Shell Castle Complex (or Engineer Silva Castle), Building (of the former Tourism) and House of Shells, Silva Guimarães Esplanade

Category: Civil Architecture > Ensemble

District: Coimbra > Figueira da Foz > Figueira da Foz > Buarcos e São Julião

Location

, Located in Figueira da Foz, on Esplanada Silva Guimarães, facing the sea and above Avenida Marginal.

, Tourist attraction in the São Julião area.

History and Architecture

, Construction dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

, Example of architectural revivalism typical of the late 1800s.

Castelo das Conchas (or Castelo Engenheiro Silva)

, Quadrangular structure with three floors.

Notable Features

Fortified balconies, crenellated crown and circular tower with a spire.

Former Tourist Office Building

, Rectangular plan with two floors.

, Main facade divided into three parts, with doors and French windows in the center and lateral balconies with battlements.

Casa das Conchas

, Name inspired by the scallop shells in relief on the parapet.

, L-shaped structure with four sections on the facade.

, Art Nouveau tile frieze with marine motifs.

Environment and Local Importance

, Platform on the promenade delimited by the sea, with an urban front behind.

, Part of a larger complex built in the 1950s, including the Grande Hotel and the Swimming Pool, important urban landmarks.

Historical Context of Figueira da Foz

, Known for the salt trade and export of Bairrada wines.

, Seaside destination with a rich social life, including hotels, theater, bullring and social clubs.

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