Category: Civil Architecture > Modern Industrial Architecture (1925-1965)
District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Campo Pequeno
Located on Avenida António José de Almeida, the Casa da Moeda (Mint) is situated in the heart of Campo Pequeno, one of Lisbon's most structured areas. The surroundings are characterized by wide, tree-lined avenues and a modern urban fabric, a result of the city's expansion throughout the 20th century.
This building occupies an entire city block in Avenidas Novas, with easy access via wide sidewalks and proximity to public transport. The surrounding area is predominantly institutional and residential, marked by buildings with geometric lines and a calm and organized urban environment.
The current Casa da Moeda building, inaugurated in 1941, is a landmark of modernist architecture in Portugal. Designed by Jorge Segurado, it was conceived during the Estado Novo (New State) era, with an aesthetic that combines monumentality with industrial functionality. It is divided into two blocks (one dedicated to administration and the other to workshops) connected by aerial walkways that give it a unique character.
The factory block stands out for its dark-green glazed brick facade, featuring a white marble bas-relief by sculptor Francisco Franco, illustrating the various phases of coin manufacturing. This ensemble expresses the identity of a centuries-old institution with a strong material presence in Lisbon's urban landscape.
With roots dating back to the 13th century, the Casa da Moeda is probably the oldest manufacturing establishment of the Portuguese State. Initially located near the Sé (Cathedral), it moved through various locations until settling in its current building. For centuries, it accompanied the country's transformations, evolving from manual minting techniques to the introduction of steam engines and modern presses.
In 1972, it merged with the Imprensa Nacional (National Press), forming the INCM (Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda) an entity responsible for the production of metallic currency, security documents, stamped values, official publications, and the publishing of cultural works.
In addition to minting coins, the Casa da Moeda has a long tradition in the production and authentication of precious metal artifacts. The assay offices (contrastarias), under its purview since the late 19th century, guarantee the quality of gold and silver used in jewelry, ensuring rigorous standards and protecting consumers for centuries.
Its history intertwines with key moments in the construction of national identity, from the organization of coin makers during the reign of D. Afonso III to the introduction of postage stamps in 1853. Today, it continues to play an essential role in the manufacturing of documents such as the Citizen Card and the Portuguese Electronic Passport.
More than an industrial space, the Casa da Moeda represents the continuity of technical, artistic, and institutional knowledge. Through its numismatic collections and its editorial activity, it preserves and disseminates an important part of Portuguese historical memory.
The building, classified as a Monument of Public Interest in 2012, remains a material testament to this longevity, integrating architectural, artistic, and functional heritage at the service of the State and society.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.73750897882623,-9.143012514089456
Coordinates DMS: 38°44'15.0"N 09°08'34.8"W
Weather Lisboa
On-duty Pharmacy Lisboa
