3-021-465 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Crystal Palace of the Portuguese International Exhibition at Oporto, 1865. 'The main building...is permanently constructed of granite masonry, iron, and glass, from the designs of the engineer, Mr. F. W. Sheilds...It has been beautifully decorated by Mr. Owen Jones. Its dimensions are 362 ft. by 238 ft.; and there is a permanent circular annexe building of 130 ft. diameter, as well as very large temporary annexes, attached to it. These structures are situated in ornamental gardens of great beauty; and the entire expenditure on the undertaking will amount to £100,000, which, considering that the population of Oporto is but 80,000, is unprecedented in the annals of exhibitions. The credit of this spirited and successful national enterprise is principally due to Mr. Alfredo Allen, of Oporto...the permanent establishment will comprise, in addition to the main exhibition building itself, a musical institute, a school of arts and sciences, a picture-gallery, a hippodrome, and a museum. The buildings comprise a palm-house and conservatory for tropical plants...The Exhibition...contains much that is valuable and interesting, and will doubtless be the means of opening the Portuguese market to a great variety of foreign manufactures'. From "Illustrated London News", 1865.