A centerpiece of the University City of Lisbon, the majestic Rectory building is a prime example of early Portuguese modernism. Commissioned in the 1930s as part of the "university neighborhood" project, it was designed by architect Porfírio Pardal Monteiro and completed in 1961, after his death.

For centuries, Porto’s merchants and middle class competed with the Church for control of the city. Ironically, in 1841, Queen Maria II gave the merchants the land where the Convent of São Francisco once stood to build the Stock Exchange.

Founded in 1796 as the Royal Public Library of the Court, the National Library of Portugal took over 170 years to find its permanent home, after two temporary locations. Designed in 1952, it was Portugal’s first modern library and the final work of architect Porfírio Pardal Monteiro, completed in 1969 after his death.