The Municipal Markets of Olhão

The Municipal Markets of Olhão, a highlight of the city, began construction in 1912 and opened four years later. For almost a century, they have been a must-visit destination for both tourists and residents of Olhão.

The construction involved consolidating the buildings through a process called pile driving, with each building supported by 88 piles and interconnected with brick masonry arches.

An exemplary model of iron and brick architecture, the structures, with its striking urban presence, features exposed brick in a metal framework designed to provide the city with two functional markets. Hundreds of visitors flock to the Markets daily in search of the freshest fish, fruits, and vegetables.

The Markets are organized in a longitudinal layout, consisting of two rectangular spaces with rounded ends: the Vegetable Market and the Fish Market. The buildings in Neo-Moorish architectural style are flanked by four circular turrets. After undergoing rehabilitation at the end of the 20th century, they preserved their original exterior appearance and reopened to the public in 1998. One of the latest enhancements is the interior, which features tiles painted by artist Costa Pinheiro.