The Municipal Markets of Olhão

The Municipal Markets of Olhão, one of the highlights of the city of Olhão, began to be built in 1912, being opened four years later. For almost a century, they have been one of Olhão's postcards and a must-visit place for tourists and residents.

Its construction consisted of consolidating the buildings through a process known as pile driving, with each building supported on 88 piles, connected to each other through brick masonry arches. It is a place to visit, for these and other reasons.

A model example of iron and glass architecture, the building, with enormous urban impact, made of exposed brick and metal structure, was built to provide the city of Olhão with functional markets, which is what happened. Every day, hundreds of people visit the Markets, looking for the best fish, fruits and vegetables.

Longitudinal in plan, the Markets are composed of two rectangular spaces with rounded apexes, corresponding to the Vegetable Market and the Fish Market, both of which are delimited by four circular glass turrets. Subjected to rehabilitation works at the end of the 20th century (photo 9), they maintain their exterior appearance, reopening to the public in 1998. One of the most recent innovations is the interior, covered with tiles painted by Costa Pinheiro.