PT-430993 Arabian Hall of the Stock Exchange Palace, Porto, Portugal

The Stock Exchange Palace, better known as Palacio da Bolsa, is a well known tourist sight of Porto. Construction started in 1842 and was completed some 30 years later. The reason why this Palace was built was, at least as far as Porto was concerned at the time, to show off the economic power of Porto and to draw European businessmen to make investments in the city. At present the venue, when seen from the inside, can easily be taken for a royal palace.

The Palacio da Bolsa given both its age and architectural virtues, was declared a national monument and listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The palace is a mix of architectural styles, with prominent neoclassical elements prevailing across other influences.

Besides the superb neoclassical façade, the interior has several grand rooms. One of them is the celebrated Arabian Hall, said to have been inspired by the even more renowned Alhambra Palace in Granada. The room is literally engulfed in decorations, such as lush arabesques, splendid woodwork and fine stained-glass works, which call forth the aesthetic tastes of the Moors who ruled Portugal during the Middle Ages.  This postcard shows the richness of this room.

There are other grand rooms too like The Nations’ Room (Patio das Nacoes). The garden of the palace is an attraction. So too is the monumental staircase of the venue as well as two massive bronze chandeliers suspended from the main cupola. At present Palacio da Bolsa is the main conference and exhibition center of Porto. It is home to a wide range of cultural, social and political events.

This postcard came from Sara M. (Postcrossing).