Opened between 1521 and 1525, by order of King Manuel I, Rua das Flores was for centuries the territory of the goldsmiths who earned it the name Rua do Ouro. Five centuries later, the street once again hears the sound of hands shaping time: with the opening of the Certified Arts Gallery, a living workshop where culture is not displayed behind glass, but learned, shared and passed from living hands to future hands.

The new space, with free admission and open every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., hosts 27 certified arts from various regions of Portugal, in a journey that includes Filigree, basketry, cordophones, ceramics, embroidery and other artisanal crafts that have survived through time.

For António Quaresma, President of The Value of Time Group and responsible for the project, this is “an embassy of authenticity and a social laboratory that restores meaning to the future through what the past has left us. And we give a face, a voice and dignity to those who carry these crafts in their bodies and memories, ensuring fair remuneration for the time they dedicate to what they do”.

At the inauguration ceremony, which welcomed around 250 guests, the Mayor of Porto, Pedro Duarte, stressed that this is “a space that enriches and energises the city, because it contributes to preserving the memory and identity of Porto. We are facing activities of a future that must be creative, sustainable and grounded in social and cultural values. Handcrafted arts also have a place in the urban culture of a city like Porto, contributing to its artistic diversity and distinction,” he added.

The Secretary of State for Tourism, Trade and Services, Pedro Machado, highlighted the work carried out by the group O Valor do Tempo in building a social economy that brings to the centre those who, for decades, remained in the background. Pedro Machado stated that “valuing manual craftsmanship is not only a cultural gesture, but a direct contribution to tourism that stands out for the country’s authenticity and identity, capable of generating value without stripping away what makes it unique.”

During the inauguration, two cooperation protocols were formalised: one between Joalharia do Carmo and the Mint and Official Printing Office – Casa da Moeda, and another between Joalharia do Carmo and CINDOR. Under these agreements, the Mint and Official Printing Office will have within the space an area dedicated to promoting and valuing Portuguese assay work, while CINDOR will establish a centre focused on technical training and qualification of new professionals in the sector.

The event closed with the concert “Strings of Time”, which brought together the viola braguesa played by Rui Gama and the soprano voice of Dora Rodrigues, followed by a visit to the space and to the artisans who work there.