Built in the 1940s (with references to a possible origin in the 1920s), the Benguela Commercial Association Palace is one of the city's most emblematic buildings. Located in the center of a landscaped square, across from the old Court building, it stands out for its imposing size and the unique ornamentation of its parapet, crowned by several stone spheres, popularly known as "cannonballs," earning it the popular name "Palace of Balls."
Initially associated with commercial activity and, according to some records, with the Court's 2nd Chamber, the building represented the prosperity and economic dynamism of colonial Benguela. After independence, the Palace became the provincial headquarters of the MPLA, and to this day it maintains a significant administrative and political function.
With approximate coordinates of −12.579152, 13.405819, the Palace stands as an architectural and historical landmark of the city, a testament to the various phases of Benguela's urban life, from colonial commerce and justice to the political symbolism of the post-independence era.