Silva Amado Palace

Category: Civil Architecture > Palace

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Pena

Location

The Silva Amado Palace stands in the Pena area, in the heart of Lisbon, forming part of the block delimited by Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, Travessa do Torel, and Rua Júlio Andrade. Its position offers it a close relationship with the Jardim Miradouro do Torel, known for its city views. The building is a striking presence in the urban landscape of this historic area of the Portuguese capital.

Origin and History

This palace has its roots in the 18th century, having initially been conceived as a wealthy residence. Over time, the building underwent significant transformations, notably a renovation in the 19th century to serve as the residence of the physician and professor Dr. José Joaquim da Silva Amado, a notable figure in the history of Portuguese forensic medicine. In 1928, the Palace was acquired by the State, and in the 1930s, its gardens hosted the construction of a new building, expanding the original complex.

The site also carries a particular historical weight: it was here, in 1817, that the torments of the eleven companions of Gomes Freire de Andrade took place. Although a commemorative plaque for this event has been removed, the memory remains linked to this space.

Architectural Features

The Silva Amado Palace features residential architecture that combines 18th-century elements with 20th-century interventions. The main building, with a rectangular plan, stands out for its volume and its rear facade that connects with a garden. Its three stories are marked by painted stucco wall sections, where openings with worked stonework frames are found. A second building, with a peculiar U-shaped plan, complements the complex and establishes a harmonious connection with the garden through a portal, revealing a careful integration between the different parts of the property.

The Richness of the Interiors

Inside the palace, the most prominent spaces are the vestibules and the stairwell, designed to impress and to organize circulation. Here, one can appreciate a remarkable collection of 17th and 18th-century tiles. In the entrance atrium, the walls and window frames are entirely covered with monochromatic tilework featuring floral motifs and polychromatic tilework with diamond point and vegetal patterns. Notable are figurative panels with the theme of the albarrada, as well as an impressive 17th-century altar frontal displaying motifs of exotic birds, peacocks, lions, elephants, and deer. The main staircase, in turn, is adorned with polychrome wainscoting, while in the first-floor vestibule and along the staircase leading to the second, monochromatic tiles with hunting scenes and gallant episodes are found.

In addition to the tiles, the Palace preserves a rich decoration of stuccos, especially in the main stairwell and the lantern, with a decorative program dominated by anthropomorphic and vegetal themes of neo-rocaille inspiration. The wooden coffered ceilings, some with traces of ornamental painting predating the 1755 earthquake, and others with gilded carving, further enrich the visual experience of those who walk through its halls.

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