Category: Civil Architecture > Palace
District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Belém
The Palace of the Counts of Calheta is located in Belém, an area of Lisbon known for its rich historical heritage. Integrated into the local urban fabric, the palace is part of a larger heritage complex, currently under the purview of the University of Lisbon.
Its position offers a perspective on the landscape evolution of Belém, where it once stood as a summer residence. The south facade, facing the grounds that now comprise the Tropical Botanical Garden, reveals a harmony with the natural surroundings, underlining its original purpose of leisure and retreat.
Erected in the mid-17th century by D. João Gonçalves da Câmara, the fourth Count of Calheta, this palace was conceived as an elegant summer residence. Its sober structure, characteristic of 17th and 18th-century architecture, reflects the taste of the era.
In 1726, the Palace of the Counts of Calheta was acquired by D. João V. This acquisition marked the beginning of a period of profound alterations and adaptations, which shaped the building over the centuries and for the different functions it would come to serve. Its classification as a National Monument in 2007 attests to its relevance in the Portuguese historical-architectural panorama.
The Palace of the Counts of Calheta witnessed significant episodes in Portuguese history. After the 1755 earthquake, the building housed the Secretaries of State, playing a central role in the administration of the kingdom and being known, at the time, as the Palace of the Secretaries of State.
In 1758, this palace was the setting for the interrogations of figures implicated in the attempt on D. José I's life, a crucial event that preceded the tragic Távora Process. Later, in the 19th century, the residence served to accommodate distinguished foreign guests, reinforcing its status as a place of diplomatic and social importance.
The palace's architecture is an example of the elegant sobriety of the 17th and 18th centuries. It develops on two floors, with bodies of slightly irregular volumes and heights, giving it a distinctive character. Its south facade, in particular, features an extreme body that rests on Calçada do Galvão, followed by a more recessed body, adorned with a continuous iron balcony on the first floor, in front of five windows.
Inside, the palace reveals remarkable artistic richness, especially through its profuse panels of 17th and 18th-century tiles. These decorative compositions depict various scenes, from representations of hunting and bucolic moments, to maritime landscapes and military events, offering a glimpse into the life and interests of the era.
Currently, the Palace of the Counts of Calheta is intimately linked to the heritage of the University of Lisbon. Although in the 20th century it housed the Colonial Agricultural Museum and, for a period, the Hunting and Tourism Pavilion during the Portuguese World Exhibition, its function evolved into a center of knowledge and research.
The building now houses collections of scientific and cultural value, such as the Xylotheque, a notable collection of wood samples, located on the first floor. The ground floor functions as the Documentation and Information Centre of the Institute for Tropical Scientific Research, where ethnographic reserves are also found, contributing to the preservation and study of important collections.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.70129983125, -9.20223353125
Coordinates DMS: 38°42'4.7"N 09°12'8.0"W
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