The history of the fire boxes in Porto

Imagine that your house is on fire. There are no social networks, no internet and not even telephones with which…

Sara Riobom
25 de January de 2016

Imagine that your house is on fire. There are no social networks, no internet and not even telephones with which to raise the alarm. There is no running water in the house for you to fight the flames, nor cars for you to escape. How will you ask for help? How will the firemen even know that there is a fire?
This is the challenge you would face living in Porto during the first half of the nineteenth century.

The solution found was rather ingenious. On the exterior of 21 major churches – one for each parish – the authorities embedded iron boxes. On the cover of each box you could find a carved guide to the Toques de Incêndio (fire alarms) – “Sé – 4”, “Paranhos – 11”, and so on. Inside the box you would find a handle connected to the bell of the church by a rope hidden inside an iron pipe.
P1090416
Having a different number of strokes for each parish was the way to let the whole city know where the fire was, just from the initial alarm. When a fire broke out, people close by would go to the nearest firebox, and pull the handle the number of times referring to their parish. For example, if the fire was at Porto’s cathedral (Sé), then the handle was pulled four times, which translated into four strokes. The rest of the city would immediately know where the fire was. Even if they didn’t know the key by heart, they just needed to check the cover of the firebox.
At that moment, all available citizens in the vicinity would fetch water from any available source. When the firefighters arrived they would find water carriers (men that supplied the houses of Porto with water from barrels on their back) working alongside street sweepers, store owners and housewives. The firefighters join in with their pumps on carts – pulled by animals or even humans – to control the fire. When the fire was almost extinct, three strokes sounded, so that the entire city knew that the danger was off.

P1090417
Firefighters pulled by horses.
P1090418
Firefighters pulling pumps (almost) on their back. They had a hard time in ancient Porto!

Of the original 21, 6 fire boxes in Porto remain today; discrete points memory of the city.

fireboxes porto

Correction: My dear readers Urgel Couto e Claramag2014 sent me photos and information about two more iron boxes, one in Gaia and another one at Rua da Constituição, in Porto. Thank you both for your contribution – you are part of Portoalities! 🙂
fire box porto bolhao fire box vila nova gaia
Finding them is well worth going on a pleasant walk around the city. I did, and you can find the map below. I hope you enjoy!

Save this article for later:

porto firebox
history porto firebox

Related tours

Half Day private tour in Porto (4h)
Behind-the-scenes access to Porto's well kept secrets.
From 89€ / person
Check Tour
Full Day private tour in Porto (7h)
The most exclusive wine lodge in Porto is waiting for you.
From 145€ / person
Check Tour
Private Jewish Heritage tour of Porto
Discover the hidden treasures of the Jewish history in Porto.
From 89€ / person
Check Tour
Private Wine tour in Douro Valley
Exclusive tour of family-owned wineries and hidden culinary gems.
From 160€ / person
Check Tour
River cruise and wine tour in Douro Valley
Enjoy award-winning wines, authentic Portuguese cuisine and amazing river views.
From 165€ / person
Check Tour

Related articles

The history of the Jewish quarters of Porto

It’s been a while since I wrote an historical post and, since I am stuck at home with the worst…

Sara Riobom
19 de July de 2017
Everything you need to know about São João festival in Porto

The most important night of the year is just around the corner: São João festival in Porto.Whether you are an…

Sara Riobom
27 de May de 2024
Best things to do in the Douro Valley (besides drinking wine)

I already told you the best vineyards in Douro Valley, but now you’d like to see more of the region.Maybe…

Sara Riobom
20 de February de 2024
Half Day private tour in Porto (4h)
Check Tour
FECHAR