The Customs Building - 1842

The customs building of Olhão is a significant historical property that reflects the port's past and origins and is stablished in 1842.

Characterized by its Eclectic 19th-century architecture, the structure features a main facade that faces west (rather than towards the beach) and is divided into three sections: two-story wings on either side and a central section that rises to a third floor. This design gives the complex a striking urban presence, with symmetry being a key characteristic. This is further emphasized by the arrangement of access and lighting openings: the first floor boasts seven identical doors with broken arches, each equidistant from the others. This same count is mirrored on the ground floor, though these elements are more elaborately designed, featuring architraves adorned with wooden grilles and iron balustrades.

On the second floor, a decorative platibanda with metopes enhances the overall sense of linearity, symmetry, and harmony. The third floor aligns with the three central doors and features a single, centrally placed wooden window that echoes the broken arch design of the lower windows.

Regrettably, the interior of the customs office has undergone significant alterations. By the late 19th century, it served as the headquarters for the captain of the Port of Olhão, but it was abandoned the following year. Today, the building houses commercial spaces with an architectural firm on the upper floors and a restaurant, along with shops and a pastelaria on the ground floor. Specialty of restaurant Sabores de Rio: Ray