Abrantes Municipal Market

Category: Civil Architecture > Market

District: Santarém > Abrantes > Abrantes

Location:

Implanted at the transition between Largo do Tribunal, to the west, and Rua Nossa Senhora da Conceição, to the east, the market occupies a narrow plot that cuts across the hillside and serves as a natural bridge between two levels of the city. The external staircase allows for direct ascent or descent, while the interior offers a more leisurely journey through the stalls.

Those arriving at the lower level immediately recognize the white facade in exposed concrete, punctuated by openings that hint at the activity within. From the upper floor, views of the historic center's rooftops can be seen, and on clear days, the green expanse preceding the Tagus River.

Origins and Design

The building stands on the site of the former workshops of Rodoviária do Tejo. The demolition of these degraded structures gave way, in 2015, to a project signed by the ARX Portugal studio, which sought to create a contemporary market while establishing a pedestrian connection between the two streets.

The architecture responded to the small scale of the plot with a longitudinal solution that acts as a covered urban corridor. The path naturally leads towards the Convent of São Domingos (planned to house the future Iberian Museum of Archaeology and Art), reinforcing the continuity of the historic fabric.

Architecture and Space

More than just a building, the market functions as an interior street. The monolithic structure, coated in white-painted concrete, contains three floors crossed by light shafts originating from two lanterns at the crown. These vertical slits softly illuminate the slabs and accentuate the material's texture, varying throughout the day.

At the northern end, a linear staircase directly connects the levels, while at the south, a spiral staircase invites a more leisurely exploration of the space. The result combines public circulation with retail areas, without significant visual barriers between interior and exterior.

Atmosphere and Activity

The market's operation has fluctuated in recent years, reflecting the commercial dynamics of the municipality. Nevertheless, the building hosts fresh produce stalls on certain days and occasionally welcomes cultural initiatives and workshops that take advantage of the space's fluidity.

The atmosphere is marked by natural light, the soft echo of conversations, and the contrast between the white concrete and the vibrant colors of the displayed products. The successive platforms offer different perspectives of the city, making it also an interesting photographic spot for those who appreciate contemporary architecture.

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