Casa do Infante

Casa do Infante, also known as the Alfândega Velha (Old Customs House), is a historic house in the old centre of Porto, in northern Portugal. It stands close to the Douro riverfront and is one of the oldest reminders of medieval Porto. Today it hosts a museum and the city's historical archive.

What is Casa do Infante?

It began as a customs house combined with a mint. King Afonso IV ordered it built in 1325 to oversee the trade arriving in the city along the Douro. Sources say it was raised on top of a Roman villa. The building you see now owes most of its appearance to a remodelling in the 17th century, although its origins reach back to the 14th.

Why is it called the "House of the Prince"?

The name comes from an oral tradition claiming that Prince Henry the Navigator, a central figure of the Age of Discovery, was born here in 1394. That claim has never been firmly confirmed. Henry was baptised in Porto and may well have been born in the city while the royal couple lived in the old mint. Another suggestion points to the Monastery of Leça do Balio nearby.

Life after the customs service

Around 1860 the building stopped working as a customs house, and the service moved to Miragaia. The site was later rehabilitated and turned into a cultural venue. Today it offers:

• a city museum,
• the Historical Municipal Archive,
• a library on Porto affairs,
• a memory room,
• an exhibition hall and auditorium.

What to expect on a visit

A visit traces Porto's story from Roman times through medieval river trade to later centuries. It suits anyone curious about the city's past and the beginnings of Portuguese maritime expansion. The building is compact, so a visit is usually short and pairs easily with a walk around the surrounding streets.

Where is it?

Casa do Infante lies in the united parish of Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Sé, Miragaia, São Nicolau and Vitória, in the heart of Porto's historic quarter near the Douro. Its coordinates are roughly 41.1407 N, 8.6145 W. Many other landmarks are within easy reach.

Frequently asked questions

Was Henry the Navigator definitely born in Casa do Infante? Nobody can say for sure. It is an oral tradition, and historians also mention the Monastery of Leça do Balio as a possible birthplace.

What was the building originally used for? It served as a customs house and mint, built in 1325 under Afonso IV.

Is the Old Customs House the same place? Yes, Alfândega Velha is an alternative name for this house.

What is inside today? A museum, a historical archive, a library, a memory room, an exhibition hall and an auditorium.

When did it stop being a customs house? Around 1860, when customs operations moved to Miragaia.

Is it worth visiting? Yes, if you like Porto's history, the Age of Discovery and medieval urban architecture.