Lisbon Expo 1998 is considered a virtuous example of how an expo site should be after the expo. Indeed the site really has been reused and reworked making the most of a big chance for the city to reinvigorate a post-industrial area next to the river Tagus.

The Expo took place from 22nd May to 30th September 1998. 141 countries and 14 organizations participated and 11 millions people visited the expo. The theme was “The Oceans, a heritage for the future”, since that year was the 500th anniversary of Vasco de Gama’s arrival in India in 1498.

The expo site is a 50 ha area located 5 km along the eastern side of the river. All the expo buildings were pre-sold to avoid the Sevilla effect.

To access the area new infrastructures were built: the new Vasco de Gama bridge (then the longest in Europe with its 12,5 km) , a new metro line, and a multi-modal train, bus and metro station: Gare do Oriente a spectacular neo-gothic structure designed by Santiago Calatrava.

Between the most popular pavilions there were the Utopia pavilion designed by famous USA architectural firm S.O.M. a big ring shaped volume 15,000-seater with a resident theatrical show. The Virtual Reality Pavilion was the biggest hit of Expo and it was one of the most visited despite an additional admission fee to pay for. We should also remember the Oceans pavilion, now the Lisbon Oceanarium, the 120 meters high Vasco de Gama tower and the funicular.

Portugal pavilion was designed by Pritzker Prize Alvaro Siza Vieira. Two volumes, with 14 meter high porticos, linked through the most iconic element of this pavilion: the roof covering the ceremonial plaza, which appears to gently hang like a fabric canopy, and it’s a 20cm thick concrete slab.

After the Expo ended the site reopened on February 1999 as Park of the Nations, and they kept the gardens, the Oceanarium (the biggest in Europe), the funicular, the tower and the virtual reality pavilion in place.

Other buildings were repurposed, such as the main entrance which became the big shopping mall Vasco de Gama.

The main pavilions host the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (Lisbon International Exhibition Fair). The Utopia pavilion is now a multi-use arena.

The area today is modern, safe, stylish and it attracts many visitors. It’s also a residential area for 25000 people and it’s one of the business centers of the city.