Bolhão Market in Oporto

"Bolhão" The origins of Mercado do Bolhão, one of the most emblematic buildings in the city, date back to 1839, when the Porto City Council decided to build a square on land acquired from the chapter. In this place there was an extensive marsh, crossed by a stream that formed a water bubble there, which resulted in the name of the market, 'Bolhão'. A few years later, this square was improved with the construction of access ramps and wooden stalls in the central corridor of the market. Later, at the beginning of the 20th century, the city's leaders decided to build a new market outside the borough, in order to ensure the food supply that would allow the expansion of the city. Barbosa, which provided for a building with two wings, with Rua de Sá da Bandeira as the central axis. However, this project was abandoned for economic reasons, and the current building was built in 1914, in a project designed by the architect Correia da Silva. It was an avant-garde work for the time, due to the use of reinforced concrete in conjunction with metal structures, wooden roofs and granite stonework. Throughout its history, the market has undergone some changes, with the construction of the floor that divides the building in the 1940s, connecting the entrances between Alexandre Braga and Sá da Bandeira streets. Currently, the Mercado do Bolhão building is completely renovated. It was rebuilt for over 4 years, and on September 15, 2022 it reopened to the public.