Cadeia da Relação, Justice Museum in Porto, Portugal
Cadeia da Relacao is a granite court building near Clerigos Tower with symmetrical design and spacious interior corridors. Its former prison cells have been converted into gallery spaces that now display photography exhibitions and contemporary art.
The building was constructed between 1765 and 1796 to replace the original courthouse that had completely collapsed in 1752. For centuries afterward, it served as both a functional court and prison before being repurposed.
The name reflects its role as a court building with attached prison facilities that served the city for generations. Today, visitors can see how photography and art exhibitions have transformed the former detention spaces into places for reflection and learning.
The building is centrally located in Porto and easily accessible on foot, especially when visiting nearby Clerigos Tower. Comfortable shoes are recommended as there are many stairs and corridors to navigate.
The former prison cells were each named after Catholic saints, and one held the writer Camilo Castelo Branco during his detention. This detail connects the building's physical spaces to Portuguese literary history in an unexpected way.
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