Casa da Pedra

Casa da Pedra

A Casa da Pedra or Casa das Águas Férreas is a residence located in the city of Porto in Portugal.

The philosopher and writer Joaquim Pedro de Oliveira Martins lived in the house.

The house is located in the parish of Cedofeita, in the Rua das Águas Férreas, between Rua da Boavista and the line of Metro do Porto, next to the Lapa.

The house is rectangular and very simple, tiered, consisting of ground floor and first floor coupled with a ground floor annex. It has a walled garden and opens onto the street by a small decorated portal. This garden, includes decorative sculptures, including one in tribute to Joaquim Pedro de Oliveira, designed by the artist José Rodrigues and placed there by the City of Porto in 1995.

The building dates back to the eighteenth century, in the area where a spring of sulphurous water had given rise to the place name. In the last quarter of the nineteenth century it was home to writer and philosopher Joaquim Pedro de Oliveira Martins who directed the construction of the railroad to the Póvoa de Varzim and Vila Nova de Famalicão

The house then became famous for being the venue of intellectuals of the 19th century, known as the Generation of 70, in gatherings invigorated by Antero de Quental, Eça de Queirós, Guerra Junqueiro and Ramalho Ortigão. It was in this house that Antero de Quental attempted suicide the first time.

The houses remains, even today, as private property with residential function.

Coordinates: 41°09′24″N 8°37′05″W / 41.15667°N 8.61806°W