Building of the Porto Municipal Public Library or Convent of Saint Anthony of the City

Category: Civil Architecture > Library

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Baixa do Porto

Location

This remarkable building is strategically positioned in the vibrant Baixa of Porto, one of the city's most charismatic and bustling areas. It is located on Rua de D. João IV, opposite the serene São Lázaro Garden, integrated into the urban fabric of the Santo Ildefonso parish. Its striking presence is set within a dynamic city environment, surrounded by the architecture that defines the heart of Porto.

A Past of Architectural Grandeur

The building that now houses the Porto Municipal Public Library is, in essence, the former Convent of Santo António da Cidade. This imposing structure is a visible link to the city's past, reflecting an architectural style that once served religious purposes. Recognizing its intrinsic value, it has been classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1974, preserving its dignity and historical relevance in Porto's urban landscape. Its adaptation to a public function has allowed its architectural grandeur to continue to be enjoyed by all who visit it.

The Genesis and Evolution of a Public Collection

The Porto Municipal Public Library was established on July 9, 1833, by a decree from D. Pedro. Its primary mission was to organize and make available the vast bibliographic collections resulting from the dissolution of the convents. In its early years, the library operated in various temporary locations, including the Convent of São Lázaro and the Colégio dos Órfãos, before permanently moving to the building of the former Convent of Santo António da Cidade in 1842. The initial collection was significantly enriched with works from the dissolved convents and the personal library of D. João de Magalhães e Avelar, a prominent prelate of the Porto diocese, accounting for over 47,000 catalogued volumes from its inception. In 1876, D. Luís I decided that the management of the library would be transferred to the Porto City Council, consolidating its role as a vital public institution for the city.

An Ever-Expanding Literary Treasure

Throughout its history, the library's heritage has undergone continuous and high-quality growth. In addition to its vast initial collection, it houses an inestimable wealth of rare books and manuscripts, many of which were inherited from convents and enriched by successive donations. Among these, the valuable set of manuscripts bequeathed by the Count of Azevedo in 1891 stands out, which significantly expanded its holdings and reinforced its status as one of the most important repositories of written and cultural memory in Porto and the country.

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

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