House of Fernando Barros Santa Rita, Leiria

Construction of this part of the city began for the second time in 1927 under the direction of architect Fernando Barros Santa Rita. His most notable work is a mansion commissioned by the pharmacist António Feliciano Coutinho Ribeiro.

The house was built in 1936, the work was done by the monumental workshop of Ernst Korrodi. The building shows some departure from the conservative classics typical of the surrounding buildings.

In the appearance of the house, you can see the features of Art Nouveau, although very timid - the multi-volume shape of the structure and some decorative elements - flowerpots on the roof, a figured cast-iron grating of the main portal and rectilinear ornaments.

In the same period, a wide staircase leading to the city center was built to the right of the mansion.

From the top of the staircase named after Dr. Jose Jardim, you can admire the old part of Leiria, which is dominated by the castle hill.

To the right of the hill stands the bell tower of the Cathedral, below it you can see the roof and belfry of the ancient church of Mercy.

To the right of the bell tower is the Sun Gate leading to the castle.

To the right is the Cathedral of Leiria.

If you look below, you will see the central part of the city.

The blue walls of the Leiria Classic Hotel and the openwork trusses of the suspended roof of the former municipal market, now a public hall.

To the right of the stairs, you can see the terrace of the restaurant with a traditional roaster oven, where dishes are prepared on a live fire, and visitors can watch the process.