Palaces and Historic Houses

Paço Episcopal - Faro

The whitewashed building of the Bishop’s Palace (Paço Episcopal), with its distinctive red-tiled roof, dominates the tranquil square of Largo da Sé in Faro's Old Town quarter.

The Palace was completed in 1585, but 11 years later was almost destroyed when Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex and a favourite of England’s Queen Elizabeth I, sacked the city of Faro. Before destroying the building the English troops ransacked the palace’s library which included many precious manuscripts, including Portugal’s first ever printed book, a Hebrew Old Testament...

Sintra Town Hall

Visitors flock to the UNESCO-protected World Heritage Site town of Sintra to admire the stunning collection of palaces and villas built as country retreats for the wealthy, amongst the wooded hills and beautiful vistas of the Serra de Sintra. Just below the Palacio Nacional de Sintra stands a lavish Neo-Gothic building with elaborately decorated spires. Is this yet another castle, or maybe a church? No, it’s simply the Câmara Municipal de Sintra - the local town hall.

Looking more like a...

Museu Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves

This museum located in central Lisbon district of Saldanha is named after its one time owner, the eminent ophthalmologist and art collector Doctor Anastácio Gonçalves (1888-1965). The house is known as the Casa Malhao as it was the home and studio of the well known painter José Malhoa. Dr Gonçalves bought the house from Malhao a year before his death in 1932.

The quirky house was designed by the architect Norte Junior and was awarded the Valmor prize for architecture in 1905. Dr Gonçalves used the house to display the impressive art collection he accumulated during his lifetime. The...

Palácio do Freixo

Located on the eastern edge of Porto, on the banks of the River Douro is one of the finest Baroque houses to be found in Portugal. It was built in the mid-18th century to a design by Nicolau Nasoni, one of Portugal's most famous architects. Nasoni is perhaps best known for the Mateus Palace and Tower of Clerigos, both considered Baroque masterpieces.

The Palace at Freixo was built for a canon from a wealthy family, although it was soon sold on to local industrialist, António Afonso...

Museu dos Condes de Castro Guimarães

Palácio dos Condes de Castro Guimarães - Cascais — Palácio dos Condes de Castro Guimarães

Set within the leafy grounds of the Parque Marechal Carmona is the Museu dos Condes de Castro Guimarães - the museum / library of the counts of Castro Guimarães. The museum is housed in one of the most imposing villas in Cascais, which is also known as the Tower of São Sebastião.

This fantastic mansion by the sea is worth a visit in its own right. The house was built in the 19th century for Jorge O'Neill, the head of a Portuguese / Irish dynasty with links to the nobility. It encompasses several architectural themes the dominant of...

Palace do Buçaco

Despite its appearance, the Palace do Buçaco is not actually a contemporary of Portugal's other Manueline style masterpieces. Set on a hill top in the National Forest of Buçaco work on building the palace only began in 1888.

The site of the palace was an old Carmelite convent and it was intended to be used as a residence for Queen Maria Pia, wife of King Luís I. However, shortly after its completion in 1907 Portugal became a republic and the palace was handed over to the state. At this time the decision was made to turn the palace...

Mateus Palace

This Baroque masterpiece is one of finest examples of civil architecture in Portugal with finishing touches by Architect Nicolau Nasoni. The interior is equally lavish with many fine carvings and artworks.

Episcopal Palace

The former residence of the bishops of Porto is built in a late baroque and rococo style and is believed to be the work of Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni

Seteais Palace

This 18th century neoclassical palace was built for the then Dutch Consul. It later came into the hands of the 5th Marquis of Marialva who extended it significantly, adding the arch in 1802.

The Seteais Palace occupies a prime position on the edge of the Serra de Sintra overlooking the countryside and town. It is surounded by extensive gardens with many fruit trees and features inspired by the then popular Romantic movement.

In 1946 the Palacio de Seteais was acquired by the Portuguese government becoming a hotel in 1954. It is now the five star Tivoli-Palacio de Seteais...

Archbishop's Palace

Set between the Santa Barbara garden and Praça do Municipio is the Archiepiscopal Court (Paço Arquiepiscopal), one of Braga's most significant historic buildings. The palace is in fact is a set of three interconnected buildings each with its own character reflecting the different styles and periods in which they were built.

The oldest section of the building is the medieval Gothic style Eastern wing which looks out over the Santa Barbara Garden. This castellated granite section dates to the 14th and 15th centuries. Built during the time of archbishops Gonçalo Pereira and Fernando...