Machado Joalheiro

Journey back to 1880. Imagine Porto without São Bento Station. In its place stood the Monastery of Saint Benedict of Avé-Maria. Nearby, on Rua do Loureiro, José Pinto da Cunha opened a goldsmith’s shop, the very seed of what would become Machado Joalheiro. Machado Joalheiro wasn’t always at its current location. The original shop, “Ourivesaria Cunha & Sobrinho: Jewelry and silver objects of art,” occupied numbers 46 to 52. The building remains, a ghostly echo of Machado Joalheiro’s beginnings, with its original interior and the faint remnants of a rococo and neoclassical façade by Francisco Oliveira Ferreira. Inside, though, the allegorical painted ceilings by Acácio Lino still whisper tales of Porto’s elite. Machado Joalheiro blossomed. In 1914, a pivotal year, the business expanded, crossing the future site of São Bento Station to its current home on Rua 31 de Janeiro. This move solidified Machado Joalheiro’s presence. The art nouveau façade, also designed by Francisco Oliveira Ferreira, became an instant landmark. His brother, José Oliveira Ferreira, contributed the iconic “Os Meus Amores” sculpture. The original décor of the two main salons remains, a beautiful blend of antique charm and modern elegance. Today, Machado Joalheiro stands as a testament to over a century of dedication. The family business, now in its fifth generation, carries the weight of tradition while embracing contemporary luxury. From its humble beginnings on Rua do Loureiro to its iconic presence on Rua 31 de Janeiro, Machado Joalheiro continues to enchant.