Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace), Porto (must see)

The cloisters of St. Francis Convent were burnt during the Liberal wars in 1832. In 1841 Queen Mary II donated the ruins to the merchants of Porto. They used the site to build the new Commercial Association. Architect Joaquim da Costa Lima Junior designed a Palladian neoclassical palace that harmonized with previous structures of the city.

The Palace was generally completed by 1850 but details which include the staircase and the Arab Room, courtyard dome, and Tribunal were later added.

The octagonal dome has glass panels and the coats-of-arms of Portugal and the countries trading with Portugal in the 19th century. In the rear of the courtyard is a sumptuous stairway, lined with busts by famous sculptors.

The star of the show however, is the Arab Room. Done in the Moorish Revival style, it is used primarily for receptions for visiting heads of state.

The Stock Exchange Palace is located in the Infante D. Henrique Square in the center of Porto.

Why You Should Visit:
The guided tour takes you through many of the exquisitely decorated rooms of this amazing building. Some are a little over-the-top but they are really something to see, each decorated in a completely unique way.

Tip:
The Palace can only be visited on a guided tour. Upon arrival, there's a computerized screen telling you which tours in which languages are available. The guided tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.