| A NOSSA MISSÃO? |
No Lionesa BH, criámos uma galeria a céu aberto onde a arte vive em movimento, integrada no espaço e nas rotinas do campus.
Disponível a qualquer hora, para todos, dos que aqui trabalham aos que apenas passam, esta galeria transforma paredes em histórias, corredores em inspirações e recantos em palcos de criação.
In an increasingly competitive world, creating inspiring environments is essential.
And studies show that art plays a key role in this:
Today, attracting talent means more than offering competitive salaries, it means offering purpose.
It’s soulful spaces, where culture meets innovation, that truly make the difference.
Right at the heart of Rua da Lionesa, you’ll find the largest street art installation in Northern Portugal with 1400sqm: the Lionesa Mural. Created in collaboration with ten nationally and internationally acclaimed artists (Caos, Colectivo Distopia, Draw, Mr. Dheo, Third, Mar, Mário Belém, Nomen, RAM and Utopia) this expansive piece is more than just a mural, it’s a dialogue between past, present, and place.
Split into two striking sections, one side pays tribute to the rich traditions and cultural identity of Matosinhos, honouring the sea, the people, and the stories that shape the region. The other reflects the history of Lionesa, celebrating its industrial legacy and its close relationship with its iconic neighbour at the time called UNICER (now Super Bock Group).
Together, the two parts form a powerful artistic narrative that captures the essence of Lionesa Business Hub: rooted in heritage, inspired by innovation, and always looking forward.
Rua da Lionesa, 4465-671, Matosinhos
Caos, Colectivo Distopia, Draw, Mr. Dheo, Third, Mar, Mário Belém, Nomen, RAM e Utopia
2014
FROM GREY WALLS TO BOLD STORIES
Hidden in the technical corridors of Lionesa Business Hub lies a surprising journey through time and colour: the Street Art Evolution. What was once a purely functional, often overlooked space has been transformed into a living gallery that traces the history of street art in Porto and Portugal.
Curated and created by the same collective of national and international artists behind the Lionesa Mural, this exhibition brings new life to grey walls, reclaiming them as a canvas for culture. Through powerful visuals and layered storytelling, it celebrates the rebellious roots and creative rise of street art in the city, while also reshaping how we experience everyday spaces.
Street Art Evolution is proof that art belongs everywhere, even in the places you’d least expect.
Lionesa Business Hub
Caos, Colectivo Distopia, Draw, Mr. Dheo, Third, Mar, Mário Belém, Nomen, RAM e Utopia
2014
WHERE IT ALL BEGINS
The Gate Gallery marks the main entrance to Lionesa Business Hub and sets the stage for this artistic journey. Here, on permanent display, is “Fábrica”, an installation by artist João Machado that takes us through the story of this iconic space.
Blending documentary art with striking graphic elements, “Fábrica” tells the tale of Lionesa’s transformation — from a former silk factory to a vibrant hub of innovation, where a new digital, creative and technological industry now thrives. It’s a mural full of colour, movement and symbolism, celebrating both the site's industrial heritage and its ever-evolving future.
The project was internationally recognized with a Graphis Silver Award, one of the highest distinctions in design and visual communication.
Art welcomes you in, and invites you to explore what’s next.
Lionesa Business Hub - Rua da Lionesa, 4465-671 Matosinhos
João Machado
2019
A SPACE FOR REFLECTION, SHAPED BY LIGHT
Designed by renowned, Pritzker winner architect Siza Vieira, the Open Sculpture is a striking concrete structure measuring 20 by 20 metres. More than a sculpture, it is a space, open yet intimate, that honours the historic role of the Monastery of Leça do Balio as a place of refuge for pilgrims walking the Portuguese Way of St. James.
With an open courtyard and a more secluded covered area, this ecumenical space invites introspection and quiet contemplation. Inspired by the Gothic tradition and spiritual legacy of Leça do Balio, the design allows light to play a central role, shifting throughout the day and subtly transforming the experience of the space.
Here, architecture becomes pilgrimage, and silence becomes story.
Mosteiro de Leça do Balio -
R. do Mosteiro, 4465-703 Leça do Balio
Arq. Siza Vieira
2024
LIVING HISTORY, LASTING INSPIRATION
A landmark of Portuguese heritage, this 10th-century monastery was once a shelter for pilgrims on the Portuguese Way of St. James. Carefully restored by architect Siza Vieira, it now blends Gothic grandeur with a vibrant cultural life curated by Fundação Livraria Lello.
It hosts “Act the Thought”, an exhibition created with UNESCO MIL Alliance and Polígrafo, tackling the impact of disinformation and featuring voices like Mandela, Malala, Saramago and Rushdie.
It was also here that Portugal’s first royal marriage for love took place, between King D. Fernando I and D. Leonor Telles, and and holds the distinction of housing the first private indoor bathroom in the country.
R. do Mosteiro, 4465-703 Leça do Balio
~1330
2024
Arq. Siza Vieira
THE CULTURAL PULSE AT THE HEART OF LIONESA BH
At the heart of Lionesa Business Hub, The Museum is a space dedicated to temporary art and culture installations, located in the central corridor of the campus. Open to the entire community, it integrates meaningful artistic moments into the daily experience of the workplace — encouraging inspiration, pause, and reflection.
Among the exhibitions presented, one highlight was "Inferno", developed in partnership with the Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis and ASCIPDA – Associazione Socio-Culturale Italiana del Portogallo Dante Alighieri. The exhibition offered a visual interpretation of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, through the work of António Carneiro, combining original sketches with immersive projections.
Another highlight was the retrospective of Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, which offered a chronological overview of his work and the historical-cultural context of his short but groundbreaking artistic career — celebrating him as one of the forerunners of European modernism.
More than an exhibition space, The Museum is a place of ever-changing installations that leave a lasting impression.
Corredor Central do Lionesa Business Hub
At Lionesa BH, we believe that art becomes even more powerful when it’s built together. That’s why we work hand in hand with cultural partners who share our vision of making culture more accessible, more vibrant, more present.
Together, we give space to exhibitions, installations and cultural moments that cross the campus and go beyond it, because our commitment to art doesn’t stop at our own walls.
More than bringing culture in, we want to build bridges.
We aim to inspire those who work here, visit, or simply pass through, while also opening doors and ensuring our community enjoys easier access to cultural experiences across our partners’ spaces.
These partners are more than collaborators, they are allies in a shared mission:
to place art at the heart of life, of the territory, and of the people.
If you represent a brand, an institution, or you're an artist looking to collaborate with us, or if you're looking to set up your business in a place where art is part of the business culture, get in touch: marketing@lionesa.pt
