In Porto, an unusual Swiss coat of arms stands out in the Stock Exchange Palace

In the Courtyard of Nations at the Palácio da Bolsa, a white cross on a red background immediately catches the eye. The Swiss coat of arms is a 19th-century tribute to the trade relations between the Swiss Confederation and the Kingdom of Portugal. Beyond its economic significance, these commercial ties also have historical and artistic importance, as illustrated by this landmark building in the heart of the Portuguese city of Porto. The Stock Exchange Palace is an imposing neoclassical structure from the 19th century, located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among its most famous rooms are the Arabian Hall and the former courtroom. A symbol of trade relations On August 2, 1834, a commercial court was established in Porto to adjudicate trade disputes. The date is engraved next to the Swiss coat of arms in the Courtyard of Nations (Pátio das Nações). The courtyard serves as a central passageway to the palace’s various rooms and is topped by a large skylight. Its lower walls are ...