Câmara Municipal de Benavente – Paços do Concelho

Câmara Municipal de Benavente is housed in the historic Paços do Concelho, the town hall of Benavente in Portugal and one of the town's best-known landmarks. The building dates from 1875 and is recognisable by its metal clock tower with a lookout, which rises above the centre.

What are the Paços do Concelho?

"Paços do Concelho" is the Portuguese term for a town hall, the seat of municipal government. In Benavente the building still serves that purpose. For a visitor it is a handy point of reference in the centre and a good example of nineteenth-century public architecture in the region.

When and why was it built?

The present building was constructed from scratch in 1875 on the site of the earlier town hall. It was not only an administrative seat. It also housed the court, the jail and other public offices, so for decades it was the institutional heart of the town.

What does it look like?

The building has a rectangular plan and fills an entire block. The main facade is broken up by balconies on the first floor and windows on the ground floor. The main door opens into a stone-paved vestibule, from which a central stone staircase rises and divides into two flights leading to the first floor. On either side there are also two intermediate levels, set at different heights.

The 1909 earthquake and the clock tower

In April 1909 a strong earthquake struck Benavente. The town hall was damaged: the balustrade running around the roof collapsed and cracks opened in the walls. A major restoration followed, and it was then that the metal tower with a viewing platform and clock was added. Over time it became one of the most recognisable structures in town and a symbol of Benavente.

Later works

The building went through a second large intervention in the 2000s. The municipality has also announced plans to renovate the roughly century-old clock, and local press has reported on the need to repair the timber parts of the tower.

Frequently asked questions

Is the municipal government still based there? Yes, the Paços do Concelho remain the seat of Benavente's municipal authorities.

When was the building erected? In 1875, on the site of the previous town hall.

Where does the clock tower come from? It was added during the restoration after the 1909 earthquake.

What else was housed in the building? Besides the offices, it held the court, the jail and other public services.

Is it worth a look? Yes, if you are interested in civic architecture and the history of Benavente. Viewing the facade and tower from outside is enough.