Chronology

1123 – 1699

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

1123The first written references of custom affairs in Porto appear in the form of an agreement set by Bishop D. Hugo.

1254/1255 – With the expansion of commerce to the north and after many conflicts between bourgeois and Porto´s episcopal authority, Alfândega appears as entity of central authority.

1320 – During these conflicts, D. Afonso IV commands to "fazer o almazém e allfandega" (create a warehouse and customs house), a space destined to store goods.

1335 – After many protests and conflicts, the houses of allfandega are built to serve as a customs house (nowadays the Casa do Infante).

1400 – Throughout the years, many amplification and reconstruction projects were performed, for example, the construction of “Rua Nova” (nowadays Infante D. Henrique Rd).

1410 – D. João I granted a new agreement for the reorganization of the customs service.

1517 – Confirmation of the King´s rights on the customs tax upon the agreement set by D. Manuel.

1535 – D. João III issues the regulation to make the institution modern and able to correspond to the commercial increase caused by the connections to Brazil.

1668 – Standardisation of the realm´s customs system, after the restoration of independence.