Recolhimento do Ferro

Standing before the Recolhimento do Ferro, you can almost hear whispers of the past. This Baroque and Rococo building, known for its cultural importance, holds a fascinating history. It wasn’t always a place of social and cultural gatherings, but once offered refuge to women in need. Imagine, in the 15th Century, the Recolhimento do Ferro was a haven for prostitutes and abandoned women. Its initial location was closer to the heart of the city, on Rua Escura. The building’s initial chapel, however, was likely even older than 1681, the year marked on its facade. This marks a period of renovation, and the Recolhimento do Ferro was created. But the name itself comes from a legend that predates its construction. An iron bar, spanning from side to side, guarded the chapel’s door. This was said to be granted by the first kings of Portugal. The iron bar was thought to offer protection from the executioner. It was said that a condemned prisoner who touched the iron bar would be spared from their fate. The tale is intriguing but remains elusive. This part of the city was historically connected with the Aljube prison, and convicts would pass this chapel on their way to Mijavelhas, the city’s former gallows. Although the story of the iron bar remains just that, a story, it makes you wonder about the lives of those passing through this very spot. Later, the chapel became known as the Chapel of Saint Sebastian after the saint’s iconic image, brought from the demolished “Porta de S. Sebastião” – one of Porto’s original walls. In 1854, during the Cholera epidemic, residents invoked the saint’s protection and were believed to have escaped the plague miraculously. In the 18th century, plans were made to remodel and improve conditions within the Recolhimento do Ferro. But the idea never materialized. However, its presence was visible to the public, and it was decided to move the Recolhimento do Ferro to its present location in the Escadas do Codeçal. The land was donated by a generous woman named D. Josefa Maria in 1729. The Recolhimento do Ferro continued to be a place for women, sometimes with the approval of their husbands, but more often for those looking to escape lives of hardship. It’s easy to imagine the stories tucked behind these walls – stories of sorrow, hope, and resilience. Today, it stands as a testament to the city’s past, a reminder of the struggles and triumphs of women in Porto.