During the great Portuguese age of discovery under Henry the Navigator, the port became a caravel shipyard and was the jumping-off point for many a voyage to the East. Few historic buildings remain, apart from some ruins in the old section of town, because of the devastating earthquake of 1755. Much of the central town area today consists of a sprawling flea market. Also to be seen is Customs House – within its arches Europe's first slave market was conducted in 1441. There is also the beautiful church of Igreja de Santo Antonio, restored in 1715 and decorated with fantasy-inspired carvings. The municipal museum in the town houses an interesting and varied collection from historical artefacts.