Arquivo Distrital do Porto

Arquivo Distrital do Porto is a public archive housed in a heritage building that holds comprehensive collections documenting Porto's history. The facility contains thousands of records, registers, and historical documents spanning several centuries of the region's administrative past.

The building was originally a church and later converted to serve as an archive for safeguarding Porto's documents. This conversion reflects the city's effort to preserve and provide access to its historical records.

The names of many streets and public spaces in Porto are documented in the archive's records and reflect local figures and historical moments. Visitors can trace how the city evolved through the stories connected to these named places.

The archive is accessible through a digital system where users can search catalogs and request documents. It helps to look up what materials you need beforehand, as reserving materials before your visit can save time.

Among the holdings are baptism and marriage registers from the 17th century that reveal how people lived and families formed in Porto. These personal records add a human dimension to the city's long story.