Quinta do Paço de Valverde

Category: Civil Architecture > Farm

District: Évora > Évora > Évora > Nossa Senhora da Tourega e Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe

Location

Quinta do Paço de Valverde is located in the heart of Alentejo, in the parish of Nossa Senhora da Tourega e Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, approximately 12 kilometers from the historic city of Évora. Nestled in a rural landscape, characterized by gently rolling terrain and its proximity to the Valverde stream, this historic property offers an environment of serenity. Currently, it is part of the Mitra Campus of the University of Évora, combining its rich heritage with an academic context.

Origin and Episcopal Palace

This remarkable complex originated in the early 16th century, established by the Archdiocese of Évora as a place of rest and spiritual retreat for its members. The heart of the property is the Episcopal Palace, a building already inhabited by around 1514. Throughout the centuries, the palace was enriched with various architectural interventions, such as the important works carried out in 1538. Notable features include the old Casas Pintadas (Painted Houses), whose portal is adorned with frescoes representing symbols of the diocese, and the palace's main entrance, preceded by a galilee with three perfect round arches, built in the 18th century.

The Renaissance Chapel

Within Quinta do Paço de Valverde lies a unique chapel, the Chapel of Saint John the Baptist, recognized as an exceptional example of Portuguese Renaissance architecture. With a centralized Greek cross plan, its harmonious composition results from the articulation of several regular octagons. The interior is marked by thirty-two marble columns supporting the domes, while the central dome, higher and supported by a drum, receives natural light through eight windows that softly illuminate the space, lending it an atmosphere of lightness and geometric beauty. This space was originally connected to the palace through a gallery.

Gardens and Hydraulic Engineering

The gardens of the estate invite discovery and the enjoyment of Alentejo tranquility. The Jardim de Jericó (Jericho Garden) is one of its most emblematic spots, housing the notable Lago dos Cardeais (Cardinals' Lake), a circular body of water adorned with cut-out decorative elements and a statue of Moses at its center. This leisure area, with its decoration begun in the second half of the 17th century, reflects the aesthetic refinement of the era. The complexity of the estate's hydraulic system is visible in the imposing masonry aqueduct, also erected in the 17th century, which crosses part of the property to supply not only the Jardim de Jericó and the palace, but also the Casa da Água (Water House) and the agricultural fields, revealing an impressive engineering feat for its time.

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