Memory Space

Category: Nature > Park

District: Portalegre > Castelo de Vide > Santiago Maior > Quinta do Brejo

Location

The Space of Memory is located in the Quinta do Brejo area, in Santiago Maior, a tranquil area within the municipality of Castelo de Vide. Its location, though integrated into the town's urban fabric, offers an atmosphere of introspection, conducive to contemplating the elements that comprise it and the natural or landscape surroundings that embrace it.

An Artistic and Cultural Legacy

This space is a tribute to António Ventura Porfírio (1908-1998), a painter native to Castelo de Vide. Trained at the Porto School of Fine Arts, his artistic journey led him to deepen his knowledge in Madrid, Paris, and Brussels. Ventura Porfírio also left his mark as the conservator of the Queluz National Palace for decades, an experience that would profoundly influence the conception of this site's gardens.

The Gardens and Architecture

The Space of Memory is notable for its conception as a house-garden. The gardens, designed by the painter himself, reveal a remarkable diversity of plant species, both regional and exotic, arranged in small terraces. This landscape organization reflects Ventura Porfírio's experiences in Queluz, creating a unique atmosphere. The house, built from scratch on land adjacent to the artist's grandfather's property, resulted from one of his sketches, with the final project overseen by António Pereira's architectural firm, revealing a fusion between the painter's vision and architectural realization.

Art Collections and Historic Objects

Inside the house, visitors will find an extensive artistic and historically valuable collection. The collection includes around four thousand drawings and hundreds of paintings, both by Ventura Porfírio himself and by other national and foreign artists. In addition to the artworks, the space houses furniture of significant historical value, contributing to a richer understanding of the painter's environment and legacy. This variety of elements offers a glimpse into the life and influences of an artist with strong ties to Castelo de Vide.

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