Palace of the Dukes of Loulé

Category: Civil Architecture > Palace

District: Lisboa > Cascais > São João do Estoril > Cascais e Estoril

Location

The Palace of the Dukes of Loulé is located in São João do Estoril, a town situated within the well-known and picturesque Cascais and Estoril area. Its position offers an expansive view over the Atlantic Ocean, contributing to a serene beachfront environment, characteristic of the Lisbon coast.

A Noble Summer Residence

Built in 1873, this palace was commissioned by D. Pedro José de Mendonça Rolim de Moura Barreto, the second Duke of Loulé and tenth Count of Valle dos Reis. Its purpose was to serve as a luxurious summer residence for the family, following the trend of the nobility who chose Cascais for their summer retreats.

Parisian Inspiration in Architecture

The architectural design of the palace is attributed to Luís Pedro d'Ávila, an architect whose studies in Paris, with the renowned Garnier (author of the Paris Opera), deeply influenced his work. This inspiration led to the adoption of the Louis XIII style, which lends the property a particular charm and earned it the nickname "caixinha de amêndoas" (little almond box).

The building's structure resembles a French-style chalet, with an area of about 200 m². Its roof, painted in a slate tone and organized into five pavilions (three of which stand out for their prominence and are crowned by weather vanes), creates a visual contrast with the stonework defining the doors and windows. This interplay of alternating larger and smaller stones emphasizes the elegance of the openings. The palace is distributed over three floors, with the top floor being a mansard.

Historical and Heritage Details

Inside, the main circulation begins from a hall located to the south, which corresponded to the original entrance. The building preserves the original staircase and balustrade, elements that attest to the craftsmanship of the era. The space is complemented by tiles, dating from the 1940s and sourced from the Sant'Anna factory in Lisbon, which add an artistic touch. The recognition of its historical and architectural value led to the classification of the Palace of the Dukes of Loulé as a Monument of Municipal Interest in 2006.

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