São João Novo Palace or Museum of Ethnography and History

Category: Civil Architecture > Palace

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Centro Histórico

Location

Located in Miragaia, Porto, Portugal, the palace is part of the Cedofeita parish and is close to the Fernandine Walls.

History

The building was constructed in the late 18th century as the residence of a civil servant. During the Liberal Wars, it served as a military hospital and later as the headquarters of the Tipografia Comercial Portuense.

Museum

In 1945, the space became the Museum of Ethnography and History, showcasing artifacts from the region. The museum was closed in 1992 due to a fire in 1984, which caused degradation to the building.

Architecture

The palace has a Baroque style and is a three-story L-shaped building. The main facade features interesting details, such as arched windows and a granite coat of arms.

Classification

The Palácio de São João Novo has been considered a Property of Public Interest since 1977, highlighting its historical and architectural importance.

Rehabilitation

In 2023, it was announced that the Porto City Council plans to take over the management of the palace, with the aim of rehabilitating the building and creating a nucleus of the Porto Museum.

Visit

Although the palace is currently closed to the public, its rich history and central location make it a point of interest for those visiting Porto.

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

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