About this place
Edifício dos Paços do Concelho de Setúbal is the town hall on Praça de Bocage, the main square of Setúbal's historic centre. The present building was finished at the end of the 1930s, after a fire in the 1910 revolution left its predecessor in ruins for close to three decades.
What does "Paços do Concelho" mean?
It is the traditional Portuguese term for a municipal seat, the building that houses a town's local government. In Setúbal it stands in the old town, on the square named after the poet Bocage. The square was formerly known as Praça do Sapal.
What is the building's history?
An earlier town hall occupied the same square and, according to historical accounts, was rebuilt in the reign of King João V. Between the night of 4 and 5 October 1910, clashes between republican demonstrators and the monarchist police set the building on fire and reduced it to ruins. The site shaped the look of the square for about 29 years while political debate held up reconstruction. Municipal offices meanwhile worked from the former Liceu de Bocage building.
A decree of 29 March 1933 placed the works under state supervision, and in return the council handed the old school building to the State. Construction ended in late 1938, and on 4 May 1939 the national buildings and monuments directorate formally delivered the new town hall to the municipality.
What can you see around it?
The best view is from Praça de Bocage itself, with the statue of Bocage at its centre. On the same square is the Igreja de São Julião, known for its azulejo panels showing scenes from the saint's life. Cafés and restaurants line the surrounding streets, and on foot you can reach Casa Bocage, the poet's house-museum with a tiled panel in its courtyard.
How do you get there?
The building is in Setúbal's pedestrian-friendly centre (38.5247, -8.8921), a few minutes' walk from the waterfront and the main shopping streets. Trains and buses connect Lisbon with Setúbal, and from the town centre the square is a short stroll.
When is the best time to visit?
The square is open all year. Daytime suits it best, when the cafés are busy, or evening, when the façades are lit. The interior is a working administrative building, so ask at the Casa do Turismo or the council about access, including the municipal hall.
Frequently asked questions
Is Setúbal's town hall a medieval monument?
No. The current building dates from the reconstruction after the 1910 fire and was handed to the town in 1939, although earlier town halls stood on the site for centuries.
What happened to the town hall in 1910?
It burned during the clashes of 4 and 5 October 1910. The ruins remained for about 29 years.
Can I go inside?
It is a working municipal building. Check with the tourist office or the council before planning a visit to the interior.
What else is nearby?
The Bocage statue on the square, the tiled Igreja de São Julião and Casa Bocage.
Nearby places
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