Siqueiros Manor

Category: Civil Architecture > Manor House

District: Viana do Castelo > Ponte de Lima > Gondufe

Location

The Paço de Siqueiros stands serenely in the locality of Gondufe, in the municipality of Ponte de Lima. Set within a predominantly rural landscape, the manor is isolated and offers an open view over the Lima valley. Access to the property, via a path among pine trees and an arbor-covered walkway, culminates in a closed courtyard that opens onto the natural surroundings, providing a tranquil environment with the agricultural landscape framing the whole.

A Distinct Architecture

This manor presents itself as a remarkable example of stately residential architecture, characterized by its uncommon house-tower typology. The current structure, developed between the 18th and 20th centuries, stands out for its quadrangular tower projecting from the center of the residential wing, a less common solution in Baroque architecture. The main facade reveals an elegance in the simplicity of the residential blocks' lines, which contrasts with the tower's imposing nature. In it, the architectural rhythm is more pronounced, visible in the pinnacles of the corners, in the pyramidal merlons that crown it, and in the placement of coats of arms, which frame the upper windows and mark the main entrance, preceded by a two-flight staircase.

Centuries of History and Legacy

The history of Paço de Siqueiros dates back to the 12th century, when these lands were a royal grant. Over the centuries, the property was shaped by various generations, establishing itself in the 14th century as a "strong house" with defensive characteristics. Its trajectory was marked by periods of fragmentation and ruin, including a notorious looting and fire during the Wars of Restoration in the 17th century, which left the tower severely damaged. The reunification of the estate and the reconstruction of the manor, especially from the 18th century onwards, restored its grandeur. The coats of arms present on the tower and in the courtyard are visible testimonies to the passage and legacy of some of the families who, over hundreds of years, inhabited and shaped the identity of the Paço, such as the Sequeiros, Ferrazes, Rebelos, and Vasconcelos.

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