City Hall Building

Category: Civil Architecture > Palaces

District: Setúbal > Setúbal > Setúbal > Centro Histórico

Location

Located in the heart of Setúbal's Historic Centre, the Town Hall Building stands in Praça de Bocage. This square is a meeting point and a pedestrian zone, with its ground covered in Portuguese pavement, where the city's coat of arms can be observed, designed with stones of different shades, from pink to black. The building occupies its own block, standing out in the surrounding urban landscape.

A Witness to Sadina History

The history of this building, a symbol of local power in Setúbal, dates back to the 16th century. It was by the initiative of D. João III, in 1525, that a new and spacious seat for the administration of the town, then elevated to the category of "Notable", was ordered to be built. The chosen location was the old Praça do Sapal, today known as Praça de Bocage. Conceived to house various municipal functions, from the granary and butcheries to the town hall and judicial hearings, the building was completed in 1533, despite delays caused by an earthquake. Throughout the centuries, the Town Hall was the scene of multiple events and faced various trials, such as the great earthquake of 1755, which caused serious damage, and a devastating fire in 1910, which, during the events of the Proclamation of the Republic, left only the facade standing. Each of these moments marked its trajectory and the city's resilience.

Architecture and Representation

The architecture of the Town Hall Building, as observed today, reflects the various interventions that shaped it over time. With a rectangular plan that rises two stories and an attic, its main facade is distinguished by a loggia of round arches on the ground floor. Above this, a balcony extends, serving the Noble Hall, giving the ensemble a remarkable institutional and civic expression. The top of the facade is crowned by a small triangular pediment, where the coat of arms of Setúbal is displayed. The current form is the result of the reconstruction completed in 1938, under the direction of architect Raul Lino, who redesigned the building's front. Inside, although adapted for modern municipal services, spaces of historical and representative interest are preserved, such as the Noble Hall and the Sessions Room, which maintain the dignity of their original purposes.

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