Quinta de São Francisco Borja

Category: Civil Architecture > Farm

District: Setúbal > Almada > Caparica e Trafaria > Alcaniça

Location

Quinta de São Francisco Borja is located in the urban area of Alcaniça, integrated into the union of parishes of Caparica and Trafaria, municipality of Almada. Situated on National Road 377, between Pragal and Monte da Caparica, its main facade faces a busy road, while the rear opens up to a residential area. This location gives it a particular presence within the local urban fabric.

Memory of a Rural Noble House

With roots dating back to the mid-18th century and remodelled in the 19th century, Quinta de São Francisco Borja was, in its origin, a wealthy house integrated into a rural estate. Its architecture follows the characteristic design of 18th-century manor houses, where the chapel is incorporated into one of the extremities of the main facade. Of the agricultural elements that once complemented it, a rectangular barn remains, extending in continuity with the house's facade, testifying to its connection to the rural past.

Architectural and Artistic Details

The quinta's main facade, facing north, is composed of three distinct sections. The two-story dwelling stands out, with molded windows and balconies featuring wrought iron railings on the upper floor. In the chapel, a triangular pediment and pilastered quoins topped with urns are observed, framing a molded portal and window. At the opposite end to the chapel, a segmental arched lintel portal is surmounted by a balcony displaying a polychrome tile panel with the quinta's name, surrounding the representation of its patron.

Although the building's interior has undergone significant alterations over time, resulting in the disappearance of the original 18th-century tiles, the exterior of Quinta de São Francisco Borja retains its historic design. The use of plastered and pink-painted stone masonry, combined with stonework in moldings, gives it a distinctive aesthetic. The complex is classified as a Property of Municipal Interest, highlighting its heritage value and the importance of its preservation for local history.

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