House of Spikes

During its long history, the House of the Spikes has served various purposes, at one point even serving as a warehouse for codfish. Noticeable for its unique façade, which is covered in diamond-shaped stones, it was destroyed in the massive 1755 earthquake and restored after that, undergoing vast changes over the centuries, Nevertheless, the original marble staircase and contrasting dark walls are still intact and are one of its highlights. It now houses the José Saramago Foundation, a private institution displaying the work of this famous Portuguese writer and 1998 Nobel Prize laureate. The house also functions as a venue for various literary events, workshops and theater play.