Casa do Beco dos Redemoinhos

Casa do Beco dos Redemoinhos stands in Porto’s historic centre, beside the cathedral and within the UNESCO World Heritage zone. Its three-storey façade preserves Gothic arches and a distinctive central chimney. Two of the four original windows remain visible above the narrow street. The building dates from the first half of the fourteenth century.

A wealthy merchant who traded with northern Europe originally owned the house, explaining its Flemish architectural influence. Clergy later used it as accommodation. It then became a stable and barn before housing less prominent residents. Archaeological surveys found ceramic fragments and a small granite pavement beneath the building. Its main structure still reflects medieval construction despite several transformations.

A municipal rehabilitation project preserves the architecture while adapting the interior for affordable housing. The plan creates a one-bedroom open-space dwelling with service areas. Traditional techniques and reversible materials protect the original fabric during the work. Partial dismantling of the primitive façade addresses structural deformation without sacrificing historic materials. Around the house, the Archaeological Museum, Guerra Junqueiro House Museum, and Nossa Senhora das Verdades Chapel trace Porto’s layered past.