House of Dispatch of the Third Order of Saint Francis

Category: Civil Architecture > House

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Centro Histórico

Location

Situated in the heart of the Historic Centre of Porto, the Casa do Despacho of the Third Order of São Francisco is located in the vibrant Ribeira district. This historic building stands at a slightly lower elevation, adjacent to and at a right angle to the grand Church of São Francisco. Its central position makes it an integral part of the classified urban landscape, being an easily accessible point of interest for those exploring the city.

Historical and Architectural Context

The Casa do Despacho was built between 1746 and 1752, based on a project by the renowned architect Nicolau Nasoni. Its construction took place after a fire destroyed a previous structure on the site. Designed to serve as the administrative headquarters and cemetery for the brothers of the Third Order of São Francisco, this eighteenth-century house exhibits a distinct Baroque architecture, which led to it being classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1977.

Exterior and Interior Details

The building's main facade, facing east, is constructed of exposed granite stonework, featuring two well-defined levels. In the center, above the main door, the order's coat of arms stands out, a symbol of its identity. The windows, adorned with iron railings, reflect the common typology of the first half of the eighteenth century. Internally, the Casa do Despacho reveals three main floors, in addition to a basement, and surprises with its remarkable ceilings, which echo the grandeur of the Joanine interiors of Lisbon, many of which were lost in the 1755 earthquake.

Notable Rooms

Among the most significant spaces, the Waiting Room captivates with its beautiful paneled Portuguese ceiling, enriched by multiple marbled frames. However, it is in the Session Room that one of the highlights of the visit is found. The vast ceiling of this room, dating from 1748, is a masterpiece by José Martins Tinoco, executed according to the design of Nicolau Nasoni. In the center, two split coats of arms are observed, painted in oil, representing the arms of the Third Order and of the monarchs D. José and D. Mariana Vitória. The room is further adorned by fourteen friezes, an altarpiece, and a frame for a painting in the form of a glory, all in gilded wood carving, creations by José Teixeira Guimarães, who is also the author of the magnificent rosewood table, with legs sculpted in the form of mermaids.

The Catacomb Cemetery

The basement of the Casa do Despacho houses its former catacomb cemetery, a space that today arouses great interest. Intended for the burial of the Order's members, this cemetery was deactivated in 1866. Its catacombs reveal an organization by sections, with lateral tombs and barrel vaults whose arches are lined with wood carving, creating a notable contrast of colors with the white and black marble burial chests.

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