Town Hall

Category: Civil Architecture > Palace

District: Lisboa > Torres Vedras > Torres Vedras > Bairro de Santo António

Location

Torres Vedras City Hall is located in the heart of the city, integrated into the urban area known as Bairro de Santo António. Its presence marks a central and historic point in the urban fabric, easily identifiable by the square where it is situated and by its unique architecture. The building benefits from a location that connects it to the daily life of Torres Vedras, being one of the central landmarks.

A Building with History

The history of the City Hall dates back to medieval times, with the building first mentioned in documents from 1337. Over the centuries, it underwent various interventions, with documented restorations in 1597 and 1634. One of the most dramatic moments of its existence occurred in 1744, when a large-scale fire, allegedly caused by an inmate attempting to escape from the prison located on the lower floor, devastated the building. This tragic incident resulted in the almost complete loss of the Council's medieval and modern documentary archive, a significant blow to local historical memory.

The configuration we observe today is the result of reconstruction and restoration works that were completed in 1776. In addition to its function as the Council's administrative center, the building played a remarkable role during the Peninsular War, serving as headquarters for the war commissariat during the military occupation of Torres Vedras. This site was thus the stage for civil and military decisions that shaped the region.

The Pombaline Fountain

Next to the City Hall, in the same square, stands a remarkable fountain, whose construction also dates back to 1776, coinciding with the completion of works on the main building. This element is an expressive example of the Pombaline style, characteristic of its construction period. Its presence complements the architecture of the City Hall and offers a point of contemplation in the urban landscape.

A Latin inscription, present on the fountain, testifies to its history and purpose: "JOSEPH. I.P.P. IMP. AD CARCER PO PVL. Q. COMMOD. FONT. HUNC. PVBL. EXP. PRÆSES PROV. ERIG. CVRAVIT AN. MDCCLXXVI". This engraving reveals that "The District Magistrate had this fountain erected at public expense in the year 1776, for the convenience of the prison and the people, during the reign of D. José I, Father of the Nation." In the past, water reached the fountain through a branch of the local aqueduct, flowing from the projecting fish-mouth spout into a small marble basin, demonstrating the importance of water in community life and the aesthetic care taken in its provision.

Traces of a Deep Past

In 2001, a series of archaeological excavations carried out inside the City Hall revealed discoveries of great significance. Nine Islamic silos were identified, which are material evidence of the Arab occupation of the city. These silos contained various ceramic vessels, dated to the 10th and 11th centuries, a period corresponding to the Caliphate of Córdoba. The excavations brought to light not only these Islamic vestiges, but also pieces from the first years of Christian occupation and coins from the 12th to 15th centuries, underscoring the long and complex history of the site and the multiple layers of civilization that coexisted there.

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