Great Hotel of Porto

Category: Civil Architecture > Hotel

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Baixa do Porto

Location

The Grande Hotel do Porto is located in Baixa do Porto, a central and vibrant area of the city. The building stands on Rua de Santa Catarina, one of Porto's most dynamic urban arteries. Its position allows for a close observation of the daily life of this historic zone, integrating into the essence of the urban environment.

Historical Legacy

Inaugurated in 1880, the Grande Hotel do Porto is one of the oldest and most prestigious hotel establishments in the city, maintaining its activity since then. It was a project conceived by Daniel Martins de Moura Guimarães and designed by architect Silva Sardinha. Over the decades, this place has been the stage for significant historical episodes and has hosted illustrious figures. Among its regular guests was the famous writer Eça de Queirós. Its walls have witnessed the presence of the former Emperors of Brazil, D. Pedro II and D. Teresa Cristina, who took refuge here after the proclamation of the republic, with the Empress passing away at the hotel in 1889. Prime Minister Afonso Costa was detained on its premises during the 1917 coup d'état, and former president Óscar Carmona was also a distinguished guest. The recognition of its historical and patrimonial value was formalized in 2022, when the building was classified as a Monument of Municipal Interest.

Architectural Design

The architecture of the Grande Hotel do Porto preserves the classic style of its founding era, the nineteenth century. Although it has undergone renovations, the most significant in 2002, its original essence has been preserved. In its interiors, elements such as the shine of marble, golden details, imposing chandeliers, and mirrors that fill the halls stand out, contributing to an atmosphere that transports visitors to the charm of the late 19th century. The Sala das Colunas (Hall of Columns) is one of the most notable examples, impressing with its scale and elegance, a space that evokes the refinement of yesteryear. Decorative elements and furniture, some recovered and restored, reinforce the dialogue between the building's history and modernity.

Urban Perspective

On the upper floor of the Grande Hotel do Porto, there is a terrace that offers a broad perspective of the city. This vantage point allows for a comprehensive observation of Porto's urban fabric, providing a 360-degree view of the historic center and its characteristic rooftops. It is a place that invites contemplation of the cityscape from an elevated position.

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