The Casa do Infante (House of the Prince) is one of the oldest houses in Porto. It's the old Customs House (Alfândega) and the residence for Portugal's senior officials during regal times. It would have been central to the trade in and out of the city. It was constructed in 1325, by Afonso IV, to house the royal warehouse and the customs services. It has experienced many modifications over the centuries. Merchandise that arrived from overseas, especially from Venice and Northern Europe, were stored here. King Fernando I installed the royal mint here in C. 1370. It produced Porto's coinage between 1370 and 1721. João I married Philippa of Lancaster (daughter of John of Gaunt and granddaughter of Edward III of England) here in 1387. In 1394 the Custom House acquired a new name when Prince Henry, the Navigator, was born at the premisses. In 1894 a stone was placed at the entrance to commemorate the royal birth five centuries after the event.

The building was classified as a national monument in 1924 and has since undergone renovation. It now offers a range of services; Museum, Municipal Historical Archive, Thematic Library about Porto, Memory Room, Exhibition Room and an Auditorium. Archaeological digs have unsurfaced many treasures including; old merchandise, coins, pottery, 17th-century pipes and even a Roman mosaic floor. Dioramas that show the ancient 14th-century Custom House are displayed alongside dioramas of all medieval Porto, giving an interesting insight into times past.

Opening Times

Tuesday - Sunday: 09h30 - 13h00/14:00 - 17h30, Monday: CLOSED
€2.20 Porto Card: FREE

Getting There

Bus: 1, 57, 91, 23 and 49 | Timetable | STCP Website

Contact Details
10 Rua da Alfândega, 4050-029 Porto, Portugal.. | 41° 08' 27.00" N | 08° 36' 52.2" W
+351 222 060 435 | casadoinfante@cm-porto.pt