Guild Palace

Category: Civil Architecture > Small Palace

District: Braga > Fafe > Fafe > Bairro da Cumieira

History of the Grémio Palace

- Built in 1912 by João Alves de Freitas, a Brazilian rubber trader.

- Represents the end of architectural influences brought by Brazilians to Fafe.

- Passed through different owners, including Gaspar Correia da Costa and Miguel Gonçalves da Cunha.

- Was acquired by the Grémio da Lavoura de Fafe in 1963 and later belonged to the Cooperativa dos Produtores Agrícolas de Fafe.

- In 2008, it was acquired by the Fafe City Council to house the Municipal Archive.

Architecture of the Grémio Palace

- Eclectic architectural style, with neoclassical, "beaux-arts" and art nouveau influences.

- Slightly rectangular plan with a turret in the corner of the main facade.

- Has four floors with dormer windows and chalet-type roofs.

- Main access through a portal on the second floor, preceded by a staircase and balcony.

- Exterior decoration with pediments, balustrades and features from the early 20th century.

Interior of the Grémio Palace

- Highlight for the central staircase illuminated by a skylight.

- Heavily decorated openings around the staircase.

- Ground floor with shops and kitchen; second floor with vestibule, lounges and dining room; third floor with bedrooms and attics for servants and storage.

- Stucco ceilings with neoclassical decoration, painted and wallpapered walls.

- Wooden wainscoting with neo-Arab and neo-Gothic style arcades.

Current use of the Grémio Palace

- Houses the Municipal Archive of Fafe.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palácio_do_Grémio