Loja da Caza das Vellas Loreto, incluindo a oficina e o património móvel integrado

Caza das Vellas Loreto is a historic candle manufacturer and retail shop in Lisbon, Portugal, founded on 14 July 1789 — a date that coincided with the storming of the Bastille and the start of the French Revolution, giving the house a symbolic founding day. According to the company's own account, its original operating condition required it to light the street at night with two burning torches; the metal torch still visible on the façade is a memory of that obligation. Gas and electricity only reached the Portuguese capital many years later. The business is a manufacturer of candles and a retailer of wax-based religious and decorative goods. Its product range includes handmade candles for birthdays, baptisms, worship, decoration, special festivities, illumination and aromatherapy, as well as made-to-order candles. Beyond candles, it sells religious figures, traditional Portuguese and author nativity scenes (presépios), ex-votos and figures associated with various commemorative days. The company states that it has hundreds of products made in wax. The shop originally occupied the entire ground-floor façade of its building; a counter inside preserves the trace of a cut made at the end of the 19th century, when the commercial façade and shop were reduced to half their former size. The façade was modernised in 1967 under a project by architect Samuel Quininha, developed from a sketch by Fred Kradolfer. In recognition of its heritage value, the store was distinguished by the Lisbon City Council (CML) under Law 42/2017 on 1 September 2017 as a "Loja com História" (Shop with History). On 26 April 2018 the same entity recognised its Manufacture Workshop/Production Unit. The shop, including its workshop and integrated movable heritage, is in the process of being classified as heritage. It remains an active, privately held business trading from its historic Lisbon premises and operating an official website.

Caza das Vellas Loreto was founded on 14 July 1789, a date that coincided with the storming of the Bastille and the beginning of the French Revolution. The company's own history notes that this date became a significant and symbolic one for the house. As a condition of operating, the founder was required to light the street at night with two burning torches; the metal torch on the façade remains as a memory of that obligation. Gas and electricity would only be applied in the capital many years later. The shop initially occupied the entire ground-floor façade of its building. A vestige of this original extent survives in the counter inside, whose shape is explained by a cut it received at the end of the 19th century, when the commercial façade and the shop were reduced to half their former size. The façade was modernised in 1967 under a project by architect Samuel Quininha, developed from a sketch by Fred Kradolfer. This intervention gave the shop its contemporary appearance while retaining its historic identity. In the 21st century, the store's heritage value has been formally recognised. Under Law 42/2017, the Lisbon City Council (CML) distinguished it on 1 September 2017 as a "Loja com História" (Shop with History). On 26 April 2018, the same entity recognised its Oficina de Manufactura/Unidade de Produção (Manufacture Workshop/Production Unit). The shop, including its workshop and integrated movable heritage, is in the process of being classified as heritage. Throughout its history, the business has combined manufacturing and retail. It produces candles by commission and to measure, and sells religious figures, traditional Portuguese and author nativity scenes, ex-votos, and figures relating to various commemorative days. The company states that it has hundreds of products made in wax. It remains active in Lisbon, operating from its historic premises and maintaining an official website.

• 2018

  The same entity recognised its Oficina de Manufactura/Unidade de Produção on 26 April 2018.

• 2017

  Distinguished by the Lisbon City Council (CML) under Law 42/2017 as a "Loja com História" on 1 September 2017.

• 1967

  Façade modernised under a project by architect Samuel Quininha, developed from a sketch by Fred Kradolfer.

• 1789

  Founded on 14 July 1789, coinciding with the storming of the Bastille and the start of the French Revolution.

Historic, heritage-recognised artisan candle maker and retailer in Lisbon, producing handmade candles and wax religious and decorative goods.

• Handmade candles

  Candles made by hand in the company's workshop.

• Made-to-order candles

  Candles produced by commission and to the customer's measurements.

• Religious figures

  Figures of worship sold alongside candles.

• Traditional Portuguese nativity scenes

  Traditional and author nativity scenes (presépios).

• Ex-votos

  Votive offerings made of wax.

1. 1Fabricante de Velas | Velas Artesanais - Velas por Encomendacazavellasloreto.com.pt
2. 2Loja da Caza das Vellas Loreto, incluindo a oficina e o património móvel integradowikidata.org