Countess Castro Guimarães Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Lisboa > Cascais > Cascais > Gandarinha

Location

The Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum is located in Cascais, in the Gandarinha area, nestled within the verdant Marechal Carmona Park. It enjoys a privileged location, next to Santa Marta cove, where the Atlantic waters kiss the coast. This setting allows visitors to enjoy a serene environment, with the presence of the sea and the park.

The museum's tower offers a unique vantage point over Cascais and the coastline, providing a wide perspective of the surrounding landscape.

From Dream to Legacy

The building that today houses the Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum was originally the Torre de São Sebastião (Tower of St. Sebastian), a remarkable summer residence built between 1897 and 1900. It was conceived by Jorge O'Neill, an aristocrat of Irish descent, who desired a revivalist-style palace to enjoy the beauty of Cascais.

In 1910, the property was acquired by Manuel Inácio de Castro Guimarães, who later received the title of Count. Driven by a passion for art and knowledge, the Count of Castro Guimarães bequeathed this house, with all its artistic contents and library, to the town of Cascais in 1924. His intention was for it to become a municipal museum and a public library, accessible to all and integrated with the adjacent gardens and park. Thus, in 1931, this space opened its doors, transforming a former private residence into a cultural treasure for the public.

Fascinating Architecture

The palace is a striking example of revivalist and eclectic architecture, combining elements that evoke a romantic and medieval castle aesthetic. Its large tower is one of the most distinctive elements and gives the building an almost fairy-tale character.

Inside, visitors discover environments rich in detail, such as a cloister with Moorish-inspired tiles. There are also touches that allude to the origin of its first owner, Jorge O'Neill, such as the shamrocks decorating the ceiling of the Sala dos Trevos (Shamrock Room), a symbol of Ireland. These elements contribute to an experience that transports visitors to a universe of beauty and history.

The Collection and Its Treasures

The museum houses a vast collection that reflects the tastes and erudition of the Counts of Castro Guimarães. They include paintings, furniture, silverware, and porcelain, some of which are of Oriental, Indian, and Brazilian origin, in addition to European ones. These objects are arranged throughout the palace's various spaces, allowing a journey through the original experiences and functions of each room.

Among the highlights of the collection is a 1170-pipe organ in the Sala da Música (Music Room), commissioned by the Count. The library is a highlight, with over twenty-five thousand volumes, its greatest treasure being the Crónica de El-Rei D. Afonso Henriques (Chronicle of King Afonso Henriques), dated 1505 and authored by Duarte Galvão. This work is particularly valuable for the illumination in its prologue, which contains the oldest known representation of the city of Lisbon.

In addition to these major collections, the museum surprises with small pockets of interest, such as Egyptian scarabs, antique clocks that still function, elegant fans, and a selection of Russian icons, revealing the diversity of the former residents' interests.

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