Palace of the Vianinhas

Category: Civil Architecture > Manor House / Stately Mansion

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Campo Pequeno

Location

The Palácio das Vianinhas is located in Lisbon, in the vibrant urban area of Campo Pequeno. This historic building is situated within a well-defined block, bordered by streets such as Praça do Campo Pequeno, Rua Chaby Pinheiro, Rua de Entrecampos, and Rua Isidoro Viana, named in honor of its first owner. Its central city location offers an interesting contrast between its historical presence and the dynamic, modern surroundings.

History and Legacy

The history of the Palácio das Vianinhas dates back to 1861, the year its initial construction was commissioned by Francisco Izidoro Viana, a notable figure in Lisbon, affectionately known as "Vianinha". This influential banker and merchant was also recognized for his philanthropic and charitable spirit.

Originally, the palace was part of a vast estate that functioned as a true 'quinta' (country estate) within the city. It featured a noble house, extensive gardens, orchards, vegetable plots, a forest with wild trees, two wells, and artistically designed ponds. This original scale reveals the grandeur and self-sufficiency of the space that the palace once represented.

Architectural Features

The Palácio das Vianinhas is an example of 19th-century residential architecture. Its inverted 'L' shaped plan is organized around a courtyard of honor, originally delimited by a high wall. The facades, plastered and painted in a soft pink hue, feature a stone masonry base.

Although initially two stories high, the building underwent expansions in the 20th century, which added a third floor, designed as a mezzanine. The pilastered quoins and rectilinear windows define its aesthetic. The windows of the former noble floor display superiorly carved frames, and those highlighting the axes of symmetry exhibit greater decorative care, terminating in an angular or straight cornice, or featuring arched openings.

Interiors and Artistic Elements

Upon entering the palace, visitors are greeted by a vestibule distinguished by its limestone pavement, forming a black and white checkerboard pattern. From here, a grand curved stone staircase, with a solid balustrade and beveled handrail, richly decorated with volutes and vegetal elements, leads to the noble floor.

Among the interior spaces, two superimposed octagonal rooms stand out, adorned with elaborate stucco work and built-in cabinets. The palace chapel, with a single nave and rectangular plan, is a point of interest for its exterior simplicity. Inside, a dazzling polychrome carved altarpiece, in Pombaline style, with blue, yellow, and gold details, shines brightly. The side walls of the chapel are ornamented with large canvases depicting the Works of Mercy, evoking the long tradition of solidarity associated with the site.

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