Tower of the Terenas Palace or Tower of Pedro-Sem

Category: Civil Architecture > Palace

District: Porto > Porto > Porto

Location

The Terenas Palace Tower, also known as the Pedro-Sem Tower, is situated in a picturesque area of the city of Porto.

Located behind the Terenas Palace and close to the banks of the Douro River, the tower offers a unique perspective on the city's riverside surroundings, marking the landscape with its historic presence.

Past and Nomenclature

This imposing tower was erected in the first half of the 14th century by Pero Docem, a nobleman from Aragon, and originally constituted part of the old Quinta da Boa Vista, a rural property that characterized the landscape of that era.

It is important to note that this same structure is also recognized as the Torre da Marca, a name that reflects its long history and its importance in the urban and defensive context of Porto.

The tower is also intrinsically linked to the figure of Pedro Pedrossem da Silva, a merchant from Hamburg who became the protagonist of a popular legend that tells the story of his fortune being lost through challenging divine forces.

Transformations and Uses Over Time

Over the centuries, the Pedro-Sem Tower has witnessed several transformations and assumed various functions.

During the Renaissance period, its facilities served as a hospital, accommodating the sick and providing aid in a time of great sanitary challenges.

Later, the tower was used by the Diocese of Porto, becoming a significant space for the institution.

In more recent years, in 1986, the tower was carefully restored to function as a residential annex of the diocese, and from 1995 onwards, it housed the headquarters of the SPES Foundation, adapting to contemporary needs without losing its historical essence.

Architectural and Heritage Characteristics

Architecturally, the tower displays a fusion of styles, with its original design showing Romanesque-Gothic influences.

Despite various renovations over time, which included the addition of a third floor and the insertion of asymmetrical windows, its structure maintains the robustness and character that distinguish it.

Its invaluable worth was formally recognized in 1910, when the Terenas Palace Tower or Pedro-Sem Tower was classified as a National Monument, underscoring its profound importance to Portugal's historical and cultural heritage.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torre_de_Pedro-Sem

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