Sixteenth-century House

Category: Civil Architecture > House

District: Beja > Alvito > Alvito > Bairro Tapada do Lucas

Location

The 16th-Century House, also known as Casa de António Pedro Góis, is located in the historic heart of Alvito, on Rua do Conselheiro Machado, within the Tapada do Lucas neighborhood. This area of the village is characterized by traditional-style houses, with many dwellings preserving elements from the 15th and 16th centuries. The house fits into an urban environment that, at one time, may have been integrated into the old structure of the town's Roman-medieval wall, giving it a prominent position in the complex.

16th-Century Architectural Testimony

Dating from the 16th century, the 16th-Century House is a remarkable example of residential architecture of the period, showcasing a unique fusion of Manueline and Renaissance styles with vernacular features. Its structure comprises two main volumes, of distinct heights, arranged around an interior courtyard. The complexity of its design and the richness of its details grant it the status of one of Alvito's most characteristic and important houses, classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1962.

Stone-Carved Details

The main facade, facing west, reveals a profusion of details that deserve attention. In one of the volumes, a portal features a worked lintel with ogee arches, where mascarons are sculpted, a clear influence of the Manueline style. In the adjacent volume, the upper-floor window stands out for its elaborate frame, with colonnettes similar to balusters, and is topped by a pediment with volutes and a central scallop shell, evidencing the Renaissance aesthetic.

One of the most peculiar elements of the 16th-Century House is its imposing chimney. This protrudes from the facade, resting on corbels, and its base is cut in the manner of a valance. This singular feature is possibly inspired by the chimneys of other notable buildings in the region, such as those on the south facade of Alvito Castle, underscoring the Alentejo architectural identity. Its interior, which is not open to visitors, originally included a courtyard with a well and arcades, and the ground-floor rooms reveal ribbed vaults and ogival cross-vaulting, testifying to the property's remarkable constructive quality.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt