Bank of Materials

This one is a little obscure, I’ll admit. If you have any interest at all in old, architectural elements, then a stop here is a must. Established in 2010, the Bank of Materials takes examples of repetitive materials (such as tiles, metals, or carved stone) from decaying or demolished buildings and holds them as examples for others to use or replicate. Think of it as a library of antique building materials. The materials they hold can date from as far back as the 15th century.

These materials are provided to building owners to take, free of charge, to fill in areas on their buildings or to reproduce. The bank even teaches restoration techniques, helping to maintain the character and history of this ancient city.

Visit Notes

If you have any interest at all in the little architectural details found throughout Porto, then I recommend a stop here. They have racks and racks of antique tiles to peruse, statues, signs, metalwork, you name it. It’s a fascinating look at Porto’s architectural history.