Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval or Palace of the Infant D. Pedro or Palace of the Counts of Tentúgal

Category: Civil Architecture > Palace

District: Coimbra > Montemor-o-Velho > Tentúgal

Location

- Located in the village of Tentúgal, municipality of Montemor-o-Velho, district of Coimbra.

- Situated in a rural and agricultural area, nestled in the fertile Mondego Fields, opposite the Royal Canal (Vala Real).

History and Architecture

- Probably built by Infante D. Pedro in the 15th century.

- Also known as Paço do Infante D. Pedro (Palace of Infante D. Pedro), Quinta do Paço (Estate of the Palace), and Paço dos Duques do Cadaval (Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval).

- Classified as a Monument of Public Interest since July 31, 2013.

- Originally included a house, threshing floor, granary, and a Gothic chapel dedicated to São Miguel (Saint Michael).

- Suffered abandonment in the 18th century and was burned down by liberals in 1834, being rebuilt in the 19th century.

Structure and Characteristics

- Late-Gothic chapel with an ogival portico and high walls, possibly the first of an architectural cycle sponsored by D. Pedro.

- Palace composed of projecting bodies, with Gothic openings and tall chimneys, highlighting the ogival windows and exterior chimneys.

- Granary of great dimensions (80 meters long by 25 meters wide), with three naves separated by Doric columns and semicircular arches.

- The granary's facade retains a lateral porch door and a 17th-century window with Portugal's coat of arms.

Current State

- Currently, the palace is in a state of abandonment, with signs of interrupted restoration.

- Parts of the building are used as a corral for sheep and goats.

- Only the walls of the chapel and granary, and part of the palace, remain standing.

Visit and Curiosities

- Although the building is in ruins, it is still possible to observe various structures from the 15th and 16th centuries of great historical interest.

- Tourists can appreciate the Gothic architecture, the arcades of the noble courtyard, and the loggia with white marble columns decorated with Andalusian-inspired motifs.

- Access to the noble courtyard is through a central street shaded by arboreal boxwoods, with the palace in the background.

- The area where the threshing floor is located, currently occupied by a vineyard, was formerly used for drying tithes and harvesting corn.

Notes of Interest

- It is one of the few royal residences preserved in Portugal, having hosted kings and their retinues between the reigns of D. Pedro I and D. Afonso V.

- The chapel's portal is a copy of the main portal of the local parish church, evidencing the connection between the constructions sponsored by D. Pedro.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palácio_dos_Duques_de_Cadaval_(Évora)

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