Marina Costa: A Driving Force of Bombarda

Marina Costa is a central figure in the Miguel Bombarda Quarter in Porto. With a background in Graphic Design, she left advertising to create spaces that unite art, commerce, and community. Founder of the iconic Artes em Partes and the Bombarda Shopping Center, her career is marked by reuse, sustainability, and innovation. She is also co-founder of the Creative Quarter Association, driving projects such as Bombarda Circular and Bombarda Maior, which strengthen local and intergenerational ties. Her vision makes Bombarda a space of constant growth, where creativity and purpose go hand in hand.

Marina Costa is one of the key names in the Miguel Bombarda Quarter. With a background in Graphic Design, she left the world of advertising to create spaces that blend art, commerce, and community. From her early projects — where design intersected with vintage items, poetry, reused objects, and original works — to the current Bombarda Shopping Center, her journey reflects a constant drive for renewal and a keen eye on the city.

A restless creator, passionate about circularity and reinvention, Marina has been one of the forces keeping Bombarda’s spirit alive: a place where creativity is the meeting point between makers and discoverers.

Creative Path and Identity

Q: Marina, how did your journey into the world of creation and independent commerce begin?

A: I studied Graphic Design, but I quickly realized that wasn’t my path. When the digital world took over the field, I no longer felt connected to it. I’ve always liked working with my hands — mixing materials, restoring old pieces, giving objects a new life. My father had a big store, Italusa, and that’s where I started: I opened my first shop, mixing vintage items, design, books, records, decor pieces, and art. It was a very eclectic space, and it reflected who I am — someone who likes to experiment and bring different worlds together.

The Artes em Partes Project

Q: Artes em Partes was one of the projects that marked the beginning of the creative movement in Bombarda. How did that idea come about?

A: A friend and I were looking for a space to create something different — she wanted to open a café, and I wanted to stay connected to vintage and art. We found an old building on Rua Miguel Bombarda and decided to go for it. In 1998, we opened Artes em Partes. The idea was simple: bring together people from different areas and create a space for meeting and sharing. Each room in the house hosted a different project — shops, galleries, workshops, music, visual arts. There was an incredible energy.

Q: And what was the main goal of the project?

A: We wanted to give space to those who didn’t have it. To welcome artists and independent creators, to experiment with new formats, and to show that commerce could also be a cultural act. Artes em Partes was a living space that inspired many people and helped shape the identity of Miguel Bombarda.

From Artes em Partes to the Bombarda Shopping Center

Q: What led you to create the Bombarda Shopping Center?

A: When Artes em Partes ended, I felt that spirit couldn’t just vanish. In 2010, the opportunity arose to take over the space where CCBombarda is today, and I decided to apply the same philosophy — but in a more organized way. I always envisioned this place as a commercial gallery — a space with light, soul, and unique projects. I never wanted to create a traditional shopping center.

Q: What kind of projects are you looking to host here?

A: Sustainable brands, artists, designers, and artisans who work with awareness and quality. I like projects with identity, that reuse materials, that tell a story. We also created Berdinho, a weekly organic market that brings local producers closer to the urban public. That’s what motivates me: bringing together people who believe in the value of well-made things.

Community and the Future

Q: You’re one of the founders of the Creative Quarter Association. What led you to create this structure?

A: It was the desire to join forces. I’ve been part of several attempts at forming associations on this street, but this one is different. The Creative Quarter Association was born to give a voice to everyone who’s part of this ecosystem — artists, shopkeepers, gallery owners. We want to build bridges, improve the street, and develop projects that involve the whole community.

Q: Which projects would you highlight at the moment?

A: Bombarda Circular, Afinidades, and Bombarda Maior are examples of how we want to think about the city in a more sustainable and inclusive way. Bombarda Maior, for example, involves people over 60 in creative and local support activities. It’s a way to create bonds between generations and strengthen the sense of neighborhood.

Personal Dimension

Q: Outside of work, what inspires you?

A: I love jewelry-making, gardening, and construction. I have a house in Alentejo where I spend hours restoring old things. It’s something that calms me and connects me to material things. I think that’s where my love for circularity comes from — the idea that everything can be reused, transformed, and reimagined.

Q: And if you had to sum up Bombarda in one word?

A: Growth. Because this neighborhood is always transforming — just like the people who shape it.

Over the past few decades, Marina Costa has transformed ideas into places and places into communities. From Artes em Partes to CCBombarda, her vision has helped shape the creative and independent character of the quarter. In every project, one constant remains: the belief that when art and commerce meet, they can create something greater — a living space, with identity, and full of future.

STORIES FROM

THE QUARTER

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The image shows the guests of this podcast, Liliana Alves (Época) and Jorge Azevedo (Cave Bombarda), together with moderator André Ramos (Scar ID) on a street in the Bombarda neighbourhood.

Episode 2 — New Generations, Old Struggles: entrepreneurship in Bombarda today

The Bombarda Podcast is a series created by the Bombarda Digital team that gives a voice to those who make Quarteirão a true creative laboratory — between art, commerce, and community.

In the second episode of the Bombarda Podcast, we enter the universe of new entrepreneurs who are redefining what it means to have a creative business in Quarteirão. With Liliana Alves (Época) and Jorge Azevedo (Cave Bombarda), in a conversation moderated by André Ramos, co-founder of Scar ID, we explore how a new generation is joining forces, reinventing practices and keeping Bombarda's collaborative spirit alive.

Episode Details

Central theme: Contemporary entrepreneurship in Bombarda — collective, conscious and resilient.
Guests: Liliana Alves (Época), Jorge Azevedo (Cave Bombarda)
Moderator: André Ramos (Scar ID)

Key quotes

‘It's an evolution and a very beautiful identity that is created in many projects in this neighbourhood.’
‘There are customers who have become friends. There are very, very strong relationships that come from this open door and from people joining our project.’
‘I think it was a renunciation of study and a search for a daytime space, with simple food and where there could be an informal relationship with the people who brought this type of relationship.’

Why listen

Because Gerações Novas, Lutas Antigas shows the human and inspiring side of those who undertake with purpose. A realistic and affectionate portrait of Bombarda — made of collaboration, creativity, and a collective spirit that transforms challenges into opportunities.

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The image shows the guests of this podcast, Ana Silva (Copo D Uva) and Ema Ribeiro (Ó! Galeria), together with moderator Dora Gonçalves (CMP) on a street in the Bombarda neighbourhood.

Episode 1 — An Invisible Shop: Behind the Scenes of Life in Bombarda

Welcome to the Bombarda Podcast — a series born out of the collective work of the Bombarda Digital team, continuing a movement that connects those who live, work, and visit the Bombarda neighbourhood.

In this episode, Ana Silva (Copo D’Uva) and Ema Ribeiro (Ó! Galeria) share with Dora Gonçalves, senior technician at the Municipal Trade Division of Porto City Council, what really happens behind the shop windows. Between conversations about stock management, seasonality, suppliers and digital channels, they reveal the less visible — and often more demanding — side of keeping a shop alive in a neighbourhood where commerce is also culture.

Episode Details

Central theme: The invisible work that sustains Bombarda's creative and commercial ecosystem.
Guests: Ana Silva (Copo D’Uva), Ema Ribeiro (Ó! Galeria)
Moderator: Dora Gonçalves (CMP)

Key quotes

“After 40 or 50 years, we found two businesses from different generations in the same shop.”
“I want to showcase as much as possible the work of illustrators and illustration that is being done around the world.”
“When traders and shopkeepers come together, they form a close-knit community that is the soul of the Arts District.”

Why listen

Because Uma Loja Invisível reveals the beating heart of Bombarda — made up of dedication, strategy and creativity. An essential episode for anyone who loves the neighbourhood, supports local businesses or simply wants to understand what keeps the soul of cities alive.

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Article Bombarda Maior

Bombarda Maior is a social innovation pilot project designed to address intergenerational inclusion in Bombarda. This initiative seeks to integrate senior residents – the elders – into the creative and commercial ecosystem of the neighbourhood, promoting meaningful participation through occupational involvement in local businesses and cultural spaces.

By enabling the elders to take on active roles in their community, whether through sharing skills, supporting small businesses or participating in guided activities, the Bombarda Maior project aims to bridge generational gaps, combat social isolation and strengthen neighbourhood ties.

Social isolation among the elderly is a growing challenge in Porto, particularly in areas undergoing gentrification, such as Quarteirão das Artes – Bombarda. The arrival of new businesses and residents has altered the dynamics of the neighbourhood, causing many elderly people to lose their familiar spaces, support networks and daily interactions. Recent data reveals that 24% of the population residing in the parish of Cedofeita is over 65 years old, making this one of the most aged areas in the city.

Disconnection from social and cultural circles affects quality of life and can lead to physical and mental health problems. Despite the existence of institutional programmes for the elderly, there are few initiatives directly aimed at the social reintegration of older people into their own community, respecting their autonomy and life experience.

Bombarda Maior is an innovative programme that aims to integrate autonomous older people into the commercial and cultural life of the Bombarda neighbourhood. The project allows participants to engage in meaningful activities and rebuild close ties with their neighbourhood, promoting social inclusion and combating isolation.

The approach combines short-term professional internships, interaction with local merchants, and community events that strengthen social cohesion.

Main elements of the programme

Short-term occupational internships: Integrate seniors into shops, galleries, and studios in the neighbourhood, where they provide light support (customer reception, logistics, small assemblies) and receive vouchers to use in local businesses, giving them a sense of purpose and belonging.

Workshops: Truly intergenerational knowledge-sharing sessions: older and younger people exchange everyday know-how and literally get their hands dirty in practical and collaborative activities, always with the greater goal of local development and social inclusion in Bombarda.

Events: Community gatherings that foster intergenerational interaction, celebrating the different phases of the programme and mobilising the entire neighbourhood towards a culture of care and social cooperation.

More information: https://quarteiraocriativo.pt/

Organisation and funding

The Bombarda Maior project is a pilot project under the Social Innovation Laboratory (Lab.IS) programme, promoted by the Porto Municipality Social Innovation Centre (CIS Porto) and funded by the PRR.

Logos CIS Porto

Keywords: Bombarda, Innovation, Social Innovation, Seniors, Programme, Internships, Free Time

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Marina Costa: A Driving Force of Bombarda

Creative Path and Identity

Q: Marina, how did your journey into the world of creation and independent commerce begin?

The Artes em Partes Project

Q: Artes em Partes was one of the projects that marked the beginning of the creative movement in Bombarda. How did that idea come about?

Q: And what was the main goal of the project?

From Artes em Partes to the Bombarda Shopping Center

Q: What led you to create the Bombarda Shopping Center?

Q: What kind of projects are you looking to host here?

Community and the Future

Q: You’re one of the founders of the Creative Quarter Association. What led you to create this structure?

Q: Which projects would you highlight at the moment?

Personal Dimension

Q: Outside of work, what inspires you?

Q: And if you had to sum up Bombarda in one word?

A: Growth. Because this neighborhood is always transforming — just like the people who shape it.

SABER MAIS

Fernando Santos: The Man, the Gallery, and the City

Fernando Santos, a gallerist with roots in Amarante, was born into an environment immersed in art — his father collaborated with the Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso Museum, which sparked his early interest in visual culture. At the age of 22, he opened the first contemporary art gallery in Amarante. In the late 1980s, he joined Galeria Nasoni, where he spent seven years — a time he describes as a true “university.”

In 1993, he launched his own gallery in Porto, and later in Lisbon as well.

Today, Galeria Fernando Santos is a national reference point, a symbol of persistence and vision, and a key part of the formation of the Quarteirão das Artes (Art District) on Miguel Bombarda Street.

Career and Creative Identity

Q: Fernando, tell us — who is the man behind Galeria Fernando Santos?

A: I’m someone who enjoys what I do. I was born connected to the Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso Museum in Amarante, and I’ve developed this project over nearly 40 years, always with passion. The close relationship with artists and collectors has grown stronger over time.

Q: What influence did your father’s work at the Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso Museum in Amarante have on your artistic path, especially within a different artistic movement: contemporary art?

A: I grew up in that institutional setting. My father brought me very close to the museum, and it was there that my love for art was born. Without that, I might never have chosen this profession. Culture requires work and persistence. Cultivating a taste for collecting is a process of trust — and the gallery has carried out that work seriously, alongside artists and collectors.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about the work that’s been done between the gallery, artists, and collectors?

A: I started in Amarante, then moved to Galeria Nasoni — a very important project where I spent seven years. Later, I settled on Miguel Bombarda Street, where I’ve been since 1997. I also had a gallery in Lisbon but decided to focus on Porto. Today we occupy an entire block and provide a real cultural service to the city.

Q: I read in an interview with “Arte Capital” that your collaboration with Galeria Nasoni was your passport into the “Invicta City” (Porto). Why do you describe this gallery as a true “university”?

A: Because there are no schools for training gallerists. You learn through direct contact with artists and collectors. Galleries are the real schools, where team members gain experience before creating their own spaces or moving on to work in museums and institutions.

Q: What was in the mind of a young man who, at 22, decided to open his own art gallery? What were your aspirations back then?

A: It happened by chance and opportunity. In 1993, the gallery was located on Rua D. Manuel II, but Miguel Bombarda Street had available spaces at affordable prices. I moved here around 1997.

Miguel Bombarda and the Start of a Movement

Q: You’re considered a pioneer in this area. How did the process of attracting colleagues to form what we now know as the “Art District” happen?

A: The process was natural. There were vacant spaces, and other gallerists eventually joined in. Over time, the city reinvented itself. The title “Porto Capital of Culture” gave a huge boost, and tourism also helped. But for there to be tourism, there must be culture — and it's our job to offer quality proposals so that those who visit leave with a good impression of the city.

Spaces and Accessibility

Q: The gallery has grown and interconnected several spaces — Project Room, CUBO, Espaço 531. What motivated you to expand?

A: The expansion came after a 15-year wait until we found the ideal space. Today, the gallery covers about 1,200 square meters. We unified the spaces to enhance the exhibition experience. We can’t stand still — there are always new projects underway.

Art, Community, and Urban Culture

Q: You've said the relationship between artist, gallerist, and collector is almost like family. How do you build those bonds of trust?

A: By being honest and consistent; trust takes time to build. Beyond exhibitions, we promote gatherings, talks, and collaborations with museums and art centers in various cities. These partnerships strengthen the art scene and bring people together.

Q: Do you envision a museum of Portuguese contemporary art that does justice to what’s being produced today?

A: No, I’ve never thought about that (laughs). The gallery already functions as an active art center, with exhibitions and events throughout the year. I’m also a collector, and my focus is on balancing good investments with good art.

Recent Challenges

Q: How has Galeria Fernando Santos' recent experience at ARCOlisboa 2025 been? After all, in 2024 you attended and “sold almost everything.” What’s your assessment this year?

A: We’ve been participating in art fairs for many years. They’re unique opportunities to promote artists, meet new collectors, and understand what’s happening in contemporary art. ArcoLisboa is now a benchmark event, with strong international presence and excellent networking opportunities. I recommend everyone to visit art fairs — it's the best way to understand the current art scene.

Looking Ahead

Q: What do you see for the Art District in 5 or 10 years?

A: I’d like the city council to make the street more pleasant and accessible — maybe pedestrian-only, with wider sidewalks. Right now, cars are parked on the sidewalks, and mobility is poor. Creating culture means bringing people into the streets, and we need the conditions for that: accessible, safe spaces where families and children can move around comfortably.

Q: What are your plans for Galeria Fernando Santos?

A: To continue doing what we’ve been doing: supporting artists, energizing the Art District, and making the city more appealing. Educating people about art is our contribution, so that Porto understands us, visits us, and welcomes us.

As you walk down Miguel Bombarda Street, Fernando Santos’ legacy is clear: more than a gallery, it’s a space for encounters and discoveries. Thirty years on, Galeria Fernando Santos continues to pulse with energy — between tradition and innovation, established artists and emerging ones.

The true impact lies in human relationships, in the community built, and in how an entire district reinvented itself around it. For Fernando Santos, running a gallery is, above all, about cultivating a family — and art is the bond that unites us.

Galeria Fernando Santos website: https://galeriafernandosantos.com/

SABER MAIS

5 places where coffee is truly a speciality

Bombarda is a true creative ecosystem in Porto, where contemporary art galleries, independent shops and gastronomic spaces intertwine in the same urban pulse.

And as in any Portuguese neighbourhood, coffee plays a central role in this dynamic. In Bombarda, however, it takes on a special flavour: each space develops its own speciality! We have selected five cafés that represent the best of this neighbourhood, each in its own way.

CRU (Senzu) — the Creative Hub café

The CRU (Senzu) Coffee Bar is part of the Creative Hub shop on Rua do Rosário. Amongst design pieces and independent projects, this meeting place and social hub for the Bombarda community welcomes friends and customers with coffee that exudes the same creative spirit as the space that houses it.

The counter mainly serves speciality filter coffee. The beans from Senzu Coffee Roasters are freshly ground and served with skill and care, revealing intense aromas and personality.

It is perfect for a break, a visit to the shop, and to enjoy the coworking space or CRU studios. For those who are not coffee lovers, the space also offers other beverages, such as infusions and kombuchas.

Época — Nordic minimalism and conscious brunch

Época Café, on Rua do Rosário, brings an atmosphere inspired by Northern Europe to Bombarda. The space is bright and minimalist, made of simple lines, light wood and soft music that invites you to slow down.

Visitors will find an intimate and welcoming atmosphere, ideal for a quiet brunch or just to linger over a filter coffee made with beans from Right Side Coffee Roasters in Barcelona.

The menu favours organic and seasonal ingredients, presented in short, carefully crafted menus. Quality coffee, artisan bread, vegetarian and vegan dishes, all served with a simplicity that enhances the flavour of the products.

Soma — neighbourhood cuisine with good food and coffee

Soma, on Rua Adolfo Casais Monteiro, is much more than a café: it is a place for encounters, flavours and stories. The menu blends influences from Brazil, Japan and the Middle East, creating creative dishes full of personality.

Here, the excellent speciality coffee is supplied by Von & Vonnie, a micro roastery in Porto, and can be accompanied by slow-fermented breads, fresh bowls and surprising toasts. There are always vegetarian options and combinations that reflect a cuisine open to the world but rooted in the neighbourhood.

Visitors will find a bright space with modern décor and a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for both long brunches and coffee accompanied by conversation. It is already a landmark for locals and visitors alike.

Bicho — youthful vibe and options for special diets

Bicho, on Rua do Breiner, is one of Bombarda's most talked-about cafés, especially among those looking for creative brunches and gluten-free options. Inspired by street art, the space has a youthful, colourful and relaxed aesthetic.

The coffee is also speciality grade and prepared by expert baristas, complemented by a menu that ventures into unexpected flavours: vibrant bowls, creative toasts and homemade cakes. Inclusive by nature, it offers vegan and gluten-free alternatives, making it a versatile space open to different eating styles.

Visitors will find an energetic atmosphere, ideal for informal gatherings, brunches with friends or simply discovering new forms of creativity — both on the plate and in the glass.

Rosi Café & More — pastries, brunch and speciality coffee

Rosi Café & More, on Rua do Rosário, is elegant and welcoming, combining handmade pastries, generous brunches, light and balanced lunch options and speciality coffee in a stylish atmosphere that always invites you to stay a little longer.

This little corner, created by a Ukrainian designer couple, has a terrace, a small garden, and pieces created with their own hands, such as the chairs and sofa, as well as the lamps that light up the space.

At Rosi Café there is a great variety of coffees, from espresso to iced, with matcha or even with tonic and orange juice.

Whether you want to start the day with energy, take a break between visits to galleries and shops, or extend an afternoon with friends, these five cafés offer more than just service; they are part of the cultural and social experience of the neighbourhood.

Bombarda shows that coffee can also be art, whether in its flavour, the aesthetics of the spaces, or the way it brings people together. And perhaps that is what makes these places a must for anyone who wants to experience the neighbourhood's unique atmosphere up close.

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