Morgado Cultural Center

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Arts Centre

District: Lisboa > Arruda dos Vinhos > Arruda dos Vinhos

Location

The Morgado Cultural Centre is located in Largo Miguel Bombarda, in the center of the village of Arruda dos Vinhos. Its central location gives it a prominent presence in the local urban landscape, being easily identifiable by those exploring the area.

18th Century Architecture

The main building is a remarkable 18th-century palace, distinguished by its imposing aristocratic facade. This facade features seven balcony windows, and above the central window, a Coat of Arms, a symbol of the nobility that once inhabited this manor. Its architectural design reflects the style and taste of the era, with its plans attributed to the architect Mateus Vicente de Oliveira, a prominent figure in 18th-century Portuguese architecture.

The Manor's Spaces

Originally conceived as a manor house, the building was divided into two main floors: the noble floor, intended for the residence of its owners, and the ground floor, which housed the services supporting domestic life and the agricultural property. On the noble floor, accessed by an internal staircase, it is possible to glimpse the organization of the social spaces of the nobility. It comprised distinct areas, such as reading rooms, a main hall, and a high-ceilinged dining room, designed for hospitality and socializing. There were also more private areas, such as bedrooms, and essential service areas, such as the kitchen and pantries, which reflect the daily life of a stately home.

The Garden and the Chapel

Accompanying the palace, a vast and well-maintained garden extends, inviting leisurely strolls and contemplation. Attached to the main body, there is a chapel dating back to 1781, which occupies a significant part of the east-facing facade, bordering the old Rua Direita. This chapel, of considerable size for strictly private use, suggests its social importance. The south facade of the palace is adorned by an elegant fan staircase, with a single flight, leading to a secluded terrace. This terrace is notable for its benches and low wall clad in polychrome tiles of the period, a beautiful detail that complements the overall aesthetic of the ensemble. In the vicinity, there is also a rural house, which once served as support for the property, and which is associated with a fountain from the year 1789.