A royal insight into Porto’s trading past – the Palácio da Bolsa
The impressive neoclassical façade of the Palácio da Bolsa is not just tempting me to visit this building. There is a long queue at the ticket office hoping to get a ticket for the guided tour. Unfortunately, the next English tour is only 3 hours later and so we decide to just go along at the next opportunity. The building is just as beautiful in Spanish!
Located in the heart of the historic centre, this magnificent 19th century building was once the beating heart of the city’s commercial activities. The Palácio da Bolsa, or Stock Exchange Palace, was commissioned by the Commercial Association of Porto to cater for the city’s growing economy during the Industrial Revolution.
The history of the Palácio da Bolsa began in the chaotic days following the Liberal victory in the Portuguese Civil War in 1834. The site on which the palace now stands was originally home to the São Francisco convent, but this was burnt down in the post-war riots. The Porto Merchants’ Association, which was a rising power in the city at the time, acquired the land and decided to construct a new building to serve as the association’s headquarters and as a trade exchange.
Construction of the Palácio da Bolsa began in 1842 and was carried out in various stages over several decades, which explains the mixture of architectural styles that can be seen in the building. The façade of the palace is in a strict neoclassical style, while the interior features elements of the Romantic and even Moorish styles.
While the Palácio da Bolsa never served as a stock exchange in the true sense of the word, it did function as the headquarters of the merchants’ association and as a venue for various commercial events. However, with the founding of the Portuguese Stock Exchange in Lisbon in 1891, the building lost its original function and instead became a symbol of the economic power and prestige of the city of Porto.
Guided tour of the Palácio da Bolsa
A guided tour of the palace is a must when you are in Porto. However, you should make sure you get a ticket in good time, as the crowds are huge.
A tour of the magnificent halls and corridors provides a unique insight into the history of Portugal.
We reach the first floor of the building via a staircase. An impressive staircase that you should definitely take a closer look at. Decorative granite details such as garlands, Corinthian capitals and wavy pilasters adorn the staircase. Two large chandeliers illuminate the steps. The Palácio da Bolsa was one of the first buildings in Porto to have electricity.
From the first floor, you have a very good view of the Hall of Nations. When we were in the Palácio da Bolsa, an event was taking place there. However, the view into the dome was unrestricted. The dome is made of iron and glass. All around it are 20 coats of arms of the countries with which Portugal had trade and friendship relations at the time.
From there, the tour continued through some very impressive rooms in the building.
Library
The library, also known as the “Biblioteca”, in the Palácio da Bolsa is a highlight of the visit, although you can only see it from the outside. It is a place of peace and study.
The library houses an impressive collection of over 10,000 volumes, mainly covering economic and trade-related topics. These books provide important insights into the commercial history of Porto and Portugal from the 19th century to the present day.
The books are displayed on high shelves made of dark wood that extend over two floors. There are several antique desks in the centre of the library. Valuable art clocks and two huge globes from the 19th century, one of which depicts the earth and the other the celestial sphere surrounding us, stand in the room.
Justice was done here – Tribunal do Comércio
The courtroom, or “Tribunal do Comércio” in Portuguese, is another room in the Palácio da Bolsa that is well worth a visit. It was originally used for commercial disputes and legal matters of the merchant community of Porto.
Although the courtroom is not as opulent in design, it is characterised by its own elegance. The room is large and rectangular, with high ceilings and large windows that let in natural light and create a bright atmosphere.
A central focus of the room is the magnificent wooden podium from which the judge delivered his judgements. The podium is richly decorated with intricate carvings and the coat of arms of Porto, which is a visible reminder of the connection between the city and this important room.
The courtroom is dominated by an impressive painting depicting the economic activities of Porto. It shows harbour activities, the wine trade and other economic scenes that provide an important insight into the commercial life of the city in the 19th century.
The General Assembly Hall is located in the immediate vicinity of the courtroom. This is where the Porto Trade Association met twice a year. I found it very interesting that the walls are not actually made of wood, but of plaster. That is not at all noticeable.
Highlight in the Palácio da Bolsa – Arab Hall
But the undisputed highlight of the tour is the famous Arab Room, which serves as the backdrop for many high-profile events and meetings. With its intricate gilded wood carving reminiscent of the Alhambra and ornately painted ceiling, I was immediately captivated by its beauty.
The ceiling of the hall is particularly impressive. It is designed in the style of a starry sky, with intricate geometric patterns reminiscent of a complex kaleidoscope. A magnificent chandelier hangs in the middle of the ceiling, filling the hall with its warm light and further emphasising the golden splendour.
Thousands of small golden elements cover the walls and ceiling, lending the room an extraordinary warmth and brilliance. The fine details of the wood carvings and ornaments are in geometric and vegetal patterns, a homage to the Islamic art tradition, which avoids depicting people or animals.
Is the tour of the Palácio da Bolsa worthwhile?
The tour only lasts about 30 minutes and I felt a bit rushed as I walked through the building. Even though I would have preferred to spend much more time in the rooms, my visit to the Palácio da Bolsa was an unforgettable experience. I can’t judge whether the explanations during the tour were good due to the language problem. I would definitely choose a tour in English next time.
I was definitely impressed by the tour!
Address:
Rua Ferreira Borges, 4050-253 Porto
Opening hours:
9-18.30 h
Visits only possible with a tour! The tour lasts 30 minutes. Languages: Portuguese, Spanish, French, English
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