500 Years of History: PortoBay Flores

500 Years of History: PortoBay Flores

There are hotels, and then there are HOTELS WITH HISTORY.

In the heart of Porto's historic city centre, the PortoBay Flores hotel combines a privileged location with a charm that takes us back in time. Housed in a 16th-century palace, this five-star hotel from the PortoBay Group preserves the soul of the city in its walls, its many architectural details, and in every story that can be felt there. More than just a place to stay, it is a journey into the past with the comfort of the present.

The origins of the houses on Rua das Flores

This stately home, known among the locals as the Casa dos Maias (named after the last family to live there) or the Palácio dos Ferrazes, has deep roots in Porto’s history. Built in the 16th century by the nobleman Martim Ferraz, it rose on Rua das Flores — a street that would later become one of the city's most important avenues, chosen by the urban bourgeoisie to establish their residences. Even today, you can admire the elegant collection of noble manor houses from that era, still preserving their original style.

This is a large building, whose original 16th-century design was significantly transformed by 18th-century renovations, giving it the appearance we see today.

Beautiful historical façade

On the façade, one can observe the marks left by centuries of history: prominent features include the large wooden doors, tall windows crowned by triangular pediments, wrought iron balconies, and stonework adorned with 16th-century coats of arms that frame the central bay.

These coats of arms display heraldic shields that likely date back to the 16th century, though they are set within an ornamental composition of baroque volutes and scrollwork — a reflection of the renovations carried out during the 18th century.

 

Period details

Inside, the former stables of the palace have now been transformed into the hotel entrance. The project by architect Samuel Torres de Carvalho preserved the building's key elements, integrating them with great respect for its history. Notable features include the granite flooring and the imposing staircase, where the original stone slabs still stand, five centuries later, as silent witnesses of time. Other period elements can be seen throughout the interior, such as beautiful tiles, windows, original stone decorative motifs, and even an old kitchen oven located in the middle of the corridor that connects the palace building to the new wing of the hotel.

The spacious entrance staircase features two lateral flights and a central flight, with a handrail supported by six columns that rise up to the upper halls. It is here, in the restored salons of the Maia family, that the hotel’s restaurant and a meeting room with natural light are located — both offering views of Rua das Flores.

One of the city's secrets...

 

At the back of the palace, there is a spacious courtyard paved with granite slabs, a result of the 19th-century transformations, where a Baroque fountain is believed to have once stood. The courtyard also holds one of Porto’s many secrets: a small Baroque chapel dating from the period of the building’s renovation, most likely in the mid-18th century, and whose authorship has been attributed to the Italian artist Nicolau Nasoni. Nasoni, often referred to as the "Michelangelo" of Porto, left a significant legacy in the city, with numerous works, including the nearby Church of Misericórdia and the iconic Clerigos Tower.

 

The architect's challenge

 

The hotel project, led by architect Samuel Torres de Carvalho, focused on preserving and integrating the key elements that define the original palace, thus ensuring its unique identity.

The site originally housed two buildings with distinct architectural characteristics, located at opposite ends and with a significant height difference. To the south, the Palácio dos Ferrazes on Rua das Flores, and to the north, on Rua da Vitória, a mid-20th-century construction. The project's challenge was to create a modern hotel unit, establishing connections between the various architectural, temporal, and topographical discrepancies, resulting in a unique space.

To shape the hotel, the demolition of the existing building on Rua da Vitória gave way to a new nine-story building. Given its size and visibility from both the streets and other points in the city, the new building had to establish a harmonious dialogue with its surroundings. The solution to the discrepancy between the building volumes was found through a landscaped courtyard, which connects the two buildings, creating a shared space.

The use of stone as a material played a key role in establishing this dialogue between the buildings and the surrounding environment. By recovering it, a connecting thread was established, linking the various interventions and spaces and reinforcing the overall visual coherence.

A perfect blend of the past and present, offering a unique experience of comfort and history. Don’t miss the opportunity to discover the true essence of Porto and this charming hotel...