Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa or Palace of the Dukes of Braganza

Category: Civil Architecture > Palace

District: Évora > Vila Viçosa > Vila Viçosa > Nossa Senhora da Conceição e São Bartolomeu

Location and History

- Located in Vila Viçosa, in the district of Évora, the Ducal Palace is a monument of great historical importance.

- For centuries, it served as the headquarters of the Serene House of Braganza, a noble family that became the royalty of Portugal in 1640.

- The construction of the palace began in the 16th century and is a masterpiece of Portuguese civil architecture of the Modern Age.

- Classified as a National Monument since 1970, the palace offers a fascinating view of the history of Portugal.

Origin and Growth of the Duchy

- Vila Viçosa became the seat of the Duchy of Braganza in the 15th century, when the 2nd Duke of Braganza preferred this region to the Ducal Palace of Guimarães.

- The 4th Duke, D. Jaime, built the current palace, moving away from the old Paço do Castelo.

- The 5th Duke, D. Teodósio I, married his sister to the Infante D. Duarte, promoting the expansion of the palace.

- Duke D. João V and Queen D. Maria I also contributed with improvements, including the expansion of the dining room.

Residence of the Kings

- After 1640, the Ducal Palace was used as a hunting and recreation residence for the Braganza royal family, which now ruled Portugal.

- King D. Carlos spent his last nights here before his assassination in 1908.

- King Alfonso XIII of Spain also visited the palace in 1909 during the reign of D. Manuel II.

The Palace Today

- After the proclamation of the republic in 1910, the palace became part of the Braganza House Foundation.

- Currently, the palace functions as a museum, displaying a vast collection of art, furniture, sculptures and much more.

- The Medusa, Dukes, and Hercules Rooms are highlights, with portraits of the dukes on the ceiling.

- The kitchen has an impressive collection of copper cookware.

- The palace library has valuable copies, and the armory is notable.

- The coach houses house part of the National Coach Museum, including the landau used on the day of the regicide.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pa%C3%A7o_Ducal_de_Vila_Vi%C3%A7osa

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