Category: Civil Architecture > Manor House
District: Évora > Reguengos de Monsaraz > Roncão > Roncão del Rei
Roncão del Rei is an old Alentejo estate, situated in the vast rural landscapes of the municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz, in the area of the locality of Roncão. This property is located on a gentle rise, offering a wide and pleasant visual command over the natural surroundings. With the construction of the Alqueva dam, part of its area was submerged, and the site now lies on the banks of the large reservoir, reconfiguring its landscape and providing distinct views over Europe's largest artificial lake.
This place carries a long and rich history, deeply linked to the Portuguese monarchy. Since the 15th century, the Roncão Estate has been part of the heritage of the House of Braganza, serving for centuries as a significant royal game preserve. It was here that monarchs such as Dom José I stayed and, in fact, it was by his order that the hunting lodge and chapel we find today were built in the 18th century.
Later, in the 19th century, Dom Carlos I, known as "The Hunter", had a particular fondness for this property, having frequented it assiduously for hunting. The very name "Roncão del Rei" evokes this strong connection to the Crown and the presence of wild animals that inhabited the region, giving the word "roncão" its traditional meaning of animal sound.
The architectural ensemble is composed of a Hunting Lodge and a Chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Conception, both dating from the 18th century. The hunting lodge, with its rectangular plan and expressive volume, stands out for its main facade, adorned with a gallery of sixteen semicircular arches, and by the three large chimneys that characterize its gable roof. Inside, which once hosted the royal family, the vaulted ceilings and regional brick floors persist, as well as traditional Alentejo fireplaces in the rooms.
Adjoined to the hunting lodge, the chapel features a more classic and sober facade. Its portal is flanked by pilasters and topped by a triangular pediment where the crowned royal coat of arms of Dom João VI is displayed. The interior space of the chapel, though of modest dimensions, preserves the barrel-vaulted ceiling and exhibits traces of mural paintings with the royal coat of arms, in addition to a notable large oil-on-canvas panel depicting the Holy Family. The constructions are mostly of stone and brick masonry, plastered and whitewashed, with shale details in the door and window frames. Currently, the hunting lodge is devoid of its original contents, which were transferred to the Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa.
The landscape surrounding Roncão del Rei underwent a significant transformation with the formation of the Alqueva Reservoir. What was once a vast land area, characterized by holm oak montado adapted to the Alentejo dryness, is today a panorama where the presence of water is dominant. This change created a particular scenic setting, where the old estate is uniquely positioned, offering a singular perspective on the vast expanse of water of Alqueva and the transition between the terrestrial and aquatic environments.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.305658221053, -7.4409584368421
Coordinates DMS: 38°18'20.4"N 07°26'27.5"W
On-duty Pharmacy Roncão
