Casa da Câmara, Historic municipal building in Cedofeita, Portugal.
Casa da Câmara is a historic administrative building in Porto with three floors connected by internal stairs. The structure displays Gothic architectural elements combined with exposed concrete surfaces from later renovations.
The building was commissioned between 1439 and 1443 to serve as the new center of city administration. A major fire in 1875 damaged it severely, but the structure survived and was later restored to working condition.
The inscription on the front facade reads 'ANTIGA MUI NOBRE SEMPRE LEAL E INVICTA CIDADE DO PORTO', which expresses Porto's self-image as a noble and loyal city. This text shows how the city valued its own status and identity across the centuries.
The building now operates as a tourism information center following significant modernization work. Its location in Porto's historic center makes it easily accessible for visitors exploring the city's old quarter.
The building originally stood as a wooden structure near Sé Cathedral before being rebuilt in stone. This transformation reveals how Porto reinforced and modernized its most important institutions over time.
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