Casa da Câmara

Casa da Câmara in Porto, also known as the Casa dos 24 (House of the 24) or Torre dos 24, is a rebuilt tower beside the Sé Cathedral that served for centuries as the seat of municipal government. The building you see today is a contemporary reinterpretation of a medieval structure lost to fire. It stands in the historic centre, in the civil parish of Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Sé, Miragaia, São Nicolau e Vitória.

What was the Casa da Câmara?

It was a former administrative building, described in late-medieval documents as the "Paço do Concelho", "Paço da Rolação" or "Sobrado da Rolação". Before 1350 the town council met in a small wooden house next to the cathedral. A Gothic building followed in the second half of the 14th century and was rebuilt in the mid-15th century after the first construction collapsed. It was raised against the original city wall.

Why is it called the House of the 24?

The name comes from the 24 representatives of Porto's trade guilds, the so-called "good men" (homens bons), who gathered here in assembly. Their role in running the city made the building a symbol of civic self-government. Sources place the council's seat here from 1485 until around 1539, in the largo de São Sebastião, opposite the cathedral and next to the Aljube prison.

How was the tower organised?

Its three levels mirrored a gradual exercise of power. The upper floor held the council chamber and its registry. At the level of the cathedral square sat the audience hall. The lower floor housed shops, with access from Rua de São Sebastião.

Fire and reconstruction

The tower had stability problems from the 16th century onward. In 1875 a fire destroyed it completely. The site stayed empty until the early 21st century, when architect Fernando Távora designed a contemporary recreation of the lost tower. Sources give different completion dates, between 2000 and 2002. The new structure does not copy the old appearance but reinterprets it in modern architectural language.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Casa da Câmara? In Porto's historic centre, beside the Sé Cathedral, around the largo de São Sebastião. Coordinates: 41.1431, -8.6115.

Is it the original medieval building? No. The original burned down in 1875. The current tower is a contemporary reconstruction by Fernando Távora.

Why is it called the Casa dos 24? After the 24 guild representatives who met here in assembly.

Can I visit the interior? The site is linked to the Museu da Cidade Porto. Check the museum's website for opening hours and access before you go.

What else is nearby? The nearest landmark is the Sé Cathedral, with views over the city and the Douro river.