Palacio de Bolsa

First stop after check in was this building built on the site of a former convent and willed to the city by Queen Maria. It opened in 1884 and served as the financial hub of Portugal until it was moved to Lisbon in . At the time of construction, both electricity and the telephone had been invented and the chandeliers in the main trading hallway weigh 250 kg. each, taking 3 men to drop it down by cable and 5 men to hoist it up again when it is cleaned and lightbulbs changed annually. It was a place where trades were brought in from the ships, wholesaled to buyers, there were additional meeting spaces including a commercial court. The building is very ornate and impressive especially the Arabian Hall which is currently the most used room, rents out at at the cost of 200 persons admission per hours but $5,000 if after 7 pm. It is now a tourist site primarily.Read more