this extension of the metro network grew 3.1 miles. That same month, would come into operation the two units triple ML90, with digital indicator target and generally more comfortable, it is noted that these four motor coaches were the only ones to have a front door to the driver's cab, which was removed already in the second series of ML90. These new trains were built by Sorefame / Bombardier, may move with or without the trailer.

That was the year 1993 was presented the Network Expansion Plan II, intended to serve the future World Expo 1998, until 1999, the subway would move the following lines:

• Line A (blue): Pontinha - Terreiro the Palace;
• Line B (yellow): Lumiar - Rat;
• Line C (green): Telheiras - Cais do Sodre;
• Line D (red): Alameda - Moscavide and Campolide - Star-connected station Rat.

The PMO II would be submitted in late 1994, after eleven years in the earthmoving and construction, at the end of this year, was eventually commissioned the second batch of 17 units consisting of ML90 triple (or 51 carriages). On July 15, 1995, the dream of the disconnection of the Rotunda became a reality, the subway in operation now had two lines: Line A (blue), between the Military College Light and Campo Grande, through the Rossio, and Line B (yellow), between Campo Grande and the Rotunda. The old station Rotunda (Rotunda now I) was extended from 75 to 105 meters and totally refurbished, the new station (Rotunda II) already had a dock with 105 yards.

No end of 1996, was completed and delivery of ML90, the second batch numbered M-207 M-257; colors and materials used in this second batch differed somewhat from that made up the first. The park of rolling stock was now composed of 191 coaches, 80 of them ML70, ML90 54 ML79 and 57. On 18 October 1997, the section would be opened Colegio Militar / Luz - Pontinha, allowing the network to expand by 1.6 kilometers, in December the same year it opened the season Mouse, 600 meters from the Rotunda II. However, continued in 1997, orders for a lot of new rolling stock, now known as ML95, these new coaches have a look similar to ML90 abroad, albeit with some technical differences like a different engine and electrical control for opening and closing Gates, who replaced the tire on its predecessors. The new logo of the Lisbon Metro was first inserted into the carriages of the new series, this year, was handed over half - 19 units triplets or 57 carriages - from the future lot of rolling stock.

1998 was a year when many of the projects were completed Metropolitano de Lisboa, as early as March the names of four seasons have changed:

• Seven Rivers → Zoo
• Straw → Praça de Espanha
• I and II → Rotunda Marquês de Pombal I and II
• Relief → Martim Moniz

Em opened the section Rossio - Cais do Sodre, with two seasons: Baixa-Chiado and Cais do Sodre, the latter connecting to the interface of the CP rail and river, growing net 1.4 kilometers.

The Red Line (Line D at the time) would be inaugurated on May 19, 1998, three days before the opening of Expo 98, the section had a length of 5 kilometers and included seven new stations: Alameda II Olaias, Bela Vista, chelas, Plantation, Cao Auburn and East. It was this line that circulated first six carriages of trains in June of that year, in order to provide an offer that behaved demand of the metro to Expo '98, has completed delivery of ML95 at this time. The new series was numbered M-301 M-414, being composed, similar to the previous configuration by motor-trailer-motor, in late 1998, the park of rolling stock of Metropolitano de Lisboa was composed of 305 cars - 80 ML70, ML79 54, 57 and 114 ML90 ML95. In late 1998 the network comprised 40 stations, having been open to the public in July Cabo Ruivo, Baixa-Chiado Plantation in August and November.

In 1999 it opened the PMO III, Pontinha; this event was presented the prototype of the future lot of rolling stock, now known as ML97, which would consist of 18 units triplets (54 cars) articulated. This new series made possible the free movement between each unit, which is the big difference with the previous, in addition, the prototype had a more modern image, and also entered the digital automatic passenger information. According to data of Metropolitano de Lisboa, these triple trailer units can be removed, although this has never been witnessed in issue during the year 1999 was handed the new batch of rolling stock, numbered M-501 M-554. The park was the Metropolitano de Lisboa, at the turn of the millennium, with 361 cars spread across 80 ML70, ML79 54, 57 and 114 ML90 ML95 ML97 and 54, the largest number that hit today.

2002 Green Line has been expanded on the north side until Telheiras. Two years later, in 2004, the network spent the geographical limits of the city, first in March, was added to the yellow line a stretch of five new stations that stemmed from Campo Grande and went on to Maynooth. In May of that year the Blue Line was extended from Pontinha to station Amadora Este.

On December 19, 2007, after 11 years of construction, the extension was opened between Baixa-Chiado and Santa Apolonia, with some controversy and many successive delays due to the difficulty of construction. In 2000, when three years would be expected in its completion, there were cracks in the tunnel that led to land subsidence. The consequent flooding of the tunnel and slowed down the completion of work and forced to temporarily cut road traffic in the Commerce Square and part of the Avenida Infante D. Henry. A new tunnel was made at the place within the first. The works of Seasons Palace Square is Santa Apolonia were completed in the summer of 2007.

On August 29, 2009 is inaugurated the section of the Red Line between Alameda and, being first crosses all lines.

• Opened in December 1959 Original Network in 'Y' Shape; Stations: Sete Rios (Seven Rivers), Palhavã, São Sebastião, Parque (Edward VII Park), Rotunda (Roundabout of Marquês de Pombal), Avenida (da Liberdade, Liberty Avenue), Restauradores (Restorers), Picoas, Saldanha (Saldanha Square), Campo Pequeno (Campo Pequeno Bullfight plaza) and Entre Campos;
• January 1963 New station: Rossio
• September 1966 New stations: Socorro, Intendente and Anjos
• June 1972 New stations: Arroios, Alameda (D. Afonso Henriques Boulevard), Areeiro (Areeiro Plaza), Roma (Rome Avenue) and Alvalade (Alvalade Square)
• October 1988 New stations: Laranjeiras (orange trees), Alto dos Moinhos (of Upper Mills), Colégio Militar (the Military College) and Cidade Universitária (University City)
• April 1993 New stations: Campo Grande
• July 1995 Disconnection of the Rotunda thus beginning a network by splitting the single 'Y' line in two separate lines (Blue and Yellow), public display of a new modernization plan that involves the creation of several independent interconnected lines and a new corporate identity.
• October 1997 New stations in the Blue Line: Carnide and Pontinha
• December 1997 New station in the Yellow Line: Rato
• March 1998 Disconnecting the section Restauradores - Rossio; Creation of the Green Line (Socorro, Intentente, Anjos, Arroios, Alameda, Areeiro, Roma, Alvalade and Campo Grande - common to the Yellow Line), renaming of several stations : Rotunda to Marquês de Pombal, Sete Rios to Jardim Zoológico (Zoo), Palhavã to Praça de Espanha (Plaza of Spain) and Socorro to Martim Moniz;
• April 1998 New stations in the Green Line: Baixa / Chiado (Pombaline Downtown an Chiado neighbourwood) and Cais do Sodré
• May 1998 Opening of the Red Line, with 5 new stations: Alameda II, Olaias, Bela Vista, Chelas and Oriente
• July 1998 New station in the Red line: Cabo Ruivo
• August 1998 New station in the Blue Line: Baixa / Chiado II
• November 1998 New station in the Red Line: Olivais
• November 2002 New station in the Green Line: Telheiras
• March 2004 New stations in the Yellow line, extending it to the outskirts of Lisbon: Quinta das Conchas (Farm of the Shells), Lumiar, Ameixoeira (Kaffir), Senhor Roubado and Odivelas
• May 2004 New stations in the Blue Line : Alfornelos and Amadora Este (East Amadora)
• December 2007: New stations in the Blue Line terreiro do Paço (Palace Square) and Santa Apolonia
• August 2009 New stations in the Red Line: Saldanha II and São. Sebastião II, first time that all 4 lines are truly interconnected, strengthening the network,

There are 4 lines and 46 stations. The lines were formerly known by picturesque names; logos based on the former names are still used.

Colour	Name	Terminals	Stations	Length	History
Linha Azul Blue Line	Linha da Gaivota Seagull Line	Santa Apolónia Amadora Este	17	14 km (8.7 mi)	1959: Sete Rios (now Jardim Zoológico) - Restauradores 1988: Sete Rios - Colégio Militar (now Colégio Militar-Luz) 1997: Colégio Militar-Luz - Pontinha 1998: Baixa-Chiado (Blue and Green Lines split) 2004: Pontinha - Amadora Este 2007: Baixa-Chiado - Santa Apolónia
Linha Amarela Yellow Line	Linha do Girassol Sunflower Line	Rato Odivelas	13	11 km (6.8 mi)	1959: Entre Campos - Restauradores 1988: Entre Campos - Cidade Universitária 1993: Cidade Universitária - Campo Grande 1997: Rotunda (now Marquês de Pombal) - Rato 2004: Campo Grande - Odivelas
Linha Verde Green Line	File:MetroLisboa-linha-verde.png Linha da Caravela Caravel Line	Cais do Sodré Telheiras	13	9 km (5.6 mi)	1972: Restauradores - Alvalade 1993: Alvalade - Campo Grande 1998: Baixa-Chiado - Cais do Sodré (Blue and Green lines split) 2002: Campo Grande - Telheiras
Linha Vermelha Red Line	Linha do Oriente Orient Line	São Sebastião Oriente	9	8.2 km (5.1 mi)	1998: Alameda - Oriente 2009: Alameda (II) - São Sebastião (II)

The architecture and decor of an underground station is a key element for the well being of passengers, and works much like a call to travel by metro. The Metropolitano de Lisboa is one of metro systems in the world where art is best represented. The concern to reduce the stations to transition between the surface and underground started from the beginning. The architect Francisco Keil do Amaral designed the model of a station type, which served as a template for all stations built until 1972. The decor was very moderate, the lines were smooth but firm, much like the current regime at the time in Portugal. The original eleven stations, with the exception of the Avenue had coatings produced by the painter Mary Keil.

In 1988, when he resumed the expansion of the metro, with the inauguration of new routes between the stations of Seven Rivers and Colegio Militar / Luz, and from the Entre Campos and University City, continued in mind the need to organize and decorate the stations, this extent, have adopted these new stations interventions of four contemporary Portuguese artists: Rolando Sá Nogueira in the Orange Julius Orchard High in the mills, Manuel Cargaleiro the Military College / Light and Vieira da Silva at the station of the University City, have contributed enrichment in metro stations.

Thereafter, the art has become a constant in the stations. The light plays with the brightness of the tiles, present in almost all stations. In recent years the oldest stations have been refurbished, not only to enhance the decor and aesthetics, but also to improve accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility.

• Porto Metro
• List of Lisbon metro stations
• List of rapid transit systems

• The official Lisbon Metro site
• Lisbon Metro at GoogleMaps
• OTLIS - The Consortium of Transport Operators in Lisbon Region
• Flickr's Metro Lisboa Group
• Lisbon subway news archive