Ribeiro da Cunha Palace

Category: Civil Architecture > Manor House / Stately Mansion

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Príncipe Real

Location

The Palacete Ribeiro da Cunha, situated in Praça do Príncipe Real, stands as one of the most striking elements of this central Lisbon area. Built on a corner, it benefits from a position that affords it notable visibility, with its facades dominating the square to the north and the Calçada da Patriarcal. Its presence contributes significantly to the nineteenth-century architectural atmosphere that characterizes this urban environment.

A Jewel of Revivalist Architecture

Also known as the Moorish Palace, this building is one of the most emblematic examples of the Neo-Arab revivalist style in Lisbon. Built between 1877 and 1879, at the initiative of the wealthy capitalist José Ribeiro da Cunha for his residence, its design is attributed to the architect Henrique Carlos Affonso. It stands out for its rectangular plan with three facades, one of which is rounded at the angle.

Its facade is rich in detail, with painted stucco walls adorned by openings with horseshoe arches, characteristic of Islamic inspiration. The top of the palace is crowned by a cornice and a parapet, finished with pinnacles and, uniquely, by four domes that rise at its angles, giving it an unmistakable silhouette in the Lisbon landscape and making it a very prominent volume in the square.

Interiors of Great Splendor

Upon crossing the entrance, the visitor discovers an interior designed to impress and reflect the opulence of the era. The vestibule and the sumptuous main staircase serve as the primary reception and circulation spaces. At the heart of the palace, a rectangular interior courtyard, spanning the full height of the building, is a central element. This courtyard features three levels of galleries, supported by pointed arches, which reinforce the evocation of the Islamic architecture present throughout the decorative program.

The various salons and rooms reveal a wealth of materials and techniques, from elaborate stucco ceilings with allegorical scenes or wooden coffered ceilings, to floors that showcase the refinement of the finishes. You will also find painted and gilded wooden panels and mouldings with vegetal motifs, and notable geometric patterned mosaics on the courtyard floor. The presence of mural painting on the ceilings of some salons, with themes ranging from neoclassical to allegorical, illustrates the blend of influences and the refinement that mark this historic palace.

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