Martinho da Arcada Coffee

Category: Civil Architecture > Café

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Madalena

Location

Praça do Comércio, nº 3, Lisbon, Portugal.

History

Founded on January 2, 1782, it is the oldest café in Lisbon still in operation.

Literary Significance

Frequented by important figures of Portuguese literature and politics, such as Fernando Pessoa, Bocage, Cesário Verde, António Botto, Almada Negreiros and José Saramago.

Beginning

Originally known as Café do Gelo (Ice Café), inaugurated after the 1755 earthquake, it supplied drinks and ice cream for the court.

Name Evolution

Over the years, it had several names, such as Casa do Café Italiano (Italian Coffee House), Café do Comércio (Commerce Café), Café dos Jacobinos (Jacobin Café), Casa da Neve (Snow House), until it became known as Café da Arcada do Terreiro do Paço (Arcade Café of Terreiro do Paço).

Notable Owners

, Domenico Mignani (inaugurated as Casa do Café Italiano).

, Martinho Bartolomeu Rodrigues (transformed it and gave it its current name).

, Alfredo de Araújo Mourão (left the café to his daughter Albertina de Sá Mourão).

Recognition

Classified as a property of public interest in 1984. Remodeled in 1990 by Architect Raul Hestnes Ferreira.

Connection with Fernando Pessoa

He had a permanent table reserved for the famous poet, who frequented the café until his death in 1935.

Lojas com História Project

Recognized by the Lisbon City Council as part of the project that values historical establishments in the city.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martinho_da_Arcada

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt