Renaissance Balcony

Category: Civil Architecture > Balcony

District: Santarém > Santarém > Santarém > Alfange

Location

The Renaissance Balcony is located in the city of Santarém, on Rua João Afonso, integrated into the historic Alfange area. This urban area, characterized by its hillside location, offers a setting that reflects the density and layout of the ancient Scalabitan streets.

It is an element visible from the public street, which is integrated into the façade of a 16th-century residence, contributing to the architectural richness of its urban surroundings.

A Window to the 16th Century

This remarkable architectural example dates back to the first half of the 16th century, revealing the influence of the Renaissance style in Santarém. Its composition, made of lioz stonework, stands out for its elegance and the sculpted details that characterize it as an element of artistic and historical value.

The balcony consists of two stone balustrades, arranged at an angle, which rest on a continuous base and are topped by a molded cornice. It is worth noting that the longer side of this balcony is currently covered, preserving its elements.

The Art of Grotesques and its History

One of the most distinctive aspects of the Renaissance Balcony lies in the richness of its decoration. Its balustrades and the base frieze are adorned with grotesques, decorative motifs typical of the Renaissance period, which combine intricate foliage scrolls with figures of fantastic animals and elements such as candelabra.

The cornice, in turn, displays the delicacy of the raised acanthus. There is the historical particularity that this balcony may have been the result of assembling various stone slabs, possibly transferred from another location, which adds a layer of mystery and intrigue to its origin. The ensemble is officially recognized as a Property of Public Interest.

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