House and Farm of Bonjóia

Category: Civil Architecture > Farm

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Bonjóia

Location

Quinta de Bonjóia is located in Campanhã, in the city of Porto. It is close to the Church of Campanhã and the Estrada da Circunvalação, making it easily accessible to visitors.

Historical Origin

The original estate dates back to the 15th century, when it was owned by Martim Viegas, cantor of the Porto Cathedral. After several changes of ownership, in 1758, it was acquired by D. Lourenço de Amorim da Gama Lobo, who ordered the construction of the palace that is now on the site.

Architecture

The main building of Quinta de Bonjóia stands out for its square tower and its rocaille facade. Although the project was inspired by Nicolau Nasoni's style, the construction was never finished, and the eastern part remained incomplete.

Coat of Arms

At the main entrance, on Rua de Bonjóia, you can see D. Lourenço's coat of arms, with the shields of the Amorim, da Gama, Lobo, and Magalhães families.

Ownership

The estate passed through several aristocratic families until it was acquired by the Porto City Council in 1995. Before that, it belonged to the Mendes de Carvalho family for 60 years.

Current Function

Currently, Casa de Bonjóia is used as the headquarters of foundations with social purposes, such as the Foundation for the Social Development of the Campanhã Valley. However, the maintenance of the gardens and the house has been a challenge.

Curiosity

Although incomplete, Casa de Bonjóia maintains its charm and is an example of 18th-century Porto architecture. Its gardens are a tranquil place, ideal for walks.

Public Access

The property is accessible to the public, allowing visits to the gardens and some areas of the building, making it an excellent opportunity for tourists to explore a historical space outside the city's most common routes.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinta_de_Bonjóia

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