at first the group would undertake their project spread across a number of buildings in the city, until the late nineteenth century, when the headquarters was finally built.

the library was finally inaugurated in 1887, after seven years of construction, and opened to the public 13 years later in 1900.

one of the most stunning aspects of the library is its remarkable architecture - the building was designed by portuguese architect rafael da silva e castro, and was the first construction in the city to have a metallic structure.