PALÁCIO DA BOLSA (THE STOCK EXCHANGE PALACE)

Visits are only available as part of a guided tour. Tickets can be purchased in the shop at the entrance. The first chamber you'll come to is the central courtyard room Patio das Nações (The Hall of Nations) with an impressive iron-framed glass-domed ceiling. The ceiling and other elements of the Palácio da Bolsa, was designed by Tomás Soller. The light pouring through the roof illuminates the many frescoes, sculptures, and 20 coat-of-arms representing the countries Portugal have friendly and commercial relations with. In keeping with the Romanticism zeal of the 19th century, the mosaic floor drew inspiration from the Greco-Roman floors found at Pompeii. The walls of the Patio das Nações were fully restored between 2007 and 2008, with the addition of climate control systems.

The Escadaria Nobre (grand staircase) lives up to its name. Split over two flights, the stairs lead up to the first floor rooms. Designed by Gustavo Adolpho Gonçalves e Sousa the staircase is carved from marble and festooned with garlands, Corinthian capitals and fluted pilasters. Hanging from either side of an oval skylit domed ceiling above are two large bronze chandeliers, the first lights in Porto to be powered by electricity.

The Sala do Tribunal (Tribunal Room) is where merchants' and customers' disputes are heard and resolved. In contrast to other rooms, it is decorated in the French Renaissance style. Huge oil paintings covering the walls depict some of Porto's traders and guildsmen. Two sides of the room contain ornately carved seating for the jurors, contrasting with the more basic seating for the public. The ceiling is richly decorated with painted panels.

An antique telegraph machine, encased in glass, can be found in the Sala do Telégrafo, a small room dedicated for its use. Messages were relayed from the docks on the Douro to the Porto Commercial Association regarding import and export.

The genius engineer Gustave Eiffel designed his most distinguished works in the room that bears his name. He created the Dona Maria Pia Bridge in Porto, the dual bridge in Viana do Castelo, the railway bridge in Barçelos and the road bridge in Pinhão. The Gustave Eiffel Cabinet is a tribute to the great man who did much to shape modern Portugal. Other rooms on the first floor continue to be used for gatherings for the Commercial Association of Porto, such as the President's Room, whereas others are hired out for special functions and ceremonies.

The most impressive of all the rooms and the grand finale of the tour, is the stupendously decorated Salão Arabe. Every centimetre is richly decorated. At the time of construction (between 1862 and 1880), Moorish styling was enjoying a revival as part of the Romanticism movement (Monserrate Palace in Sintra being a prime example). The room was created by Gustavo Adolfo Gonçalves de Sousa (1818-1899), who also designed the Grand Staircase. He was possibly inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Granada.

The visitor enters through double doors intricately decorated with stained glass. Once through the entrance, the wow factor is instant. You might be forgiven for not noticing the magnificent wood floor you're standing on. It is composed of mahogany, rosewood and maple inlaid with arabesque geometric patterns. The room was used as a reception room and was intended to impress. It is still used for the most important official ceremonies of the city of Porto.

Getting to the Palácio da Bolsa

Contact Details
Rua de Ferreira Borges, 4050-253 Porto, Portugal. | 41° 08' 36.8"N | 08° 36'52.1"W
+351 223 399 000 | | correio@cciporto.pt |  Website