Category: Civil Architecture > Manor House
District: Viana do Castelo > Ponte de Lima > Vitorino das Donas
The Paço de Vitorino is located in the civil parish of Vitorino das Donas, in the municipality of Ponte de Lima, a region of predominantly rural landscapes in northern Portugal. Its privileged location, on the banks of the River Lima, provides an environment of great tranquility and unobstructed views of the natural surroundings, which include lush green fields and, in the distance, the Serra d'Arga.
Integrated into a vast property of approximately 4.5 hectares, the Paço offers direct contact with nature and the typical serenity of the Minho landscape, inviting contemplation and a peaceful stroll through its outdoor spaces.
The Paço de Vitorino is a remarkable manor house whose origins date back to the 16th century, remaining in the same family ever since. The name "Paço" (Palace/Manor) is due to the fact that, at the end of that century, it served as a temporary residence for D. António, Prior of Crato, a prominent historical figure in the history of Portugal.
Throughout the 18th century, the property underwent extensive renovations, which gave it its current imposing Baroque character. These major works, which included the remodelling of the chapel and the creation of a vast garden, are attributed, in part, to the project coordinated by the military engineer Manuel Pinto de Vilalobos, with the garden's design sometimes linked to the genius of Nicolau Nasoni. The history of the Paço was also marked by a dramatic episode during the Portuguese civil war of 1828-1834, when the house was looted and set on fire, becoming known then as the "Casa Queimada" (Burnt House). Its historical and architectural importance was officially recognized in 1977, with its classification as a Property of Public Interest.
The architecture of the Paço de Vitorino is a notable example of a Minho manor house, featuring a rectangular plan with several harmoniously integrated volumes. The main access is through an imposing portal, which stands out for the crenellations topping the wall and, above all, for the coats of arms that adorn it. These coats of arms represent the various noble families that intertwined in the lineage of its owners, such as the Abreus, Pereiras, Coutinhos, Limas, and Logier, visually telling part of its history.
Inside, the building reveals a large courtyard, where the presence of a heraldic fountain and a sumptuously ornamented staircase catch the eye. The facades, enriched with granite elements and details that evoke Mannerist formalisms through the use of 'rusticated' stone, contribute to the solidity and beauty of the ensemble. Next to the entrance gate, the house chapel stands out, whose architecture, uncommon in the Minho region, suggests influences that may refer to the work of the architect Sebastiano Serlio.
One of the most captivating elements of the Paço de Vitorino is its Baroque garden, a space that was carefully recreated to evoke the formality and grandeur of gardens of that era. It is characterized by extensive lawn beds, outlined by corten steel borders, a touch that unites tradition with modernity, and is punctuated by a set of statues representing the four continents known in the 18th century: Africa, America, Asia, and Europe.
In addition to the main garden, the vast property includes an orchard garden and a woodland area. It is in the latter that the peculiar Hermitage of D. Catarina Capa Yupanqui, an Inca princess, is located, commissioned to be built for her burial and that of her husband, António Ramos, who were the first owners of the house. This unique detail adds a layer of fascination and mystery to the history of the Paço. Visitors can also deepen their knowledge about the history and principles of the gardens through an interpretation center, located over archaeological remains.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.724838,-8.662672
Coordinates DMS: 41°43'29.4"N 08°39'45.6"W
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