House of the Prince

Category: Civil Architecture > House

District: Faro > Vila do Bispo > Vila do Bispo > Altos da Raposeira

Location

Casa do Infante is located in the village of Raposeira, in the Algarve region of Portugal.

History of Infante Dom Henrique

During the 15th century, Infante Dom Henrique was associated with the municipality of Vila do Bispo and the village of Raposeira. It is believed that the Infante spent some time on a farm called Raposeira, located near the village.

Legend and Association

Although there is no concrete evidence, Casa do Infante is considered a historical monument due to its legendary connection to Infante Dom Henrique. Popular tradition claims that the house would have been owned by the Duke of Viseu.

Historical Significance

Old documents prove that Infante Dom Henrique met with the Venetian navigator Alvise Cadamosto in Raposeira, to recruit him for his expeditions along the African coast. The location of the village, between Lagos and Sagres, provided a suitable environment for the Infante's studies.

Architecture

Casa do Infante was possibly built in the 15th century, but underwent reconstruction works and presents decharacterized features. Highlights include the double eaves and a lintel that originally belonged to a 15th or 16th century portal.

Heritage classification

The process of classifying the property began in 1986, but in 2008 the closure of the process was proposed considering that it did not possess national value. The closure order was published in March 2008.

Outreach initiatives

In November 2013, the municipality and the Regional Directorate of Culture of the Algarve organized a series of initiatives to mark the 533rd anniversary of the death of Infante Dom Henrique. Casa do Infante was opened to the public with guided tours during this period.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_do_Infante_(Raposeira)