Iron Palace

Structure
The building has an original metallic filigree decoration and has a superb surrounding veranda, being without a shadow of a doubt, the best example of iron architecture in Angola.

Origin
The history of the building is shrouded in mystery, as there are no records of its origins. The wrought iron structure is believed to have been built in the 1880s or 90s in France, as a pavilion for an exhibition, and later dismantled and transported by boat, likely destined for Madagascar.
There is some speculation as to how it arrived in Angola. According to some sources, the ship that transported it ended up being diverted from its route by the Benguela Current, sinking near the Skeleton Coast in Angolan territory.
Other sources indicate that it ended up being landed in Luanda and sold at auction public, having been purchased by the Companhia Comercial de Angola which, in fact, acquired the Iron Palace at the end of the 19th century / beginning of the 20th century.
The Companhia Comercial de Angola - CCA - was the largest commercial company in Africa in late 19th century, early 20th century, and belonged to three great capitalists of the time: António de Sousa Lara, João Ferreira Gonçalves (Ferreira Marques & Fonseca) and Bensaude.

Usage
During the colonial period the building enjoyed great prestige and was used as an art center. After Angola's independence and the subsequent Angolan Civil War, the palace fell into ruin and the surrounding space was transformed into a car park.
After the restoration, carried out in 2009 by the construction company Odebrecht, through financing from the Angolan diamond company Endiama, the building was entirely restored, the building was handed over to the Angolan Ministry of Culture, which is still deciding the future use of the space: a diamond museum or a restaurant seem to be the most likely options, with the possibility of being a cultural center or the headquarters of the ministry of culture also being considered.