Eagle Palace

Category: Civil Architecture > Palace

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Junqueira

Location

Situated in Junqueira, an area of Lisbon with a distinct and historic urban environment, the Águias Palace is framed by streets such as Rua da Junqueira, Travessa da Boa-Hora, and Rua do Rio Seco. Its imposing southern facade faces Rua da Junqueira, while the main entrance, on the eastern facade, is accessed through a garden that begins on Travessa da Boa-Hora. This location allows visitors to experience the atmosphere of a traditional Lisbon neighborhood, marked by the presence of old estates and palaces, which lend the surroundings a character of great dignity and heritage.

A Multifaceted History

The construction of the original core of the Águias Palace began in 1718. Over the centuries, the property witnessed a succession of notable owners, including prominent figures such as Diogo de Mendonça de Corte Real. It was the stage for significant architectural transformations, particularly in the 19th century, under the guidance of the 1st Viscount of Junqueira, who remodeled it to the Italian taste, a task carried out by the architect Fortunato Lodi. It was during this period, around 1841, that the name "Quinta das Águias" (Eagle's Estate) was consolidated, due to the placement of two imposing stone eagles on the pillars of the main gate. In the 20th century, between 1933 and 1937, the palace underwent a major restoration campaign, which recovered its grandeur and rehabilitated its gardens. The recognition of its historical and architectural value culminated in its classification as Property of Public Interest in 1996.

Its Architectural and Artistic Elements

The Águias Palace is a testament to the architectural and decorative evolution over the centuries. Its south-facing facade dazzles with a decorated esplanade adorned with four marble statues, from which a staircase with side flights descends to an 18th-century garden, punctuated by tiled walls and busts. The main entrance, on the eastern facade, is marked by an elegant ashlar portal, crowned by a triangular pediment.

Inside, despite renovations that altered part of its original 18th-century character, elements of great interest persist. The atrium of the eastern wing, rebuilt in 1934, features a remarkable white and blue marble checkered floor, and a wrought-iron door, crowned by the heraldic eagle of the Sampaios family. The palace's chapel, in the Joanine style, impresses with its 18th-century tile panels and the representation of the "Annunciation" in an oil painting above the altar.

Also noteworthy is the cascade, a vaulted corner completely covered with early 18th-century tiles. These polychrome tiles are a visual delight, depicting exotic birds and insects, as well as scenes of rush fields, revealing the art and mastery of the era. In some rooms, the worked stucco ceilings and exotic wood floors attest to the refinement of decoration from later periods.

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