Magalhães Mexia House

Category: Religious Architecture > Chapel

District: Coimbra > Lousã > Fiscal > Lousã e Vilarinho

Location

Situated in the locality of Fiscal, which belongs to the Union of Parishes of Lousã and Vilarinho, in the municipality of Lousã, the Casa dos Magalhães Mexia is located halfway up the hillside where the village develops. Its main portal opens directly onto the street that runs through the village, giving it a striking presence in the local urban landscape.

The Manor Architecture

The Casa dos Magalhães Mexia is an example of a noble house of Baroque design. Its construction reflects the simplicity common in 17th-century Portuguese architecture, although it incorporates elements added in later periods. The main facade is distinguished by two registers and a central section highlighted by pilasters extending from the base to the cornice. Above, a curved pediment, topped by flaming urns, emphasizes the importance of this area.

At the center of this facade, a remarkable portal stands out, crafted from red Alveite stone, with a curved lintel and architrave. Above, the coat of arms of the Magalhães Mexia family, intricately worked with details such as a helmet, mantling, volutes, and shell motifs, attests to the property's noble past. The door, made of chestnut wood and featuring its double paneled leaves, complements the careful design of the ensemble.

Historical and Artistic Features

The history of this house dates back, at least, to the early 18th century, with a date of 1704 visible on one of the central body's windows, indicating its construction under the patronage of Jerónimo de Magalhães Mexia e Freitas. The property remained in the possession of the Magalhães Mexia family for generations, and one of its descendants, born in 1738, may have been responsible for commissioning the portal observed today.

Although its interior is currently in a state of ruin, it is known that its rooms once displayed elaborate paintings on stucco. These adornments, possibly tempera, featured varied themes, from the Magalhães Mexia family heraldry, through religious representations of saints, such as Saint Paul, to decorative patterns that simulated the texture and beauty of tile wainscoting, testifying to the artistic richness the house once housed.

The Arch Over the Street

One of the most characteristic elements of this property, which gives it the alternative designation of "House of the Arch" ("Casa do Arco"), is a structure that extends over the street. Probably built at a later stage, this section features a simpler architecture, covered by a gable roof. The depressed arch, which crosses the public road, integrates into the house's facade through a discreet support, contributing to the uniqueness of its architectural profile.

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