Alvarez Family Palace

Category: Civil Architecture > Manor House

District: Évora > Borba > Borba

Location

The Alvarez Family Palace is located in Borba, an Alentejo village in the municipality of the same name, in the area of São Bartolomeu. Its position within the urban fabric is notable, standing out as an element of interest in the local landscape. It is integrated into the characteristic environment of the village, contributing to the architectural richness of the area.

A Testimony to the 19th Century

This remarkable building was erected in the second half of the 19th century, a period of considerable prosperity for Borba. During this time, the village experienced a new peak, significantly driven by the production and trade of wine. Thanks to agricultural development and access to modern machinery, the quality and quantity of wine production were boosted. It was in this scenario of economic success that grand residences emerged, symbols of the wealth accumulated by prominent families and producers of the era, and the Alvarez Family Palace is an expressive example of this phase, reflecting the ambitions and tastes of the rising bourgeoisie.

Architectural Details

The Alvarez Family Palace stands out for its monumental and unequivocally bourgeois profile, a clear manifestation of the social status and taste of its time. One of its most striking elements are the balconies, which display notable decorative work. Their railings, executed in cast iron, are richly crafted with allegorical representations of painting and sculpture. These artistic details lend the palace's facade a uniqueness and beauty that capture attention, evidencing the sophistication and aesthetic care characteristic of affluent 19th-century construction.

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