Quinta dos Lagares d'el-Rei

Category: Civil Architecture > Farm

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Alvalade > Quinta dos Lagares d'El-Rei

Location

Quinta dos Lagares d'El-Rei is located in the Alvalade area of Lisbon, in an area that, despite the current urban environment, maintains its distinctive character. The main Manor House is framed by a walled garden, giving it an isolated and notable presence within the city.

Historically located in an area of great fertility, the property once extended over vast lands, of which the Manor House remains a testament to the rural landscape that once characterized this part of Lisbon.

Historical Memory

With its origins dating back to the 13th or 14th centuries, Quinta dos Lagares d'El-Rei has a history deeply connected to Portuguese royalty and nobility. The property was granted as a donation by King John I in 1392 to Martim Afonso Pires da Charneca, a prominent figure at court and later an archbishop.

Over the centuries, the lordship passed through various illustrious hands, eventually becoming part of the Almada House patrimony, after the marriage of D. Constança de Noronha to D. Fernando de Almada in the 15th century. This historical journey, which witnessed the transformation of vineyards and presses into urban farmland and, finally, into the current stately residence, culminated in its classification as a Property of Public Interest in 1982, recognizing its invaluable worth to Lisbon's cultural legacy.

Architecture and Environment

The Manor House of Quinta dos Lagares d'El-Rei, whose main structure dates from the 17th and 18th centuries, with significant renovations, features residential stately architecture of great beauty. Its L-shaped plan stands out, with articulated volumes and differentiated roofs, which contribute to its imposing image.

The main facade, oriented southwest, is marked by a single-flight staircase leading to the landing that provides access to the main door. On this facade, visitors can observe the coat of arms of the Counts of Almada, an element that underscores the property's connection to this noble family. In the staircase's supporting wall, perfect arch niches house sculptures of mythological figures in limestone, adding an artistic touch to the ensemble. Inside, there were elements such as an oratory and a small theater, testifying to the social and cultural life that once animated the manor.

Garden Details and Curiosities

The walled gardens surrounding the Manor House, although now smaller than their original extent, continue to be a central element of the Quinta. Within them, there is a fountain which, according to tradition, was transferred from the Palace of the Counts of Almada, in Rossio, adding a layer of history and provenance to this space.

One of the most curious and distinctive elements of the Quinta is a double vertical declining sundial, possibly from the 18th century, made of local stone and with an iron gnomon. This centuries-old instrument is an invitation to contemplate time and the scientific and artistic heritage of the era. The property also temporarily hosted the painter Carlos Reis in the early 20th century, further connecting it to Portuguese cultural heritage.

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