In the 16th century King D. Manuel I of Portugal promoted the construction of a new political and administrative center located in the present-day Praça do Comércio, by the river, as well as the consolidation of the harbor for commercial purposes. The progressive urbanization of the western hills also contributed to the relocation of the city’s downtown.

At NARC the vestiges of sidewalks and roads allowed the archeologists to identify the location of several pre-earthquake streets and alleys. The remains found were mainly composed by buildings foundations, pavements, wells, sewers and plumbing.

From the archeological remainings stands out one habitational building from which two compartments were excavated. Built in the 16th century, the structure was supported by wooden pillars which proved this building solution existed before the city’s reconstruction. The walls of the south room were lined with a panel of monochrome encased tiles (blue, white and green) surrounded by a green tile frame.

The most usual materials of this period found in NARC are ceramics made of red and homogeneous clay, ceramics glazed and burnished, Portuguese faience (as well as imported), and oriental porcelains.

Dating from this period was also found a relevant numismatic set, which includes “Ceitis”, “Reis” and a “Tostão”, chronologically dated between the 15th and the 18th centuries.