The Palácio da Bolsa is one of the most impressive monuments of 19th century architecture in Porto.

You can catch a guided tour of the Palacio da Bolsa that takes you through the Palacio's rooms; especially worthy of note are the Arabian Room, the quaint "Portrait Room" and the nice garden outside. Besides these, you will find plenty of paintings by Portuguese artists and architectural grandeur all around.

This building used to be the St. Francis Convent; when a fire brook out in 1832, the convent was completely destroyed leaving only the church building intact. Ten years later the Commercial Association of Porto got the building by the Queen's decree and it has been in charge of it ever since (though it is no longer an active stock-exchange or business centre). The idea was to "show off" Porto's economical strength by constructing this grand ornamented building.

The Palacio da Bolsa also holds many cultural events of which the Annual Music Festival is especially enjoyable. 

Rua Ferreira Borges 4050-253 Porto
Tel: 223-399-000, 222-399-013
Fax: 223-399-090/92 
Open: Winter 9:00-13:00 and 14:00-18:00 daily (beside New Year and Christmas)
           Summer 9:00-19:00 daily
Admission: 6€ adults, 2.50€ children under 12
http://www.palaciodabolsa.com/