BELA CAST IRON PALACE

Right in the center of town, this grandiose ^19th-century building by Baron Fonte Bela (who is said to have introduced the neoclassical style to the Azores) now houses the Antero de Quental secondary school (former presidents of the Assembly of the Republic, Jaime Gama (2005-2009) and João Bosco Mota Amaral (2002-2005) studied here). The palace has preserved frescoes on the walls and ceilings, and boasts an interesting bookshop. It is considered one of the finest establishments of its kind in the Azores.