Category: Civil Architecture > Manor House
District: Braga > Braga > Braga > São José de São Lázaro
The Raio Palace rises majestically in the heart of the city of Braga, integrated into its historic urban fabric. Its unique presence in the surroundings allows visitors a direct immersion into the ambiance of the Minho city, standing out as an undeniable architectural landmark on any journey through the city.
This building is a remarkable example of Portuguese Rococo, attributed to the creative genius of André Soares, one of the most influential architects of the 18th century in Northern Portugal. Its facade is immediately recognizable by its integral cladding in blue tiles, a vibrant color that strikingly contrasts with the grey granite elements.
The portals and windows, meticulously carved in granite, display a decorative richness typical of the style. Shells, volutes, and other twisted organic forms lend the building an elegance and visual lightness. This combination of materials and ornamentation creates a facade of great scenic, almost pictorial, impact.
Commissioned in the mid-18th century by João Duarte de Faria, this sumptuous building later acquired the name Palácio do Raio (Raio Palace) due to one of its owners, Miguel José do Raio. Also popularly known as the "Casa do Mexicano" (House of the Mexican), resulting from a later acquisition by a returning emigrant, the palace bears witness to centuries of experiences and urban transformations.
Throughout its existence, the building has maintained its grandeur, standing today as a symbol of Braga that preserves and shares its memories and artistic value with those who visit it.
More than just a mere building, the Raio Palace constitutes a true icon of Braga's urban landscape. Its facade, with its profusion of blue and the complexity of its ornamentation, invites contemplation and reveals the mastery of the artisans of the era.
It represents an era of great artistic and cultural richness, reflecting the dynamism and prosperity of the Minho city during the Rococo period, and continues to be a point of attraction for all those interested in Portuguese art and history.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palácio_do_Raio
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.54835278,-8.42264444
Coordinates DMS: 41°32'54.1"N 08°25'21.5"W
Weather Braga
On-duty Pharmacy Braga
