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The Bolhão Market is classified as a Monument of Public Interest and described as "one of the city’s most iconic collective spaces".

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Restoration and modernisation

Monument of Public Interest

The origins of the Bolhão Market, one of the most iconic buildings of the city of Porto, date back to the mid-19th Century, when the Porto City Council decided to build a market on land acquired from the Church. It was at that time that architect Joaquim da Costa Sampaio Lima ordered the allocation of spaces for the "Bolhão Indoor Market".

The first known project for the market dates back to 1837 and was created by architect Joaquim da Costa Lima Júnior, who designed a rectangular square, divided, inside, into four blocks surrounded by trees with a staircase to the North that connects to Rua de Fernandes Tomás street.

The original project foresaw the construction of a metallic cover in the inner courtyard, but this was never carried out. Function-wise, traditional business establishments were integrated in the outer part of the building. Spontaneous market trade was kept indoors.

The name "Bolhão" comes from the existence of a stream, on the land where the building was implanted, that when crossing a muddy plain between Rua Formosa and Rua de Fernandes Tomás streets formed an enormous bubble of water. In the vicinity, there was already a water spring, called “Fonte do Bolhão”

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Opening of the Market

First Building

A municipal decree, dated 18 September 1839, determined the opening - on that day - of the Bolhão Market, concentrating, in the same place, all the existing markets in the city, except for the Ribeira and Anjo markets, which remained in the same locations. Initially, it was only separated by an iron railing.

Over the years, several interventions were carried out to improve the market, such as the construction of a central staircase and the building of a more definitive structure, replacing the stalls that used to operate there.

The works continued for many years and the market square was subject to consecutive improvements.

Preliminary project

Engineer Casimiro Barbosa’s preliminary project emerges, foreseeing a building with two wings, with Rua de Sá da Bandeira Street as its central axis. Intended to line the existing market square and inspired by the work of councilman Xavier Esteves, who defended expanding and diversifying the types of products to please the traders and the public, the project ended up being abandoned for economic reasons.

Construction of the Market

Construction of the current building, designed by architect António Correia da Silva, which provided monumentality to the existing market square. Built during World War I, the project and budget for the new Bolhão Market were presented by Elísio de Melo, to whom the city owes other important urbanization projects, such as the opening of Avenida dos Aliados.

The following year, in 1915, the first shops were tendered.

Transversal Gallery

Construction of the Transversal Gallery, a passage between the upper galleries, which divided the building’s central patio and established the connection between the entrances on Alexandre Braga and Sá da Bandeira streets.

Property of Public Interest

The Bolhão Market is classified by the Council as a Property of Public Interest and is referenced in the Heritage Charter of the Porto

Presentation of the new project for the restoration and modernisation of the Bolhão Market by the Porto City Council, presided by Rui Moreira.

Modernisation of the Market

While the works are being carried out, a temporary space, the "Temporary Bolhão Market", was created. It was in the La Vie Shopping Centre, on Rua de Fernandes Tomás street.<br>

Reopen of the new Bolhão

The restoration and modernisation work on one of the city's most iconic buildings is now complete: The fresh produce market has been modernised and has become a reference point for the best products and spaces for enjoyment, the identity of the building has been recovered and, finally, the relationship between Bolhão and the city has been restored, increasing transparency, accessibility, articulation, hygiene and functionality.