Werneck House

Category: Civil Architecture > Small Palace

District: Viana do Castelo > Viana do Castelo > Viana do Castelo > Santa Maria Maior e Monserrate

Location

Casa dos Werneck is located in the city of Viana do Castelo, integrated into the urban area of Santa Maria Maior and Monserrate. More specifically, it is situated on Rua da Carreira, at an intersection with Rua Cândido dos Reis, in an area that, despite being central, maintains an isolated character. At the rear of the property, a garden extends towards the railway station area, contributing to a diverse environment, balancing urban settings with a more secluded space.

Neo-Gothic Architecture with Romantic Details

This unique building, constructed around 1840, is a remarkable example of revivalist architecture, predominantly in Neo-Gothic style. Its two-story main façade stands out for the pilasters that rhythmically punctuate it and for its regular fenestration. The Neo-Gothic inspiration in the frontispiece is noteworthy, harmoniously contrasting with the vegetal decoration that frames the bay windows, featuring broken arches. Wrought-iron balconies enrich the ensemble, and the façade is crowned by a parapet decorated with a coat of arms, flanked by phytomorphic motifs and volutes.

The Artistic Treasures of the Interior

Inside Casa dos Werneck, the noble floor's rooms reveal an atmosphere of romantic charm. Walls and ceilings are profusely decorated with paintings exploring phytomorphic and landscape themes. The living room deserves particular attention, with its ceilings featuring landscape cartouches and medallions with portraits. Among these is a self-portrait by the Vianense painter João Baptista do Rio, who adorned the ceilings around 1880, along with famous theater figures of the era such as Emília das Neves, Taborda, and Noronha. An oratory, with its painted decoration and carved wooden niche, completes the artistic ambiance of the mansion.

The Passamano Portal and the Charm of the Garden

Complementing the house's aesthetics, on the east side of the façade, is the so-called Passamano Portal. Although it is Baroque in style and was relocated to this site in 1923, originating from the former Ursuline Convent, its presence, with a curved lintel, pilasters, and pinnacles topped by a national shield, integrates cohesively and harmoniously with the overall property. At the rear of the property, a garden extends, offering a space of tranquility and featuring a central fountain with a quadrilobed basin, inviting contemplation of the surrounding environment.

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