The Ferreira Borges Market

The Ferreira Borges market

The Porto audio-guided tour presents you with the Ferreira Borges market, a fine red iron structure of the nineteenth century, today become a cultural space.

A market that was never really a market

Built in 1885 at the request of the town hall, the Ferreira Borges market was to replace the old Mercado da Ribeira. But the traders, attached to their habits, refused to move, so that the building never fulfilled its primary function. Never mind: these fine iron and glass halls are today known as the Hard Club, a space dedicated to cultural events, exhibitions, fairs and concerts. A successful reconversion for this place that pays tribute to José Ferreira Borges, a jurist and politician defender of the Portuguese liberal regime in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

What there is to see

The Ferreira Borges market charms with its red iron structure and its glass halls, a fine example of the industrial architecture of the nineteenth century. Become a place of cultural events, it hosts exhibitions and concerts in an original setting. It is an interesting stop for those who love industrial heritage and the successful reconversion of old places.

Practical information

The Ferreira Borges market is in the centre of Porto, near the Palace of the Bourse. Become a cultural space, it opens according to the programming of events, whose hours are to be checked on site.

Why did the Ferreira Borges market never serve as a market?

Because the traders, attached to their habits, refused to leave the old Mercado da Ribeira to move there.

What has it become today?

A cultural space called the Hard Club, which hosts exhibitions, fairs and concerts.