Category: Civil Architecture > Palace
District: Coimbra > Lousã > Lousã > Cruz de Ferro
Located in the heart of Lousã, in the district of Coimbra, the Salazares Palace is strategically positioned in the area known as Cruz de Ferro. This location integrates the palace into the town's urban and historical fabric, giving it a remarkable presence in its surroundings.
Visitors will find this imposing building to be a landmark that blends into Lousã's architectural landscape, bearing witness to the region's history through its enduring presence.
The multitude of names by which this building is known, Salazares Palace, House of the Viscountess of Espinhal, and Palace of the Viscounts of Espinhal, reflects its rich history and the successive owners and families who inhabited it. Each denomination points to a chapter of its existence, linking it to noble lineages and figures who marked local history.
The designation "Palace of the Viscounts of Espinhal" or "House of the Viscountess of Espinhal" underlines its connection to the nobility, denoting the status and influence of its former residents, who contributed to the region's development and prestige.
This example of civil architecture displays the characteristics typical of a stately palace, designed to reflect the importance and power of its occupants. Its architectural design, although it may have undergone adaptations over the centuries, maintains the dignity and grandeur inherent to a noble residence.
The facades, in particular, exhibit a composition that conveys sobriety and elegance, with a rhythm of openings consistent with the style of its construction period or its main renovations. Elements such as symmetry, elaborate portals, or the presence of pilastered cornerstones can be observed, giving it a distinct profile within Lousã's built complex.
Beyond its architectural grandeur, the Salazares Palace plays a significant role in Lousã's collective memory. It represents a living fragment of the region's social and economic history, mirroring the ways of life and social hierarchy of past eras.
As the residence of prominent figures, the palace is a testament to the evolution of the municipality's built and cultural heritage. Its continued existence to this day is an invitation to reflect on the past and on the stories its walls enclose.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palácio_dos_Salazares
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.10921062296985,-8.246448670505828
Coordinates DMS: 40°06'33.2"N 08°14'47.2"W