Building no.14 of Av. da República

Building no.14 of Av. da República was built in the 19th century by a Spanish citizen of Olha, Pantoja Soares. Later, the Olhanense Recreativa (Recreativa Rica) was founded here, the first of the associations of its kind founded in Olhão.

She is mainly remembered for the admission system, with a white ball and a black ball, where a single black ball would not allow the candidate to be admitted. This made access for new members a difficult process due to social elitism. The carnival celebrations were famous and infamous.

It is a rectangular one-story building with a bluestone plinth. The front facade is crowned with a platibanda with a balustrade. Next to the door is a plaque with the following inscription: 'In this house was born on March 6, 1893 / Dr. Luiz Bernardino da Silva, devoted and illustrious Olhanense'.

The main facade is divided into eight window axes an window frames with pointed ogival arches and a double door with above woodcarvings with pointed arches and a closing stone. At the bottom/side of the doors are sloping bluestone panels with spiral decorations.

Now the Associaçao Cultural Re-Criativa República 14 Olhão is located here and organizes exhibitions, concerts, courses, movies, an organic market and other cultural events. They also have a bar and a nice large outdoor terrace.

Photos Lénia Medina