Category: Nature > Protected Area
District: Lisboa > Cascais > Carcavelos > Quinta do Barão
Quinta do Barão is located in the urbanization of the same name, in the locality of Carcavelos, municipality of Cascais. Situated on a gentle slope rising from the coast, it benefits from a south-facing exposure that historically provided an ideal microclimate for agriculture, particularly for grape cultivation. Despite the surrounding urban expansion, the property remains a historical and natural space, isolated by walls, offering a glimpse into the region's rural past.
This property, also known as Quinta da Lapa, has its roots in the 18th century, when it was acquired by the architect Jacinto Isidoro de Sousa. However, it was from 1794, under the ownership of José de Almeida e Vasconcelos, the first Baron of Mossâmedes, that the quinta became renowned. The Baron dedicated himself to planting vineyards and producing the celebrated Carcavelos Wine, a wine whose fame dated back to the 14th century and reached its peak in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Quinta do Barão was one of the main producers of this distinctive wine, contributing significantly to the region's viticultural heritage. Although the landscape of Carcavelos has changed drastically with urbanization, the quinta remains an important testament to this agricultural tradition. Its historical and cultural value has been recognized by its classification as a Monument of Public Interest since 2002.
The manor house of Quinta do Barão, dating from the 18th century, features architecture with unique characteristics. The building, with a rectangular plan and two or three floors, stands out for its south facade. Here, a two-flight staircase leads to a covered porch, supported by four stone columns, which marks the main entrance of the house.
The ground floor walls and the staircase's supporting walls are covered with magnificent 18th-century tile panels, predominantly in blue and white. These panels feature polychrome Rococo-style frames and figurative scenes, including the effigies of the quinta's founders, telling the history of the place through this secular art. Inside, some rooms still display tile wainscoting from different periods and styles, including panels dedicated to the theme of work, where cereal is curiously represented in yellow.
Surrounding the manor house to the west, the extensive gardens of Quinta do Barão are a notable landscape element. Their original conception, believed to date back to the time the house was built, reveals Baroque influences, possibly inspired by the works of Carlos Mardel. These gardens are characterized by a great variety of plant species, some of them centuries old, creating a unique environment.
The layout is organized into axes, defined by boxwood beds and topiary shrubs in geometric shapes. Walking along the paths, visitors find decorative elements such as eight stone statues and busts, various lakes and fountains, an old tank, and even a dovecote. There are also secluded spots with "namoradeiras," benches with low walls covered in early 19th-century neoclassical tiles, inviting a relaxing break. Despite renovations over time, the gardens retain their historical charm.
At the southwestern end of the property stands the old winery, an L-shaped building that, in the past, was a central point in the quinta's wine production. Although the construction of modern infrastructure has altered its original connection to the manor house, the winery remains an important vestige of the site's agricultural vocation.
The interior of the winery features artistic tilework, dating from around 1900 and attributed to A. Gaspar, with representations of Bacchus, the god of wine. This detail underscores Quinta do Barão's deep connection to the history of Carcavelos wine production and adds a cultural dimension to the property's architectural ensemble.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.694439292, -9.330261916
Coordinates DMS: 38°41'40.0"N 09°19'48.9"W
On-duty Pharmacy Carcavelos
