In the heart of Porto, a “fascinating” house stands unnoticed by thousands of passersby each day. This space became the subject of a recent episode of Channel 4’s program ‘Amazing Spaces’.
In this episode, host George Clarke introduces viewers to the ‘Hidden House’ located between the Igreja dos Carmelitas and the Igreja do Carmo. What appears to be just a large Catholic building is actually comprised of three different structures, with two being churches and the third a residential house.
The ‘Hidden House’ is, in fact, a city museum, known as the narrowest house in Porto.
“This is incredible,” the host remarks, revealing that there is much to discover beyond the small door.
Built in 1768, the house consists of a living room, a study room, and a bedroom.
During the program, George explains that the church to the left was constructed for Carmelite nuns in the 17th century, and the church to the right was built for monks in the 18th century.
The “secret house” in the middle was supposedly constructed to separate the monks from the nuns, although local rumors suggest it might have been due to legal regulations stipulating that two churches cannot share a wall.
