Alamo Palace

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Portalegre > Alter do Chão > Alter do Chão > Centro Histórico

Location:

The Álamo Palace is serenely integrated into the Historic Centre of Alter do Chão, in the district of Portalegre. Situated in one of the main squares of the village, this building stands as a landmark, framed by the surrounding architecture characteristic of this Alentejo locality. Its central position makes it an accessible and prominent element in the urban fabric.

History and Origins:

This unique building, also known as Casa do Álamo, has its historical roots in the 17th century. Its construction began in 1649, by order of Diogo Mendes de Vasconcelos, linking it to the lineage of a noble family from the region. Throughout the 18th century, the palace underwent a significant reconstruction and, subsequently, in the 19th and 20th centuries, it underwent various adaptations that shaped its current configuration, bearing witness to architectural and usage transformations over time.

Architecture and Interior Environment:

The Álamo Palace features residential architecture with strong Baroque influences, notably on its main south-facing façade. This façade, which combines white lime wash with granite stonework, is adorned with balcony windows featuring elaborate wrought-iron railings, some of which date back to the 18th century.

Inside, the palace is distributed over three floors. The ground floor, which in the past served utilitarian functions of the noble house, now hosts cultural spaces, such as exhibition rooms and a library. On the noble floor, visitors can appreciate the rich decorative ceilings, which display 18th-century style paintings and stucco work, with Rococo ornamentation denoting the residence's distinction. An interesting detail for the curious is the possibility of observing, in the attic, the construction techniques employed in the artistic ceilings of the floor below.

The Historic Garden:

Adjacent to the palace, a beautiful Portuguese-style garden extends, inviting a peaceful stroll. Access is through an imposing portal, flanked by a coat of arms, which introduces the visitor to a space that has managed to reconcile productive agricultural function with leisure and contemplation. This garden houses a variety of structures, such as an old water wheel, water tanks, one of which is adapted with a fountain decorated with dolphins, and a small pond with a jet.

The paths are lined with artfully trimmed boxwood hedges, and the space is enriched by a diversity of mature trees, both ornamental and orchard, notably specimens of Magnolia grandiflora and Cupressus sempervirens sempervirens. It is a secluded spot that allows one to enjoy the harmony between nature and the landscape design of past centuries.

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