Category: Civil Architecture > House
District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > São Sebastião da Pedreira
The Mendonça Palace, also known as Casa Ventura Terra, stands on Rua Marquês de Fronteira, in the parish of Avenidas Novas, in Lisbon. Its location on a high point of the urban landscape grants it a distinct visibility and offers observers a perspective of its integration into the capital's surrounding environment.
This emblematic building was designed by the distinguished architect Raul Lino at the request of Henrique José Monteiro de Mendonça, a prominent businessman of the time. Designed between 1900 and 1902, its construction was completed in 1909, the year the work was awarded the prestigious Valmor Prize.
The palace's architecture reveals a strong classical inspiration with clear Italian influences, evident in its symmetry and harmonious proportions. Its elegance and meticulous attention to detail are aspects that define the uniqueness of this building, making it a remarkable example from the early 20th century in Lisbon.
The palace is composed of three distinct architectural bodies, with a larger central body flanked by two lateral ones. In its original interior, a large central hall stood out, enriched by a meticulously carved wooden staircase. Various rooms featured decorations in different styles, such as Empire, Louis XV, and Louis XVI, testifying to the eclectic taste of the era. Additionally, there was a winter garden, which provided a serene atmosphere.
For its time, the Mendonça Palace incorporated technological innovations that denoted remarkable modernity. It featured a lift, a central heating system, and, something particularly advanced, an alarm system, reflecting the progressive vision of its original owner.
After several decades in the possession of the Mendonça family, the palace was acquired by a real estate company in the 1970s. In 1990, the building was transferred to the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, subsequently undergoing adaptation and restoration work between 1990 and 1992, under the guidance of architect Manuel Tainha. From 2016, the Ismaili Community acquired the property, investing in a rehabilitation process. The space was later used for the Jubilee celebrations of Prince Aga Khan IV in 2018.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palacete_Mendonça
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.73241371415353,-9.155802089733948
Coordinates DMS: 38°43'56.7"N 09°09'20.9"W
Weather Lisboa
On-duty Pharmacy Lisboa
